Towing Limits

[Bedlam]

Barney was complaining that the forum seemed little quiet, so I have an early Christmas present for him:

Chevy Silverado Driver Ticketed for Towing 53-Foot-Long Trailer

A driver in Canada was ticketed for towing a 53-foot-long trailer with a light-duty pickup.

The trailer was hitched to the truck via a pin system, which somehow worked.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/chevy-silverado-driver-ticketed-for-towing-53-foot-long-trailer...

[Grit_dog]

That’s some serious Canadian Engineering! That was definitely more than a half rack of Molsons project!
Agree, that hopefully isn’t an air tank. Looks like a 55gal drum.
Like to see the hitch tongue attachment to the dolly though. And the Autozone 4 wire pigtail is just the icing on the cake!
Wonder if it’s a Dmax or gasser?
Either way, I bet the story went something like this....
“Your Ford sucks. I can tow a semi trailer with my Chevy eh!”
“Prove it Bob (McKenzie). “
“Ok, eh. Check this out eh. “

[blt2ski]

drsteve wrote:
He's in violation of the total length limit of 20 meters (65.6 feet).

That could be the most reasonable charge ticket. Especially if he did not have proper permits.
Altho as noted by some, were brakes working such he could stop ion time per field tests.... Would could be another issue. A smart er person than I that understands the air brake system s, could probably make brakes work to pass field tests.

At the end of the day, manufactures warranty/wieght ratings had nothing to do with person getting ticketed.

Marty

[drsteve]

He's in violation of the total length limit of 20 meters (65.6 feet).

[jaycocamprs]

romore wrote:
I wonder how he activated the trailer brakes. If the wind caught the trailer it would be one wild ride!

Don't think he did. Only see 1 air hose hooked up. Guessing that was the supply line to release the parking brakes.

[fj12ryder]

BenK wrote:
going over ratings won't have the wheels instantly fall off...but they will sooner than later...

I don't see an issue. It's obvious the stairs were too short so they lowered the back of the camper so they'd reach.

[gbopp]

blt2ski wrote:
Wondering what the actual citation was for per say. That trailer assuming empty! Does not wirgh more than 15,000 lbs. Obviously not over weight per Canadian equal of federal bridge law weights.
Safety is mentioned. A broad catch all that can get anyone off the road, towing or not......
The hitch at the truck does look a bit suspect.

Marty

One article said the driver was charged with an oversize violation.
Maybe it was too long?
And, maybe there were other safety related charges?

[Lwiddis]

With air bags he/she would be good to go.

[mich800]

Bedlam wrote:

romore wrote:
I wonder how he activated the trailer brakes. If the wind caught the trailer it would be one wild ride!

The driver did have some type or air system rigged to the trolley. I don't know if it was a static system to deactivate the trailer brakes or was electrically slaved to the truck braking.

I don't think that is an air tank on the trolley. I read elsewhere they had something in the bed supplying the air. That looks like some type of fuel tank on the trolley and not hooked up if you look close.

[blt2ski]

Wondering what the actual citation was for per say. That trailer assuming empty! Does not wirgh more than 15,000 lbs. Obviously not over weight per Canadian equal of federal bridge law weights.
Safety is mentioned. A broad catch all that can get anyone off the road, towing or not......
The hitch at the truck does look a bit suspect.

Marty

[Bedlam]

romore wrote:
I wonder how he activated the trailer brakes. If the wind caught the trailer it would be one wild ride!

The driver did have some type or air system rigged to the trolley. I don't know if it was a static system to deactivate the trailer brakes or was electrically slaved to the truck braking.

[Bedlam]

BenK wrote:
going over ratings won't have the wheels instantly fall off...but they will sooner than later...

This is more of an example of loading behind the axle and what leverage can accomplish. If you loaded the same weight of bricks forward or over the axle, I doubt you would have seen that bend.

[romore]

I wonder how he activated the trailer brakes. If the wind caught the trailer it would be one wild ride!

[Tyler0215]

If the trailer was empty it could be well within the towing capacity of the truck.
Just shows the towing capacity can be misleading.

[BenK]

going over ratings won't have the wheels instantly fall off...but they will sooner than later...