Towing 30 hp tractor with fel with half ton

[RMAL]

I have a Dodge cargo van 150,V6,3.55 gears,tranny cooler,class 3 hitch.Owners manuel tow rating is 5000lbs.Plan to tow only 2 or 3 days per month,75 mile round trip.I realize this will be a SLOW rig.
Can this be done?I would love a 1 ton powersroke or cummins but I would rather get a tractor over a truck.

Al

 

[BubbaJr]

I've towed my B2910 w/FEL & 72"MMM several times with my Ford F-150. I have the 5.4 V-8, but with the same 3.55 rear end ratio. I didn't have any problems at all, and it handled fine as long as I had the weight properly centered over the axles. Just make sure your trailer has good brakes (preferably on both axles), and you plan to stop a little sooner and you should be OK. With the weight of a 2 axle trailer and the tractor, you are going to be close to the weight rating, but they rate the trucks conservatively to cover their hind ends.

Just take it easy and enjoy the thumbs up as you drive along. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

You need to know the weight of your trailer and the weight of your load to answer this. The manufacturer of your truck will have towing load ratings for your truck. It's just a matter then of whether or not the numbers work.

At first blush I'm a little concerned about the six cylinder having the guts to do the job but that could be just because I'm still a fan of the larger displacement, small block V-8's (350, 351, 360, etc.).

If the numbers do work for you, make sure that if you have an overdrive transmission you do not tow in overdrive.

 

[KubotaSteve]

Asking if something can be done and should be done are two different things. It can be done, but probably shouldn't. I used to tow my dad's MF135 on his car trailer with a Chevy S-10 with V-6. I was way overloaded but it pulled it fine. The problem is getting the brakes adjusted just right. Not enough brake will cause the trailer to push down on the hitch and lift the front end of the truck alittle causing steering and braking problems. I only towed this rig maybe 15 or 20 miles roundtrip a couple times a year. I wouldn't reccomend towing it 75 miles for an extended period of time. Also I had a transmission cooler on the S-10 and didn't have AC, so if you have AC and no cooler, it could heat up the transmission and engine.
Good luck

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

It may be doable. You didn't say the brand of tractor. A Jinma will far outweight a Kubota.

Some advice, if you do it tow late at night/early in morning before the roads are full and the air is a little cooler. Don't just center the weight but properly center. That means about 10-15% tonge weight. If you are towing 5000lbs, 500min tounge weight.

 

[VAChesterfield]

I tow my NH TC 30 w/FEL and two attachments on a two axle trailer (with brakes) with my Ford E150 conversion van with no problems. The van has the 5.4L V8, 3.55 rear end, trailer tow package which includes tranny cooler, beefed up suspension and electrical system, and Cat 3 hitch.

I have previously used the same rig to tow a 30 foot camping trailer weighing about 7500 lbs (fully loaded) hundreds of miles in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[OrangeGuy]

"A Jinma will far outweigh a Kubota"

The base model of my Kubota L3430 (35 HP) weighs 3220 lbs; the Jinma 350 (35 HP) weighs 2976 lbs.

OrangeGuy

 

[RMAL]

Thanks guys.I am more concerned with the weight of trailer on frame of van .I have more time then $$ ,can drive nice and slow

 

[SPIKER]

Sorry but a 354 Jinma weighs in at a MIN USE weight of 3924 LBS: and a JM254 weighs in at 2733 lbs min use. add a FEL of 1200 + l;bs to the 254 and 1800 lbs to the 354. it adds up real quick!
Mark M

 

[KAB]

I would also invest in a weight distributing hitch. I towed about 5,000# for a month without and when I added the weight distribution hitch the stability on rough roads and twisting roads was a major improvement.

Kurt