Largest Excavator You Pull With a Pickup Truck

[MikePhua]

When construction professionals, equipment owners, and hobby operators talk about moving heavy machinery, a common question arises: what size excavator can you actually pull with a pickup truck? This topic blends real‑world towing capacity, hitching techniques, safe transport practices, and an understanding of both truck and excavator weights. It’s a question rooted in practicality — whether you’re hauling a machine to a jobsite, moving equipment between properties, or retrieving a used excavator from a seller hundreds of miles away.
In this detailed exploration, we’ll walk through excavator classes, towing terminology, truck specifications, safe transport strategies, and real anecdotes from operators about moving big equipment with consumer‑grade trucks. This isn’t speculative — it’s grounded in how truck towing capacities are calculated and how excavators are categorized by operating weight and transport requirements.
Excavator Weight Classes
Excavators are typically defined by operating weight, the total in‑service mass including the machine, fluids, attachments, and operator. Common weight class ranges include:

• Mini Excavators — about 1,500 – 10,000 lbs (680 – 4,540 kg)
  
• Compact Excavators — about 10,000 – 22,000 lbs (4,540 – 10,000 kg)
  
• Mid‑Size Excavators — about 22,000 – 50,000 lbs (10,000 – 22,700 kg)
  
• Large Excavators — 50,000 lbs and up (22,700 kg+), with heavy mining models exceeding 400,000 lbs (181,000 kg)
  

For highway transport, excavators are typically loaded onto a flatbed trailer or equipment trailer with an appropriate gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and properly matched to the towing vehicle.
Terminology Explained

• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) — Maximum safe operating weight of a trailer, including cargo.
  
• Payload — Weight carried by the truck or trailer.
  
• Tongue Weight — Portion of trailer weight applied to the truck’s hitch. Recommended towing safety practice holds tongue weight around 10 – 15 % of total trailer weight.
  
• Towing Capacity — The maximum weight a truck is rated to pull; must not exceed manufacturer limits.
  
• Trailer Axle Rating — Indicates how much each axle on the trailer can bear; two 7,000 lb axles typically yield a 14,000 lb trailer capacity.
  

Pickup Truck Towing Limits
Full‑size pickup trucks like the Ford F‑250/350, Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, Ram 2500/3500, and similar models are rated for a wide range of towing capacities depending on drivetrain, engine, axle ratio, and hitch setup. Common maximum tow ratings for these trucks — when equipped with heavy‑duty towing packages — are roughly:

• F‑250/F‑350 with diesel engine: up to 20,000 – 22,000 lbs (9,070 – 9,980 kg)
  
• Silverado 3500/ Ram 3500 with diesel: up to 20,000 – 23,000 lbs (9,070 – 10,430 kg)
  

These figures represent gross trailer weight, not net cargo weight; when hauling an excavator, the trailer itself (often 2,000 – 4,000 lbs / 900 – 1,800 kg) and any ramps or accessories must be subtracted from that maximum.
Realistic Excavator Candidates for Pickup Towing
Given trailer and hitch limitations, the largest excavator you can reasonably tow with a heavy‑duty pickup truck on a legal towing setup (two‑axle equipment trailer, proper GVWR) is typically in the compact/mini range, up to roughly 10,000–12,000 lbs (4,540–5,440 kg) on the trailer.
Examples include:

• Kubota KX080 or KX101 — about 8,000 – 11,000 lbs (3,630 – 4,990 kg) depending on attachments
  
• Takeuchi TB250 or TB260 — about 10,000 – 11,000 lbs (4,540 – 4,990 kg)
  
• Bobcat E55 or E60 — around 12,000 lbs (5,440 kg) when stripped to transport weight
  

Mid‑size excavators (e.g., Hitachi ZX50/60, Volvo EC55) in the 12,000 – 16,000 lbs range become increasingly risky or illegal to tow with a pickup unless special permits and heavy‑duty trailers are involved.
Safety and Legal Considerations
When towing heavy equipment:

• Maintain tongue weight at 10 – 15 % of total trailer weight; too light and the trailer can sway, too heavy and truck steering/travel is compromised.
  
