Trailer north or south

   / Trailer north or south #1  

garth466

Silver Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
162
Location
Arlington, WA
Tractor
John Deere 3120
The guy that dropped my new tractor off suggested that I only tow it backwards on the trailer because of the canopy. It seems pretty stout and I could swear that the salesman told me it would hold up fine all day long on the freeway facing forward.

Maybe this guy had something happen to him. Which way do you point the tractor enroute?
 

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   / Trailer north or south #2  
Now I sure don't know about that particular canopy, but I had a homemade canvas canopy on my B7100, then a Wells Ag Co. steel canopy on my B2710 and I hauled both of them facing forward on the trailer; never had a problem
 
   / Trailer north or south #3  
I tow mine at highway speeds. Canopy instructions suggested towing backwards so I do. It's not any more trouble and I don't worry about it.
 

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   / Trailer north or south #4  
Towing backwards also will protect the headlights and grill from rock and road debris damage.
 
   / Trailer north or south #5  
When you tow your trailer backwards...how much of an increase is there on your tongue or pin (gooseneck) weights?
 
   / Trailer north or south
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I towed it backwards on a borrowed 12' dump trailer and it seemed to work fine. I think that trailer starts out so heavy, I hardly noticed it after loading it.
 
   / Trailer north or south #7  
I trailer ROPS forward, canopy pointed aft, always, even though I'm pretty sure either of my machines could take the air pressure of being trailered canopy forward. I just don't want to take the extra risk.

A speeding big rig passing close by in the opposite direction can generate a tremendous blast. No reason to needlessly subject the canopy to something like that.
 
   / Trailer north or south #8  
PaulChristenson said:
When you tow your trailer backwards...how much of an increase is there on your tongue or pin (gooseneck) weights?


Great point! If i towed backward, the tongue weight would be extreme. Can't do that. Your tractor may be ok, but measure the rear bumper height before putting on the trailer, and with the tractor on forwards and backwards.

jb
 
   / Trailer north or south #9  
A plain tractor is one thing but if you have an implement like a brush mower attached then you may be forced to put your heavy tractor way to the rear of the trailer which will lighten the tongue of the trailer and make it sway. You always want the heavy end on the tongue if there must be a heavy end.
 
   / Trailer north or south #10  
I trailer my Branson with FEL and brush hog backwards. The brush hog rests on a 4x4 at a steep angle and sticks out over the front end of the trailer a bit. The 4x4 is strapped to the top of the trailer side rails. It all balances quite nicely.

Besides, it is the only way I can get 24 feet of equipment onto a 20 foot trailer. :p
 

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