I have a
2006 Ford F150 4x4 King Ranch 5.4 engine / bought used. I had the trans mission service, Reg maintenance , no problems with truck want to keep it that way.

I was looking to buy Big Tex dumper trailer model #12Lx http://bigtextrailers.com/12lx-tande...tra-wide-dump/

I was worried about the weight my truck would pull with out killing engine.Right now I pull a 6x 10 single axle trailer 2ft. sides no dump feature, with 3 yrds of compost with no problems for 2 yrs now. I don't know what the weight is. Some times the loaders over load me when there has been rain and the compost soaks up all the water making heavier , then a spring will break. I can tow the weight fine the trailer just can't handle the weight. The weight of the dump trailers don't seem to be to much difference in weight as you change the length. should just buy smaller one and cut down the weight by 300 or 400 pounds?

If i up grade to heavy duty trailer will my truck pull it? I haul compost sometimes 3 days week, 3 times a day. I have electric brakes. Also would I have to up grade the hitch to class IV hitch? , I do not know whats on there now, but I think it would be a class 3.

Any help would be great help. I have to borrow money to buy the trailer and do not want to have buy new engine or trans, a year down the road.
Sorry for the grammar that's why I haul compost/ dirt.
Thanks Chris

 

VIN: 1FTPW14V16KD58679
Tire size LT 275/65 R18
General Information

MFR model code W14
Body type:Short Bed
Pass Doors:4
Alternative name: 4WD SuperCrew Styleside 5-1/2 Ft Box XLT
Alternative body:Crew Cab Pickup - Short Bed
Drivetrain:Four Wheel Drive Engine & Powertrain


Type 8 Cylinder Engine


Displacement L/CI 5.4/330
Fuel Type Flex Fuel Capability
Horsepower 300.0 @ 5000
Fuel Economy 0.0 City / 0.0 Highway MPG
Fuel Capacity 27.0 gal
Net Torque 365.0 @ 3750


Tech Specs

Manufactured By United States Ford
Curb Weight - Front 3171 lbs 3107.0 min 3243.0 max
Curb Weight - Rear 2338 lbs 2299.0 min 2396.0 max
Suspension Type - Front Coil Spring
Suspension Type - Rear Leaf Spring
Front Tire Size P275/65R18
Rear Tire Size P275/65R18
Brake ABS System 4-wheel
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness 13.0 x 0.55 in
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness 13.7 x 0.47 in
Wheelbase 138.5 in 138.5 min 150.5 max

 

That weighs 3570# empty with a 8430# payload capacity. Way too much for any F-150. Realistically, putting any more than 2 tons in it will put it over the truck's capacity. A yard of compost can weigh close to 1 ton. It's not a limitation of the engine and transmission, it's a limitation of the truck's chassis. For the work you do, you really do need a Super Duty.

You don't need a class 4 hitch but you do need a weight distribution system.

 

Could I beef up my suspension on truck? or change springs or add spring helpers? I always only get 3 yrds, of compost, because anything over, they charge you a commercial price, which is way to expensive.
I am think if my existing trailer weights @ 1,500, single axle, 6x10 and compost 3 yrds (6,000lbs ? )that puts me around 7,500 Lbs. I've been pulling for 2 years with no problems. I think I read some where my truck comfortably tow @ 9,300. ? Just found sticker on door Gvwr 7,200

I sometimes borrow a john deere tractor with loader, box blade, 5' bush hog and haul on 18' tandem 3,500 axles, falcon trailer. My truck does not seem to be weighted down when hauling. I think the tractor ( 305loader 3038E) weighs 2,175 ?, without box blade or bush hog. I can't find the weight of trailer, but it has 6 lug, 15" tires, so i'm think it can carry 7,000lbs, so all the weight has to under that, I don't know. I think it may weight more because it seems to be heavier than the compost I'm hauling.

Another option for me would be get the big tex dump trailer 70SR-10 http://bigtextrailers.com/dump-trailers/ that weights 2,000 lbs, It's just that the other trailers with scissor lifts were better and the 14,000Lbs axle seemed like better options. Also I would be able to carry 16' lumber without it stick out the back so far. Trying buy one trailer that would work for several purpose and not have to buy a many different trailers.

Anybody with expertise to help, to not kicking myself in the *** and causing unneeded headaches, feel free to chime in.
Thanks chris

 

No, there is no way you can legally increase the towing and payload capacity of your truck.

You can only tow 9300# if the tongue weight of the trailer doesn't put you over the truck GVWR or axle GAWR. This only happens with a light tongue and an unloaded truck.

If the compost is dry, it won't be anywhere near a ton a yard - I'm just saying it CAN be CLOSE to a ton. Go run your rig over a scale, then go get 3 yards of compost, and weigh it again.

 

Thank glc its starting to make since now.
I found out the compost only weights 1400 to 1500 Lbs a yrd x3 = @4,500Lbs. I think my best option is to get the 70SR-10 72” x 10’ Tandem Axle Single Ram Dump. http://bigtextrailers.com/70sr-tandem-axle-single-ramp-dump/ It only weights 2,000 Lbs + @ 4,500lbs load = @ 6,500, which would put me under the 7,200 towing capacity of the truck. What do you think of this option. On Tuesday, I will get 3yrds to verify the weight, and run it over the scales at city landfill that has scale. I guess the other thing I did not know was the gear ratio are different the super duty 250 & 350 to pull more weight.

Thanks I appreciate the help, I wish, I could just go out and buy new truck, but that is not an option, I still have not paid off this used one I own now. 2 Years before I got this truck, I use to pull the same trailer and weight with 1996, 6 cylinder Dodge, bought used in 97, it last about 17 years, I guess truck back then were built different. Chris

 

People tow overweight all the time and most don't have any problems. However, this is not a good practice and it's definitely hard on the truck if you are doing it 3 times a week 3 times a day.

6500# is no problem, your truck can handle that easily - but I'd still recommend weight distribution because the stock hitch is limited to 500# tongue and 5000# gross without it.

It's not the gear ratios on the Super Duty - it's the stronger frame, suspension, and driveline components.

 

I did not have time today to weight compost.

New Trailer:
The salesman said, It might be a while before they get the trailer in stock. They order a semi truck full the from factory and the just placed order. So it will be a couple of weeks before they order again.

Old Trailer upgrade:
I did find a guy today that is going to replace my 3,500 axle with an upgraded 6,200 axle, elec, brakes with heavier leaf springs and new rims / 6 lug and tires, load range d . plus spare tire and rim. Also change the coupler to 10,000 lbs bulldog and new 10,000lbs receiver and ball. Add 5 new 3/8 metal supports across trailer leaving the old ones in place, make floor supported every 1 foot now. the old floor support are cheap,thin c channel. Also 2' of diamond plate metal to bottom of expanded metal gate/ ramp to keep compost from falling through. Install new welded brake lights with cages and hook up all the electrical to brake controller. Price 1,500 for material and labor. I think that's a pretty good deal to keep my old trailer on the road, till I can get new trailer with dump bed. A couple more months of unloading by hand won't kill me, I have been doing that way for about 10 years. I will be nice to get dump bed trailer soon.

Thanks glc for pointing me in right direction. You provided me with a lot of good information that the sales people, I was trying to buy Items from did not know. I can't believe the people are selling products they know nothing about.
Hopefully in a couple of year or sooner, I can buy a new or used 3/4 ton, 250, 350 pickup, when my business grows bigger.
Chris