In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

New day. New question!

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Steven Stern, Feb 26, 2015.

  1. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    First off thanks for the warm welcome yesterday, and all the great ideas and advice. Good morning guys i have a new question to shoot by ya. I have a 91 nissan 4 cylinder and i stack a half cord in the bed. The truck has lots of power under the load the only concerning part is my suspension i feel like the truck is at its safe limit with a half cord load. My question is how much wood do u think i could get away wit pulling on a trailer with my truck bed loaded. And if i could fit more on my trailer should one "haul" the load or "pull" the load. Thanks for reading.
     
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  2. jetjr

    jetjr

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    clemsonfor might have some opinions to help you out. That sounds like a good load on a little truck. I'm not sure I would want to put a trailer behind it to especially since it looks a little hilly in your pics.
     
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  3. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    I would not be going up any hills with a load
     
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  4. jetjr

    jetjr

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    Down would worry me more.
     
  5. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    Really? Brakes?
     
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  6. papadave

    papadave

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    Just curious how big the bed is on the truck?
    Yes, I'd be more concerned about trying to stop going down hill with a hefty load trying to push you, especially if your brakes are marginal.
     
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  7. jetjr

    jetjr

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    Yeah. With all the weight on the back it cuts down on the stopping power of the front brakes. Also becomes a steering issue. I've been known to overload a truck a time or two. I agree it's better to get as much as possible in one shot. I am assuming this is a smaller pickup so at best it's only a half ton truck if that. It would also be harder on the transmission.
     
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  8. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    I would need to measure it. But my guess would be 7'6"longx4'wide(gotta stack her pretty high too get a half cord). The brakes thought changes my mind on wanting to pull to much more guys, though i usualy use alot of compression to get down.
     
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  9. shaggy wood dump hoarder

    shaggy wood dump hoarder

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    For me it depends on the situation, if i only have a couple miles to go on backroads with no hills, I'll load everything i got on whatever I'm moving it with, throw more hills sharp corners higher speeds more traffic and so on, i throw less wood on truck and trailer(or any material for that matter) for me it's just about the risks. Just do not do any more than what your comfortable with. I would also keep the wait somewhat even. This summer i used a trailer for most of my wood hauling because my truck frame has a hole in it but i would still throw half a load in the truck for weight distribution and added braking help. I also when fully loaded rarely go over 45mph. #1because i don't want to have too try to stop from 60to zero with that much weight and #2 what's the rush!
     
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  10. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    The tranny was one of my main concerns.
     
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  11. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    Thanks for the advice guys il follow it
     
  12. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    This is the truck and in this picture she is underloaded i would usually have the first two rows of wood about a foot over my cab
     

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  13. jetjr

    jetjr

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    Got any side profile pics?
     
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  14. TurboDiesel

    TurboDiesel

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    Hi Steve
    Look at the GVWR on the door of your truck
    It will tell you all you need to know about the safe/legal weight ratings
    One will be with a trailer and one without trailer
    I would load the truck light and the trailer to its capacity.
    The trailer will have a GVWR also.
    Probably 3000 # if single axle no brakes
    up to 7000# with two axles with brakes
    If its a med sized truck I doubt its rated to 7000 # trailer
    Also its not about being able to "pull" the weight, its about controlling the weight when loaded
    Many people have been killed pulling overloaded trailers because they lost control trying stop a heavy load
    Be safe!
     
  15. Horkn

    Horkn

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    I thought those were at max 6.5 ft long beds. Do you leave the tailgate down?
     
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  16. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Looks like 3500 lb max trailer weight. Here's a screenshot for a manual from a 1994. I think the 94 was pretty much the same as a 91.
     

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  17. lukem

    lukem

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    Brakes and steering are going to be an issue with a half cord on a mid size truck...it is with a half ton truck.
     
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  18. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    Could be 6.5 that was a guess wife has the truck right now cant measure
     
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  19. Steven Stern

    Steven Stern

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    Thanks turbo diesel and horkn exactly what i was looking for
     
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  20. Horkn

    Horkn

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    No problem. Either way, a loaded bed is probably at max capacity.
     
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