Another stupid trailer question

dieseldude · Sep 20, 2005

Ok I have read most of the post on this board about trailer hauling and have seen alot of different opinions.
Heres my senerio. I own a B7610 with FEL. I would like to be able to take it to my parents and other family members home to do some landscaping. They live no more than 30 miles away. I hate to put the money into a tandem axle trailer that Im not going to use but once or twice a year and every time I use rollback service it cost me $75.00 to $100.00 one way.
I have found a single axle 6x12 trailer with 3500lb axle with a gvwr of 3000lbs and the trailer weighs 800lbs. Thats 2200lbs to spare for the load. The dealer told me that with the 3500lb axle it would really hold that much weight and that they list it as 3000 gvwr to keep you from having to get it inspected.
If I figured correctly my B7610 with FEL and ballast rear tires should weigh about 2100lbs. If it is true about the 3500lbs axle being the total weight that would be 600lbs under the limit.

My question is. Can I get by with this trailer if I keep my speed down and use it sparingly? I am at a delima here. I need to move my tractor this weekend and would rather spend $1200.00 for a trailer than to put out another $150.00 for rollback service.

Will_C · Sep 20, 2005

Can you do it? Yes, I believe you can. I have hauled my brother's B2400, equipped the same as your tractor on my 6.5' x 12' trailer. It was as big as I would ever go on that trailer. My trailer is aluminum, and weighs around 550 lbs. Your dealer is right, these trailers used to be routinely registered at 3500lbs. I know this has changed here in NY due to the fact anything 3000lbs and over needs trailer brakes.
Now having said that, if you don't have a trailer, I would advice you to strongy consider buying a 16-20' tandem, 7,000 lb capacity. I would imagine you could pick one up for between $1800-2000. It would you give you more deck space to balance your load, and the capacity to travel with another implement if you need to.
You did not mention your tow vehicle. I know that I would not feel comfortable with the single axle trailer loaded with your tractor with anything smaller than a full size half ton pick up.
Hope this helps,
Will

andyrc130 · Sep 20, 2005

Why not buy a used trailer? I have the exact same setup - 7610 with FEL and loaded tires. I was able to buy a used 16' tandem axle with electric brakes for $800. I put about $150 of parts into it, but I still saved over a thousand bucks over buying new. For the few times a year I will actually use the trailer I think it is well worth it. My only regret is that I didn't buy a bigger one! I have a 5' brush hog and I am still trying to figure out how to transport the whole setup.

dieseldude · Sep 20, 2005

[You did not mention your tow vehicle. I know that I would not feel comfortable with the single axle trailer loaded with your tractor with anything smaller than a full size half ton pick up.
Hope this helps,
Will )</font>

This is another issue. I have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with a class three hitch. I kind of wanted to stay away from the tandem trailers because of the extra weight also.
I used to haul a 19' Bayliner with a single axle trailer that weighed around 3000lbs loaded with fuel and gear, so I know what to expect out of my truck and braking and I think this is about all the weight I would want to pull with it.
I am mainly concerned about the stability of the trailer. I wouldnt want it to calapse with the weight of the tractor. Thanks

kubota_man · Sep 20, 2005

Good grief! $795.00 for a 16' tandem Axel trailer here. I could haul a few out that way for 1200 a pop. I can't believe there ripping that much for them.

Woodsman_Pete · Sep 21, 2005

When I first bought my BX2200, I had a 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 extended cab (no second doors), V6 5 speed. I also already had a 6.5' x 12' landscape trailer with your same setup. 3500 lb axle, trailer registered for 2990 lbs. I did not have a front loader for the BX. I can tell you your truck will most definatly pull the load, and for me, I was able to balance the truck and trailer pretty good, actually I put the rear axle of the tractor centered up on the axle of the trailer and it leveled every thing out nicely. With the front loader (extra weight and length) you'll need to be further back so you might be able to let the front bucket cutting edge rest against the front bulk head and it may balance you out just fine. My paricular trailer has a c-channel frame and tongue, with c-channel cross members on 16" centers, a 2x6 treated deck and a 2" pipe rail on 3 sides supported by angle. I had looked at other trailers with only the angle iron fame and they twisted when I walked on the deck. The trailer handled the tractor well, only thing I found was when I sinched my chains down I could bow the 2x6's that the front tires sat on.

