Bought CK30 HST TLB finally!!!!!

[Gittyup]

I have a 20' equipment trailer. Paid $2300 new. Had to shop hard for that price, though. I think you could get by with 18'. But a longer trailer will let you get the tongue weight better distributed.

However, add up the weight of the tractor, implements, chains, trailer, etc and I think you'll find that a 7K lb trailer won't do it. Or if it does, it just barely does. Mine is a 10K lb trailer, dual axle with brakes on both axles. Trailer weighs about 2700 lbs. I have the CK25 TLB; weighing in at about 5500 lbs with loaded tires. Add 200 lbs of chains, binders, and fuel puts me at like 8400 lbs. I also use a half ton rated at 8700 towing lbs. I've only towed it once, but it tows pretty nicely on the 20'. But, I wouldn't want to tow it a lot with just a half ton. If I were towing a lot I'd want a diesel.

Another suggestion is get a good brake controller, like a Prodigy, and get a break-away battery WITH a built in charger.

 

[IXLR8]

Buy as much trailer as you can afford, you might end up with a bigger tractor, it has been known to happen. In more and more states it is the law that you have brakes on ALL axles. Having pulled both, dual axle with single and dual brakes, I think it is a good idea to have brakes on all axles. A 7K lb 18ft'er is all you need for a CK30, a 10k lb 20ft'er will give you more options and more safety margin.

 

[Gittyup]

I don't believe you can legally get a CK30 with loader and backhoe on a 7K trailer and be under the load limit. If so, just barely. Let's say you don't have loaded tires. Then CK30 TLB weighs about 4900, give or take. Now you have a 2000 lb trailer (probably more). That's 6900 lbs. Then add fuel, chains, binders etc. It'd be too close for me. The last thing you want is to have an accident and be over weight. A lot of guys do it and get a way with it all the time. I just know it'd bite me in the butt if I were to do it.

 

[rimshot]

At first blush jimmy it looks like that CK30 with FEL and hoe is too close to going over weight for a dual axle 7000 lb trailer. My Ck20 is 2100 lbs,BH 1100 and FEL about 700, 200 more lbs for fuel and chain binders and Im at 4200 lbs+ the weight of a 16' wood deck car hauler of 1900 and I'm at over 6100 lbs for a 7000 lb GVW. The Ck30 has got to be heavier so at any rate, that landscape trailer may be a bit small.

Whoops add another 350 lbs for rear tires loaded I'm darn near over now I know you will be.

rim

 

[VictorW]

I borrowed a friends 18ft., 10,000lb. trailer with brakes on both axles. In Pennsylvania, brakes on both are required. My Ck30hst with fl and bh had the bh bucket just hanging over the back of the trailer. I didn't have much room to adjust for balance. I have a Ford F250 with the factory brake controller and I'm glad both axles had brakes. You can set it up so you don't feel the trailer pushing you. As said, get as much as you can.

 

[kentrodngun]

Jimmy & Gittyup, just curious. My 3/4 ton Dodge Ram 2500 is only rated to pull 8100 lbs. What type of 1/2 ton vehicles do you guys own? Doesn't sound like they're diesel powered - or are they?

 

[Gittyup]

I have a GMC Denali extended cab quadrasteer 4x4 with a 6.0 L V8 and tow package. The quadrasteer rear raises the tow capacity.

 

[kentrodngun]

I have a GMC Denali extended cab quadrasteer 4x4 with a 6.0 L V8 and tow package. The quadrasteer rear raises the tow capacity.

Nice ride. Thanks for the quick answer. Wish I waited a bit longer to buy something big enough to haul my current needs.

 

[Gittyup]

Thanks. Love the quadrasteer. Tows and parks like a dream. I looked long and hard for it. I wanted something that could tow a good bit of weight, yet handled like a half ton when not towing. I drooled over them when they were new, but just couldn't bring myself to lay down the cash they wanted for them. Ended up getting one used a couple of years ago.

 

[jimmyj]

Thanks all. I can see I have to go bigger. I have a Dodge Ram 1500, just a plain jane truck - auto tranny. I'm getting worried I may be out of my leage with the truck I have. Don't want to break the truck just to move a tractor.

I will re-check the tow capacity after your comment though. Next door neighbour has a GMC Sierra and it's 8500 lbs too.