Minimum trailer size for BX-23

[DannyD]

This is what I have. When I can get time to take my tractor I do, but when not he only charges me 75.00 door to door and back. He is 70 miles one way, so I dont consider that too bad.

Anyway I have a 16' with 2 foot dovetail, dual axles with brakes on both, 7000 pound capacity.

 

[Gowfster]

The previous post had a dovetail on a 16', so I think the effective length is 18'. Attached is my brand new rig on a standard 16' trailer. I wouldn't want to go any smaller to allow flexibility.

 

[DannyD]

I do have a dovetail, and with this tractor and the bh and fel, I love it. Loading is easier for me anyway. The only drawback being the shortened ground clearance. Well worth the difference. How does that full gate work for you. I chose the ramps simply because the gates I had available did not look strong enough.

 

[Gowfster]

It is a split gate, and I haven't had it long enough to really tell. I was worried also about the weight on the gates bending them over time, but the dealer uses the same trailer and his gates see a lot more weight than a BX23 and still look good after several years. They are quite heavy, so I think I'll be fine. I'm now wondering if I should have a drop hitch. I attached the setup, and it seems that it should be down a few inches to level the trailer better. Thoughts?

 

[Junkman]

Dan...... you need to get the tractor forward more to have the proper amount of tongue weight. Right now, it looks like it is too heavy on the rear. Trailers and the pay load need to be properly matched to the towing vehicle for proper weight distribution. If not, it can get quite hairy quickly in a panic situation. Loading is as important as trailer size....

 

[DannyD]

Junk

I load it till the trailer causes the truck to go level again. Thought that was best, but you are saying it should be few more pounds on the tongue. I will be trailering it next week to till up a garden area for someone, will give it a shot.

thanks

 

[Junkman]

There is a formula for determining how much tongue weight you should have based on the length and where the axle is located on the trailer. I would check with the trailer dealer to see what he recommends. Then using a scale, you can actually determine how much weight is on the tongue of the trailer. I usually like to have it just slightly heavier than perfectly level. I have never measured the tongue weight as I have described, but I have heard of dealers doing this when they set up a trailer and truck to show the novice owner. Too much on the truck is also not safe. It is something that you learn from experience, just like setting the brake system settings. Just make sure that you always have everything tied down well, because if the trailer ever goes wild, what is on it will be tossed off quickly if it isn't secure.

 

[Av8r3400]

I'm not a brake control expert, but, I have one of those $99 (now) parts store brake controls. It is crude and can be tricky to set, but it works and has given me 10 years of service.

If money was no object I would look for one of the types that taps into the brake line for a pressure signal to control the brakes. These were discussed in another thread, I don't remember the brand but they went for $250 +. Seems to me they were also discussed on the "Turbo Diesel Register" board and were thought highly of for their operation. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Junkman]

I believe that the newer vehicles with ABS have to have a specially designed controller. Some of the vehicles are already wired for the controllers and all that has to be done is to plug them into the circuit. I saw an advertisement for a new Ford truck that had the controller built into the vehicle from the factory. Seems that with the vehicles getting more complicated, the factories are making sure that no one messes with the braking system.....

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1*Just paid 225 to get my tractor to the dealer for the 50 hour service.
2*What is the minimum trailer size I would need to haul around a bx23 with the BH and FEL attached?
3*I have a 4x8 trailer, will it fit on this safely? )</font>
==========
1*why didn't you do it yourself and save the 225
2*16 feet
3*NO because the BX23 and the attachments are 15 feet long

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 1*After measuring and weighing my BX23 the smallest that I would use there would be an 8' x 14'
2*, tandem wheels,
an approximate load capacity of 2500 lbs.
3*The BX with Loader and BH will tip the scales at over 1600 lbs.
Kevin
)</font>
**************
1*14' is a foot shorter than the bx23 at 15 feet therefore you need at least 16 feet.
2*Brakes are a must on all 4 wheels and the min load rating for each axel is 3500 pounds.
3*This is way off .It's more like 2567 pounds.

 

[LBrown59]

The BX should not be hauled on any trailer that has anything less than 2 axles with brakes on each axle and rated at least 3500 pounds load capacity per axle.

Proper saftey weight distrubition becomes an issue on a trailer shorter than say 14 feet.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( I am beginning to believe that it is better to have a stable full of BX tractors than it is to have all the implements that fit one tractor. I hate taking the loader on and off, especially if I have to put the loader valve back on to use the snow blower or sweeper. I am seriously thinking of buying a used BX1800 to keep the front mounted quick hitch on permanently.)</font>

Boy, I hear that. On one hand, I like having only 1 internal combustion engine to maintain, as opposed to having a gas engine on each one: tiller, chipper, generator, etc. On the other hand, changing implements is a pain.
)</font>
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
1*I like having only 1 internal combustion engine to maintain, as opposed to having a gas engine on each one: tiller, chipper, generator, etc.
2*On the other hand, changing implements is a pain. That's why I have most of my implements on dollies and on smooth concrete.
==============
<font color="purple"> 1*however if that one engine happens to fail it means no tiller, chipper, generator, etc.
2*I can do these six things with out having to change an implement.
1-endloader
2-back hoe
3-mow with 2 different mowers at the same time.
4-till
5-use a front blade
6-pull up to 3 trailers and or use up to 3 drag chains.
</font>