My only concern was getting stopped. I had the 5 speed and that definately helped, as I could down shift, but unless you were paying extremely good attention to all the other yahoo's on the road that see a truck pulling a trailer and don't want behind you, so they pull out in front of you and what do you do if you can't get stopped... Think about it you have roughly 30k in the truck and trailer and another 15k in your tractor. and God forbid that anything happens, how do I get to work on Monday to pay for the stuff that I smashed up on Sunday, if your able to go to work... plus what did you do to the the yahoo who pulled out in front of you?

These were the things that I asked my self while towing the tractor to do someone a "favor". I bought a 3/4 ton truck, heavy enough to get trailer stopped with the intent on getting a bigger trailer, as once you have a trailer it's never big enough. I also had other reasons for the truck but that's another long winded post.

Best of luck with you decision, it can be done, but having done it, I don't recomend it.

Will_C · Sep 21, 2005

I pulled my trailer for several years with a 1996 Tacoma (4wd, 4cyl., 5 speed.) I bought a Tundra last year and feel much better pulling, and more importantly, stopping the trailer.
Woodsman Pete has it about right in terms of the balance point. That is how I load my BX. If the FEL is attached, I either back the tractor on, or rest the bucket on the tongue.
I had the Tacoma when I bought the trailer, and did not feel a tandem would have been the right choice for the truck, so I understand the concern there.
When I did haul my brother's B2400, I was concerned about stopping. I went slow, and drove very defensively. I was not worried about the trailer's durability.
Will

gmsssi · Sep 21, 2005

Don't for get to subtract the weight of the trailer from the 3500#.
I have a 7' x 12' that weights 1100#, meaning all I can haul is 2400#.

TonyV · Sep 22, 2005

Ditto on what Greg has posted. A 3500# axle is a standard size. I have a tandem axle trailer that has two 3500# axles for a total of 7000# capacity. The weight of the trailer has to be subtracted from this to determine how much weight you can haul.

...Tony

RobertN · Sep 22, 2005

I have the same size, albeit older Kubota.

My answer, based on my towing with various rigs and trailers, is NO. I have towed my tractor and had to emergency brake; I was taking it easy in the slow lane, left room out front, but a little car zipped right in front of me and slowed down abruptly. The trailer I had borrowed was a dual axle, but had no brakes. It pushed my 3/4 ton around pretty good, although I was able to make a controlled stop. Barely... Where I had the tractor was about 25 miles away, and I was only about 5 miles in to my return trip home. It was an old trailer, that never had brakes...

Based on that, I have a smaller utility trailer rated at 2900lb, with no brakes(under 3000 does not require brakes here). It is single axle. I would not tow something that heavy on that trailer, especially without brakes.

I would run a minimum 7000lb trailer. With brakes. And a brake controller. Mine equipment trailer is a 16'. My B8200 fits on it no problem. With the mower on, my tail wheel hangs over a foot... If I need the scraper and the mower, I load the mower on the front of the trailer, go back and install the scraper, and then park with the loader resting(and tied down) on the mower. I got mine new three years ago; it was $1600.

We are active in Scouting; I let our Cub Scout and Boy Scout groups use the trailer if I am not available. No one uses the trailer unless they have a 3/4 ton, with a brake controller.

fwiw, I use my trailer for everything. Long lumber goes on it, Cub Scout parade floats, pipe, rebar, firewood, tractors, Cub Scout day camp waterfront docks, hay, and other stuff. I got it to haul the tractor, but turns out that is a small part of what it hauls.

I would be concerned that your truck is small to haul an equipment trailer, and that the trailer you mention is small for your load, and does not have brakes(although they could be added).

fyi, at least around here, I can rent a dual axle 18' flatbed for $50/day, but they require 3/4 ton or bigger truck to haul it.