• Verify the truck’s towing and payload ratings from the owner’s manual — exceeding them voids warranties and insurance.
  
• Avoid exceeding trailer GVWR; a 14,000 lb trailer with a 12,000 lb excavator leaves little margin for gear and ramps.
  
• Ensure brakes on trailers exceed certain thresholds; many states require electric brakes on trailers above 3,000 lbs.
  
• Check local transport laws; oversized or overweight loads may require oversize permits and lane restrictions.
  

Real‑World Examples
One owner recounted hauling a 10,000 lb excavator on a 14,000 lb GVWR tandem‑axle trailer behind a Ram 3500 DRW with a diesel engine and 12,000 lb towing package. Painted with caution, the combo stayed within legal limits and responded predictably on highways up to 65 mph (105 km/h) when properly braked.
Another contractor shared a story of attempting to transport a 13,500 lb mid‑size machine with a similar truck. The trailer required a commercial permit due to exceeding the truck’s tow capacity and the increased braking requirements. The transport, while achievable, involved hauling permits and sometimes police escort in certain jurisdictions — illustrating that larger excavators quickly transition from DIY transport to professional haulage territory.
Equipment Trailer Ratings and Considerations
Trailers come in many configurations, and choosing the right one matters:

• Single‑Axle Trailers — rarely appropriate for large excavators; often limited to 3,500 – 7,000 lbs GVWR.
  
• Tandem‑Axle Trailers — common for heavy equipment; GVWR ranges from 14,000–20,000 lbs depending on axle ratings.
  
• Gooseneck Trailers — provide better weight distribution and higher capacity (e.g., 20,000–30,000 lbs), but require a truck with a gooseneck hitch and possibly GVM upgrades.
  

A tandem‑axle trailer with dual 7,000 lb axles typically yields a 14,000 lb GVWR. After subtracting trailer weight, about 10,000–12,000 lbs is left for the excavator and accessories — fitting well within heavy‑duty pickup tow ratings when brakes and sway‑control systems are appropriately installed.
Towing Tips for Heavy Equipment

• Keep trailer brakes well adjusted — effective braking helps control trailer momentum and reduces wear on truck components.
  
• Use weight–distribution hitches and sway bars when required — they enhance vehicle‑trailer stability.
  
• Balance the load — excavators should be positioned so the trailer’s tongue weight remains balanced; typically a bit forward of the trailer’s axles.
  
• Check tire ratings on trailer and truck; tires must carry their share of total weight.
  

When the Excavator Is Too Big
Once excavators exceed roughly 12,000 lbs (5,440 kg) transported weight, pickup towing becomes challenging without special equipment such as:

• Gooseneck or fifth‑wheel trailers — require compatible hitches and often higher GVWR.
  
• Commercial trucks — Class 6/7 vehicles designed for equipment transport.
  
• Professional transport services — capable of handling heavy excavators, obtaining permits, and ensuring compliance.
  

Using a pickup truck to haul excessively heavy excavators can result in safety risks, legal penalties, and accelerated wear on the truck’s drivetrain, brakes, and suspension if ratings are exceeded.
Conclusion
In practical terms, the largest excavator many heavy‑duty pickup trucks can pull on a legal, safe trailer setup falls within the compact to light mid‑size class, typically no more than 10,000–12,000 lbs (4,540–5,440 kg) transported weight. Proper matching of trailer GVWR, truck towing capacity, tongue weight, and braking systems ensures predictable handling and legal compliance. Larger machines — above that range — generally shift into commercial transport territory requiring specialized trailers and permits. With careful planning, respect for vehicle ratings, and adherence to safety practices, operators can confidently move excavators between worksites or purchase locations using pickup‑based transport without unnecessary risk.