ok i will be towing logs (well trees) on a 70 mile trip and down a small dirt access rd
the guy who owns the logs has a trailer he wants me to tow what should i look for on the trailer for a safe tow?
its a 16 ft utility trailer
he wants it hauled to a sawmill and possibly back not sure yet
what should i charge minus fuel he says he'll pay for fuel
its about 8k lbs load + trailer
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
On a trip that short you will need to figure what it is worth to you for the time involved. Getting there, making the trip, waiting to be loaded/unloaded.
How fast will you be pulling the trailer. 8,000#'s is not that much weight. If you are going down any steep hills or traveling fast trailer brakes are preferable but not required.
As for checking the trailer. If it were me, the first thing I would do is try and guess what load the axles are rated to carry. If they are only 5 lug wheels then they are probably 3500# axles rated to carry 7000# including trailer weight.
You can look underneath the trailer to see if one or both axles appear bent which may give you trailer sway. I would also bring a tire gauge and check the air in all the tires. Aside from cracks in the welds or frame, logs hanging way too far off the back end, or a trailer loaded with too much tongue or rear weight that's all I can think of right now.
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Chris
2002 F350 6 spd 3.73LS XLT Heated Seats 270,000 & counting.
well ill tell the guy proper loading
itll all be within the trailer's length
so do an hrly rate instead of milage?
never thought of the axles
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
One of the first thing I would check is the type of connector for the trailer lights/brakes. You might need to get an adaptor to make it work with your truck. Then I would make sure that it is wired correctly (some folks like to make up their own wiring scheme on the pins) and you have working running lights, turn signals, brake lights, brakes etc.
Second is to check the tires for cracks, delamination, proper pressure and what not. See if there is a spare tire, and whether or not you need anything special to change it.
Finally use good judgement and make sure that the load is balanced and secured properly.
Pricing is entirely up to you. Alot of folks charge by the loaded mile, some charge by total miles. Since he is paying for the fuel, you may even want to consider an hourly rate depending on how much loading/unloading you have to do.
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06 F350XL rc,lb,manual 4x4, 6.0 PSD, 6 speed
Upfitter Switches
BCP Idle Control
55 watt halogen back up lights
200 psi 5 gallon air system with hammer 3 horns
Diesel Site Coolant Filter
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 88beast</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so do an hrly rate instead of milage? </div></div>
Most people charge by the mile, but they run highway at speeds of 60 - 70 mph.
I'm just saying from the time you leave your house to the time you get home how much money do you think you should make? When you haul by the mile there is usually a 2 hour load or unload time before you can charge for having to sit there. You also need to factor in if this is a job type haul, or a one time helping a buddy out. If it's a job, sneak up there and find others who are doing the same thing and see what they're getting paid.
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Chris
2002 F350 6 spd 3.73LS XLT Heated Seats 270,000 & counting.
well its a one time thing
but could evolve fast into more
and check everything electrical got it
i think i will do hrly cause i will have a waiting time for the unload
if i haul back for him (not sure yet will talk to him tomorrow) i will just drop it off at his house so its no unload time at all
i will not have to do any work sawmill will unload for him and it will be preloaded when i get there
thanks guys
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88 F-250 body,550 rear frame setup, 7.3 idi, 3:73 dana 80 rear, srw, dana 50 front, heavy duty leaf springs, back up camera, 20$ wallyworld fog lamps, class 5 bumper hitch welded to frame and gusseted, 32" steering tires all around, ac power converter,jeep bucket seats, deezee runningboards (cab only),cobra 29 cb w/ 102" whip, 2 trucklight worklights on front stake pocket each side,high lift jack behind seat, toolbox for the junk, visor, running lights, 6600 lbs with all my junk
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