Trailer choices

[jesseb3@att.net]

Unfortunately, even the largest of trailer dealers post the same 3000 lb limit for NJ, PA, etc. on their websites. However, NJ has the same stipulation regarding that 3000 pound limit.

39:3-67. Brake equipment required

Every motor vehicle, except a motor cycle, manufactured on or after July 1, 1938 when used on a highway shall be equipped with brakes on all wheels, except the front wheels of a 3-axle truck tractor and except any trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight not exceeding 3,000 pounds; provided, however, that the gross weight of any such trailer without brakes shall not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle, and that the gross weight of any such semitrailer without brakes shall not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle when the vehicles are connected.

http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=691815&Depth=2&TD=WRAP&advquery=trailer&depth=4&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&rank=&record={E68D}&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42&wordsaroundhits=2&zz=

We're back to a limit of 2438 pounds for your Honda Pilot if you don't have brakes. Whether or not the police pay that much attention is a different discussion.

Jesse

 

[HarleyScooter]

mow4fun, I had a 3K (3500# axle) 6X12' with no brakes and the BX2230 fit and hauled fine with my F150. Then I added a loader and counterweight to it and backing the tractor onto the trailer I could not set the bucket on the floor of the trailer, it had to sit against the ramp gate. With the BX it seems to be a matter of length not really the capacity of the trailers (talking about 3500# axle trailers). I just sold that trailer and bought a 16' tandem with four wheel brakes. Bottom line the BX with a loader and anything on the back will not fit well on a 12' trailer. I like having the brakes much more than not having them. The old 12' trailer was well built and weighted around 900# the new one weights 1650# so it is not that much heavier for what you are gaining. Having owned both I recommend a 16' dual axle with brakes, mine is a Gatormade and it only cost $1850 + tax, they are allways on E-Bay. It seems like a well built 6'-4" X 14' trailer with one 5200# brake axle would fit our needs, but I have never seen one?

 

[dstig1]

Here is the info I got. A 2010 Pilot AWD has a max tow rating of 4,500#. As for NJ here you go.

Maximum Speed Limit: 55
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:35'L x 8'W x 13'6"H
Maximum Length with Trailer:50'
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3,000
Trailer Equipment Requirements:
Safety Chains:Y
Brakelights:Y
Taillights:Y
Clearance Lights:N/A
License Light:Y
Turn Signals:Y
Reflectors:Y
Flares:N/A
Breakaway Brakes:Y
Tiedowns:N/A
Two Trailers:N
Insurance:N
Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 609-633-9403 Agnt: 800-257-9003

Chris

Chris - do you have that info for Wisc? I'm just curious to see how the used trailer I bought stacks up. Based on what the trailer has, I'm sure most items are covered, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

lbrown- your statement

A land scape trailer is to light duty to handle a BX. landscape trailer too light??? sorry dont mean to say it but you are full of baloney. May I ask where are your facts to support this?

They make 10K landscape traliers and they make 7K equipement trailers... so I guess the the landscape trailer is too light duty...

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris - do you have that info for Wisc? I'm just curious to see how the used trailer I bought stacks up. Based on what the trailer has, I'm sure most items are covered, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks,
Dave

Here you go Dave.

Maximum Speed Limit: 65
Maximum Dimensions for trailer:45'L x 8'6"W x 13'6"H
Maximum Length with Trailer:65'
Minimum Weight requiring Separate Trailer Brakes:3,000
Trailer Equipment Requirements:
Safety Chains:Y
Brakelights:Y
Taillights:Y
Clearance Lights:Y
License Light:Y
Turn Signals:Y
Reflectors:Y
Flares:N/A
Breakaway Brakes: N/A
Tiedowns:Y
Two Trailers:Y
Insurance:N
Wide Trailer Permit Phone Number: 608-266-7320

As you can see brakes are required above 3,000# but no break-away is required.

Chris

 

[dstig1]

Thanks, Chris - I appreciate it. The breakaway was one item I was curious about as this trailer does not have that. I also noted that this trailer doesn't have a license plate light. I can fix that easy enough to avoid any excuses for Officer Friendly to stop for a chat. Other than that, looks like I am good to go.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[mow4fun]

Ok, here is an update:

Load Rite trailer, galvanized, 6x12, surge brakes, 15" tires, 3500lbs GVWR, trailer weight 900lbs, and wood floor (blanks).

It will definitely handle the tractor with FEL or Chipper. Nice to have the surge brakes as apposed to electric brakes which would have required additional expense for brake controller. I think the price is right too: $2100.

Probably use it 2 or 3 times a year, mainly 15 miles although there is one trip I am looking to do this year which is 90 miles but that will be a one time event.

 

[TripleR]

Ok, here is an update:

Load Rite trailer, galvanized, 6x12, surge brakes, 15" tires, 3500lbs GVWR, trailer weight 900lbs, and wood floor (blanks).

It will definitely handle the tractor with FEL or Chipper. Nice to have the surge brakes as apposed to electric brakes which would have required additional expense for brake controller. I think the price is right too: $2100.

