swedish-fish
Bronze Member
OK, I'm really agonizing over what sort of trailer I should get to haul my Yanmar 155D. It's a very small tractor weighing 1145 lbs. With the loader and fluids, I'm probably more like 1500 lbs. If I take an implement, add on another 300 lbs totaling 1800. Just to be conservative, let's say the most I'll haul is 2000 lbs. Total length is about 15 feet and nothing is over 4' wide.
My towing vehicle is a 2003 4.0L Ford Ranger 4X4 FX4 package automatic. It came wired with a flat 4 connector. In researching past threads, I've read a lot of comments about how one should take towing seriously and get a full size truck with low gear ratios. Right now, this is what I have; can afford and can fit in the garage. The published towing capacity is about 5500 lbs, however, the GCWR is 9500. To be perfectly legal, 9500-5400 (truck and driver) = 4500 lbs.
Since usage plays a roll in all this, I'll add that I anticipate transporting the tractor 5-25 miles away and back about six times a year. There a few hills, but it's fairly flat and no expressways. I'm sure I'll find other uses for the trailer such as moving firewood, brush, helping friends move, hayrides, transporting lumber etc.
From where I stand, my options are:
1. Rent a 6x12 uhaul (limited attachment space)
2. Buy a 5x14 singe axle trailer, no brakes...2990 max load (doable, right? brakes a concern?)
3. Buy a light duty 6x16 tandem axle with brakes, brake controller, and weight distribution hitch. (Is this overkill?)
4. Buy a 6x16 tandem aluminum trailer with brakes saving about 300-500 lbs, and no worries about rust since it will be stored outdoors.
Any insights from other small tractor owners or Ranger drivers would be appreciated!
Thanks.
My towing vehicle is a 2003 4.0L Ford Ranger 4X4 FX4 package automatic. It came wired with a flat 4 connector. In researching past threads, I've read a lot of comments about how one should take towing seriously and get a full size truck with low gear ratios. Right now, this is what I have; can afford and can fit in the garage. The published towing capacity is about 5500 lbs, however, the GCWR is 9500. To be perfectly legal, 9500-5400 (truck and driver) = 4500 lbs.
Since usage plays a roll in all this, I'll add that I anticipate transporting the tractor 5-25 miles away and back about six times a year. There a few hills, but it's fairly flat and no expressways. I'm sure I'll find other uses for the trailer such as moving firewood, brush, helping friends move, hayrides, transporting lumber etc.
From where I stand, my options are:
1. Rent a 6x12 uhaul (limited attachment space)
2. Buy a 5x14 singe axle trailer, no brakes...2990 max load (doable, right? brakes a concern?)
3. Buy a light duty 6x16 tandem axle with brakes, brake controller, and weight distribution hitch. (Is this overkill?)
4. Buy a 6x16 tandem aluminum trailer with brakes saving about 300-500 lbs, and no worries about rust since it will be stored outdoors.
Any insights from other small tractor owners or Ranger drivers would be appreciated!
Thanks.