New BX25, Tacoma tow Vehicle, What Trailer?

[homeputter]

Just received my new BX25. Now I need to buy a trailer for it. After reading most (up to page 78!) of the posts on this form, I am still undecided on what to buy. I have gone from a 16' flat bed to a 18' 7000lb dove tail to a 10000lb dove tail and now I am back to a 16' flat bed with a tail gate.

I only anticipate towing 4-6 times/year about 135 miles each way. My 2006 Tacoma has a tow package of 6500lb rating.

I have been looking at used trailers, but have not seen anything worth the money they are asking, so will probably go with something new. One thing I do want is a good brake system.

Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.
Thanks,
Homeputter

 

[Monster5601]

I have an 18 foot dove tail I use to haul around my tractor and I'm happy with it. Like you, I am an occasional tower.

It took around 5 moths of watching craigs list before I found this trailer, like you pointed out, there is a lot of over price junk on the market.

I found a 7K pound nearly new trailer with brakes on both axles for $1400. The deals are out there if you have the patients (and time) to wait.

 

[homeputter]

You got a fantastic deal. A trailer like you described would go for about $2.3k from what I have seen around here. Of course we have a 9.4% sales tax so that is a factor when buying new. No tax on used trailers.

 

[dodge man]

I think any of the type of trailers you are looking for would work. Try and anticipate any other uses you might have for the trailer. Would you ever trailer a car? If so, you might want to skip the type that has the side rails.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would get a light weight 18' 7,000# trailer like I have. Its a low boy with no dove tail. Has 5' rear slide in ramps and a wood deck. It only wieghs about 1,350# empty with the spare tire mounted on it and the tool box full of staps and such. Its been great and because its a low boy it is only 14" off the ground so the 5' ramps make the approach angle so gental I have no problem loading my Dads and Uncles Corvettes.

Watch the empty weigh of the trailers you are looking to buy. Weight does not equal strenght. I have hauled a Suburban, a 1/2 ton Cheby, and a Dodge truck on it. Its also made a 800 mile trip hauling a Lincoln Aviator. Last job was picking up 2 Pontiacs, not at the same time, and transporting them 50 miles each. Before that it was moving a Trailblazer with a busted rear end. Its hauled over 25 different cars in its 8 years since I bought it. It handles my 5,600# tractor with ease and no DT and flat deck makes it nice for when I have a item like a Bush Hog on the back.

As you already know owning one, a mesh gate causes lots of drag. This will be hard on your little truck doing the miles you say you will. It also limits the lenght of items you can carry as do fold up or stand up ramps.

Chris

 

[homeputter]

What is a "low boy?" Most of the flatbeds, I have looked at are about 18" above the ground at the back, with no dove tails - when they "look" level. Does the low boy have dropped axles?
Sounds like that would work well and be easy to load without a dove tail.

 

[Diamondpilot]

What is a "low boy?" Most of the flatbeds, I have looked at are about 18" above the ground at the back, with no dove tails - when they "look" level. Does the low boy have dropped axles?
Sounds like that would work well and be easy to load without a dove tail.

Mine does NOT have dropped axles. It just has min clearance from the axle to the bottom of the trailer. I have owned it 8 years and towed it well over 10,000 miles and its never hit axle to frame so its just enough. It also has 205/75/15 tires which are rated to hold 7,000# if C range instead of the standard 225 or 15 tires that are 2-3" taller.

Chris

 

[radioman]

I think a simple 16' landscape trailer with sides is a good overall trailer for most uses. I regularly tow with 5k rated blazer with my BX and it does just fine. Note, I added WD bars and sway control due to the short wheelbase of the tow vehicle and it sure has improved the handling 50X's better. If you need to bring BX with bush hog/fel, you may need the 18'er.

 

[jeffsw6]

I only anticipate towing 4-6 times/year about 135 miles each way. My 2006 Tacoma has a tow package of 6500lb rating.

For only 4 - 6 times a year it might be more effective for you to borrow / rent instead of purchase a trailer. Just an idea.

I have not driven a Tacoma that new, but I used to have an older one, maybe a 99 or so, I can't remember what year it was. If they are basically similar vehicles I would not put much stock in that 6500# trailer weight rating. In my opinion that is a marketing figure that looks nice on paper but is not based in reality.

With that said a 18' utility trailer and a BX25 with some implements ought to be well under 4000#. I would not use a Tacoma (at least the one I had) to tow an enclosed trailer or a camper that heavy but without so much wind load it should not struggle too much. Wouldn't do it every day but a few times a year you can always go slower if you need to. I would keep dp's opinion about the mesh gate in mind.

 

[Verticaltrx]

For only 4 - 6 times a year it might be more effective for you to borrow / rent instead of purchase a trailer. Just an idea.

I have not driven a Tacoma that new, but I used to have an older one, maybe a 99 or so, I can't remember what year it was. If they are basically similar vehicles I would not put much stock in that 6500# trailer weight rating. In my opinion that is a marketing figure that looks nice on paper but is not based in reality.

With that said a 18' utility trailer and a BX25 with some implements ought to be well under 4000#. I would not use a Tacoma (at least the one I had) to tow an enclosed trailer or a camper that heavy but without so much wind load it should not struggle too much. Wouldn't do it every day but a few times a year you can always go slower if you need to. I would keep dp's opinion about the mesh gate in mind.

My guess is the OP has an '05 or newer Tacoma, but I do agree Toyota is a little generous with their tow ratings. I have a 3rd gen 4runner (had a '97 Tacoma before that), and neither of them willingly tow what Toyota says they will. The 4runner is rated at 5000lbs, but I find 3000-4000 is about max. With that much weight I have to get down to 2nd gear on some of the steep hills.



With that said, I'd be looking for a trailer that weighs less than 2000lbs empty. Something like a 16' tandem axle would be sufficient and allow plenty of room for attachments. The landscape type trailers will generally be lighter weight and cheaper than the car hauler or equipment type trailers. While I don't really like landscape trailers, A BX is light enough that it wouldn't make any difference.