Weight Capacity Of Trailer Coupler On New Flat-Bed Tandem Trailer

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Question:

I was putting my new tractor on my new trailer and noticed a difference that concerned me. My trailer has two 7k axles, is 18 feet long with a 2 foot dove tail 20 total feet, has a GVWR of 14k, a payload of 11400, is a regular flatbed trailer....but the tongue rating is for 7k with a 2inch ball, the bulldog type hookup. I pull with a 2008 Dodge 3500 dually. My tractor and loader weigh 8500 pounds. Tongue weight is supposed to be 10-12 percent to of my load weight? Am I fine to load the trailer to the payload weight and never exceed the 7k tongue weight? Why would my trailer have been built and not put the 2 5/16 tongue/ball for and increased weight ability of the tongue? Will one never exceed the 7k tongue weight even with stopping and pulling forces while towing? Would you have to put the entire payload so far forward on the trailer that it really isnt possible to overload my tongue? Am I okay with the tongue weight at 7k and trailer axles at 14K? Thank you

asked by: Eric

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Expert Reply:

I have attached a helpful article that explains trailer hitch balls and their capacities. As the article states, 2 inch balls are typically rated with a towing capacity between 3,500 lbs to 8,000 lbs. A 2-5/16 inch ball is normally rated to be able to handle loads between 6,000 and 30,000 lbs. I recommend returning to the dealer that sold you the trailer for a clarification.

If you can see the rating on the coupler reads it is rated for 7,000 lbs, that would be for the towing capacity and not the tongue weight of the loaded trailer.

I have also attached a link to a helpful article that explains how to determine tongue weight. Normally tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of the weight of the fully loaded, ready to tow trailer.

The highest capacity Bulldog Collar-Lok coupler we offer is part # BD028462. This uses a 2-5/16 inch hitch ball and has a weight capacity of 12,500 lbs.

The highest capacity Bulldog Collar-Lok coupler we offer for 2 inch hitch balls is part # BD028387. This coupler has a weight capacity of 7,000 lbs.

The highest capacity A-frame coupler that uses a 2 inch trailer ball we offer, like part # BD43805W0317, has a maximum of 8,000 lbs gross trailer weight.

Our highest capacity A-frame coupler we offer that uses a 2-5/16 inch ball is the Bulldog Heavy-Duty Cast Head Coupler, part # BD44150W0317. It has a capacity of 15,000 lbs, and sounds more like the kind of coupler you need for your tandem 14,000 lb trailer.

I have attached a couple of product review videos you can take a look at.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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Answer 1

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 2

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 3

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 4

To me it makes the most sense to put a Bike Rack #HLY64FR on the flat towed vehicle rather than above the tow bars. Especially on heavy e-bikes as they are difficult to lift that high onto the rack, but also as it only makes sense to have the rack on…

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Answer 5

Trailer wiring generally uses 16 gauge wire, part #16-1-1. However, with a long trailer like yours you may want to go with a larger like 14 gauge #DW07550-1 or even 12 gauge #12-1-1. Each size is sold by the foot. You will need to have the lights at…

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Answer 6

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 7

Yes, because it is a 3-wire light, you can wire the Red Identification Light Bar with White LED Utility Light #OPT88FR to function as rear marker and reverse lights.

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Answer 8

On this page (typically below the product links) there is a helpful link section that will have the install instructions fo the Hopkins Breakaway kit part #20400 that you referenced. I also attached an install video that shows the kit installed as…

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Answer 9

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Weight Capacity Of Trailer Coupler On New Flat-Bed Tandem Trailer

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