Bought Tractor!! / Trailer Question

[Bird]

Each type of trailer has its advantages and disadvantages. I've only owned one fifth wheel travel trailer and two of the conventional or bumper pull types; enjoyed all of them and never had a serious problem with either type. Getting hitches set up right can be confusing at times. I pulled the smaller of the two conventional trailers behind an Olds sedan for awhile; trailer dealer installed the hitch, lift bars, sway control, brake controller, etc. No sway problem, everything looked good, but it felt like it was surging going down the road. The RV dealer couldn't figure out why, so I took it to a place that specialized in hitches, and the old man there just took one quick look at it, and said to raise the hitch head 1" (one bolt hole on the adjustment) and add one washer to tilt the ball back that much. And that's all it took to correct the problem.

 

[Climber]

Hi Folks,

I've done some more research, and here's what I found out:

The B7300 should weigh just over 1,300 lbs including the ROPS, but not including the MMM.

I have a F-150, extended cab, 6ft bed. My owner's manual says I should be able to tow 3,000 lbs.

I also called some rental places and found a local ace-hardware willing to rent me a flatbed trailer with a ramp for $20 per day, unlimited mileage.

I was also inquiring with some friends, and found one who has a 6 X12 flatbed trailer with a built-in ramp. He's willing to let me borrow it, so I think I will go that route.

While I might be able to get the tractor onto the bed of the truck, the thought of driving it up and down that steep of a ramp scares me to death. Additionally, I would have to remove the MMM, and drive over the wheel wells, and neither of these requirements sound like much fun either.

I think the flatbed trailer will be the easiest and most economical way to go. I will just take it easy and be careful on the road.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

--Chris

 

[RobS]

Good choice Chris. I think you'll be happy with this solution. Don't forget lot's of sturdy tie-downs /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Climber]

Folks,

just FYI, I also called U-Haul, and they have a dual axle, 6X12 trailer with surge brakes. It is $25 per day to rent. The Ryder in my area did not have anything similar.

--Chris

 

[Climber]

For the Record:

I got the tractor home last night. Used a 6X12 trailer for a B7300HSD with 54" MMM. The tractor fit perfectly on the trailer, and I had no trouble at all pulling it with my F-150 over 400+ miles. Everything felt rock-solid the whole way.

Thanks to all who contributed to this thread!

--Chris

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Congrats Chris...

Now tell us about your "new" tractor.../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[Climber]

John,

It's a B7300HSD, 223 hours. 54" MMM. It's in showroom condition. The previous owner took great care of it. I plan to do the same.

I don't have a digital camera, but I have a picture that the previous owner took. Here it is!

--Chris

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Gee Chris... that's very sharp... looks showroom condition...

Also kinda looks like a BX predecessor... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The only tidbit I'd add is try any potential snowblower first on the tractor... you only have 12.5 PTO hp to drive it... and that will be the limiting factor...

Good luck with the new unit...