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">( I am beginning to believe that it is better to have a stable full of BX tractors than it is to have all the implements that fit one tractor. I hate taking the loader on and off, especially if I have to put the loader valve back on to use the snow blower or sweeper. I am seriously thinking of buying a used BX1800 to keep the front mounted quick hitch on permanently.)</font>

Boy, I hear that. On one hand, I like having only 1 internal combustion engine to maintain, as opposed to having a gas engine on each one: tiller, chipper, generator, etc. On the other hand, changing implements is a pain.
)</font>
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
1*I like having only 1 internal combustion engine to maintain, as opposed to having a gas engine on each one: tiller, chipper, generator, etc.
2*On the other hand, changing implements is a pain. That's why I have most of my implements on dollies and on smooth concrete.
==============
<font color="purple"> 1*however if that one engine happens to fail it means no tiller, chipper, generator, etc.
2*I can do these six things with out having to change an implement.
1-endloader
2-back hoe
3-mow with 2 different mowers at the same time.
4-till
5-use a front blade
6-pull up to 3 trailers and or use up to 3 drag chains.
</font> )</font>
*******************
<font color="red"> P S </font>
<font color="green">For me the convenience of avoiding the never ending implement switching is well worth forgoing the one engine concept. </font>

 

[JeffRey30747]

I picked up a Tekonsha Prodigy from RJay's Performance on the internet for just a little over $100 plus you get a discount on any related accessories ordered at the same time as the controller. It works great and we have my Tacoma and my father's F-150 both wired so that it just plugs up and snaps into the pocket mount and is ready to go. Wiring harness adaptors are available for the more common prewired vehicles, too.
RJay's Performance Center

Jeff

 

[Spudgunner]

"Great minds..." and all... this is exactly what I did except for a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I really like the Prodigy and would do it again. Had good luck with RJay's as well. And yeah, many newer rigs have a socket/plug already prepped for the brake controller. Our Jeep did not (it is a 2000 model); however, the blue trailer brake wire was labeled and easy to find. I recommend running BOTH power and ground wires directly to the battery on their own circuits with inline fuse or CB protection.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I picked up a Tekonsha Prodigy from RJay's Performance on the internet for just a little over $100 plus you get a discount on any related accessories ordered at the same time as the controller. It works great and we have my Tacoma and my father's F-150 both wired so that it just plugs up and snaps into the pocket mount and is ready to go. Wiring harness adaptors are available for the more common prewired vehicles, too.
RJay's Performance Center

Jeff )</font> /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gowfster]

My wife was nice enough to stop at an autoparts store and get the tekonsha Pilot unit. (under the brand name Reese) It just had the four bare wires coming out, so I had to splice into the factory cable- a nuisance, but not a big deal. I didn't get to test drive as the wife is now sleeping, but I'm bothered that the display for the unit always stays on, like it isn't powered by a switched source. I realize that the drain is probably small, but don't remember seeing other trucks with the display lit up in the past when turned off. Do you guys have the same experience? When I unplug the trailer, the lights go off... Is it possible I did something wrong? I can hear the brakes actuate when I press the pedal or do it with the manual switch, so I know that part works. Thoughts?

 

[DannyD]

Ny controller will light a small dot when I push the brake pedal with the trailer unconnected, other than that, it is not on. When the connector gets wet, it will stay on, or when I push the brakes it will show what number I have it set on. Dealer said not to worry, just moisture

 

[surfran]

Danny,

Here is an easy trick I use. The BX weighs a couple thousand pounds or more with a backhoe. Rule of thumb is 10% tongue weight so 200-250 is pretty good with a BX.

I weigh about 210-220 (depending on time of year). What I have done to set my trailer and BX up is to hook up trailer empty. Next measure the height of the bumper from the ground. Next step on the hitch and measure how far the bumper goes down. That movement equals ~220 lbs. Now you have a reference point for loading the BX.

My next trick is to use one of my roller stands that I use with my miter saw, table saw etc. It is height adjustable so it works great. I set it behind the bumper and level it with the bumper (taking care that it will not interfere with the bumper moving when I load the tractor). Drive the BX on the trailer and watch for the bumper to move down the distance you already tested and your done.

You can also use tape measure and two people if handy, just seems that whenever I'm loading the tractor eveyone else is doing something different.

Here's also a picture of my BX on the trailer I bought this Spring. I am trailering about 200 miles each week now for mowing at my Lake property and this trailer set up is awesome.

The 16' handles so much nicer than the 10' that I was using not to mention having the brakes is a world of difference when stopping.

 

[JeffRey30747]

Spudgunner,
I wired the hot lead and the ground directly to the battery with "self-resetting circuit breaker" protection as detailed in the Tekonsha wiring instructions. I had never even heard of such a component until that point and RJay's was one of the few places that I could even locate one.
My Prodigy controller stays in sleep mode after you tap the brake pedal and there is no trailer connected, too. I didn't really care for this much either and my simple solution was to unplug it, remove it from the pocket mount, place it in the little carrying case provided and store it in the console of my truck.
Jeff