Andrew asks about moving a few hives for pollination.

I don't know the answers, but I can help you ask the right questions.
These questions are:

1.  What are the Sierra's weight limits?  If you are going to put 14
hives on a trailer you are possibly looking at 3,000 pounds, and are
certainly looking at 1,500 lbs., for the hive weight alone.  Can the
Sierra pull that much, plus the weight of the trailer?
2.  Do you have a transmission oil cooler?  If you don't know, you
don't have one!  For the distance you are talking about, you need one;
which will cause you to balance the cost against the pollination fees.
3.  For on-road use, a single axel trailer will be fine for 1,500
lbs., but not for 3,000 lbs.  A single axel trailer usually will not
have brakes.  A double axel trailer will have electric brakes.  A
double axel trailer is the better deal (money-wise and safety wise),
but it will be 500 lbs more than the single axel.
4.  For off road use, does the Sierra have 4WD?  Will the off road use
be on cut and maintained roads or across rough fields?  If you don't
have 4WD I strongly suggest you not attempt going across rough fields
with a trailer.
5.  Is the Sierra an important vehicle to you?  Or a junker?  If it is
important for personal use you should think long and hard before
commiting to the kind of use you are suggesting.  In particular,
moving from a summer pollination source to the winter yard might
involve hive weights of 3,000, plus a trailer weight of 1,500 lbs. for
a total of 4,500 lbs.  While this is done 'all the time', it will
almost certainly shorten the life of the Sierra, particularly if it
does not have the proper equipment for off road towing.  Are the fees
worth it?

Good luck.

--
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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