Trailer Questions For Kubota BX1500

[aczlan]

Looking at that manufacturer, you would save $500ish and a few hundred pounds by going to a single axle trailer with brakes. The BX1500 will weigh at most 1800# with a mower and loader installed and a 3000# (3500# axle, registered for 3000#) single axle trailer will be in the 800-1200# range when empty. Just a thought.

We have a 6x10 lansdscape trailer and I think that a 14' would give you room to positon a BX1500. Ours gives you room to just fit the B7500 or BX2660 if the loader, blade or tiller are installed (you can choose to load forwards or backwards to shift the weight). or enough room to shift a little when you have just the tractor.
The spot where the tractor ends up is perfect for our trailer when behind the the Dodge 1500 we normally pull it with.

Do you have a place nearby that rents utility trailers? It might be worthwhile to rent a single axle trailer for a partial day and load your tractor on it to see how it pulls down the road.

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Looking at that manufacturer, you would save $500ish and a few hundred pounds by going to a single axle trailer with brakes. The BX1500 will weigh at most 1800# with a mower and loader installed and a 3000# (3500# axle, registered for 3000#) single axle trailer will be in the 800-1200# range when empty. Just a thought.

We have a 6x10 lansdscape trailer and I think that a 14' would give you room to positon a BX1500. Ours gives you room to just fit the B7500 or BX2660 if the loader, blade or tiller are installed (you can choose to load forwards or backwards to shift the weight). or enough room to shift a little when you have just the tractor.
The spot where the tractor ends up is perfect for our trailer when behind the the Dodge 1500 we normally pull it with.

Do you have a place nearby that rents utility trailers? It might be worthwhile to rent a single axle trailer for a partial day and load your tractor on it to see how it pulls down the road.

Aaron Z

With all due respect that is not a good idea. Its running on the ragged edge and in this case you are using a 6,000# truck where he is using a 4,000# truck. Big difference. I have towed the same 21' 3,500# boat on single axle trailer then later on a dual axle trailer behind the same Trail Blazer and there was no comparison. You can get by with one yes, but there in only $200 savings and the resale and safety aspect of a stock size (16' landscape trailer) its really the only option in my eyes.

My 18' tandem axle 82" wide 7,000# GVWR landscape trailer weighs just 1,250# when new. I had added a strap/chain box, slide in ramps, winch, and spare tire and mount and its still under 1,500#.

Chris

 

[Robert_Parent]

Thanks for all the responses? Just when a guy thinks he is getting close to making a decision a bunch more issues surface, better now than later though!

Yes, the Ridgeline has a towing limit of 5K as noted. It has a transmission cooler and I installed the trailer kit for electric brakes and have the controller wired, just needs a screw to hold it in place. I think I am set on this part of the adventure for now.

I know a single axle would likely work, but I am sold on a tandem for the variety of reasons already mentioned, mainly safety. Not looking for a cheap way out but rather something I buy once and use for many years.

Have not given much thought to aluminum trailers but will research those a bit. I understand the logic of suggesting aluminum over steel. The budget for a steel trailer I guessed to be in the $2500 range. If aluminum can be had for lets say a $1000-$1200 more that is not really an issue, much more then it would impact the general toy budget so would require a little more thought!

Looks like a 14 foot minimum length with 16 if one could keep the weight down and also fit it into the garage. (I had to remodel the shop to fit the milling machine so really don't want to rebuild the garage for a trailer!) I could see adding a rear blade or maybe using my cultivator but nothing beyond that so the length issue is worth considering for the future, good point.

Does anyone have experience with drop axles??? It would appear that being closer to the ground would have stability advantages, any thoughts???

Thanks again, I really appreciate all the insight as this is my first trailer ownership adventure.

Robert

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have drop axles on one of my boats and they do not seem to stay aligned. I have had to have it down at $70 per axle twice now. Never had a issue with any strait axles. The only way I would get drops again is if I had a height issue or ramp angle/loading the tractor issue. This can happen on tractors with belly mowers.

I would stay with the 16' trailer for a number of reasons but mainly it gives you room to grow, easier to balance the load, and much more desirable for resale.

Chris

 

[Will_C]

You should be able to find an aluminum trailer for 43700 or so if you do some shopping. I just bought an 18' utility trailer for $4700- that included 6k stowable ramps, LED lighting, a tongue jack, and I had 4 recessed D-rings installed. Pricing aways tends to be higher in the Northeast.

Will

 

[MESSMAKER]

I pull my BX2200 on a 16' 72" wide tandem axle landscape trailer with Aluminum ramps (6' long), electric brakes on 1 axle, wood floor, and the trailer and ramps empty weigh in at 1600lbs. The length makes it easy to adjust tongue weight. Where I place the tractor depends on whether the loader is on it, and whether I have a 3 point attachment (plow, disc, sprayer, planter, etc) on it as well.

Drive up on the trailer and park where the trailer tongue starts to squat the Ridgeline at the rear a couple of inches, and that should be just right!

Sounds like the way to go.

 

[Baucom]

You can buy a steel 16' 7K landscape trailer for less than half the price of that aluminum trailer. I don't see the advantage in this situation--he really isn't pushing the limits with a BX1500 on a 16' steel landscape trailer. Mine weighs 2K, so even with an implement on the back he's still right around 4K for the tractor and trailer. He can find lighter wt. 16' steel trailers pretty easily and save a few more pounds (not that it's really necessary) by getting slide in ramps instead of a tailgate. It really shouldn't be too tough to get a 16' 7K steel trailer that weighs ~1500# in the $2000 range.

You should be able to find an aluminum trailer for 43700 or so if you do some shopping. I just bought an 18' utility trailer for $4700- that included 6k stowable ramps, LED lighting, a tongue jack, and I had 4 recessed D-rings installed. Pricing aways tends to be higher in the Northeast.

Will

That BX1500, even with a FEL, really doesn't weigh that much more than a large GT like a JD X748, it just has a larger footprint, causing the OP to need a longer trailer than the avg. single axle in order to balance his load. If a couple hundred pounds or so makes or breaks his ability to safely tow the load then he has much bigger and more important considerations than steel vs. aluminum.

 

[Robert_Parent]

I just wanted to thank everyone here for helping with my trailer selection a couple months back. I ended up with a Triton, all aluminum, 14 ft, dual axle, electric brakes, built in WI.

Triton AUT1464-2, tandem axle trailer for hauling two ATV's end to end.

Being it's winter with a couple feet of snow it will likely be spring before the Kubota gets it's first ride. I think aluminum was the way to go as the Ridgeline is not a big power house. The trailer pulled great and the electric brakes and brake controller all worked as expected even on the snowy roads.

Thanks Again,
Robert

 

[RayCo]

How much did it cost, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Robert_Parent]

How much did it cost, if you don't mind my asking?

$4250.00 out the door with tax, tags... Not exactly cheap for most, but I am happy. There were cheaper all aluminum trailers from other mfgs but I really liked the quality and how this one was put together.

Robert