Looking at towing 12" Wood Chipper - tips?

[clutchdude]

I'm looking at towing towing a larger wood chipper like this: https://www.vermeer.com/na/brush-chippers/bc1000xl-tier-4-final

The trailer will come with brakes(either electronic or surge) and I have a P3 already installed with towing package.

The tongue weight is 600# and the total trailer weight is 5000#. This will probably be the biggest tow I've done yet - I've mostly done small trailers with cargo and a hydraulic stump grinder on a trailer.

Besides driving slower and giving more braking/following distance, any suggestions?

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[ctechbob]

Just give yourself more space between vehicles and look further ahead if you're new-ish to towing things around. The truck is plenty capable, so let it do the work and just pay attention to the surroundings and you'll be fine.

Engage your tow/haul button.

Some people lock out the top two gears on the highway, but that chipper looks to be small enough that the drag shouldn't be too bad, so that will probably be a non-issue.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Mount the chipper forward of the trailer axle, as best as can be done, and use at least 4 chain binders or straps check all your trailer lights and tire psi before heading out. Walk around the rig at gas & meal stops, check binder/strap tightness.

 

[TXRangerTim]

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

 

[Crow_of_judgement]

I pull a similar machine from time to time at work, go slow and take your time. The one i pull fishtails like hell above 45 mph

 

[Langwilliams]

My buddy is looking for one of these for his ex

 

[TXRangerTim]

My buddy is looking for one of these for his ex

 

[Danager]

Don’t go too fast, and watch out for the sudden moves and any bumps/dips. Those things can be pretty bouncy. Good luck with whatever “project” you are working on.

 

[Friday yet?]

I was instantly going to crack a "Got to get rid of a body joke?" but then thought "No, these people will think I am sick," and then they'll sic the moderators on me or some such thing. But then I keep reading this thread and BOOM! Nothing but woodchipper body disposal jokes!

I do love a good sense of humor.

 

[Trigganometry]

I was instantly going to crack a "Got to get rid of a body joke?" but then thought "No, these people will think I am sick," and then they'll sic the moderators on me or some such thing. But then I keep reading this thread and BOOM! Nothing but woodchipper body disposal jokes!

I do love a good sense of humor.

 

[Msfitoy]

What do you have in mind?

 

[OFC Ranger]

"Chippers full!"

 

[Grumpaw]

It looks like it is set up well...looks like heaviest weight is placed over and forward of the axle. It shows a 600 lb tongue weight, which is heavy for a set up without a WD hitch, but doable with a good drop shank insert. The fact that the 600 lb tongue weight is 12% of the total weight indicates that they have the tongue weight set up properly.
Info says it's a pintle type hook up, so it's gonna make a lot of noise and feel sloppy when towing...just the nature of a pintle hitch.
Your set up with brakes, so you OK there.
Only item I would look at, is to set it up with the front slightly down from level.
Your probably going to need a drop shank receiver insert...get one that will drop the pintle hook up so when hitched up the trailer is slightly nose down...you do not want the front to ride higher than the rear...that will lead to fishtailing and all kinds of problems.
Depending on height of trailer hitch you may need something like this to drop the pintle...

 

[VAMike]

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