Tow vehicle and trailer combo recommendation for me

[terryknight]

I have this 6x12, 6K tilt trailer.

Have hauled this MF240D on it.

you have any pictures of this???

OP - Featherlight makes very nice trailers, we have a 17.5 ft dual axle trailer rated at 7K. it weighs just under 1400. they are pricey even used if you can even find them.

what about any of the Toyota suvs? land cruiser, 4runner? what about buying two vehicles? one for towing (used pickup) and one for the other 16000 miles you drive, that goes out the window if you need to haul 5 people and tow.

 

[Xfaxman]

you have any pictures of this???
-----------------

No, the tractor just squeezed on, with the rear tires touching the sides.

For the hay bales, I would put two ten foot long 6x6 posts in the middle of the tilt trailer and hook it to the receiver hitch on the gooseneck trailer.


Then I would load the bales from the side. The bale would set on the 6x6 and the edge of the trailer, two ahead of the fenders and two behind, with a ratchet strap to hold them.

10' 6" wide, It was 2 miles from the hay field to the barn on a county road, don't live there now.

These were taken in July, 2010.

I will take pictures next time that I haul hay.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I've heard only good things about Featherlite trailers...except the price! haha

The Land Cruiser is out of my price range. My wife has a 2003 4 runner, It was great, but it's essentially the same as the Tacoma, a little small on the inside to me. I have little ones still in car seats/boosters, and will have to deal with this for several years, unless the vehicle is wide, it's very hard to get a 3rd person in the back seat. I actually find a 1/2 ton crew cab much roomier than a 4runner. If I could keep my towing needs to a minimum, a Highlander would give us the 3rd row when necessary, and is rated to 5K lbs...Again, only if I can minimize the weight. I don't plan on towing 5K lbs with a vehicle rated for 5K lbs only.

Not really looking to get two vehicles, though I do understand having specific vehicles for specific tasks is the ideal situation.

you have any pictures of this???

OP - Featherlight makes very nice trailers, we have a 17.5 ft dual axle trailer rated at 7K. it weighs just under 1400. they are pricey even used if you can even find them.

what about any of the Toyota suvs? land cruiser, 4runner? what about buying two vehicles? one for towing (used pickup) and one for the other 16000 miles you drive, that goes out the window if you need to haul 5 people and tow.

 

[IslandTractor]

If I could keep my towing needs to a minimum, a Highlander would give us the 3rd row when necessary, and is rated to 5K lbs...Again, only if I can minimize the weight. I don't plan on towing 5K lbs with a vehicle rated for 5K lbs only.

Not really looking to get two vehicles, though I do understand having specific vehicles for specific tasks is the ideal situation.

As I recall you are only towing 4500lbs a few times a year for 50 miles. Why not do it with a vehicle rated at 4500 or 5000lbs towing. If they were not safe to tow that amount across country they wouldn't be rated at that amount. 50 miles is nothing.

 

[dstig1]

Like many folks have said- your primary purpose is hauling people An SUV is much better than a truck for that, even a crew cab. Your trailer towing is limited to about 5k lbs, max, and only a couple times a year. Your tractor is light enough that many rental trailers, or most dual axle landscape trailers should work OK. This all points you towards a midsize SUV. Something in the Explorer class. Our 99 explorer has the V8 and is AWD and tows 5k and now has ~230k on it (bought new). There are man many other vehicles in this size class that will all do it. And pretty much any modern car will do 150k without major work, unless you get the random lemon. And yes, even Honda makes lemons...

Go look at mid size SUVs and check tow ratings to make sure they are at 4500-5k, and find one you like. Whether you buy or rent a trailer, you will be in the sweet spot to do just about whatever you want. Also make sure it can be wired with a brake controller and the correct plug easily.. Some are easier than others. Then you have found your options.

My $0.02