Trailer for Kubota B2920

[whistlepig]

OK, this is embarassing, but the "truck" is a Mercedes GL. The diesel is only 3.0 liters, but has 400 lb ft of torque (210 hp). I get 30 mpg in a 5,500 lb SUV and it is a "clean" diesel - i.e. much lower particulate emissions than traditional diesel engines. I hope that you can forgive my not being 100% forthright!

I spent a while trying to find the towing capacity of a Mercedes GL with a 3.0 diesel. What I finally read said it is not recommended for towing. You've got the power. My 1996 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 Cummins diesel was rated at 210HP and 400 foot pounds of torque. And it was a pulling beast. The suspension and length of wheelbase on the Mercedes is simply not there on the for towing. More to towing than just the engine. The Mercedes is sure a nice ride to read about. More luxury than I ever imagined.

 

[RobertN]

- If it is new, you might check with Mercedes for tranny cooler options. Probably is not going to be much in the aftermarket to fit that. And I see $$$$$

- Check to see if the 7500lb rating is with a weight distributing hitch; just a guess, but probably is... Oh, that's a few more $$.

- My old Kubota was about the same size as yours. I did not have a backhoe, but with loader and scraper I added up all the weights once; it was about 2500lbs soaking wet. My 16' trailer weighs 1600lbs. If you add chains, binders etc, then I was bumping maybe 4250lbs or so. Well within your tow capability.

- One thing not mentioned... You'll find lots of other uses for the trailer. You might consider that in the bigger equation. I have hauled my old Kubota B8200 tractor, Farmall-A, my Dad's tractor, Cub Scout floats, pipe, firewood, lumber, hay, concrete block, docks for Cub Scout Day Camp waterfront, and a lot of other stuff. I never imagined how useful it would be when we were buying it...

OK, this is embarassing, but the "truck" is a Mercedes GL. The diesel is only 3.0 liters, but has 400 lb ft of torque (210 hp). I get 30 mpg in a 5,500 lb SUV and it is a "clean" diesel - i.e. much lower particulate emissions than traditional diesel engines. I hope that you can forgive my not being 100% forthright!

 

[two_bit_score]

OK, this is embarassing, but the "truck" is a Mercedes GL. The diesel is only 3.0 liters, but has 400 lb ft of torque (210 hp). I get 30 mpg in a 5,500 lb SUV and it is a "clean" diesel - i.e. much lower particulate emissions than traditional diesel engines. I hope that you can forgive my not being 100% forthright!

Sounds like you need to be shopping for a truck too.

 

[Diamondpilot]

OK, this is embarassing, but the "truck" is a Mercedes GL. The diesel is only 3.0 liters, but has 400 lb ft of torque (210 hp). I get 30 mpg in a 5,500 lb SUV and it is a "clean" diesel - i.e. much lower particulate emissions than traditional diesel engines. I hope that you can forgive my not being 100% forthright!

Ok, that answers some questions. I guess when I hear towing and diesel that its a 3/4 Ton truck and up. Most of them are around 15,000# tow rating all the way up to 25,000# tow rating for the big dog 1 Ton Dually.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sounds like you need to be shopping for a truck too.

Why? He has plenty of vehicle for what he wants to do. I know we all have a different comfort level but there is no reason his truck with a decent trailer and brake controller can not tow is load.

Sorry, but we see this here all the time. Mercedes would not give it a rating it was not comfortable with just as Jeep, Ford, GM, Honda, ect. I know you have plenty of experience towing but it seems like people seem to think you need a F-450 to tow a log splitter now days. Our fathers towed these loads and more with crappy trucks, no anti lock brakes, now power steering, no power brakes for that matter, drum brakes at that, V8's that made 140HP and 200 and noting foot pounds of torque and got the job done. His truck is 5 times what those old rigs could dream of being.

I mean its just the way we view things now days because we are spoiled. I was working on my neighbors 78 GMC C60 dump truck today. 350 2 barrel with a 4 speed manual. 180 HP and 230 ish TQ but the thing can haul 7 tons or tow his Case Dozer. It can be done. By the way it needed front brakes. Not a fun job working on them old drums. Hate them.

