Frugal or Fatal

[JoeF]

liteblue:

You have been given some very sound advise. PLEASE use that organ between your ears and use it. I have tried hauling/pulling a tractor with not enough vehicle. Take my advise and don't do it. What can and most likely will happen ain't fun. Go back and read the whitenuckel statement. It's very true. Not to mention the nicotine stain that will be in your shorts.

 

[flusher]

Here's what my Kubota dealer used to deliver my B7510HST with LA302 FEL last May. The tractor is 21HP and weights about 1900 lb with the FEL. That's a F250 and 16 ft twin-axle trailer.

IMHO, this is about the right setup for transporting your pride and joy regardless of how short the distance.

I have an F150 that can pull 7200 lb. If I need to haul the Bota, I'll rent a twin axle trailer from U-haul. Can't justify several thousand bucks for a new trailer since it would sit parked most of the time.

 

[SnowRidge]

No brakes, no way!!!

With that said, I have towed many miles with a single axle trailer, and I disagree with what others seem to be saying: that you need a two axle trailer to be safe. You do have to be more careful, but it isn't inherently unsafe to tow with a quality single axle rig, as long as you stay within ratings. However, I would never advise buying any trailer that just meets your minimum load requirements.

Your need to haul will inevitably grow, and you might as well buy the biggest, heaviest duty trailer that you can afford up front, just as long as your tow vehicle can handle it. Trust me on this. I went from a 1,400 lb GVWR single axle trailer to a 10,000 lb dual axle GVWR trailer in a few short years -- with an accompanying upgrade in tow vehicles.

Tractors will do that to you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MotorSeven]

Liteblue,

I've towed a lot of stuff, both single and double. I used to tow stuff behind my CJ which is also a light weight veh. I had a few hairy experiences with improperly balanced loads like Soundguy said. After a trip to Home Desperate(22 bags sakrete and a bunch or 4x4's) it finally happened. Got on I95 thinking i had it all centered over the axle. As soon as the speedometer hit 55, she started to swing. It came on so fast and so violent i knew right there it was going to be bad, so i looked at my buddy and said, "hang on we are going to flip". He thought i was joking until we did a 3/4 barrel roll, slid on the drivers side and hit a pole feet first. Neither one of us was hurt, but my Jeep that had been paid off for less than a year was totaled /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif.
You mentioned going slow, around 40 mph. Well let me tell you that will be like having a neon sign telling everyone, "Let me pull out in front of this guy who is overloaded and going slow". I have had this happen a gaizillion times, folks just don't think or care that you can't stop on a dime, and that is when the weight/load factor will be most critical.
Lesson learned: Short trailers with no brakes/light tow veh, can sneak up on you even after years of use.
You might save up for a used truck, you will find a lot of other good uses for one.
Oh, and did i mention when it starts to rain, and your trailering, and............... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

RD

 

[liteblue]

Thanks, one and all, for your response to my trailering issues. Given what ALL OF YOU have said, and my occasional trailering needs, I think I'll go the rental route for awhile, at least while I look into other options. Proper rigs (trucks with dual axle trailers) are available locally although somewhat expensive on a daily basis. This option sure beats having a fairly predictable emergency with my car and a light trailer.

I really appreciate the advice of veterans, I don't need to reconfirm what you guys have already learned. Thanks!

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Only one thing better than learning from your own mistakes..... LEARN FROM SOMEONE ELSES MISTAKES.

 

[Bedlam]

BE SAFE either way.

But I wanted to say I like the subject post.

Frugal or Fatal Interesting way to describe it....

Al

 

[jpm]

liteblue are you just towing on the rock or are you planing to go else were? That will change things alot.Locally a 3500# trailer will
work because lest than 30 mph is no problem .You could almost put
a SMV on it and go were ever you want to.