First off I would like to say this site is great. I have been hooked on it for the past week after I stumbled across it on accident.
For this winter I purchased a wood burning insert to help supplement my winter gas bill. Since then I have discovered a new 'season' - WOOD SEASON (as apposed to deer season, ski season etc). I will admit I am a total liteweight compared to 90+% of you guys on here but I am definitely hooked.
For the past two months whenever I get a free weekend I have been scrounging dead (barkless, or bark falling off when I split it). I have gather about 2.5-3 cords so far. I think that will get me through the winter BUT the question I have is about hauling since I am currently gathering for next year.
Haul vehicle - Tacoma double cab short bed w/cap (5ft bed) with new leaf spring in the back to handle hauling and towing (I have a 1500lb teardrop camper). It is equipted with the factory tow package and its rated for 6500lbs.
I am wondering what little utility trailer would be best or you guys would recommend. I am not looking to to get the biggest and push that 6500lb towing capacity, but rather get something smaller, durable that will not push the limits of my truck but be able to handle 2000-2500lbs without haveing to worry about it structurally.
I am looking at either 5x8's or 5x10's. Really leaning towards the 5x8 just because it will follow me on some pretty narrow dirt/fire roads.
Here is what I was thinking, and let me know how far 'off base' I am.
Bed of the truck = 1000 lbs
Trailer weight = 800-900 lbs
load of wood in trailer = 2000-2500 lbs
equals about 3500 lbs (I like to round up to be on the safe side)
Plus me, dogs, a helper add another 500 lbs
that would put me around 4000 lbs.
So here are my two pending questions:
1. When you are cutting and hauling and have to worry about weight limits, how do you know when your getting to you vehicle and/or trailers limits. I was thinking something like this 5X8 3K Utility Trailer by Carry On#::#5' Wide Trailers#::#Single Axle Scratch n Dent Specials#::#Scratch and Dent Trailers from Carry On#::#Trailers#::#Trailers for Sale: Equipment Trailers, Enclosed Trailers, Cargo Trailers & Utility Trailers. A 2400lb pay load, it doesnt say, but I would check to make sure it has 3500 lb axels. Let say, I put 2ft sides all around. If I loaded up to the top (not to the points where wood is rolling off the top) would that be 2000 lb? Would 4ft walls = 2000 lb's? Assuming that the wood on the 'green side', and a hard wood like Locus or Maple. I always error on the side of caution.
2. If any of you recommend a trailer manufacture.
Thanks in advance for any input!
For this winter I purchased a wood burning insert to help supplement my winter gas bill. Since then I have discovered a new 'season' - WOOD SEASON (as apposed to deer season, ski season etc). I will admit I am a total liteweight compared to 90+% of you guys on here but I am definitely hooked.
For the past two months whenever I get a free weekend I have been scrounging dead (barkless, or bark falling off when I split it). I have gather about 2.5-3 cords so far. I think that will get me through the winter BUT the question I have is about hauling since I am currently gathering for next year.
Haul vehicle - Tacoma double cab short bed w/cap (5ft bed) with new leaf spring in the back to handle hauling and towing (I have a 1500lb teardrop camper). It is equipted with the factory tow package and its rated for 6500lbs.
I am wondering what little utility trailer would be best or you guys would recommend. I am not looking to to get the biggest and push that 6500lb towing capacity, but rather get something smaller, durable that will not push the limits of my truck but be able to handle 2000-2500lbs without haveing to worry about it structurally.
I am looking at either 5x8's or 5x10's. Really leaning towards the 5x8 just because it will follow me on some pretty narrow dirt/fire roads.
Here is what I was thinking, and let me know how far 'off base' I am.
Bed of the truck = 1000 lbs
Trailer weight = 800-900 lbs
load of wood in trailer = 2000-2500 lbs
equals about 3500 lbs (I like to round up to be on the safe side)
Plus me, dogs, a helper add another 500 lbs
that would put me around 4000 lbs.
So here are my two pending questions:
1. When you are cutting and hauling and have to worry about weight limits, how do you know when your getting to you vehicle and/or trailers limits. I was thinking something like this 5X8 3K Utility Trailer by Carry On#::#5' Wide Trailers#::#Single Axle Scratch n Dent Specials#::#Scratch and Dent Trailers from Carry On#::#Trailers#::#Trailers for Sale: Equipment Trailers, Enclosed Trailers, Cargo Trailers & Utility Trailers. A 2400lb pay load, it doesnt say, but I would check to make sure it has 3500 lb axels. Let say, I put 2ft sides all around. If I loaded up to the top (not to the points where wood is rolling off the top) would that be 2000 lb? Would 4ft walls = 2000 lb's? Assuming that the wood on the 'green side', and a hard wood like Locus or Maple. I always error on the side of caution.
2. If any of you recommend a trailer manufacture.
Thanks in advance for any input!