How big a trailer do I need?

ChuckinNH · Oct 27, 2006

I have a B7610 on the way, and I'm wondering if a 3500lb gvw trailer would be enough to haul it, and will I need trailer brakes? Forgive the ignorance since I have no experience trailering anything that large.
Thanks in advance for your help

Chuck

George2615 · Oct 27, 2006

General view is to measure the length of the tractor plus implement and add a foot or two for trailer length. Most CUT's will fit on an 18-20' trailer rated at 7000#. I think you'd be pushing it with a 3500# trailer.
My opinion is to get a double axle trailer with brakes on both. without trailer brakes its real tough to stop when you have several thousand pounds pushing behind you and wears out the tow vehicle brakes. Then you'll need 4 tie downs (I prefer chains) and finally a truck that will tow it all.

PondCreekFarm · Oct 27, 2006

I would not recommend the 3500. I have hauled a lot of heavy things, and too little trailer seems to always equal disaster, or at a very minimum increased frustration and expense. I think a 7000 lb tailer with brakes is a must to haul a tractor. The brakes make all the diffence too. Far to many people get a trailer and then do not spend the money to equip their truck with a brake controller (which is very inexpensive). Your best money is on the heavier trailer which will last longer, be safer and more versatile than the initially less expensive light duty model.

Ob1kubota · Oct 27, 2006

Chuck another thought here what is the Gross Combination Rating of your towing vehicle. This is the limiting factor of how large a trailer you can use.
You must take the weight of your tractor + the weight of the empty trailer
and compare the OEM rating your Truck can tow. Usually the transmission is the component the engineers look at for slippage under load. This calculation becomes your GCWR and is the bottom line on what you can tow. ( legally )

ChuckinNH · Oct 28, 2006

Thanks so much for the prompt, and informative replies! My thoughts were along those lines, but I wasn't sure. My Suv is rated to tow 3500 lbs, so it looks like that is on the light side too. The bare tractor weighs about 1400, plus loaded tires, and the loader which probably brings the total to around 2400. I did drive tractor trailer some in Vietnam, so I do know the value of trailer brakes. It's pretty hilly around here, and that is a factor too. Again, thanks for the valuable input!
Chuck

Bob_Skurka · Oct 28, 2006

Chuck, figure a raw weight 1000# for a 3500# trailer, that leaves you 2500# of capacity. You are probably just over that capacity with the tractor/loader/fluid fill. If the tractor is 1400#, the loader probably is 600# to 700# with the bucket. Loaded tires, a tank of fuel in the tractor, and a decent set of chains & binders will add another 500# of weight (chains alone can weigh 100#). So you will very likely be at 3600# to 3800#. Add an implement and you'd go over 4000#. One of my tractors is a 24hp machine about the same size as the B7610 (but a bit heavier) and I would never consider towing it with a 3500# trailer. One of my tow vehicles is rated to tow 4000# and it struggles badly to pull that little trailer when the tractor is loaded on it, add an implement and I cannot maintain highway speeds up steep grades.

escavader · Oct 28, 2006

ChuckinNH said:
I have a B7610 on the way, and I'm wondering if a 3500lb gvw trailer would be enough to haul it, and will I need trailer brakes? Forgive the ignorance since I have no experience trailering anything that large.
Thanks in advance for your help

Chuck

Hi CHUCK
My tractor is right about 3000 with all the additions.Brakes are a must,id reccomend the weight distribution hitch,it makes it haul effortlessly.Definately a tandem.Imagine blowing a tire on a single x .Then seeing your Kubota up side down in a ditch,after you went out of control.Chain it down too.Spend a couple grand for all this and you wont regret it.If not have someone truck it for you.
ALAN

Dargo · Oct 28, 2006

In most states, 3500 is that magic point where they require trailer brakes; for a good reason. I agree with the others that a trailer with two 3500 pound axles about 18' long would fit the bill perfectly for you. Those trailers won't cost much more than one like you mentioned. Be warned, everybody you know will want to borrow it though!

Two of my relatives ran into the back of other vehicles when they borrowed my trailer like that and didn't have trailer brakes set up on their tow vehicle. Also, it is important to figure your actual amount you can haul as Bob pointed out.

I now don't worry about friends and neighbors borrowing my trailer. After a scary incident with my trailer loaded at it's max a couple of years ago, I bought a 30' gooseneck trailer with two 20k axles under it. The mfg tag on it rates it's net weight over 6000 pounds. Besides being a gooseneck trailer, the weight of the trailer alone exceeds most of their pickup's towing abilities; even if they have working trailer brakes.

You obviously don't need that, but if you have an FEL (or ever plan to get one) anything under 18' will be too short. I just about wore out the tail wheel on my bush hog once when hauling my tractor on the old 18' trailer. With an FEL and a 7' bush hog, I was still about 3' over the end of the trailer. Everytime there was a dip in the highway the tail wheel on the bush hog hit the road. I ended up having to replace it due to all the flat spots all over it.

LBrown59 · Oct 29, 2006

ChuckinNH said:
I have a B7610 on the way, and I'm wondering if a 3500lb gvw trailer would be enough to haul it, and will I need trailer brakes? Forgive the ignorance since I have no experience trailering anything that large.
Thanks in advance for your help

Chuck

Nope
Definitely

3500 pound and no brakes won't even handle my BX23

wushaw · Oct 29, 2006

Dargo said:
In most states, 3500 is that magic point where they require trailer brakes; for a good reason. I agree with the others that a trailer with two 3500 pound axles about 18' long would fit the bill perfectly for you. Those trailers won't cost much more than one like you mentioned. Be warned, everybody you know will want to borrow it though! Two of my relatives ran into the back of other vehicles when they borrowed my trailer like that and didn't have trailer brakes set up on their tow vehicle. Also, it is important to figure your actual amount you can haul as Bob pointed out.

I now don't worry about friends and neighbors borrowing my trailer. After a scary incident with my trailer loaded at it's max a couple of years ago, I bought a 30' gooseneck trailer with two 20k axles under it. The mfg tag on it rates it's net weight over 6000 pounds. Besides being a gooseneck trailer, the weight of the trailer alone exceeds most of their pickup's towing abilities; even if they have working trailer brakes. You obviously don't need that, but if you have an FEL (or ever plan to get one) anything under 18' will be too short. I just about wore out the tail wheel on my bush hog once when hauling my tractor on the old 18' trailer. With an FEL and a 7' bush hog, I was still about 3' over the end of the trailer. Everytime there was a dip in the highway the tail wheel on the bush hog hit the road. I ended up having to replace it due to all the flat spots all over it.

Two 20K axles??? A 40K GVWR min with 19.5 or 22.5 tires??....nice who is the manufacture, I have not seen anything over 12k axles on a GN trailer.