Trailer assumptions

Tower3 · Sep 11, 2005

I'm about to buy a pickup truck which I will eventually use to tow my Kubota L3410. I want to make sure my assumptions about trailer size/weight are reasonable before I make any decisions about how much towing capacity I'll need. Here's my thinking:

The tractor's length with loader/bucket, and a rear mount snowblower is 18 feet from front of bucket to rear of snowblower. I'm guessing a 20 foot trailer would be wise.

If I add up tractor and weights for my heaviest attachments, I get:

2800 lb tractor
1100 lb loader & bucket
300 lb cab
1000 lb backhoe

5200 lb total

Alternatively, the ROPS on the tractor is rated to 6600 lbs. indicating that I won't ever exceed that weight.

Either way, I think I need a 10000 lb. GVWR trailer. Looking at the BigTex website, it appears that a 20ft, 10,000 lb. trailer will weigh anywhere from 2400 to 3000 lbs, with the higher number for a tilt bed.

At the lowest end, I get a total weight of 7600 lbs. At the high end, my total weight is 9600 lbs. To be on the safe side, I think I need a truck with at least 10,000 lbs of towing capacity.

Does my reasoning make sense?

jgh · Sep 11, 2005

20050911

Get all the capacity you can afford and don't forget the numerous comments made by the veterans on here about STOPPING power being more important than TOWING power. Almost any truck will tow more than it can stop.

Stay safe,

Jim
Mt Burgha on the Rivanna in VA

johnday · Sep 11, 2005

Tower; Welcome to TBN, and an excellent question for your very first post. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It looks like your on the right track as far as capacities are concerned. A couple things about the trailer first. Maybe consider a 12K, just to have some extra for the future? Brakes on both axles, no matter what the GVW you get, and nothing but a tandem. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Now to give you my opinion of the truck. No matter what a so called "truck salesman" might tell you, a 3/4 ton is definetly in order. I'm partial to Fords, but the others make a truck that would handle these loads too. I may start a flame war, it's ONLY MY OPINION, diesel would be the best way to burn hydrocarbons. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I say 3/4 ton, even though the 1/2 tons are supposedly rated for 10K in some cases, or at least close, with a heavier truck, you also get alot heavier frame, axles, trans in a Ford at least, and more important, bigger and heavier brakes.

Keep us posted, I like trucks as much as tractors. And photos are an unwritten requirement. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon · Sep 11, 2005

(
Does my reasoning make sense? )

Yep!

Egon

SteveInMD · Sep 11, 2005

I bought a 3/4 ton truck, but wish I bought a 1 ton. The difference on a new 3/4 ton vs a 1 ton is minimal. I think it was about $1,000 difference. By the time you buy a truck, tractor, and trailer it doesn't seem like much.

AntrimMan · Sep 11, 2005

Yes, definitely on the right path.
BigTex tilt looks to be real nice. There is a previous post about 'who bought a trailer'. Look it up, there is a nice inline pic of a Big Tex tilt loaded with a tractor and coupled to a pickup, wipe my saliva off of it and take a good look.
Like any other purchase there would be two ways to go, cheap and good enough for now, or, quality to last a long time. The difference is marginal when spread out over the years of service but if the kids' need new sneakers it is obvious what has to come first.
The diesel engine will reportedly give more miles of service then the gas job. My experience, limited to gas jobs, is that with average maintainance the gas engine will still be going long after there are holes in the floor, so, I myself, wouldn't limit the scope to anything in particular. Go best bang for the buck as long as you choose F350 dually. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hmmm, whenever I spend someone elses money I feel like a lady, in principle anyway.
If you go new get a built in brake controller, that may mandate a match to the trailer weight and further define the towing and stopping capacity.
You have the horse before the cart, your head is screwed on correctly IMHO.
As mentioned previously, pic's are a greatly appreciated must.

