Looking to get a truck w/ tractor transport in mind (MF 1540)

[ottawarob]

I'm sure there are a million of these threads, but hoping you guys can help me narrow the field a bit. I've been pulling utility trailers with my old subaru forester for a long time so I have some experience with trailers. My subaru is toast so I'd like to finally buy a truck! I have a Massey Ferguson 1540, loaded rear tires and a loader. I would guess it's at least 5,000 pounds but unsure of the exact weight... I'd love to get a truck that could tow it on a flatbed trailer, I'm thinking a F150 or Dodge Ram 1500. Probably get an off lease. It won't be a daily driver, more of a get stuff done truck. Thoughts? Am I looking in the right direction? I *really* don't need any electronic features, just looking for power and a cheap interior (it'll get all screwed up either way.)

 

[herm0016]

a 5k tractor on a 7k or 10k gvw 2 axle trailer will be great behind a 1/2 ton for occasional use. i expect people to come in here and say you need a 15k gvw goose neck and a 1 ton, but you don't.

i have a 10k gvw trailer with electric brakes and am very happy towing 5k on it across the country. Recently towed my jeep wagoner on the trailer from Michigan to Colorado with my 15 gmc.

i would make sure the truck you get has an integrated brake controller, and whatever factory tow package that the manufacture you choose has. usually these come with extra cooling capacity and some other bits.

I have really liked my last 2 GMC trucks, but I don't think the quality between the big 3 is much different. I would look for the features you want/need and the condition for a good price in the used market, rather than focus on a specific brand. for not a daily, i would also want a single cab long bed, this will give you the most capacity for hauling. my truck is my daily, so its a 4 door with 6.5 bed.

 

[Roadworthy]

Got it - cheap functional truck lacking bells and whistles. Be sure the engine is up to the job, then you need only decide whether you want two wheel drive or four. If you use it much in the winter you probably want to put four wheel drive on your list.

 

[ottawarob]

a 5k tractor on a 7k or 10k gvw 2 axle trailer will be great behind a 1/2 ton for occasional use. i expect people to come in here and say you need a 15k gvw goose neck and a 1 ton, but you don't.

i have a 10k gvw trailer with electric brakes and am very happy towing 5k on it across the country. Recently towed my jeep wagoner on the trailer from Michigan to Colorado with my 15 gmc.

i would make sure the truck you get has an integrated brake controller, and whatever factory tow package that the manufacture you choose has. usually these come with extra cooling capacity and some other bits.

I have really liked my last 2 GMC trucks, but I don't think the quality between the big 3 is much different. I would look for the features you want/need and the condition for a good price in the used market, rather than focus on a specific brand. for not a daily, i would also want a single cab long bed, this will give you the most capacity for hauling. my truck is my daily, so its a 4 door with 6.5 bed.

Yeah! This would just be for moving it a few times a year, like to the shop, or to a buddies property. Guy I bought my tractor off of said my estimate was about right, around 5.5k lbs. I think I'll get the smaller quad cab. I love single cab trucks, but the dog has to sit somewhere!

I'm super lucky, it is VERY flat around here, and most places I'd take the tractor on trailer. Not that that should be the deciding factor, but I wouldn't be hauling it up big hills often.

 

[ottawarob]

Got it - cheap functional truck lacking bells and whistles. Be sure the engine is up to the job, then you need only decide whether you want two wheel drive or four. If you use it much in the winter you probably want to put four wheel drive on your list.

I'd love to get a 2wd for the simplicity, but I'm in Southern Ontario, lots of snow here.

Yeah, I want my truck and vehicles in general to be simple. Spend my money on other places! Also I have a few dogs and they will generally make the nice things shabby in time, best to not buy nice to start.

 

[herm0016]

half or better the reason i got the 4 door from my 09 extended cab was for our 3 dogs, which total weigh about 250 lbs. when we added our pyre/anatolion mix, the back seat in the ex was not nearly large enough for him and our 2 heelers.

 

[ottawarob]

half or better the reason i got the 4 door from my 09 extended cab was for our 3 dogs, which total weigh about 250 lbs. when we added our pyre/anatolion mix, the back seat in the ex was not nearly large enough for him and our 2 heelers.

Yeah. We've got 3 but usually only 1 or 2 would be coming with us. I figure the mid size cab is a good trade off. We've got a pyr, really likes to fit into tight spaces for whatever reason so I think he'd fit back there no problem (with hair sticking out everywhere!)


The other option here is getting a cargo van but... I don't think the tow rating is easy to match to a pickup truck?

 

[nikerret]

I would look for a 3/4 ton (2500/F-250) with a gas engine work truck. It’s a step up over what you need, but there’s a lot of comfort in not working hard. The work truck has vinyl flooring and as few electronics you’ll find. Make sure it’s set up, for towing, from the factory. Better cooling and integration.

Please, don’t use a 7k trailer. That weight includes the weight of the trailer and doesn’t leave much, if any, room for payload. A trailer with two 5,200 lbs axles would be perfect. Best if it has brakes on both.

 

[ottawarob]

I would look for a 3/4 ton (2500/F-250) with a gas engine work truck. It’s a step up over what you need, but there’s a lot of comfort in not working hard. The work truck has vinyl flooring and as few electronics you’ll find. Make sure it’s set up, for towing, from the factory. Better cooling and integration.

Please, don’t use a 7k trailer. That weight includes the weight of the trailer and doesn’t leave much, if any, room for payload. A trailer with two 5,200 lbs axles would be perfect. Best if it has brakes on both.

I do like getting bigger than needed, though most of the time a 2500/f250 would be way more truck than I would be using. The tractor towing thing would only be a few times a year, and not that far so I'm happy to make it work a bit more. But! That is a great option, will consider for sure.

Yeah, 7k trailer seems a bit small, would probably go for one like you suggested.

 

[Grumpycat]

Brakes are not an option for that large of a trailer.

There is an F-150 option that has greater towing capacity than some versions of the F-250 SuperDuty. 7 lug nuts per wheel is the tell for the really heavy duty payload/towing package. Should have Load Range E tires. Most likely find the 3.5 EcoBoost engine.

First of the year there were a number of these off-lease 2014's around here. 130-160k miles. 2WD, 8' bed. Used by independent contractor for local utility company. The best one I saw was $13k. Year end closeouts on new F-150 was too good for me to pass up.

Genuine Ford integrated trailer brake controller is about $225. Is a dealer-added option. I think it is the best TBC for a Ford as it is integrated with vehicle stability control and ABS. Plus its a clean install in a dash knockout designed for it.

Looking for real data on trailers suggests the bare trailer will weigh about 2000 pounds. With two 3500 pound rated axles you can carry 5000. This is right on the line for your plans. I would dare suggest "it will serve for short occasional use." The axles are not going to be perfectly safe at 6999 pounds and immediately fail at 7001. But while your tractor may be approximately 5000 pounds, how much is it with a FEL and/or cutter?