Help with trailer decision

[artho45]

I am looking for a tandem axle utility trailer. The heaviest thing I would haul would be my CUT when I get one. I'm willing to drive to find the right tractor, but want to get the trailer now. We have a local H & H trailer dealer and am looking at the 6X16 tandem for $2600. I can find cheaper trailers, but I need some advice on which ones would be the best. How much difference is there in brands, what do I look for, frame size, etc. BTW, I'm looking at 3500 pounds axles.

 

[4570Man]

What size tractors are you looking at? Keep in mind the posted tractor weight is base tractor only. The loader, fluid filled tires and implements are extra. And the maximum hauling weight of a trailer is combined axel capacity plus the hitch weight minus the trailer weight. That probably leaves 5500-6000 pounds with 7k combined axels. It doesn’t take much tractor to exceed that.

 

[artho45]

I'm looking for something similar to a Kubota 3240 with FEL.

 

[4570Man]

I think the base tractor 4wd no cab is 3400 pounds. The loader adds another 1100 which I’m not sure if that includes the bucket. Then you’re probably going to load the tires or at least use an implement. You’ll need to do both to maximize the loader. My L3240 could pull the back end off the ground with loaded tires and a 500 pound box blade and a backhoe subframe. The point of all that? You need a heavier duty trailer. I’ve been accused of exaggerating the truth on this number but I think my L3240 with a backhoe, backhoe subframe, loaded tires, loader and bucket was around 8k pounds.

 

[Tompet]

I have an Appalachian 18' 7k car hauler (2-3500 axles as you listed). In some situations it is barely enough. If I was to do it over it would be 10k 20' (2-5k axles). I suggest you consider something similar. Btw, get brakes on both axles.

Put an attachment on the back of your tractor size listed and a trailer gets short real quick with almost no room to balance load.

I really like the trailer design with wedge metal front and rest of deck wood, the 16" wide slide in rear ramps with smooth top are great. I would just prefer next size up.

 

[4570Man]

18 feet is enough if you don’t have a backhoe and don’t intend on hauling any extra implements and have removable ramps like most car haulers have. There’s probably not room to keep the loader on the deck with a rotary cutter on the back and fold up the ramps if you have a folding ramps trailer.

 

[Fallon]

A Kubota Grand is a 5k lbs machine without an impliment. The flail mower for my L4060 is almost an extra 2k lbs ontop of that, but is about as heavy an impliment as you can get for a CAT1 machine.

My 22' tilting deck trailer with a pair of 7k lbs axles weighs 4k lbs. The weight of the trailer counts against the capacity of the axles. So I have 7k lbs of load vs 10k lbs of capacity remaining on the trailer.

Pushing equipment right up to their rated capacity wears them out quick & gives you very little wiggle room or safety margin.

Also remember get a longer trailer than you need. You need to balance your load so you get 10-15% of the trailer weight on the tongue. If you dont you fishtail or break your hitch & truck suspension.

A F150 is also only rated to tow 11,000lbs or so in the optimal configuration. Depending on your truck, you are likely to need a better tow vehicle. It's not cheap or easy to tow but things legally or properly.

 

[Fallon]

And a photo of my L4060 (pretty much the same size & weight as a L3x40) on a 22' trailer. I only have a couple feet of extra space even with the moderately short flail mower. A rotary cutter would pretty much be the full deck covered if not a little hanging off.

 

[4570Man]

I had a 10k GN that was marginal for hauling my tractor with backhoe. Sometimes the tires rubbed the deck. Then I traded it and I thought I was really over doing it with a trailer with double 10k axels. Nope, my new to me backhoe loads it to capacity.

 

[artho45]

Wow! thanks for all the help. the tow vehicle will not be a problem, I have a 3/4 Chevy Duramax diesel, it will handle the load alright. I don't plan on ever having a BH, but would plan on a box blade, tiller, and shredder, not that I would ever haul them all at once though. Looks like I will have to move up in trailer. I was hoping to buy the trailer now and then the tractor in 6 months or so. this will be a 100% cash only deal, so looks like I have to save a little bit longer. Thanks for all your advice.