Trailer advice needed

[Dirthog]

First thing if you are going to hall anything on the trailer get the brakes fixed second with 4 feet of anything sticking over the back end of the trailer I don't want to be anywhere around you when you are hauling it doubt you can keep it on the road with that much weight hanging out the back. you will have very little tongue weight and be down right dangerous

 

[npaden]

I don't think tounge weight will be that big of an issue with 10% or less of the weight on the back of the trailer. The loader weighs quite a bit and with the tractor pulled all the way to the front of the trailer there was PLENTY of tounge weight. I think I can get the tractor balanced out on the trailer without too much trouble.

I will check into getting the brakes fixed. It doesn't look like it will take too much work, I think it is just the electrical connection.

If you give me your phone number I will make sure and call you so you can stay off the roads if I'm headed your way. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[tawilson]

Does the trailer have flip up ramps? If so, that'll make a difference how you position your tractor. You may have to put the bucket over the A frame, which is fine, just make sure it's clear of your tailgate on sharp turns. Definitely get the brakes fixed, safer plus you're putting a lot of wear on your truck brakes without them. You'll be glad you got a trailer. I covered and connected my ramps with a frame and expanded metal, so I can carry riding mowers, four wheelers and even my mom's golf cart.

 

[Soundguy]

if you can get it ballanced with toungue weight, and or overhand on the a-frame a bit, i'd haul it unless the police gave me an issue. In any case.. DO make sure you flag it, and make sure your tail,stop,turn lamps are visible with the overhang.. if not.. make them visible.. either a second set up on pvc posts like boat trailers use.. or make a magnetic one with a bundles wire, and attatch it to the end of the mower where it overhangs.

Another option is to use the loader to load the mower up front up to an inch away from the front of the trailer..possibly sideways and then drive right up to it with the tires, curl the bucket so that the cutting edge is straight down and then set that just forward of the mower... should buy you some room.

I've done this with my 660 w/ front loader, when hauling 1-3 implements with it... just load them first.. drive up and set bucket past them/ on them.. depending onthe implement..

Soundguy

 

[Builder]

When the MVE cops pull us over around here, they make you show your trailer brakes work correctly or it's time for a nice big fine.

I would never operate a trailer without brakes unless absolutely necessary. You have to remember our children are out on the road, too.

 

[npaden]

Around here you see these 7,000# tandem axle utility trailers all the time without brakes. Are you not supposed to load them past 5,000# without brakes?

 

[Builder]

Here's some info on "Load Overhang restrictions"

"The extension of a load beyond the extremities of the vehicle cannot exceed the measurements listed below":

front- 3 feet
rear- 6 feet * **

* This may be exceeded for combinations carrying nondivisible loads (like logs, pipe) not exceeding 70 feet (length of load)

** Loads causing overhang length greater than 4 feet must have a red flag with a minimum of 12 square inches during daylight and a red light during darkness, attached to the end of the load.

 

[George2615]

Congrats on picking up your L4200 and 16' trailer. I hope you weren't serious about seeing 7K trailers all over Texas running without brakes. Please do yourself a favor and get the brakes fixed on your trailer. Your truck may have good enough brakes to stop it, but it's extra hard to stop your truck when it has another 7K behind it trying to push it through an intersection.

 

[Builder]

The law will also state that anything on a trailer (brakes, lights, hitches, tires, wheels) must all be functioning to be legal.

IOW-if it has brakes, they must be operable.

 

[npaden]

Yes, I plan to get the brakes fixed.

I am serious though about the 7,000# trailers without brakes. I've borrowed several different 16' tandem axle utility trailers and none of them had brakes. I don't think I ever hauled that much weight on them before though.

Thanks for the input! I'm trying to be safe. The other thing that I'm going to do is buy some good chains and rachets to secure the tractor next time I haul it. I was very lucky this time with my 2" strap tie downs as they both were cut before the trip was over. I was able to readjust them, but that was still very scary.