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>
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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