PM for a 500 Mile Round Trip

[Iplayfarmer]

Well, I got off work early Friday, so I drove to the tire recycler to pick up the trailer tires. I have 6.50-10's on the trailer, but he had a bunch of 7.50-10's. He gave me 6 of the 7.50-10's for $45. They've got plenty of good tread, and it looks like these that he rounded up for me are not re-treads like I had originally thought. I love having friends in the right places.

I've got all four wheels off the trailer now, and one of the wheels is already taken apart. (These are split rims).

I've been getting sick for the past few days, and SWMBO has me resting in bed this morning. I'm just itching to get back out and paint the rims and mount the new tires, but she's probably right that I need to give myself a chance to get better.

I was also thinking about getting new bolts to put the rims back together. That will look pretty good with shiny black paint and new shiny bolts holding the rims together. I'm afraid the tires will end up looking out of place on the old beat up trailer.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

New plan...

The sister-in-law called today to say that her widest gate into the back yard is 36". My tractor from rubber to rubber is 47" wide. So it looks like I won't be hauling the tractor 500 miles round trip after all.

Since I'm already this far, I'm going to finish the PM on the trailer. Now that I'm not under a deadline I may do more to it.

 

[3RRL]

I'd finish the PM like you were planning and take the tractor up there anyway. Especially after all this.
You can always fix the fence for her later...
One thing I've learned is whenever I prepare really good or bring a lot of extra tools etc for emergencies, it never happens. Like I brought all that stuff for nothing. But for sure, the minute I don't prep is when all the sh*# hits the fan.

 

[john_bud]

Yeah, just tell her to buy a 48" gate after you leave ....

jb

 

[SnowRidge]

Yeah, just tell her to buy a 48" gate after you leave ....

jb

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Yeah, just tell her to buy a 48" gate after you leave ....

jb

I kind of almost brought up an option like that, but I guess they just cemented the wrong post in the ground for a dog kennel. It's just a small city lot. I think we'll just go down next spring and use a walk-behind tiller. It will take longer and actually cost more, but it will get the job done.

 

[3RRL]

Well, now that you're getting your trailer in shape, at least take the tractor for a ride around the block.
She's been looking forward to that, just like a dog. They should have a "Be kind to Tractors" week. It would be good to do it anyway so you know how it trailers if you ever do need to transport it in the future. Plus you'll feel better about all that trailer prep you did.

 

[RobJ]

That's a typo and/or bad reporting. Probably both.

Look here instead.



That's an emission issue, not a safety issue, and no law is being broken.

1500# empty I can see. My trailer I built weighs about that much and I can put 3000+/-# on it with the tires I have(4500 total). The standard tandom 16' trailers around here are probably less than 1500# (they come in light/med-heavy duty). On those we're talking 3/16" angle all around. And with those they are probably rated near 6 thousand pounds. I looked up a local maker, they weigh 1500#. I bet if Texas had that law they would make some at 1450#. Just like Mercury, etc make boat motors that are 9,9hp. Because certain rules apply for motors 10hp or above!

I think CARB is the law in California. If you move there your car must pass the CARB tests to get registered. No problem if you are just passing through. Never lived there so I don't know for sure.

 

[dfkrug]

Here's the law for Washington state
Trailer brakes are required on all axles when gross
weight exceeds 3,000 pounds.

BOTH axles?!

In CA, over 3000# and brakes are reqd on one axle. This is from the co
that made mine to my specs. I weighed my dually trailer with steel deck
and it weighs about 1500#. I stopped renting trailers cuz too many of
them had crappy tires and non-functioning surge brakes. Uhauls are
built extra-heavy to mitigate the abuse they get. That's bad if you are
weight-limited.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Well, now that you're getting your trailer in shape, at least take the tractor for a ride around the block.
She's been looking forward to that, just like a dog. They should have a "Be kind to Tractors" week. It would be good to do it anyway so you know how it trailers if you ever do need to transport it in the future. Plus you'll feel better about all that trailer prep you did.

I'm at least going to take it for a ride to work and weigh it so that I know if I'm legal or not.