Pulling A Bobcat?

Ranger · December 12, 2008

Well, I may be towing a Bobcat tomorrow for my boss...Not sure which model it is but I think it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Will be pulling it on a heavy duty deckover pintle trailer, has tandem 7k axles...Only problem is the brakes don't work on it (trailer...has a controller on the tongue but all the wires are junk). I think the trailer itself weighs about 1,500 to 2,000...I've pulled it empty before and with about 3,000 lbs, had no problem with it (other than the jerky ride from the coupler bouncing around on the hitch)....I know it'll be within the "RATED" limits of my truck (Ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L and 3.73s) but just wondering if anyone has pulled a similar setup before and had any problems?

Zembonez · December 12, 2008

Well, I may be towing a Bobcat tomorrow for my boss...Not sure which model it is but I think it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Will be pulling it on a heavy duty deckover pintle trailer, has tandem 7k axles...Only problem is the brakes don't work on it (trailer...has a controller on the tongue but all the wires are junk). I think the trailer itself weighs about 1,500 to 2,000...I've pulled it empty before and with about 3,000 lbs, had no problem with it (other than the jerky ride from the coupler bouncing around on the hitch)....I know it'll be within the "RATED" limits of my truck (Ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L and 3.73s) but just wondering if anyone has pulled a similar setup before and had any problems?

I'd think a relatively slow and careful short tow on dry pavement would be fine. Wet weather would make me nervous... without the trailer brakes working.

Ranger · December 12, 2008

Was raining pretty good today but weather forecast says little chance all weekend.

dietz4ibanez · December 12, 2008

Well, I may be towing a Bobcat tomorrow for my boss...Not sure which model it is but I think it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Will be pulling it on a heavy duty deckover pintle trailer, has tandem 7k axles...Only problem is the brakes don't work on it (trailer...has a controller on the tongue but all the wires are junk). I think the trailer itself weighs about 1,500 to 2,000...I've pulled it empty before and with about 3,000 lbs, had no problem with it (other than the jerky ride from the coupler bouncing around on the hitch)....I know it'll be within the "RATED" limits of my truck (Ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L and 3.73s) but just wondering if anyone has pulled a similar setup before and had any problems?

You shouldnt have a problem... Just take it slow with no trailer brakes and leave plenty of room between you truck and the person in front of you...

I would make sure that when you load that machine which seems to be quite smaller than a 873 bobcat that you can pick the tongue up off the hitch... Pindle hitches are the safest hitches. IMO and that way you wont have that trailer bouncing around... I know some guys that dont like to put any weight on their trucks and the trailer tongues bounces up and down... I cant stand that...

Ohhh and I have towed a 10,000 lb Excavator with my 99 K1500 z71 Ext cab 350 a couple times without trailer brakes, it can be done just be careful... Trailer brakes are a must though....

Your truck will do fine!

pm26 · December 12, 2008

Well, I may be towing a Bobcat tomorrow for my boss...Not sure which model it is but I think it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Will be pulling it on a heavy duty deckover pintle trailer, has tandem 7k axles...Only problem is the brakes don't work on it (trailer...has a controller on the tongue but all the wires are junk). I think the trailer itself weighs about 1,500 to 2,000...I've pulled it empty before and with about 3,000 lbs, had no problem with it (other than the jerky ride from the coupler bouncing around on the hitch)....I know it'll be within the "RATED" limits of my truck (Ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L and 3.73s) but just wondering if anyone has pulled a similar setup before and had any problems?

Yes, my neighbor had an '04 Sierra 1500 Z71 and he used to pull his Bobcat on an equipment trailer, mostly short distances around town. His Bobcat weighed around 6,500 lbs (I assume a larger model) and the trailer weighed around 2,000 lbs. His destroyed his transmission at 32k miles. He was not using the tow mode because his truck made terrible clunking noise when shifting from 1st to 2nd int he tow mode (probably bad slip yoke). So he stopped using the tow mode, which was very likely a big mistake.

I think pulling the Bobcat one time in the tow mode would not be that big of a deal. However, I would not recommend doing this frequently with a 1500 series pickup. These Bobcats and heavy equipment trailers are substantial loads for the 4L60E transmission and 8.5 inch ring gear differential.

Be extremely careful when pulling a heavy trailer without functioning brakes! It is illegal in all states and if you are involved in an accident, it will be your fault! Stay back at least 150 ft behind other traffic to give yourself ample stopping distance.

Ranger · December 12, 2008

Yep, just debating whether to take it straight to my boss' place which would be a 12 to 15 mile drive on a freeway, or back to my place for the night (main city streets but it's a straight shot from the place, about 15 minutes). Either way I'm planning to just offload the 'cat and take the trailer home or to a buddy's nearby as he doesn't have a whole lot of yard space left after his vehicles and boats.

Ranger · December 12, 2008

Well, I may be towing a Bobcat tomorrow for my boss...Not sure which model it is but I think it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Will be pulling it on a heavy duty deckover pintle trailer, has tandem 7k axles...Only problem is the brakes don't work on it (trailer...has a controller on the tongue but all the wires are junk). I think the trailer itself weighs about 1,500 to 2,000...I've pulled it empty before and with about 3,000 lbs, had no problem with it (other than the jerky ride from the coupler bouncing around on the hitch)....I know it'll be within the "RATED" limits of my truck (Ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L and 3.73s) but just wondering if anyone has pulled a similar setup before and had any problems?

Yes, my neighbor had an '04 Sierra 1500 Z71 and he used to pull his Bobcat on an equipment trailer, mostly short distances around town. His Bobcat weighed around 6,500 lbs (I assume a larger model) and the trailer weighed around 2,000 lbs. His destroyed his transmission at 32k miles. He was not using the tow mode because his truck made terrible clunking noise when shifting from 1st to 2nd int he tow mode (probably bad slip yoke). So he stopped using the tow mode, which was very likely a big mistake.

