Tow vehicle and trailer combo recommendation for me

[Fiziksgeek]

I'm mostly a lurker here, but I thought it time to start asking some questions. Sometime in the next year, I'll be in the market for a new vehicle. Since I also need a trailer, I thought I should look for a trailer first, then look for vehicles which are capable of safetly towing it.

Overall my goals are:

1. Comfortable daily driver.
2. as efficient as practicle (I average ~17K miles per year)
3. seat 5+ people comfortably
4. Have 4WD/AWD.
5. Must tow the tractor up to 50 miles 2-3 times per year.
6. be likely to last at least 150K miles withough huge repair bills.

I have a Massey Ferguson GC2400 (1400 lbs). I believe the loader is ~325 lbs, and the 60' mower deck is ~300 lbs. Ballast box is ~400 lbs if full. Add some extra for fluids, so I'll call the tractor ~2500 lbs. Most people seem to recommend about a 16' dual axle trailer for this size of machine. Most utility trailers or car hauler trailers of this size seems to come in around 2000lbs, making my total weight 4500-5000lbs. I think that overall weight would push me toward a 1/2 ton pick-up or body-on-frame SUV.

To see if I could find something lighter, that even a mid-size SUV could tow, I searched around for lightweight aluminum trailers to see exactly how much weight could be saved. The same 16' dual axle utility might be only 1200 lbs or so. But, I ran into some very light weight ATV trailers such as the Aluma 6313. It's 16', with (2)-2000lb axles. On papaer it looks good, but I'd like to hear some real world experiences. Anyone ever use an ATV trailer for a small tractor? At only 600 lbs, it would save me a bunch of weight, bringing my total weight to just over 3000 lbs, which seems appropriate for limited use on a vehicle with a 5000 lb towing capacity like many unibody SUVs.

Anyway, what say you guys? Got a recommendation for a vehicle/trailer combo for me?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Don't waste your money on a lightweight trailer.

A F150 Super crew would be my first choice for 5 people and 4x4.

Chris

 

[Topkicker]

Agree w Chris on the trailer. Get a double axle 16 footer. A dove tail is a nice option if you have a belly mower for better clearance. You will be surprised how much you will use a trailer for hauling stuff such as mulch vs the truck bed. Much nicer to get stuff out of a knee to waist high trailer. Disagree w Chris on the truck ( no surprise there). Go for the new 1/2 ton 14 Silverado or GMC Sierra. You will love the extra foot room and the quiet cabin. You also have two bed length options on the new 1/2 ton crew cabs.

 

[wmonroe]

What are you driving now? What are you used to driving? We all have our favorite brand but really it is hard to go wrong with any of the new half ton trucks. There is a few SUVs that will also tow 7k comfortably now so if your are used to/more comfortable with an SUV that is an option also.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

A 1/2 ton pick-up is the safe option. I test drove a Ram and a Silverado a couple years ago. I likes the Ram interior, didn't like the way it felt on the road, didn't like the Silverado's interior, loved how to drove, go figure. I rented a 2014 Silverado a couple months ago. Had some chores to do, plus got me some seat time for a possible future purchase, much nicer interior, drove as good or better than the older model. Haven't been in an F150 yet, but at this point, I would wait until the new one comes out.

Again, a 1/2 ton is the safe option. I am unsure how much I would actually use the bed though. When I order mulch, I get a tri-axle load, and yes I need that much. Would take ~50 yards to do all of the planting beds. I burn about 3 cords of wood a year, but I get log length hardwoods delivered by a tree company for ~$50/cord, at that price, its really not worth it to scrounge. I am sure I would find uses, but having trouble thinking of enough to justify one. A 3 row SUV would get more use for sure. With the kids getting bigger and developing friends, I can see using the extra seats more often, but I am not going to let that be the driving requirement....

Still interested to see if anyone has put a SCUT on a lightweight ATV trailer like the Aluma 6313...How did it work out?

 

[Fiziksgeek]

What are you driving now? What are you used to driving? We all have our favorite brand but really it is hard to go wrong with any of the new half ton trucks. There is a few SUVs that will also tow 7k comfortably now so if your are used to/more comfortable with an SUV that is an option also.

I currently have a 2005 Honda Accord EX-V6 with Nav (I like gadgets). Its been absolutely flawless and is coming up on 160K miles. I am not considering the Ridgeline. I have no particular brand loyalty.

As mentioned, I drove a 2014 Silverado a couple months ago. I have driven a Chevy Traverse for 4 days on a business trip in late 2012, and I had a Durango for 10 days in Yellowstone last summer. Both seemed nice. The Durango has a bigger capacity, but I would want the Hemi, which I've heard sucks down the gas...but maybe not more than a pick up would.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A 1/2 ton pick-up is the safe option. I test drove a Ram and a Silverado a couple years ago. I likes the Ram interior, didn't like the way it felt on the road, didn't like the Silverado's interior, loved how to drove, go figure. I rented a 2014 Silverado a couple months ago. Had some chores to do, plus got me some seat time for a possible future purchase, much nicer interior, drove as good or better than the older model. Haven't been in an F150 yet, but at this point, I would wait until the new one comes out.

Again, a 1/2 ton is the safe option. I am unsure how much I would actually use the bed though. When I order mulch, I get a tri-axle load, and yes I need that much. Would take ~50 yards to do all of the planting beds. I burn about 3 cords of wood a year, but I get log length hardwoods delivered by a tree company for ~$50/cord, at that price, its really not worth it to scrounge. I am sure I would find uses, but having trouble thinking of enough to justify one. A 3 row SUV would get more use for sure. With the kids getting bigger and developing friends, I can see using the extra seats more often, but I am not going to let that be the driving requirement....

Still interested to see if anyone has put a SCUT on a lightweight ATV trailer like the Aluma 6313...How did it work out?

Get a Expedition or Suburban. They can't be beat now that you described you uses.

Chris

 

[Topkicker]

If a 3 row 1/2 ton SUV would do the job, I would highly recommend the Chevy Suburban or GMC Yukon XL. The reason I didn't include the Tahoe or Yukon is the cargo space is near nothing w the 3rd row seats in place. I own a 13 Suburban. The ride is nothing short of amazing and towed my Massey 1529 with no problem. Get the HD trailer package. It includes 3:42 gears w tranny and oil cooler. Has heavier rated rear coil springs also. The body style is changing for 15. The fold flat seats are a great new option for 15.













GMC

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

We just bought an 07' Suburban. Part of the reason was so we could pull a large bumper pull camper we plan on purchasing in the next year or so. I have a 3500 4 door dodge for real pulling but thought it would be nice for the wife to have a capable ride also. I love it so far, it gets about the same mileage as or 06' Honda Odyssey Minivan.
Plan on having the wife help me haul hay pulling an 18' 10k lb lowboy behind her suburban. The suburban handles like a giant sports car, and the ride would be hard to be beat. A suburban or shorter Tahoe model would lend itself well to what you are planning in my opinion.
Good luck

 

[RoMad]

Honda Pilot is also a very good vehicle. Not sure of the tow rating of the new ones. We had an 03 for 10 years and towed a lot of loads with it, including my first tractor.