Trailer choices

mow4fun · Apr 17, 2010

I currently have a 4x8 trailer that I used for my prior tractor and ATV and guess will need to upgrade to something bigger for the BX1860. So, I have few questions and hope to get some advice:

Should I go with wood or metal flooring?
I am thinking 6x10 Utility/Landscaping trailer and see they are rated about 2500lbs to 3000lbs, is that enough?
Should I consider brakes, I have a 2010 Honda Pilot to two with and not sure if it even can handle the brakes?

I probably use it once or twice a year, so I am looking for something to make do but also be safe with.

Thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

whistlepig · Apr 17, 2010

mow4fun said:
I currently have a 4x8 trailer that I used for my prior tractor and ATV and guess will need to upgrade to something bigger for the BX1860. So, I have few questions and hope to get some advice:

Should I go with wood or metal flooring?
I am thinking 6x10 Utility/Landscaping trailer and see they are rated about 2500lbs to 3000lbs, is that enough?
Should I consider brakes, I have a 2010 Honda Pilot to two with and not sure if it even can handle the brakes?

I probably use it once or twice a year, so I am looking for something to make do but also be safe with.

Thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

I have always preferred a wood floor over metal. Things on a trailer with a metal floor seem to slide around like they are on ice. For the weight of your tractor a 2500 to 3000lb trailer seems to be enough. Brakes are well worth the extra money. Saves wear and tear on the towing vehicle and the driver too.

mow4fun · Apr 17, 2010

I am also wanting to transport the FEL with it too, I think that pushes me over 2000lbs.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 17, 2010

I recommend you get a dual axle. If one tire blows or goes on a single axle you can be in serious trouble quick. I don't have brakes on my trailer and have transported BX's, F, B and an L on it but I don't do it often. Any dual axle will handle all your weight and more and you have to add the weight of the trailer in the weight equation.

TripleR · Apr 18, 2010

I use a single axle 6x12 Carry On trailer most of the time for my BX though I have a couple of dual axle sixteen footers and a car hauler.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 18, 2010

mow4fun said:
I currently have a 4x8 trailer that I used for my prior tractor and ATV and guess will need to upgrade to something bigger for the BX1860. So, I have few questions and hope to get some advice:

Should I go with wood or metal flooring?
I am thinking 6x10 Utility/Landscaping trailer and see they are rated about 2500lbs to 3000lbs, is that enough?
Should I consider brakes, I have a 2010 Honda Pilot to two with and not sure if it even can handle the brakes?

I probably use it once or twice a year, so I am looking for something to make do but also be safe with.

Thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

Almost forgot. My nephew has a BX2360 and uses my 16' dual axle trailer to pull his and he has a Toyota SUV that's pretty old, over 150000 miles and takes my trailer up and down a pretty steep hill with no trouble. In fact my Traverse wouldn't pull up the gravel hill due to slipping (2wd) so nephew had to pull it up with his Toyota. You have to add a module? to any vehicle to operate the brakes on a trailer. Any vehicle can work it but you have to add stuff at some expense.

itsjustme · Apr 18, 2010

If your only going to use it a few times a year IMHO a 6X12 landscape with a 3k gross will work. Altho with the FEL and MMM both attached it will push the gross weight.
You could go with a 6X14 dual axel with brakes but there is a considerable price increase that goes with it.

The tare weight of most 6X12 landscape trailers will be between 900 and 1000 lbs. I have to agree that wood is a better choice for flooring. Wet metal is slick as snot on a door knob.

I have a Ridgeline that's used to haul a BX1850 /54" MMM on 5X10 with a 3k gross. I've pulled it over 1K miles and it handles the load easily.

As with towing any trailer just use a little common sense.

I have seen idiots pulling the small 4X6 trailers on the interstate going over 80 mph. The trailer would be bouncing like a basket ball behind them.

mow4fun · Apr 18, 2010

I am looking at two currenly and both are single axle: 6x10 and 6x11. I really think that I would need to upgrade the leaf springs on them to make sure no issues with weight. The price seems to be around 700 to 800 for used trailers of this size while new about 1000 to 1200. Maybe I hould just go new??

Jaylegger · Apr 18, 2010

mow4fun said:
I currently have a 4x8 trailer that I used for my prior tractor and ATV and guess will need to upgrade to something bigger for the BX1860. So, I have few questions and hope to get some advice:

Should I go with wood or metal flooring?
I am thinking 6x10 Utility/Landscaping trailer and see they are rated about 2500lbs to 3000lbs, is that enough?
Should I consider brakes, I have a 2010 Honda Pilot to two with and not sure if it even can handle the brakes?

I probably use it once or twice a year, so I am looking for something to make do but also be safe with.

Thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

For my Massey GC2600, which I figured I might trailer a few times a year, I was in the same predicament. Single or double axle, aluminum or steel. Steel was quickly ruled out, I've yet seen one after a few years which didn't look like a bucket of rust. I ended up with all all aluminum landscape/utility 6x12 (aluminum floor as well) with a single 3,000 pound axle. The trailer tare is only 600 pounds so can carry about the same as a 3500# axle steel trailer and much easier to move around the yard by hand if need be (the same size steel trailer weighs in at around 1100#'s). I worried a little about the floor getting banged up with rocks but think I'll get a rubber mat for it which will help with that. My tractor with loader weighs around 2100#, on the trailer the tires are barely deflecting and it tows excellent plus there's room for more weight such as my boxblade or mower deck.