Is towing 6500 lbs safe?

Hey guys, I work for a construction company and I take most dump trailers to get emptied. And the total weight can be from 3700lbs when empty and up to 6500lbs max. And the dump is about 20 miles away, and I want to keep my truck long term, but I’m not sure if towing that much can be dangerous.

 

I'm going to dump a maxed-out dump trailer every single day and I want to keep my truck long-term are mutually exclusive.

You need a company truck, my man.

 

Use your boss' truck for tasks like that. Unless your boss will add additional compensation for future damages/ware-and-tear/maintenance for your personal vehicle, don't do shyte like that just for work...

 

It is safe to tow whatever the manufacturer suggests for your truck configuration. A 6500lb single axle trailer with 4000lb tongue weight is a lot different than a 6500lb tandem axle trailer loaded properly with a WD hitch. If you are within the manufacturer specs, towing 20 miles shouldn't cause catastrophic harm to your truck.

 

I wouldn’t use my truck (wear, tear, gas and damage) to make someone else money. However what I quoted here is the most accurate answer.

 

Yeah I personally would never agree to use my POV for something like that. Being asked to run to a nearby store for some needed supplies is one thing. But being required to regularly tow a maxed out dumpster with your own vehicle is crazy! Find another job brother, plenty of work out there!!

 

Except they’re not weighing that trailer every trip, and it’s being maxed out well beyond its limits, and beyond that weight is beyond his truck’s limits.

 

Your going to have a lot of maintenance and repairs you keep doing that on a regular basis. You better be getting paid pretty good to use your own truck

 

Dumps do weigh every load, that’s how they charge

 

That all depends on where you're dumping, and no matter the weight at the dump he will have already towed it there. Unless there's a scale on the job site he will be towing without knowing the weight

 

If you are asking, will it haul, yes, if you are asking will it cut down the lifespan of my personal vehicle, YES!

 

The dump does, the job site doesn’t.

 

I agree with the other comments; you're going to be putting stresses on your equipment that you will absolutely end up paying a lot for, one way or another. I get the impression that whoever owns your company isn't likely to pony up and reimburse you either, given that they're ok with what sounds like an exploitative process such as this in the first place. I wouldn't do it.

 

Everyone here is right on with their replies.

Watch out for insurance also, many policies cover you getting to work, but do not cover accidents or damage from using your vehicle for someone’s business.

45k x 3yr x 4% = $1,328

Mileage is standard compensation when using your vehicle for a business. In this case I would tell them only do it for mileage + wear and tear. Say flat rate $1,328 per month, or nothing.

I assume they will then go buy a (properly sized) 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck to run their business.

 

It amuses me how only one person actually answered his question. The rest made a supposition and based their response around what was not asked.

Yes it is safe as long as everything is right. Toyota is pretty smart. Trust their engineers. Follow the hard use maintenance schedule.

 

1) You don't mention a brake controller or a weight distributing hitch, both are required for that kind of weight.
2) Sure you can tow that kind of weight when properly equipped -- doesn't mean it is a great idea.
3) Yes, it will accelerate wear on your truck and increase maintenance costs.
4) "Helping out" by going for a part occasionally is fine, using your personal vehicle for Company work on a regular basis is foolish.
5) Read the first line of your post to your insurance agent, you will be in for an eye opener. If you have an accident your coverage may be reduced/denied.

Short version: Drive your truck to work, use Company trucks for work.

 

Everybody basically was telling him, what he didn't ask was the most important thing, don't mess your truck up for someone that is making the money, he don't care about you or your truck, or he would invest in one for his business! Also, most everybody I know wants to get a longer lifespan out of their vehicle then them, aforementioned, smart engineers design them for, which only tells you how to maintain up to 150,000. Even if not hauling things it's best to go beyond them smart engineers and flush transmission, change all gear fluids more then recommended!

 

If you are involved in an accident the lawyers are coming after you and not the company you are hauling for. The company will say that you were hauling as a contractor. That is why you insist on using company owned trucks.

same response no matter what truck you own

 

When your transmission fluid lay steaming on the ground and you are stopped in the middle of traffic needing a tow regardless if it is during work time. Will said boss be providing all the necessary mitigation and paying the $5000 to replace the transmission? Therein lays your answer.

 

Except none of you have any idea of what he is being compensated.