Semi Trailers

[TJ]

How many horsepower do you need to pull a full 42 foot trailer full of corn.

 

[El_Putzo]

Quite a few. Give us more info.

 

[Chuck]

Depends on how fast you want to go. They did it for years with 250 or so. Didn't set any speed records though. Some fleet trucks that don't pull a lot of heavy loads use something around 300-325. Most trucks you find now are at least 350-400 hp. That would be OK. Don't really need a tugboat engine to pull a 42' grain trailer.

 

[lukem86]

We run 3 grain trucks, 2 Petes with Cats, and an International with a N14 cummins. the international and one pete are over 400 horse, and the other pete is 350, maybe 380. You can tell the difference with a load on, the small pete cant hang with the others climbing hills, but it gets the job done. It also kind of depends on the loads you are gonna haul. We probably couldnt tell too much of a difference if we only hauled 80000. But during harvest we are coming out of the field with 92K give or take ;-) It would be awfully nice to have a couple Petes with the 475 cat, but its wishfull thinking. You can get by with less..

 

[semen demon]

We have a forty-five foot hopper, and run it behind a used volvo (325 Detriot). It does o.k., but don't pull out in traffic. 80,000 is almost too much though if you are coming from the back of the field, you'll nver get into third gear before you come to a halt. It takes about 3 miles to get up to speed after you get on the pavement. I recommend 400+ horse power just so you aren't a road hazard.