Reality check for sizing your trailer

dstig1 · Oct 27, 2012

I thought I would post this up for people to find during searches when looking for info on trailer sizing. Here is what a 16' trailer looks like with an L3130 and a 72" boxblade and 48" grapple on it. Really pushing it. It fits OK, but I was barely able to get the lift arms onto the trailer so they would sit on the deck, and the grapple is sticking way out. I have never trailered it with the BB as it is new - typically have a skidding winch on the 3 pt which sticks out very little, so it sits on the trailer better overall.

So when you are looking for a trailer to tow your rig, and people tell you 16' is not enough, believe it. Unless you have a subcompact like a Kubota BX, you need a much longer trailer. 20' would be a minimum to start, and 22-24' sounds much better to me.

When I got this, I knew nothing, and I am living with it. I do not have a long term need for this arrangement, so it works OK for the limited use I have, but looking back, it was a poor choice. But then I knew nothing... Now you know more as a result of my ignorance....

And it is a 10k trailer. 7k is much more common size but I would be overloaded on that by quite a bit. I'm running about 8500-9000lbs with tractor, attachments, loaded tires and the trailer all included. 10k is a minimum for this size tractor.

kenmac · Oct 27, 2012

You could always add to it. I started with an 18 ft . added 2 ft . I now have a 20 footer

swick1 · Oct 28, 2012

My 1026r barely fits on a 14ft trailer. Tractors with a fel and attachment are looong. That's why skid steers were invented. My brothers skid steer fits in a 12ft dump trailer.

JJZ 109 · Oct 28, 2012

swick1 said:
My 1026r barely fits on a 14ft trailer. Tractors with a fel and attachment are looong. That's why skid steers were invented. My brothers skid steer fits in a 12ft dump trailer.

Just went from a tractor to a SS. Nearly bought a 10' dump trailer soon after. Upon second thought and taking a measurement, the Bobcat was around 11' with bucket on. Switched gears and ordered a 12'. I'd have to let the 48" forks overhang a bit if I ever transported with those on. Of course I could just load those onto the tow vehicle too.
Just got a new Maine tag in the mail so will be meeting the out of state dealer this week to pick up the new trailer and new Erskine snow blower. Hopefully Frankenstorm doesn't interfere with us!

shortthrow50 · Oct 28, 2012

Yeah that is

RDrancher · Oct 28, 2012

I haul using a 20+5' dovetail 14K GN pretty much everyday. The tractor and loader, along with a box blade and landplane take up more than 20' of the deck. I have to pull forward with the bucket raised and get off to flip up the ramps, then back up the tractor to get the bucket flat on the deck. The attachment on the back sits about 2' over the ramps. The trailer, tractor and attachments combo weighs in at about 12K. I wouldn't want less than a 14K trailer myself.

Diamondpilot · Oct 28, 2012

This is all very true. I have a 18' trailer and my my 28HP Jinma with FEL and a attachment barely fits.

One thing many don't think about is you need enough trailer to get the proper angles on the chains or binders to tie it down properly.

Chris

s219 · Oct 28, 2012

That picture makes it look like the trailer is shorter than a 16 footer!

I definitely agree; I use every bit of my 16' trailer to load and balance my B2920, which is a much smaller tractor. With the tractor by itself, I have about plus/minus 1-2 feet of adjustment to get the tongue weight right. If I have a long implement on the back, I just barely fit on the deck with the gate closed to get proper tongue weight. If I had any bigger of a tractor, a 16' deck would definitely be too small, or I'd have no way to balance it properly.

dstig1 · Oct 28, 2012

Adding to it would be a major project that I do not want to do, nor do I feel my welding is good enough to do so yet. The real solution to me would be to sell and buy a longer one, but as I indicated I am managing OK for the limited use I have remaining on this. I won't need to tow the tractor around much more starting next spring when we start building as it will live at the land then.

As you see, I have to back on to get the weight balance correct, and I am using a WD hitch due to the wimpy rating on the OEM receiver.

It is indeed 16', I measured it once as I needed to replace a deck board. A 16' 2x6 just fit without cutting. The rear of the BB is just a couple inches in front of the rub rail as I needed enough clearance to access the D rings for tie down.

This has been a TBN public service message, brought to you by Dave...

kenmac · Oct 28, 2012

dstig1 said:
Adding to it would be a major project that I do not want to do, nor do I feel my welding is good enough to do so yet. .

In my pevious life I was a welder. So, it wasn't a big deal. I already had the steel. It was a good amount of work but cheaper than a new trailer. Seems like it was harder to up grade my axles than extending the trailer. I paid $1500.00 for axles,tires & wheels