Trailer... rigid or leaf Springs?

Bpawb · Nov 6, 2005

hi, I came across a pretty good deal on a trailer for hauling my Kubota 3130.... Anyhow it is a rigid trailer (no suspension).

I have had a rigid trailer in the past that was fine when I was hauling racecars.... But I am just curious if it would be okay to haul a tractor on a non suspension trailer?

Thank you,
Paul

Farmwithjunk · Nov 6, 2005

On a trailer with no springs, the TIRES become the suspension. With enough weight, you'll be doing things to the tires that they weren't intended to handle.

I've haul things on unsprung trailers myself, but can't imagine going back to one again.

Marlowe · Nov 6, 2005

It's kind of like hitting something with a two pound hammer, compared to hitting it with a two pound bean bag. Suspension takes the shock out of it.

A deal's only a deal when you get more than what you paid for.

Tom

Bird · Nov 6, 2005

A rigid trailer for a race car? But the car presumably had a suspension that absorbed some of the shock. I've no doubt you can haul your tractor on a trailer with no suspension, but I'd sure hate to do it myself. I'd either look for another trailer, or do some modification to add a suspension to the one you're considering.

skipmarcy · Nov 6, 2005

Don't think you'd be happy at all with that trailer hauling a tractor. Alot of dense weight in the tractor to be hopping up & down with the trailer, probably wouldn't last too long either. As already mentioned, the tires would really take a beating, would need to be at least 8 or 10 ply and that's going to make the trailer ride even stiffer, not to mention the dangers if the tires leave the road on really rough surfaces. Stick with a suspension trailer for a tractor.

Doug_Myerscough · Nov 7, 2005

Depends on how far you usually haul and what kind of roads. If you're just taking short trips on good roads you don't need to worry - if you plan on pulling your tractor through rough fields and bad roads, you need suspension or you'll rattle the thing all to hades.
If you most often have good roads but very occasionally have to haul on bad ones with no suspension - lower the air pressure in the tires and go slow.