Monomial Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 I am looking for an inexpensive way to get produce from the village down to Talat Thai north of Bangkok. I am looking to do at least 3 tons per trip, and I don't want issues with the boys in brown, so I'd like to avoid the typical solution of dangerously overloading of a pickup. A 6 wheeled truck is a possibility, but it is substantially more of an investment than I want to make. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with hauling agricultural products on a street legal utility trailer? Is there any reason this can't be done? I know articulated vehicles are not legal in Bangkok, but Talat Thai is actually in Pathumthani, so this wouldn't seem to be an issue. Has anyone tried this before, or know someplace or someone who sells registered trailers? Can I drive a truck+trailer on a standard license? Ideally I'd like to get a second hand model if possible, and keep the investment costs down to around 50,000. Any advice or experience with this is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickstart Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Hi Momomial Using a trailer is a good idea , if you can find one ,a local engineering shop could make one ,back axle from an old pick up ,as the axle for the trailer ,channel iron for the chassis ,and a steel body ,a solid trailer but a lot of weight ,I would say using second hand steel should be able to make one for bit under 15 000 Baht ,I have seen aluminium bodied trailers ,if they are made locally or are imported ,I do not know ,they would be a lot more expensive .have a look at Thai Google , and make shore it has brakes on never seen a Thai trailer with brakes . A trailer as long as it has lights and indicators ,that work should not be a problem ,as for driving a pickup with a trailer on a standard licence and the law ,ask your local police .I live in a big cattle area ,and I see pickups and trailers hauling cattle all the time, trailers with no lights or indicators at all ,never seen one stopped by the local police 3 ton of your produce is a lot bulk ,you do not say what it is ,3 ton of mangos would fit into a back of a pick up ,but would you get 3 ton of say vegetables into a pickup and trailer ,a lot of bulk , I am about 100 km from the Datat Thai ,and I often see pick ups loaded with sweet corn ,or cabbages pass by here on they way to the Dalart Thai ,the way they are sitting well down on the rear shock absorbers they must have 2 ton + on board . I have a Thai friend who sells cassava waist for cattle feed , direct from the factory ,very wet he has said he can get 4 ton on a pick ,he has beefed up the back axel and the shock absorber's ,for the extra weight ,he said the police never bother him . I use to drive a van and trailer in the uk ,and a Land rover and horse box ,before that never a problem ,not over fast ,had to think the whole time about the length of the outfit ,but here in Thailand ,the way they drive ,could have problems . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKKdreaming Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 you might look if any of the front wheel drive vans have a straight axle in the back you can use , better than a rear wheel drive axle , also in Germany its the law that trailers have hand brakes so they do not roll away when parked , I always thought that was a good idea and could be rigged up with the handbrake cables ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drtreelove Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I've use trailers a lot in my work, but not in Thailand so I don't know the legalities. But consider that 3 tons is an overload for a pick up, and it's also a lot of weight for a trailer behind a small pick up unless you have trailer brakes. And then consider having to back a trailer at your point of delivery. Are you experienced in backing a trailer and how tight is the parking, turn around and off-loading area? I think a 6 wheeler is the best idea if you can find an affordable one, appropriate for the weight, and much easier to manuever. Have you considered Nim See Seng or other delivery service? My wife used them regularly for delivery of food products from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but not for anything close to 3 tons. http://www.nimtransport.com/web/service.php?idvis=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary A Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 Probably the best and easiest way is to hire a six wheeler. Many sit idle for most of the year. Those owners would be happy to have even a little work. My wife has two trailers, one can haul two tonne and the other five tonne. She once put three tonne of sugarcane on the small trailer and bent the axle. That's when she bought a second hand five ton capacity trailer. She pulls then with my small four wheel drive diesel tractor. No way would they be suitable to be pulled with a pickup. During a very wet rice harvest period, she pulls small trailers out of muddy fields. The Kubota tak taks are useless in the mud. The farmers pay her with some paddy rice. It's more of a favor to the farmers than anything else. And yes, she drives the tractor herself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thoongfoned Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 the total weight of the driving (pulling) vehicle would need-want to be more that that total weight of the trailer.....hire a 6 wheeler or up grade the pickup to handle more weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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