damage trailer?

[GaryS]

I borrowed a trailer and didn't have a hitch on the back of my tractor. I bought a drawbar and a put a ball on it. It's a cheap way to go but I want to make sure I'm not going to damage the borrowed trailer. I'll only use this to move some household stuff down to the barn so it's not going to be used for heavy duty stuff.

Anyone think I'll damage his trailer using it this way?

 

[JerryG]

You would need to make sure that you have enough weight on the tongue. If you don't and the tongue gets light, the lift arms will go up and could damage the back of the tractor. It could also damage the lift cylinder inside the transmission housing. The best thing would be to put a chain around the draw bar and attach it to the bottom of the tractor. It might also damage the tongue of the trailer because the 9 hole draw bar can rotate. TSC and others have a draw bar lock that is designed to prevent this from happening.

 

[beenthere]

As stated, I think if you keep the load in the trailer ahead of the trailer wheels and weight on the tongue, it will not damage the trailer hitch. The ball is designed to work around in the receiver of the trailer, and as long as the ball is the right diameter, you will not damage it.
Excessive load might cause damage, but not the hitch, IMO.

Looks neater if the 3pt drawbar is in the correct plane with the trailer tongue, but not necessary, IMO.

 

[FL_Cracker]

They make a bracket to keep that draw bar from rolling like that. It should be OK but you could do some damage to the coupler if you pull to hard. Keep in mind that when you go to stop the trailer will twist the drawbar forward and slam it the other way. That action could damage the latch or bend the ball shank.

If you have to use it like that go SLOW and STOP SLOWWWWW

 

[Bird]

I agree with JerryG. You might not damage it, but I sure would not pull, or allow anyone else to pull, one of my trailers that way.

 

[GaryS]

I'll be off to tsc in the morning. I tried to save a few bucks but should have just bought the real deal from Bad River.

I do not want to risk any damage whatsoever to this trailer.

thanks for all the advice.

 

[hobbyfarm]

You know, Its funny how most people use the safety chains.

I've always used them crossed, not straight.

IE:

[[[|]]]>x

instead of

[[[|]]]>=

Sorry about the <font color="gold">CHEESY</font> trailer drawing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
If your trailer comes loose, there is a little more control.

Just my opinion, but, when I had one come loose, it did track true and directly behind the pickup.

Any other opinions on this?

 

[nobull1]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You know, Its funny how most people use the safety chains.

I've always used them crossed, not straight.

IE:

[[[|]]]>x

instead of

[[[|]]]>=

Sorry about the <font color="gold">CHEESY</font> trailer drawing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
If your trailer comes loose, there is a little more control.

Just my opinion, but, when I had one come loose, it did track true and directly behind the pickup.

Any other opinions on this?
)</font>

My understanding as yours is they should be crossed so they can support the weight of the trailer if it becomes unhitched. If the chains are too long or not crossed the tongue could hit the ground. I had a trailer come unhooked or should I say not locked down. The trailer hit a bump and I felt this bang that drove the truck forward two or three times before I could get stopped. When I went to check the tongue was sitting on the chains taking all the weight(probably about 1000 lbs). I found I had pretty good control, all things considered. I didn't say a word to my employee sitting next to me /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I didn't have to.

 

[RoyJackson]

Why don't you just put the ball on your draw bar? I have on mine, just to see if it would fit. I don't have a trailer yet.

As long as your tongue weight doesn't exceed the maximum called out in your manual.

 

[SnowRidge]

The law requires crossed chains in some places.