Trailer for towing tractor

[GrantMO]

Not sure if this is an implement exactly but I wanted to see what people's experience is with flatbed trailers for moving their tractor. What's the best brand out there? Who makes a reasonably priced trailer for this purpose? I'm thinking about a bumper pull, 16-18 foot. Can you pull a compact tractor on a car trailer, are the ramps strong enough? Thanks in advance for all these questions.

 

[RobS]

Hi Grant, I don't have a trailer yet but I can tell you what I've learned so far...

Stick with a tandem axle. There are two axle weights for the trailers most of us are looking at: 3500 and 5000 giving you trailer GVWRs of 7000 and 10000 pounds. The 10000 pounders seem to run about a thousand bucks more. Stick with 18 foot and get the wide body. I'm looking at a 7000 M&M through MSI trailers in Elkhart. It has brakes on one axle and slide in ramps. Wood floor with stake pockets on the sides. It's a cheapie, but my 790 is towards the light end and I won't be hauling it too much. Remember that the carrying capacity of the trailer will be the GVWR minus the actual trailer weight. I figured with my tractor and all the toys I may eventually accumulate, I'll be within the limits. Your tow vehicle will also play a role in the capacity. I can explain the tow vehicle ratings if you want.

The better trailers will have a "rub rail" welded on outside of the stake pockets. Brakes on both axles are available (and required to be DOT legal for commercial hauling). I didn't even look at tilt beds and steel decks for they were well out of my price range. Hope this helps, and good luck /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[JiminMI]

Hi Rob! I too am looking for a trailer. You didn't mention a price range that you found. I have a L3010 with backhoe and loader...I think around #5000 total, so I'm also thinking #7000 lbs.
My question is, can I get a good trailer with brakes between $1500 and $2000?

Jim

 

[john_bud]

Jim,

I have a 3410, but no backhoe. I thought that from reading the Tips section of Steve Carver's website, he lists the FEL at about 1400 pounds and the tractor is about 3000 pound. Loaded tires add about 400 per side. So, 3000+1400+400+400= 5200 pounds. Trailer weight for an 18' is about 1000 pounds, so you have 800 pounds for the backhoe and you will be right up at the limit. Is that going to be pushing it too close to the edge of safety, or not? It's up to you to choose.

I will be getting a trailer this year also, but I have not faced the wants vs afford$ yet. Around here, Wisconsin, they have small trailer manufacturers that do make decent ones in the $1500-2000 range. As always, more options make for more $$$.

Take care,
John Bud

 

[LarryT]

Grant, I have a B2910. I also have a car hauler trailer (that I bought to haul cars). It's 16' and extra wide. It's from Texas, made by Top Hat Mfg. It works great for hauling my tractor. I use it all the time since my "farm" is about 17 miles from my house. Think I paid about $1300 for it 4 years ago.

Larry...

 

[RobS]

The 7000 pound trailer I'm looking at is $1245, which seems like quite a bargain to me. Here's a picture Trailer /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

It comes with used tires on plain (probably used) steel rims, slide in ramps and brakes on one axle. They do offer new tires on white spoker rims for more money. The 10K trailer they sell is about $2400 with new tires/rims and it has brakes on both axles.

I wanted flip up ramps, but couldn't get them at this price. I'll just add that to my welder justification list sometime down the road /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Hope this helps /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[mdbarb]

See the "need a trailer" thread in Kubota owning for a similar conversation.
I've been shopping for a trailer for my B21. The dealers are all trying to sell me these huge aircraft carriers! What I have rented and will want to buy is the smallest possible unit as I often need to get it into very tight spaces, steep winding hills etc.. So I think I may just have to spec one. No more than 16' long, just wide enough to clear the tractor tires, duals w/brakes,stake pockets, fold down ramps -good advice if getting the slide out ramps is the drop down pipe supports at the back corners, fold down ramps take care of this as long as they are not in the way of anything when folded up. I carry the box blade, auger and misc. equip. in the truck bed. Makes for the mostest in the smallest. I can almost park all that stuff into in yer kitchen nook!

 

[bsauter]

Take a look at the posts in the Kubota section. I would think twice about a 7,000 lb trailer as they are all light duty. They tend to flex and bounce a lot. You can watch them flex going done the road with a load. Flexing is not all that bad but it can be a control issue at times. I would never put a L series on it and feel safe. Can it be done? Sure. But you'd be better off to go with a heavier trailer. Also think about your maximum length for the future. I had a 16 foot 7,500 lb trailer and it would not fit a B2150 with loader and rotory cutter on it without the cutter hanging over the front. I have a 20 foot 12,000 gross trailer now and would never turn back. Trust me, I tried to save a little money, been there, done that, put up with old trailer for 4 years and am finally happy now.

Brad, Kubota L3010HST, loader, R4 tires
Pictures at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=179207&a=9183978

 

[DFB]

Rob, the trailer looks alot like the one I have. Shown in the thread More Green.

