How big a trailer do I need?

[ChuckinNH]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Dargo]

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.

Oops! As you likely figured, they are 10k axles with a 20k gross rating before deducting the weight of the trailer.

 

[wushaw]

Oops! As you likely figured, they are 10k axles with a 20k gross rating before deducting the weight of the trailer.

I kinda figured that but you never know what some trailer builder is gonna do

 

[Dargo]

I kinda figured that but you never know what some trailer builder is gonna do

I'm not an expert on trailer building by any means, but the manufacturer seemed to think that the Dexter oil bath 10k axles are top notch. I honestly wouldn't know if they are or if they are not. So far, so good though.

 

[don716]

Well, I have a B7500 with a FEL, 60"MMM, and a bushhog and I have a 16' Dual axle trailer with trailor brakes. I pull it with my 03 Tocoma and it pulls it great.I hardly know it's back there. You will need trailor brakes though.I had electric brakes installed on my Tocoma right after I bought it. My trailor has 2-3500lb axles.
Donny

 

[wushaw]

I'm not an expert on trailer building by any means, but the manufacturer seemed to think that the Dexter oil bath 10k axles are top notch. I honestly wouldn't know if they are or if they are not. So far, so good though.

He is correct and less wheel bearing packing for you...just a visual to see the level of oil and good to go.

 

[Jay4200]

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?

Wow - I didn't realize the B-series tractors are so light. Do you have an FEL or other implements? My L4200, with FEL and backhoe attached, weighs close to 6000 pounds, and I do not have loaded tires. Also, my 10k GVW trailer weighs ~2000 pounds empty, so I'm towing 8000 pounds total.

To answer your questions: Make sure you take into account implement weight, fluids, etc. and don't forget about the trailer's weight. If it's just a tractor w/o anything else, the 3500# trailer will likely be fine, even with loaded tires. The need for trailer brakes for 3500# is marginal, although you'll definately know it's back there without them, and with a vehicle that is rated at only 3500#, you'll likely need them. With brakes, it'll tow like it's not there.

If your tow vehicle is rated for 3500#, then the discussion is moot - that's all you can do. If you need more capability, you may be able to increase your tow rating with a weight-distributing hitch.

Jay

 

[rdsaustintx]

Trailers are like tractors, hard to get one too big.

As usual, you're getting good advice here. I agree with what I am reading.

I can't imagine hauling on a single axle. Attached photo shows my trailer. Tandem axles with electric brakes on both. Deck is 18' x 7' and it will hardly fit my BX with implements, although I have carried Suburbans and pickups on it with no problems. Truck tow rating is 8000# with frame hitch.

Hauling any tractor on a single axle sounds sketchy, and hauling w/o brakes sounds positively suicidal. Any moisture on the road and you'll jackknife EASY.

Oil bath axles would be very cool. Barring that, just pack the hubs yourself, as most trailer "mechanics" tend to be real slobs, at least around here.

Russell in Texas

 

[RobertN]

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.
Chuck

You tractor looks similar in size to my B8200, the B2150, B2710. I have a 16' trailer, 7000lbgvrw. The tractor uses the length of the trailer. When I have my 48" rotary mower and loader on the tractor, it uses every inch of the trailer; in fact the tail wheel hangs off a little... With the loader and a scraper loaded, I have a little over a foot front and rear to play with.

Weight wise, I fugured mine some time ago around 2300 lbs. If you factor a 3500lb rated trailer weighs about 8-900lbs, then you are getting close to the GVWR.

In my case, the trailer weighs 1600lbs. So, I run about 4000lbs total with the tractor loaded.

Many have mentioned brakes. I had the brakes fail on a borrowed trailer, and had to make an emergency stop. Same basic load as what my trailer is. It amazed how it pushed my 3/4 ton 4x4 diesel Dodge around... Make sure you get brakes!

when you look at the trailer, think too about what else you'll haul. I got the trailer forthe tractor. Turns out it is VERY handy. Turns out, I have hauled:
my Kubota
my Farmall
Subaru Outback
Blazer
Bronco
Jeep
10', 12', 16', and 20' lumber
10' and 20' pipe sections
swing set
sod
concrete block retaining wall
fire wood
Dad's tractor
Buddies tractor
Buddies Bobcat
ASV RC30 track loader
roller/compacter
disk
hay
junk
Cub Scout parade floats
Veteran's Day parade float
Other various "Stuff"

So when you lok at a trailer, think about everything it might haul...

I would recomend a 16' 7000lb as a minimum.

BEFORE you do that though, look at the specs on your tow rig... Sounds like that may be a limiting factor...

 

[nh_bota]

I haul my BX2350 with a CarMate 3500# trailer, but that's only to get it to the shop or friend/family's house etc. The trailer weight is 825 lbs, so I'm well within the weight limits. I would not use it to haul long distances, nor do I haul the loader with it -- unless necessary. For that, I rent a 6x12 Uhaul unit which works well. It's just not practical for me to own anything bigger. My tow vehicle is an '03 Suburban, which is perfect.

 

[project]

Chuck, I have a similar issue with hauling. I already owned a 12' , single axle flat bed before I purchased my 7510. Just the tractor is about 1300 lbs, with loader about 1900lbs. I need to get mine in for a service shortly. If I compare it to my boat trailer, my flat bed should handle it. My boat is a 19' er weighting about 2100 on a single axle galvanized trailer.(estimate 500lbs) My tow vehicle is a 02 Ford, 350 Diesel. Unless I'm climbing a grade, I don't notice much effort either towing or stopping. I could lighten the tractor load by taking off the bucket and leaving the loader on. I'm still not entirely sure it is safe to do so and won't until I'm positive. Will probably experiment staying close to home. Let us know if it works with the 3500 # axle.