Trailer Advice

[ruffdog]

If the OP is staying with a gasser, GM's done with the 6.0 and they are going with an up-graded stroked 6.6L version.

 

[4570Man]

A gas truck will pull it fine. Maybe if you’re doing it everyday or frequently up grades I’d want more power but a gas truck is way cheaper. I wouldn’t worry much about gears either. Here’s to the “I need a Duramax to pull a lawnmower” crowd. Not very fast but a gas burner will in fact move nearly 40,000

 

[4570Man]

Your tractor will weigh more than 7,000 especially if the tires are loaded. A 10,000 pound axel trailer might work but it’s too light. A 14,000 trailer would be a lot better.

 

[ericm979]

On the vehicle, I'm thinking a 3/4 ton would do it, but wasn't sure if would be wise to get the 4.1 axle ratio for a bit more power versus the 3.7 axle ratio. I still haven't decided on toyota, ford, chevy, dodge, etc. but plan to visit the truck forum for advice on that aspect. I'm leaning towards chevy atm.

Thanks!

Toyota doesn't make a 3/4 ton. The Tundra can tow up to about 10,000 lbs depending on the configuration. With ~3k lbs for a flat bed car hauler trailer and a 7k tractor you'd be right on the limit. It's a pretty conservative limit but still that's the published limit.

These days axle ratio does not mean what it did back when all transmissions had a 1:1 high gear. Now with 6, 8 or 10 speed transmissions there are multiple overdrive gears. For example the Tundra with 5.7 engine and towing package comes with a 4.3:1 axle ratio. That'd be rock crawler low back in the old days- too low for freeway use- but its' transmission has a .59:1 overdrive top gear. So it turns at a pretty relaxed rpm on the freeway.

Also diesel engines do not rev as high as gas and make max torque and hp at lower rpms. So they need higher (numerically lower) gear ratios.

 

[USMC2001PSD]

I am looking to haul my Kubota L5740 and need some advice on the right trailer to get (and a bonus would be advice on the vehicle as well since I need a new one of those also). My tractor fully loaded with the heaviest attachment (backhoe) would be roughly 7,000 pounds. The length with the longest two attachments (forklift and backhoe) is roughly 24'. I was thinking about a 24', 10,000 lb capacity trailer, but on the length, I didn't know whether I could go a bit shorter and have the backhoe and/or forks overhang a bit and whether that was wise. I'm guessing not, but I wouldn't often be towing with both forklift and backhoe attached, so didn't want to go crazy on the length if not absolutely needed. I'm looking at PJ trailers, but am open to advice since would be my first trailer buy.

On the vehicle, I'm thinking a 3/4 ton would do it, but wasn't sure if would be wise to get the 4.1 axle ratio for a bit more power versus the 3.7 axle ratio. I still haven't decided on toyota, ford, chevy, dodge, etc. but plan to visit the truck forum for advice on that aspect. I'm leaning towards chevy atm.

Thanks!

Here is the trailer I mentioned in my previous post. It has dual 7000lb axles. With it only being single wheels and not duals, it matches the capacities of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton single rear wheel truck. If it had tandem dually axles, I'd probably get a 1 ton dually to maximize use out of the trailer.

A question for the OP:
Is the tow vehicle also going to be your daily driver? Are you thinking new or older?

 

[Foozle]

Here is the trailer I mentioned in my previous post. It has dual 7000lb axles. With it only being single wheels and not duals, it matches the capacities of a 3/4 ton or 1 ton single rear wheel truck. If it had tandem dually axles, I'd probably get a 1 ton dually to maximize use out of the trailer.

A question for the OP:
Is the tow vehicle also going to be your daily driver? Are you thinking new or older?

View attachment 605098

Thanks for the info. Looks like you have a nice setup. The tow vehicle will mainly be used as a farm truck and to haul stuff as needed. I have a regular car for normal driving. If I can find something that matches used, I might go that route, otherwise may do new if I have too many requirements that can't be met by something used in the area.

 

[USMC2001PSD]

Thanks for the info. Looks like you have a nice setup. The tow vehicle will mainly be used as a farm truck and to haul stuff as needed. I have a regular car for normal driving. If I can find something that matches used, I might go that route, otherwise may do new if I have too many requirements that can't be met by something used in the area.

Not mine but my dad's solution, I just wanted you to know how the process went since I helped him narrow down a trailer! I wish brand new trucks and trailers were one of those things you could test drive with your specific equipment loaded to see if it works for you.

 

[hawkeye08]

If buying a newer gas truck, they mostly have 6+ speed automatic transmissions. I would always go with 4.1 gearing with that. If an older truck, many have 4sp transmissions, and depending on usage, might go with 3.73 for gas mileage, but if only towing, likely go with 4.10 gears.

I have 2011 GMC 2500HD 4WD CCSB 6.0/6sp/3.73 and wish I had ordered it with 4.10 gears. My brother liked my truck, ask me what I had what I would change and bought a new 2013 with 4.10 gears. He gets a bit better mileage pulling with his truck since it has better gearing for the speeds we tow. I have a 20' 10,000lb car trailer that I bought so we could haul and old pickup home, but also in case I needed to haul my tractor somewhere. Trailer weighs about 2k, with (2) 5200lb axles so I have around 8k carrying capacity. Someday I will load my tractor on it and see how it looks, but keep my tractor home as my insurance doesn't cover it if I leave my property.

We tow the 10,000lb travel trailer with the truck and it works well. Of course I wish I had a duramax, but don't have an unlimited budget.

 

[mopardude318]

If I was buying a 2500 truck, id step right up to a 3500 single wheel. I won’t own another 2500 if I can help it. That little extra bit helps on the 3500 single wheel.

 

[two_bit_score]

If I was buying a 2500 truck, id step right up to a 3500 single wheel. I won’t own another 2500 if I can help it. That little extra bit helps on the 3500 single wheel.

Agreed