my truck is tagged for the total weight of truck and trailer, that is what they do in IA. truck weights about 6900 lbs.. trailer empty weights about 3500 lbs and is a 10,000 lbs trailer (5000lb axles). that gives me 6500 lbs of hauling cap. tractor weights 6500 lbs with all my weights on it, so i am at max rated capacity of my trailer if you figure no weight on the truck. I figure the hitch weight gives me my cushion of rated capacity. so i figure i am at 17000 lbs total weight, give or take. i tried to read all the regulations before i ever bought this trailer. from what i have ever read, i am ok for weight and tags, even if it was up to 18 or 19K, as long as i don't have over 10k on the trailer axles. never been stopped, so guess i have never been tested.
i could have upgraded to radial tires when i bought the trailer, just didn't think it was that big of a deal. but now, i wish i had. it does ok, i just think it would ride a little better with radials. they will be on wish list when i need new tires.
i have four chains on the tractor, two in the front and two in the back. each chain has a binder on it. the front, i wrap around the front axle, they are in the 'middle' as that is how they 'pull' and tie down the best. guess, if the book reads must be tied down at each corner, i would have to see if 'corner' is defined. i have tried to tie town wrapped around the frame, but the chains hit the front tires and that doesn't hold the tractor well. still would have to understand 'corner' to know if even around the frame rails would meet the 'corner' spec. it would gain me about 5" to 10", but would it be considered 'corner'. who can define corner?
i didn't know that straps couldn't be wrapped on the outside of the rub rail, so i don't have my extra weights tied town correctly in the pic. don't usually haul my wieghts as shown in the pic, just did this trip. now i know that straps have to be on the inside of the rub rail.
my tractor rear tires have about 1" clearance on each side by the fender wells, close, but the suretrac had one of the widest specs between fenders, one reason i bought it and the other was the power coat paint. it is close, but i just always line up the inside of the front tires three floor boards in, and it goes right on. i am sure one of these days i will get into the fender, but at least i know who made the mistake!
my set up works well for me. i only haul my two tractors (this one or a MM GTB stock that weights 6500 lbs as well). From what i see at most of the pulls i go to, I am a lot closer to being legal than 90% of guys, but close probably doesn't count if i get stopped.
