Tractor on 4x8 trailer

[fabrej]

I thought I would share how I transport my Kubota BX2230. I have a 3500# axle trailer and it is rated to carry 2990#. I figure the tractor and loader weight in at about 1700# so I have some extra capacity on it. It does not cause problems turning rather sharp corners with the loader on the trailer tongue and the whole package pulls real easy at 55mph.

I have to transport it about 36 miles to get it in to my mountain property and most of it is 2 lane rural roads. The last 7 or so miles are dirt roads. I have to ford a creek and go around 2 rather tight turns to get to my property. This is the largest and widest trailer one would want to drive all the way back there. When I bring a 3 point implement, I use the loader to put it in the pickup bed for the ride.

Years ago, I had a larger tractor and trailer. I had to unhook the tractor and trailer about one mile from my place and lock the trailer to a tree on the side of the road in the middle of the woods. I would then drive the tractor the last mile. If I went by myself, that required me to walk back to bring in my truck. This was not a good option for me.

James

 

[ultrarunner]

Thanks for posting... Looks good to me.

What type of truck are you using and are you under the trailer brake limit for your state?

 

[fabrej]

I pull it with my 1/2 ton Chevy truck with a big V8. I hardly know it's back there until I hit the one long steep hill I need to climb.

To be honest, I don't know what Idaho's trailer brake laws are. But I am pretty confidet that I am under the limit.

 

[Iowachild]

I pull it with my 1/2 ton Chevy truck with a big V8. I hardly know it's back there until I hit the one long steep hill I need to climb.

To be honest, I don't know what Idaho's trailer brake laws are. But I am pretty confidet that I am under the limit.

You might want to check. I have found two sites that list 1500#.

 

[fabrej]

Idaho Statutes
TITLE 49
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 9
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT

"..........and any trailer or semitrailer of less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds unladen weight need not be equipped with brakes."
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Thanks for the heads up. I think I am ok. The trailer seems much lighter than 1500 pounds unloaded.

 

[neverenough]

Idaho Statutes
TITLE 49
MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 9
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT

"..........and any trailer or semitrailer of less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds unladen weight need not be equipped with brakes."
------------------------------------------

Thanks for the heads up. I think I am ok. The trailer seems much lighter than 1500 pounds unloaded.

That's odd, most states use 4500lbs gross weight limit as thier cut off for trailer brakes. That would be the first time I seen a state use an empty trailer as a standard.

 

[neverenough]

I thought I would share how I transport my Kubota BX2230. I have a 3500# axle trailer and it is rated to carry 2990#. I figure the tractor and loader weight in at about 1700# so I have some extra capacity on it. It does not cause problems turning rather sharp corners with the loader on the trailer tongue and the whole package pulls real easy at 55mph.

I have to transport it about 36 miles to get it in to my mountain property and most of it is 2 lane rural roads. The last 7 or so miles are dirt roads. I have to ford a creek and go around 2 rather tight turns to get to my property. This is the largest and widest trailer one would want to drive all the way back there. When I bring a 3 point implement, I use the loader to put it in the pickup bed for the ride.

Years ago, I had a larger tractor and trailer. I had to unhook the tractor and trailer about one mile from my place and lock the trailer to a tree on the side of the road in the middle of the woods. I would then drive the tractor the last mile. If I went by myself, that required me to walk back to bring in my truck. This was not a good option for me.

James

Looks good. I can't see your binders well, but I'll give you a tip on them. A bungee cord tightly wraped around the handle and chain will keep them from coming unsprung.

 

[fabrej]

I have been using wire thus far to hold the binders closed but I like your idea. I will give it a try.

I copied the Idaho trailer brake requirements off of the state website. I would assume that it is correct. The Idaho State Police website had the same info.

 

[Iowachild]

That's odd, most states use 4500lbs gross weight limit as thier cut off for trailer brakes. That would be the first time I seen a state use an empty trailer as a standard.

I agree about the unladen weight, seems to usually go by GW. In PA we have the following for brakes on trailers:Required on trailers over 3000 lbs or if trailer GW exceeds tow vehicle empty weight Required if weight of trailer exceeds 40% of tow-vehicle weightOnce you get over 3000 lbs GW you need brakes, and break-away switch and a yearly inspection!

 

[gordon21]

It may be the angles of the driveway seams distorting the picture, but it looks like your trailer is slightly rear heavy. Put a carpenter level along the top rail to verify that your load is dead level OR slightly front heavy by a few degrees. Obviously you need to do this on a flat surface. You still have room to bring the tractor forward by another 6-9" Keep the bucket where it is but pull the tractor forward. That could make a big difference in the tongue weight. Short trailers can sway a lot and if they are too light on the tongue weight it can get real interesting to tow.

If you don't have a level driveway, then still use the level and first measure the ground. If you are on a 3 degree downhill slope and the trailer is pointed downhill, then the top rail of the trailer should be 5-7 degrees downhill. At least as much as the surface the trailer is sitting on at the moment.

Single axle trailers need to be level or preferably a few degrees front heavy. Double axle trailers prefer to be about dead level. If they get too tongue heavy, you will lose braking ability since the brakes will usually be on the rear axle and not have enough pressure bearing down.