Yanmar w/ loader - absolutely shortest length?

[queen of spades]

My current 5x9 trailer barely fits in my drive, and I'm wondering if I can possibly skate by with a 12' long trailer if I hang the loader bucket over the front? I also pull with a Ranger V6, so I don't have the power to handle a 16 foot dual axle even though I'd like to (if it would fit in my drive).

I've read stories of people stuffing their tractors on 5x8 trailers - but what is the shortest length I can realistically get by with? I don't mind putting my attachments in the truck bed to help save space.

Thanks!

[hosejockey2002]

Which model Yanmar do you have? I used to have a 1401D, and with a loader and attachment it took nearly all of a 16' trailer. It would have fit on a 12' (maybe) with the loader hanging out over the front and the box scraper hanging over the rear. Loading the attachments in the truck would not have been an option for me, because my tractor would not lift an attachment without some counterweight on the back. Filled tires and/or wheel weights can help with this, but you are already pushing the weight limits of a single axle trailer. However you do it, be careful, a heavily loaded single axle trailer with a tractor overhanging both ends is likely to be a pretty squirrely setup.

[TedLaRue]

If your trailer is barely long enough, you may have difficulty getting the load properly balanced, especially if it's a single axle. But if your attachment will fit in your truck bed, you'll probably have enough room to anchor the tractor to a good balancing point on a 12' trailer.

I don't know the size of your Yanmar, but I'm guessing that you'll be pushing the limit hauling the tractor, loader, tires probably loaded with ballast, and attachment(s) with your Ranger. If the 12' trailer doesn't have its own electric brakes, that will further reduce your ability to control the load.

If you're only hauling it occasionally and the road conditions are decent (e.g., no hairpin turns on a gravel road down a hill) you may be ok, though.

[queen of spades]

Most of my trips will be around town. I haven't bought a trailer yet, but was hoping to fit it neatly on a 12'. Maybe I will have to look at a 14' single instead? How much heavier is a 14' trailer over a 12'?

[TedLaRue]

We need to know what model your tractor is and what implements you're planning to haul with your tractor to give you a better answer.

Is your Ranger 4WD? What year and what engine size? The towing capacity for a 2004 Ranger varies anywhere from 1580lbs to 5720lbs depending on model and engine and 2WD/4WD. You can probably find your numbers at Ford Ranger Pickup Trucks.

I think the weight difference between a 14' trailer and a 12' trailer will be insignificant compared to the weight of what you're hauling.

You probably should take some of the guesswork out of this decision. You should be able to determine the combined weight of your tractor, loader, and implement(s) including the ballast in your tires. That information should be in your owners manuals if you have them. If not, you can find the weights online (try TractorData.com - information on all makes and models of tractors).

Your Ranger's owner's manual should provide a maximum towing weight (or use the website above), and if you go to the trailer dealer, they'll have the weights of their trailers and the weight limit for the trailer load.

Based on that information you can determine what's best for you.

[queen of spades]

Hi, the yanmar is a 1601d with loader and 4' economy box blade. My truck is a 2wd b3000 with class IV hitch installed - Mazda says the max is around 3500 total.

So, according to hoye, my tractor weighs ~1500 without loader. The loader is another ~1100. Not sure how heavy the economy box blade is. But all that together along with the trailer weight will be close to 3500.

I haven't added a transmission cooler, but others say that is a must when towing larger loads.

[swedish-fish]

At the advice of many on this board I bought a tandem axle 16' trailer with brakes on all four wheels. In retrospect, I'm glad I did that rather than squeeze onto a single axle trailer. I too haul a Yanmar with a Ranger short distances, but my Yanmar is even smaller than yours weighing about 1650 lbs with loader and my Ranger has a 5600lb towing capacity. I too questioned the match of a Ranger with a 16' trailer, but was cautioned the bigger concern was not pulling, but stopping.

[queen of spades]

I settled on a 5x14 tandem with electric brakes on one axle. My tractor is only 4' wide so 6.5 or 7' wide trailer is just overkill. Plus the bobcat I rent from time to time is 41" wide, so it will fit with room to spare.