I think pulling the Bobcat one time in the tow mode would not be that big of a deal. However, I would not recommend doing this frequently with a 1500 series pickup. These Bobcats and heavy equipment trailers are substantial loads for the 4L60E transmission and 8.5 inch ring gear differential.

I will be using tow/haul mode and keeping it out of overdrive...Gas is cheap enough now that I can afford that easily (only cost me 35 bucks to fillup last time from dead empty).

bubba33 · December 12, 2008

You should be fine just do not get in a hurry. I picked one up from a rental place once with my 90 gmc 2wd 5 speed 4.3. The only problem was i had no tounge weight ,and like to have never made up a gravle road. Stoping was ok used the motor to help slow it down.

pwall · December 12, 2008

Yep, just debating whether to take it straight to my boss' place which would be a 12 to 15 mile drive on a freeway, or back to my place for the night (main city streets but it's a straight shot from the place, about 15 minutes). Either way I'm planning to just offload the 'cat and take the trailer home or to a buddy's nearby as he doesn't have a whole lot of yard space left after his vehicles and boats.

I would stay off the free-way. Perhaps I'm just too over cautious, but on a freeway, you get into an emergency stop situation, you won't be able to.

My two cents.

Nick The Great · December 12, 2008

Yep, just debating whether to take it straight to my boss' place which would be a 12 to 15 mile drive on a freeway, or back to my place for the night (main city streets but it's a straight shot from the place, about 15 minutes). Either way I'm planning to just offload the 'cat and take the trailer home or to a buddy's nearby as he doesn't have a whole lot of yard space left after his vehicles and boats.

I would stay off the free-way. Perhaps I'm just too over cautious, but on a freeway, you get into an emergency stop situation, you won't be able to.

My two cents.

Me too. With a rig like that, I'd rather take twice as long and be safer.

95Sierra2500 · December 12, 2008

Yep, just debating whether to take it straight to my boss' place which would be a 12 to 15 mile drive on a freeway, or back to my place for the night (main city streets but it's a straight shot from the place, about 15 minutes). Either way I'm planning to just offload the 'cat and take the trailer home or to a buddy's nearby as he doesn't have a whole lot of yard space left after his vehicles and boats.

I would stay off the free-way. Perhaps I'm just too over cautious, but on a freeway, you get into an emergency stop situation, you won't be able to.

My two cents.

I see no reason to avoid the freeway. I do see a reason to avoid excessive speeds - 55-60 should be your MAX speed in this condition. I don't generally tow much faster than that even with good trailer brakes, but given the number of retards on the roads anymore, I feel MUCH safer slowing it down and inconvinencing them than running at the posted speed limit and potentially killing them and myself.

jdharmzy · December 12, 2008

Well, I may be towing a Bobcat tomorrow for my boss...Not sure which model it is but I think it weighs about 5,000 lbs. Will be pulling it on a heavy duty deckover pintle trailer, has tandem 7k axles...Only problem is the brakes don't work on it (trailer...has a controller on the tongue but all the wires are junk). I think the trailer itself weighs about 1,500 to 2,000...I've pulled it empty before and with about 3,000 lbs, had no problem with it (other than the jerky ride from the coupler bouncing around on the hitch)....I know it'll be within the "RATED" limits of my truck (Ext cab 4x4 with the 5.3L and 3.73s) but just wondering if anyone has pulled a similar setup before and had any problems?

I've done it before with a 6000lb Bobcat and 2000lb Trailer w/o brakes. Like they said, dont go over 55 or so. I'm sure you wont have any problems pulling with those trailering mirrors installed. I hear they really increase towing capacity.

music · December 12, 2008

Not safe: too much weight without trailer brakes. For what it's worth, I watched a guy slide backwards 100 ft down a (steep) hill and roll into a ditch doing this. His truck lost traction pulling a hill at 5 mph, he tried to stop, and the bobcat trailer pulled him back down the hill and off a bank (brakes locked, rubber sliding). Ouch. Fortunately, there weren't any children playing in the yard where it all stopped.

All that said, if I was pulling flat land (e.g., farm to farm on a back road), then I'd consider it at low speed and good weather.

steveR · December 12, 2008

Your Bobcat, your trailer with no brakes, your truck, your problem. Take your chances.

Not your Bobcat, not your trailer with no brakes, your truck. Your problem.

I believe the insurance for the load rides on the tow vehicle? No sure on this.

If the Bobcat ends up in your truck bed, who is responsible? If the boss does not have a truck of his own, surely he could go rent one for 50 bucks.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Steve

Silverado4x4 · December 12, 2008

Not safe: too much weight without trailer brakes. For what it's worth, I watched a guy slide backwards 100 ft down a (steep) hill and roll into a ditch doing this. His truck lost traction pulling a hill at 5 mph, he tried to stop, and the bobcat trailer pulled him back down the hill and off a bank (brakes locked, rubber sliding). Ouch. Fortunately, there weren't any children playing in the yard where it all stopped.

All that said, if I was pulling flat land (e.g., farm to farm on a back road), then I'd consider it at low speed and good weather.

You will be fine as others said just keep your distance due to no trailer brakes. Just make sure the bobcat is centered over the trailer wheels to even the load. As to the guy you are taking about Musicman that has nothing to do with his truck and trailer brakes eather a 1/2,3/4 or 1 ton would have done the same. most likely it was junk tires and he had the bobcat too far to the rear of the trailer taking weight off the rear of the truck.