All the best,
Martin

BadDog · Sep 11, 2005

I use a 3/4 ton Chevy Silverado 2500HD LT Diesel 4x4 and have NO problem towing all my gear or a full-length 6 horse trailer with attached tack room. I have no problem stopping, or going up or down hills at any speed. I also run an 8' Boss V-plow in heavy snow with no problem.

I've tried Ford and Dodge products, but NOTHING comes close to the ability of the Allison transmission when towing or carrying heavy loads. It shifts smoothly, and intelligently applies engine braking when needed.

I also have an load-sensing electric brake controller which works very well (can't remember the brand right now).

I prefer diesel over gas: diesel engines are designed for heavy loads and are about 40% more fuel effecient than gas when doing the same amount of work. They can also be expected to last at least twice as long with the same workload.

I need 4x4 because I find myself towing into a lot of off-road areas, and it is also necessary to run the plow.

I also prefer the leather interior over cloth - it holds up a lot better against my two bad dogs.

All of this aside, the real deciding factor for me was the Allison transmission.

Tower3 · Sep 11, 2005

Thanks for all the responses. I'm leaning towards a Silverado 2500 HD Diesel. My local salesman claims they're impossible to get right now, but when I search the "GM Buypower" website, there appear to be quite a few within a couple hundred miles of me. I guess I'm going to spend a few hours on the phone Monday.

johnday · Sep 11, 2005

Tower; Good luck with your choice. That Allison is most likely the best auto out there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I swear I'm gonna start my own truck company. I'll get the Cummins engines, the Allison trans, and the F350 dually. Any takers? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

RobertN · Sep 11, 2005

You're on the right track. I have a16' 7000lb trailer for my smaller Kubota B8200. My trailer weighs 1600lbs, leaving 5400lb cargo capacity. My tractor setup weighs about 23-2500lbs, which is easy for my trailer. I have had about 5500lbs on the trailer though, maxxing it out. I would not want to do that every time I towed...

I have towed with 1500, 2500, and 450/4500 series trucks. 2500 series or bigger is definitely the way to go for loads like you mention. Others may do it, but the 1500 does not have the weight and brakes. The F450 I used made 10,000lb loads feel tiny(f450 2wd flatbed), but my 2500 carried the same load fine.

Remember too, when you get a trailer, you'll find it handy for other things. I use mine to haul pipe, lumber, firewood, cars, Cub Scout parade floats, you name it. My heavy loads have not been my tractor...

BadDog · Sep 11, 2005

When I bought mine new (a 2002 model) they were hard to find locally. I ended up having my wife drive me to Boston to get one with exactly the options I wanted. NO REGRETS!

The 2500HD is easily the BEST vehicle I have ever owned and has paid for itself many times over already. No problems, no issues whatsoever, and I work it hard.

It also averages around least 18mpg, better on the highway, but most of my use is on back roads.

It still looks new, except for the fact that my wife cleaned the snow off of it one winter before I had our garages built, and she used a plastic shovel, not realizing it had a steel cutting edge. Nice, deep scratches all over the hood and roof.

Made me a little mad/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, but then it's just a truck and there are a lot more important things in life!

NHWOODSMAN · Sep 11, 2005

If you are definatley looking at chevy 2500hd I have had both the gas and diesel versions. NO COMPARISON!! Diesel all the way. Allison is a great tranny and handles the heavyest loads efficiantly. Also I get about 20mpg on the highway and 12 to 16 towing, The gas job only got about 14 highway. Diesel will cost more but can always get that back at trade in time. Thats my pitch for chevy but I am sure dodge and ford 3/4 tons and 1 tons you can't go wrong either. Also my trailer is a 5T heavy dudy crosscountry 18' tandem. I really like it but wish I either got more lenght 22' to 24' because with the TC40 bucket and brush hog I am puting bucket on tongue and brush hog sticks out the back. My next trailer will be a 5th wheel which I hear handles heavy loads much better. Good Luck.

tjkadar · Sep 11, 2005

We have both a F250 Superduty turbo-diesel and a Chevy 2500HD turbo-diesel on our farm. I prefer the transmission in the Chevy hands down. However, I like the Ford's interior better. It suits my body size better then the Chevy. Both are good trucks, but I would give the Chevy the edge in a straight up comparison. Yet, I still prefer to drive the Ford.