Probably use it 2 or 3 times a year, mainly 15 miles although there is one trip I am looking to do this year which is 90 miles but that will be a one time event.

Have you checked on or considered renting?

 

[mow4fun]

Yes I did and Uhaul does not carry them in my area, i couldn't find other rental companies that do have them in my area. However, i like the idea of having it available anytime I need it.

 

[Jaylegger]

Have you loaded up the trailer? A few pics are in order.

 

[mow4fun]

If all goes as planned, then Monday is the day and will post pics then.

 

[TripleR]

Yes I did and Uhaul does not carry them in my area, i couldn't find other rental companies that do have them in my area. However, i like the idea of having it available anytime I need it.

I know what you mean, but I hate spending money on a seldom used item and storage space is at a premium for me. I am having a new building put up and it will give me just enough room for my stuff here. We are out of storage at two other locations and will have to do something there. Sometimes it seems spending money on one thing necessitates additional spending else where.

 

[mow4fun]

Agreed, a lot of money for few times a year but that also applies to alot of things I purchase. Take for example my Chipper.

I probably fit it between couple of trees in the back of the yard and i am sure I'll find more usages for the trailer to haul stuff around.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have a 16' dual axle no brakes trailer. I've hauled BX's, B's, L3240 and now a F2680E on it. Used an Avalancche and a Traverse to pull it with no issues.
Yesterday I transported a BX2660, MMM, FEL and attached tiller and pulled it with my V6 2003 Dodge Dakota. Had the teeth of the RatchetRake hanging over the front rail of the trailer to get the weight balanced over the wheels. Had never pulled it with the Dakota before. The Dakota struggled at hills. Was considering trading my BX2660 and F2680 to a F3080 and moving the F back and forth 18 miles round trip for mowing both properties. Left the BX2660 at the rental property and brought the F2680 back. The Dakota pulled it better than the loaded BX but not what I'd want doing it on a regular basis.
Have to come up with a new plan. Trade BX for a F3080, trade BX and F for a F3080 and get another truck or???
I recommend you try pulling the trailer your considering with your vehicle to your tractor location, load your tractor and drive it to your expected destination and back. Then decide if you want to do the deal. Trailer seller should let you do this.
You may be satisfied with your vehicles performance but I sure wasn't with my Dakota, not at all, even though it did it but not satisfied. Don't accept flooring the pedal to catch up going uphill and the downshifts with uphills. I still have my traverse and can pull with it but I have trouble getting the trailer back to it's storage location with the 2wd Traverse. May have to move trailer with tractor then hook up to the Traverse.
My point of rambling is you need to consider more than size, price, brakes, wood or metal. You need to try pulling your tractor on the trailer you plan to buy with the vehicle you plan to use before sayig "I do here's the money".

 

[TripleR]

Agreed, a lot of money for few times a year but that also applies to a lot of things I purchase. Take for example my Chipper.

I probably fit it between couple of trees in the back of the yard and i am sure I'll find more usages for the trailer to haul stuff around.

Yeah, sometimes the only way to know for sure is to try it.

 

[mow4fun]

Here it is, took for a ride and it rides and hauls very nice. I still need to figure a better way to tie and secure the tractor, I am using the strap type to secure it but thinking to get a chaine setup.

 

[Jaylegger]

Looks to fit on there fine. The front rail looks to be removable via a few bolts, I'm betting if removed the tractor could be moved forward enough to get the chipper on too or just put the loader over the rail. Weight distribution may be off though.

Have you checked the tongue weight with the present positioning?

 

[mow4fun]

All railings are aluminum and are removable with few bolts. I didn't get a chance to weigh the tongue, I read some directions on it.

Any thoughts on best way to do it?
What would the weight mean when done?

 

[Jaylegger]

All railings are aluminum and are removable with few bolts. I didn't get a chance to weigh the tongue, I read some directions on it.

Any thoughts on best way to do it?
What would the weight mean when done?

Conventional wisdom claims the weight should be 10-15% of the gross weight, so assuming you are pretty much near the trailers 3500GVWR the tongue should be 350-525#'s. If a bathroom scale doesn't go that high there's a method using the scale, a block and a board which can get you close.

I personally find it easier just to determine what tongue weight you want then have yourself, your wife,and/or kids (whatever approximates the total weight) sit on the bumper then measure the ball height. Hook up the trailer and position the tractor until the ball is at the same height minus an inch for good measure.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Here it is, took for a ride and it rides and hauls very nice. I still need to figure a better way to tie and secure the tractor, I am using the strap type to secure it but thinking to get a chaine setup.

Straps are fine... I have used both over the years.

I have 5K straps that are more than strong enough for your use and easier thank chains /binders... Just place some chafing gear if running over a sharp edge. Check with local fire dept, Old 1 3/4 hose in 2foot seconds works great split down one side...

You'll find a huge strap vs chains arguement ...but whjat ever works for you...

Like I said I have uised both...