7,000# vs 10,000# trailer

IXLR8 · Jul 24, 2008

Keith,
I am doing the trailer search now... thank you, and all others, for posting your thoughts, comments, concerns here... it is helping me with my decisions. My tractor with implements tips the scales just over 5000lbs, most trailer places are recommending a 7000lb trailer. Based on your research and all the comments here... it will be a 10K trailer for me.

newbury · Feb 1, 2009

Just to revive an old thread -
thanks for the info - I'm in the same search process, however I'm focusing on an enclosed trailer and my target machine is like a Kubota B26 at 4K lbs , to be pulled by an '88 Ford E350 7.3.L Diesel Maxivan and hope to get by with an 18 footer.

Diamondpilot · Feb 1, 2009

Look to the future with a enclosed trailer. If you get a backhoe or put a bush hog on it and equipped with a FEL you will need a 24' enclosed minimum.

Chirs

KeithInSpace · Feb 2, 2009

Just replied to your PM.

I second that emotion about 24'. I don't think 18 foot gives you ANY flexibility to equalize your tongue loading or carry anything other than your tractor. And expecially with an enclosed trailer since you can't hang the BH off the front or anything funky to help.

wkpoor · Feb 2, 2009

I'm probably the closest one on this forum who does what you are wanting to do. I pull a 24' deck over with a Chevy Express 3500 Van. The longer trailer does exactly what others are saying, it gives you the ability to balance the load. Plus I like the fact that empty the trailer still pulls silent. The shorter ones are always banging around empty but a 60/40 24' will pull sweet. Also no harm in getting a 12K or even 14K capacity. The larger tires and bearings are a piece of mind and I find pulls easier than my old 7K did with the same load on it.

Renze · Feb 3, 2009

Enclosed trailers do cause a lot of wind drag and dead weight, which both increase the fuel consumption quite a bit...

Diamondpilot · Feb 3, 2009

Renze said:
Enclosed trailers do cause a lot of wind drag and dead weight, which both increase the fuel consumption quite a bit...

Very true. My good buddy has a 5th wheel camper that weighs 14,000# My boat weighs 15,600# and we have the same trucks with the same gears and mods. I get 3 mpg better towing than he does even though I a am towing more weight.

Chris

firefighter jim · Mar 3, 2009

wkpoor said:
I'm probably the closest one on this forum who does what you are wanting to do. I pull a 24' deck over with a Chevy Express 3500 Van. The longer trailer does exactly what others are saying, it gives you the ability to balance the load. Plus I like the fact that empty the trailer still pulls silent. The shorter ones are always banging around empty but a 60/40 24' will pull sweet. Also no harm in getting a 12K or even 14K capacity. The larger tires and bearings are a piece of mind and I find pulls easier than my old 7K did with the same load on it.

I think some of you are missing an important issue. Light load on a high gvw trailer = little or no suspension. Load will ride alot better on a more balanced trailer choice. just my 2 cents.

LBrown59 · Mar 3, 2009

They've been telling me here

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/137346-truck-trailer-team-3.html

that a 7000 pound trailer and a 1/2 ton pick up is more than enought for my BX23.

wkpoor · Mar 3, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by wkpoor View Post
I'm probably the closest one on this forum who does what you are wanting to do. I pull a 24' deck over with a Chevy Express 3500 Van. The longer trailer does exactly what others are saying, it gives you the ability to balance the load. Plus I like the fact that empty the trailer still pulls silent. The shorter ones are always banging around empty but a 60/40 24' will pull sweet. Also no harm in getting a 12K or even 14K capacity. The larger tires and bearings are a piece of mind and I find pulls easier than my old 7K did with the same load on it.

I think some of you are missing an important issue. Light load on a high gvw trailer = little or no suspension. Load will ride alot better on a more balanced trailer choice. just my 2 cents.

Not sure what you mean by that. If I were towing a 2500lb tractor I would rather it be on my new trailer for sure than the old one. No question which one is more secure and the new rides way better.