As for trailers, what I've seen is that they look a lot alike but there are differences. The Car*Mate Car Hauler has 5" channel for the tongue and the frame is 3"x5"x1/4" angle iron. I checked with both the dealer and manufacturer on the trailer gvw, #3000 is what it weighs.
Some of the Landscape trailers have the same gvwr/gvar but are only 2"x3" angle iron. There has been a lot of discussion in the past on this board about brake controllers too. The one I have is made by Tekonsha.

My 1/2 ton has a GCWR of #12,500 and a max trailer rating of #7800. The truck has a gvwr of #6400, the 4100 weighs about #2400 with loader and wheel weights, the trailer #3000. If the truck was fully loaded the total weight would be #11,800 without any attachments.

Here are two links to trailer manufacturers that I have.
Mid-Atlantic
CarMate

DFB

 

[RobS]

I hear ya Brad! I normally don't buy cheap but I just can't justify the heavier trailer right now (and the heavier price tag). My tractor is at the lighter end for a compact. From what I've seen, these car hauler trailers are pretty easy to sell when upgrade time comes. The one I'm looking at is 18'. Did you make out OK when you upgraded?

BTW, great looking rig ya got there /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by RobS on 02/28/01 01:16 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[RobS]

DFB, I remember your picture from that thread. I'll have to check the steel size next time I'm out shopping. Thanks for the pointers and links.

We tow a fifth wheel camper with out F250HD Crew Cab 4X4. 460, 5 spd w/ 4:10 axles. 11mpg average, best ever 14, as low as 6 while towing. We're around 15K lbs fully loaded.

I've got a Reese electronic brake controller (non-pendulum). I really don't like it, but it works.

Thanks again for the info /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Von]

I use a 16ft. made by Star Mfg. works well for the few time a year that I use it. I have had 3 different cars on it, and a zamboni with no problems. With the tractor (B8200) you don't even feel it back there, and thats using a jeep to tow with! (see photo attached) It has brakes on one axle, rated for 7000lbs, and is made of 4"x4"x1/4" angle iron with stake pockets with wood floor. I made longer ramps (6ft.) for use with cars and they slide out. I like this better than a fold up in case of something long that needs to hang out the back.

 

[RobS]

Von, that's real similar to the one I'm looking at. Glad to hear it's working for you. It does look like quite a load for the Jeep though /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Nice looking house you got there /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Von]

Rob,
Yeh, the Jeep is a little underpowered for it on a long haul, but I use it only a few times in the summer to bring my tractor to my Antique shop (house in photo) which is 12 miles from home.

 

[kurtga]

There are many brands of utility trailers out there. Generally you get what you pay for. Most run between $1200 and $2500 for a 16ft. long by 6 and a half foot wide in my area. This includes brakes on one axle with new tires and wheels. I suggest a 16-18 ft. long trailer with the new tires and wheels. You sure don't want some old abused tires and bent old wheels when you're hauling your tractor. Be sure to get a trailer break-away kit for the electric brake system. Also, make sure your tow vehicle can handle the job. I recommend a Tekonsha Voyager brake controller for the vehicle.I have a L21350DT with LB400 loader and a Woods RB60 rear blade. I tow it on a 16x6.5 ft tandem axle trailer with one brake axle. The trailer has a GVW of 7000lbs. Fortunately I have a Chevy C60 flatbed dump truck (my other toy) that pulls the loaded trailer with ease. Hopefully my 2 cents helped.

 

[Jag]

Jim and Rob.. I have a L2650-TBL total weight about 5500 lbs. carring on a 18 foot trailer with two 3500 lbs axels, one with brakes. You can get a nice trailer like this $1000-$1200. With your tractors this will work great... But if you upgrade tractors you will be pushing the limit on a 7000lbs trailer. The single axel brakes does fine, would not think about upgrading to double axel brakes unless you plan on a lot of trailering.

 

[DDT]

I have a Eagle brand trailer. 8'6" wide 18' dove tail, removeable ramps, stake pockets, wood floor, 10 ply tires, brakes on both axles. I really like it. It is a car trailer, a chevy suburban with running boards fits real nice on it. I found it 3 years old with new rubber, looks good to, paid $1100 for it. what a BARGIN, I chuckled all the way home.

 

[DavidH]

Grant: I've got a 16' custom trailer with tandem wheels, with one brake, with a 7000 lb. rating and trailer tires with 3500 lb. ratings each. I recently hauled my L3710 with front end loader and tiller 1200 miles behind my F250 diesel. I was worried before the trip, but I never noticed the trailer back there, and it hauled perfectly.

DaveH

 

[GrantMO]

Thanks to all who posted with their trailer advice. I will likely be getting some sort of trailer this spring but unfortunately my plan to replace or add to my 8N will be on hold for a year due to unforeseen financial snafus. I'll most likely be hauling my 8N and mower around. With the above advice I'll be in a better position when I look at some local outfits. Thanks everyone.

 

[Phred]

Von,

What would you estimate the total weight of your loaded trailer is? I have a nissian pathfinder and have almost come to the conclusion that its not enough truck to pull all but the smallest of tractors.....?