Need to rent a trailer...

mark02tj · Sep 16, 2014

I am making a trip to WV tomorrow to take care of some family business. While there I am going to pick up an old Farmall Cub tractor that a neighbor has been storing for safe keeping. I will also be bringing back some other stuff. To make the trip, I am renting a Ram 2500 with a "heavy duty" towing package. This is primarily to haul the "other stuff." In order to bring back the tractor I was hoping to borrow a buddy's car hauler, but the brakes are out on that trailer so I'm going to rent something instead.

We have a few of different rental places around here that have "Bobcat trailers". The prices are all within a couple of dollars of each other so price isn't an issue. Three of the places are saying that the empty weight of their trailers is around 2500 lbs. The other place has one that is 2000 lbs empty weight with a GVWR of 10,400 lbs (so 8,400 lbs hauling capacity). That's more than enough for my 1900 lb tractor (and a second Cub that I might also buy).

My question is this - Will the 500 lb difference in empty weight be a noticeable difference when pulling the trailer (both empty on the way there and loaded on the way back)? The place that has the lighter trailer is a little less convenient to get to for me, but for 12 hours on the road, if it will make a difference in the handling/comfort/etc. I will go there instead of the closer place.

Also, a couple of the rental places offer their trailers in either a standard ball hitch (2-5/16") or a pintle. Again, for this trip, do you have recommendations? It will be mostly highway although the neighbor's place might be a little bit rough. I'm thinking that the ball might be a little quieter, especially when the trailer is empty. I know that my old army M-100 trailer does bounce a bit behind my Jeep when it's on the pintle.

THANKS!!

3930dave · Sep 16, 2014

I'd go with the a ball hitch (quieter). For just towing small tractor stuff, other than a small amount of fuel, +/- 500# won't be noticeable - assuming that you are within the tow ratings for the truck. You're using a modern 3/4 ton, so sounds good, I just don't know the rating on those Rams off the top o' my head....

If moving a whole household, I'd personally go for the lighter trailer, at the same capacity - pickups themselves tend to get loaded to the max on house-move day, so I'd want to try to keep the Gross Combined weight lower.

I'd check the tire pressure of both the truck and trailer myself, and run 'em at Max Factory recommendations.

Rgds, D.

Deere Dude · Sep 16, 2014

You won't have a problem with any option. The Ram is certainly truck enough and 500# won't make any difference in ride. Pintle or ball, I ran both and couldn't tell a difference in ride or rattling.

Like Dave said, check the air and then rip it to her. Good luck with the trip.

boggen · Sep 16, 2014

double check plug on trailer works with truck. double check you have correct receiver (if ya need to raise / lower drop hitch) for correct alignment. and of course correct ball.

and of course double check brakes on trailer work with the brake controller on truck.

Diamondpilot · Sep 16, 2014

Ball hitch and run the tires at the max per the sidewalls.

500# is like two big buddies. Won't make any noticeable difference.

Chris

RedNeckRacin · Sep 16, 2014

Agreed with the above. Enjoy the trip, there is some beautiful country down that way.

mfreund · Sep 16, 2014

I went after a tracktor with the neighbors Dodge 2500 Crew cab with the diesel. Nice ride.

You won't notice 500 lbs.

mark02tj · Sep 17, 2014

Trip has been postponed for a couple of weeks. But, I decided to go with the lighter trailer. The truck is most likely going to be pretty loaded down with landscaping materials - mostly rocks - so I want to be careful of the overall weight on the way back. Plus, the lighter trailer comes from one of the "better" rental companies. Their equipment is always in great shape so I'm a little more comfortable taking one of their trailers on a 600 mile round trip.

I went to the Enterprise truck rental place yesterday. I was actually in the process of "inspecting" the truck when I got the phone call that the trip was going to be postponed. They didn't have any of the Ram trucks on the lot so I was going to get a Ford F-250 Super Duty Diesel. It's a 4x4, extended cab (not crew cab) and 8' bed. I had the guy make a note of the stock number for the truck so I can get the same one next time.

THANKS for all the help and advice on this subject! I really appreciate the collective years of experience here on TBN!