Is 3500 enough? (or how much trailer for a BX?)

[asylum575]

A bigger truck is bad enough ; even worse is a big truck that still won't do the job.

I'm looking for a 1 ton SRW pick up to tow my BX23 with.

I don't think you need a 1 ton SRW to tow a BX, unless you're looking for a
10K trailer. A half ton may or may not be able to tow a 7K trailer depending on the engine/axle combination. Most 3/4 ton's are fine. The only reason to go with the 1 ton is you get alot more truck for a little more money.
Best bet with a 7K trailer is to get an adequate towing package in a half ton.

 

[Soundguy]

Its a Jerry Jones. They are made in Sikeston MO. It has a 4" channel all the way to the axles then goes to 2.5" angle Iron. It has been plenty strong. I have hauled numerous cars, even 2 cars last Wednesday, and as big as a Suburban and my 5,200# tractor monthly.

By the way, I am sure of the weight. I had it weighed 2 days after I had my truck weighed at the same scale.

Chris

dang.. my wood deck 16' car hauler , with 2 ramps weighs 1740 per the local cat scale...

soundguy

 

[TaylorL2660]

not to contradict what everybody else has suggested but in my opinion a 6x12 should work just fine for this application, what i mean by that is the original poster specified that he bought some land and is going to use it around the house and have to move it occasiounally whether it be to a buddies or relative or god forbid the dealership. in my opinion he would be better off with a smaller trailer that is more practical for little tasks and maybe even use around the property being pulled by the BX. and yes i know their is a load balance concern but like i said its not like he has four properties that he maintains in different counties its a just in case situation it sounds like to me.

 

[Diamondpilot]

dang.. my wood deck 16' car hauler , with 2 ramps weighs 1740 per the local cat scale...

soundguy

I probably weighs closer to 1450# now because since I had it weighed I added a winch and a spare tire. Here is a picture of it.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

You get what you pay for, and metal = weight.. IE.. a lighter weighing trailer of the same size.. or larger than a heavier trailer has in fact.. less metal on it.

that's not something I'd scrimp on when towing my multi-thousand dollar investment down the road.

I kinda cringe about thinking about an 18' trailer that is hundreds of punds lighter than my 16' trailer.. plus the fact that it has rails topside which add to that lower weight as well...

good luck

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

You get what you pay for, and metal = weight.. IE.. a lighter weighing trailer of the same size.. or larger than a heavier trailer has in fact.. less metal on it.

that's not something I'd scrimp on when towing my multi-thousand dollar investment down the road.

I kinda cringe about thinking about an 18' trailer that is hundreds of punds lighter than my 16' trailer.. plus the fact that it has rails topside which add to that lower weight as well...

good luck

soundguy

More metal does not equal more strength. Look at any bridge. Its all how its put together. On a utility trailer the top rail is a important part of the build. Take it off and it will bend like a pretzel. Engineering 101!

These trailers are very strong and well built. There are 1,000's of them running around my area and never heard of any issues. We accidentally overloaded it once by nearly 2,000# with scrap I-Beams and it didn't even flex. I am not saying its the best I have seen but I have hauled probably 5,000 miles with loads averaging 5,000# and have found no issues with this trailer. I look it over a couple times a year and have never seen as much as a crack in a weld, ect.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

No where in my message did i make an unqualified statement of 'more metal = more strength'.

design has alot to do with it.. materials do to.. for this one.. we are likely dealing with the same grade of steel.

if we are also dealing with the same size angle iron, then that bumps down to design.

if it is a rail and purloin / runner design.. then you are down to # of equal sized braces / equal strength braces used.

more braces will equal more strength... more braces will equal more weight as well.

I didn't say the top rail detracted from strength. i -KNOW- it is adding to structural rigidity.

all I'm saying is given similar materials and design features.. I'll take the trailer with more metal in it ( up to an extent ).. in other words.. I'd be happier using a 16' 1700# trailer than an 18' 1400# trailer.

soundguy

More metal does not equal more strength. Look at any bridge. Its all how its put together. On a utility trailer the top rail is a important part of the build. Take it off and it will bend like a pretzel. Engineering 101!

These trailers are very strong and well built. There are 1,000's of them running around my area and never heard of any issues. We accidentally overloaded it once by nearly 2,000# with scrap I-Beams and it didn't even flex. I am not saying its the best I have seen but I have hauled probably 5,000 miles with loads averaging 5,000# and have found no issues with this trailer. I look it over a couple times a year and have never seen as much as a crack in a weld, ect.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well, I do not know what to say. I just called Jerry James Trailers and asked what they weigh. Just wanted to make sure I was not mistaken on my weight. The lady I talked to said they basic trailer weighs right around 1,200# without the gate. She said that is the basic 16' utility and mine is custom built 18' so that would account for the extra 50# or so.

All I know is I know trailers. I have sold over 50 boat trailers in the past 10 years. Some better than others. Its all about keeping the weight down, building it smart, and not over building it so that it has a good useful load.

Things I look for are good welds, decent wiring, and nice finish. JJ trailers are a well built trailer for the money. They will not win any shows but they are strong and hold up well.


A car hauler will weigh more because it has 5" channel usually. Mine has a full 4" channel, tongue jack, 2x12 decking, and plenty of steel. I feel comfortable hauling anything on it under 5,750#.


Jerry James Tandems

Mine is identical to the second one down minus the gate.

Chris

 

[harpoonalt]

Having had a few trailers, I'll put in my two cents. I had a 5 X 12' tandem trailer built by Indian Valley trailers for my lawn business. 5' because in my former house I had to put everything in the garage every night and the overall width would fit. It originally had a landscape gate that was destroyed by a large maple tree falling on the trailer during a storm.
Before this I had a single axle. If you want a trailer of any size, I highly recommend the tandem. The equipment rides smoother, you can unhook it easier with a load and the safety factor is worth every penny extra. I picked up mulch one time and after being loaded, the loader guy pointed to my flat tire. Still able to get it home and not be stranded. During projects, I use it to haul topsoil (2 tons), rock , mulch, and everything else. The higher capacity means less trips. After getting the load home, I hook it up to the BX and drive the stuff to where I need it. I've hauled my BX with the tandem and as others have said, it's not long enough for the tractor and an implement and mine can't haul the tractor with the MMM because of the width. I would get at least 16' if i hauled the tractor a lot, but that size would get limited use for me behind the tractor. With a tractor behind me, I would not have a trailer without brakes, especially if you get up to highway speeds.
I guess it depends on the main use for the trailer. If you haul the tractor a lot, I'd go big as you could and tandem with brakes. If the main use is for other things, I'd size accordingly. I use my trailer a lot behind the tractor. I use it to pick up brush and leaves, transport firewood, and as a mobile work platform with the generator and other tools. A truck is nice but the trailer is just real versatile especially when you have a tractor to pull it. Good luck.

 

[Soundguy]

considering that you can get small / kit style 4x4 and fixed 4x8 utility trailers in the 200-600$ range... I'd get a 'GOOD' trailer to haul over the road.. and a 'GOOD' small utility trailer to tow behind my lawnmower sized tractor.

best of both worlds.. not too much more $$ in the long run...

soundguy