Highway travel with not for highway chipper.

[Jim Colton]

It seems the entry level tow behind chippers generally have a not for highway disclaimer with a max 35mph tire rating. Is there a meaningful reason I could not replace the tires or wheels and tires with highway rated ones and facilitate 55-60mph towing? Perhaps add fluid balancing and anti-flat media to the tires to mitigate imbalances from off road usage. I think I am asking about Bandit 65xp and Morbark Boxer X7 level equipment but perhaps some of the newer 4.5 to 7" models in far lower price points.

 

[pdqdl]

The speed rating may be more related to the manufacturers liability than anything else. I rather imagine the little chippers are probably pretty bouncy and unstable at higher speeds, so they put puny tires on them to de-rate the speed to a level that won't have the trailing device get torn up by instability at a higher tow speed.

I have had several small single-axle trailers that can be uncontrollable at highway speed. If they weren't built for speed, it can be very unwise to push the limits imposed by the engineers. My thoughts: Sure! Change the tires, then advance the speed cautiously until you have tested your top speeds in varying conditions. Be ready to do more than just change the tires in order to make it tow safely.

 

[VirginiaIron]

You should check your local DMV to find out what are the Federal and State requirements to be sure.
Internet search results:
"Trailers may not be permitted for highway use for a variety of reasons, including safety, size, and weight restrictions:

• Safety
  In the United States, trailers must be certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to be legal..."

The trailer may not meet the registration, serial #, length, suspension, chains, lighting, reflectors, or structural integrity requirements and the installation of non highway tires by the manufacturer, IMO, definitely is a firewall to limit their liability. To be road legal all your state regulations must be adhered to.

 

[Jim Colton]

In Texas a homebuilt trailer can travel on the highway legally under state law. That does not mean it should do so. I am thinking the axles, suspension, and (low) tongue weight among other things could be limiting.

pdqdl's thoughts: "Sure! Change the tires, then advance the speed cautiously until you have tested your top speeds in varying conditions. Be ready to do more than just change the tires in order to make it tow safely." seem like a better plan than just swapping a bit of kit and assuming the gear is good for any challenge.

 

[pdqdl]

You should check your local DMV to find out what are the Federal and State requirements to be sure.
Internet search results:
"Trailers may not be permitted for highway use for a variety of reasons, including safety, size, and weight restrictions:

• Safety
  In the United States, trailers must be certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to be legal..."

The trailer may not meet the registration, serial #, length, suspension, chains, lighting, reflectors, or structural integrity requirements and the installation of non highway tires by the manufacturer, IMO, definitely is a firewall to limit their liability. To be road legal all your state regulations must be adhered to.

Excellent points. That being said, all that is required by any state I know of is that a trailing device must meet common inspection details. Lights and safety equipment. It isn't even necessary to have a license plate for "equipment", since your chipper is a machine, not a load carrying device like a true trailer.

Your biggest concern should still be as to whether the trailing contraption is stable at highway speeds. It also makes a big difference what you will be towing it with. I used to have a popup camper. It was just dangerous when towed by my Ford Explorer. It would begin wagging, wagging back and forth more and more, and if the driver handled it wrong, a crash was imminent. I welded on the attachment points and added a stabilizer bar, which turned it into a perfectly well-mannered trailer.