Chris

 

[two_bit_score]

Why? He has plenty of vehicle for what he wants to do. I know we all have a different comfort level but there is no reason his truck with a decent trailer and brake controller can not tow is load.

Sorry, but we see this here all the time. Mercedes would not give it a rating it was not comfortable with just as Jeep, Ford, GM, Honda, ect. I know you have plenty of experience towing but it seems like people seem to think you need a F-450 to tow a log splitter now days. Our fathers towed these loads and more with crappy trucks, no anti lock brakes, now power steering, no power brakes for that matter, drum brakes at that, V8's that made 140HP and 200 and noting foot pounds of torque and got the job done.

Chris

Yeah. We pulled all kinds of stuff without trailer brakes and with only a half ton truck. Some pretty heavy loads to Farmers Market in Houston. Never worried too much about it but then again nobody was saying our vehicles were not suitable for towing. And, back then there wasn't the legal and enforcement climate there is today.

What is he going to do if there is an accident while he s towing and thru find out his tow vehicle is declared by the manuf. Not suitable for towing?

I'm not saying you are not correct. I agree it ma be possible for him to tow with that vehicle. Just may not be the best idea.

Wonder what the rear in gears are in it?

.

 

[whistlepig]

Why? He has plenty of vehicle for what he wants to do. I know we all have a different comfort level but there is no reason his truck with a decent trailer and brake controller can not tow is load.

Sorry, but we see this here all the time. Mercedes would not give it a rating it was not comfortable with just as Jeep, Ford, GM, Honda, ect. I know you have plenty of experience towing but it seems like people seem to think you need a F-450 to tow a log splitter now days. Our fathers towed these loads and more with crappy trucks, no anti lock brakes, now power steering, no power brakes for that matter, drum brakes at that, V8's that made 140HP and 200 and noting foot pounds of torque and got the job done. His truck is 5 times what those old rigs could dream of being.

I mean its just the way we view things now days because we are spoiled. I was working on my neighbors 78 GMC C60 dump truck today. 350 2 barrel with a 4 speed manual. 180 HP and 230 ish TQ but the thing can haul 7 tons or tow his Case Dozer. It can be done. By the way it needed front brakes. Not a fun job working on them old drums. Hate them.

Chris

He has a luxury SUV. It is a tremendously nice vehicle. It has a cushy ride and a short wheelbase. He does have enough motor. He simply does not have the wheelbase and suspension to handle a trailer with a tractor of the weight he is describing. Sure, he could do it. But he is going to destroy something very nice by pushing it beyond its limits.

 

[RobertN]

He's talking less than 5klbs, with a 7500lb capacity. That should be sufficient. If he was pushing 7klbs, maybe it would be getting questionable.

The tractor itself is only 1554lbs. Of course, Kubota does not spec weights for the loader or backhoe... http://www.kubota.com/product/B2320/pdf/b_series_spec.pdf

He has a luxury SUV. It is a tremendously nice vehicle. It has a cushy ride and a short wheelbase. He does have enough motor. He simply does not have the wheelbase and suspension to handle a trailer with a tractor of the weight he is describing. Sure, he could do it. But he is going to destroy something very nice by pushing it beyond its limits.

 

[ajacobs]

I am surprised that with a 121" wheelbase, the GL is too short. A F-150 is only five inches longer and Ford says that it can tow at least 10K lbs (with less toque and hp in the base engine that "only" pulls 10k). The GL also has sway bars in front and back, an independent rear and a pneumatic leveling system. Maybe the weak link is that last bit.

Whistlepig,
If I may ask, what was the source of your info that said my vehicle should not tow the tralier and load that we have been discussing? Of course, I need to check with MB. they haven't gotten back to me yet with any answers.

Thank you all again.

 

[two_bit_score]

I am surprised that with a 121" wheelbase, the GL is too short. A F-150 is only five inches longer and Ford says that it can tow at least 10K lbs (with less toque and hp in the base engine that "only" pulls 10k). The GL also has sway bars in front and back, an independent rear and a pneumatic leveling system. Maybe the weak link is that last bit.

Whistlepig,
If I may ask, what was the source of your info that said my vehicle should not tow the tralier and load that we have been discussing? Of course, I need to check with MB. they haven't gotten back to me yet with any answers.

Thank you all again.

Is this a front wheel drive vehicle?