I like the idea that was mentioned earlier - Cummin's motor, Allison transmission, Ford platform. That would be a fantastic truck!

For hauling I wouldn't go smaller then a 3/4 ton and would seriously look at a 1 ton depending on your hauling needs. On our farm, we stepped down from a 1 ton dually to a 3/4 ton because it was a better match for our work. YMMV

Bob_Young · Sep 11, 2005

I know you didn't ask about trailer types, Tower, but I thought I'd point out the following because I wish someone had mentioned it to me:

I've got a 20'/10,000 lb. Big Tex pipe trailer and it's a very good trailer. However, the pipe trailer configuration isn't ideal for hauling equipment. It's kind of confining and has to be loaded carefully. Mine has the flip-up ramp gate in the rear and that's definitely a mixed blessing. A flat bed trailer with removeable ramps or a tilt trailer would be more flexible. A 6 inch to a foot overhang now and again wouldn't be a big deal. But the strict 20' x 83" limitations of the pipe trailer have forced me to do things I wouldn't have to otherwise.

On the other hand, for hauling hay, firewood or scrap metal, the pipe trailer is really nice.

Just something to keep in mind.
Bob

wushaw · Sep 11, 2005

A 20' Gooseneck would be great for better manuverability.
3/4 ton or better for the hauler, I like diesel but gas will work also.

George2615 · Sep 11, 2005

I own a Chev 3/4 ton Diesel, Duramax / Allison. Max. tow cap. is 12,000 bumper pull or 15,500 fifth wheel. I tow my Mahindra 2615 w/ bucket and snowblower on a 20' tilt bed trailer. IMHO brakes on both trailer axles is a must. Often forget it's behind me. My mileage only drops 2.5 mpg towing compared to my previous gas pickup which dropped 6 mpg towing. I have found that my diesel gets better mileage than my prev. gas truck did also. Back when I bought it, based on an average 20K per year I would have saved 800 /yr. over a gas engine truck, probably much more at todays prices. There is no difference between towing cap. of 3/4 to 1 ton for the Chevy. Just beefier suspension. Best of luck in your decision.
George

boomer4snow · Sep 11, 2005

one other thing, if they are building the trailer for you, extra Drings and a rub rail. It allows you so much more options for securing equipment and toy......tools that is. I bought mine with 8 extra D rings, full rub rail, and side steps which makes it real easy to get on and off when it is slick and snowy. BTW its 22' and rated for 14k made by load trail and weighs 3250#'s and I pull it with a 3/4 Dodge cummins with no problems at all.

RedRocker · Sep 11, 2005

( Tower; Good luck with your choice. That Allison is most likely the best auto out there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I swear I'm gonna start my own truck company. I'll get the Cummins engines, the Allison trans, and the F350 dually. Any takers? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )

You get my vote, great combination.

Tower3 · Sep 11, 2005

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided on the 2500HD Diesel. I like the Duramax diesel because it's quiet. I need to be able to hear myself when I'm ordering at the Wendy's drive-thru. Hopefully I can find one.

As far as trailers go, the arguments for a tilt bed are pretty convincing. I mentioned the Big Tex trailer because they publish trailer weights on their web site. What other manufacturers are worth considering?

While I'm here, does anyone have any specific hitch recommendations?

AntrimMan · Sep 12, 2005

Listen, I'm sorry, I was incorrect saying that there was a BigTex trailer in that post I mentioned. It was H&H tilt and a very nice one at that.
I'm jealous, that is a nice truck you have chosen.

All the best,
Penetent Martin