Trailer Suggestions?

[rmonio]

(I posted this as a response in another thread - however, because of the small window associated with the State Fair pricing, I wanted to make sure I was able to get feedback. Thanks!)

-------------------

Hello -

I'm currently looking at an 18' trailer that a local dealer in ND manufactures. The trailer is $1795, can be linux-coated (rubberized coating like you see on truck liners), and has all the features you'd want in a 7000lb trailer. The total price I'm looking at with the spring-loaded drop jack, linux-coating, etc., is around $2100.

It is manufactured by ABU Trailers - Dwight, ND. Specs include:
-Dovetail
-3x5x5/16" angle mainframe and hitch
-Tandem axle - 2 3500# axles
-electric brakes
-wrap around hitch
-2" A frame coupler
-Stored ramps
-2x8 plank floor (Fir)
-2x4 stake pockets
-Tear drop fenders
-82" between fenders
-6' removable front rail
-Breakaway kit
-battery - installed
-lights/reflectors
-safety chains
-new 215 /75R15 tires & white spoked wheels

They are showing these at the Minnesota State fair - knowledgeable members of the family have all said this was a great buy for the trailer. Any thoughts? Is this a good price?

(BTW, my JD4600 w/ FEL is 15' long. If I add my 72" deck, it will be over 18'. I don't think this will be a big problem as I don't expect to haul the mower anywhere and the other implement's I'm looking at are smaller (box blade, for example)

Thanks for the feedback!

-Bob

 

[Turfman]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Mine is a 16 footer, spring loaded heavy jack, same features without the dovetail. Heavier frame and axles, and rated at 10,000 pounds. With the spare tire and 7 dee rings it was 2,200.

How heavy is your tractor with attachments? I could have gotten away with a 7,000 pounder for my B2710, but got the 10,000 lbs unit instead. With the tractor, loader, box blade and landscape rake my weight is getting up there. I imagine that your Deere is a lot heavier than my little Kubota.

 

[Egon]

It does sound like a nice trailer.
My only thoughts concern size as one always tends to overload and require more room as time goes on.

Egon

 

[rstcso]

Keep in mind the 7,000 lbs is the total weight of the load plus the trailer.

 

[ddl]

my trailer is 18 foot dovetail with all the things you list except the rubber what ever. I got it new for $1400. Sounds like you sould drive to KC for a trailer.

Dan L

 

[mikim]

I had a 16' trailer and wished I had a longer one --- I bought an 18' and wish I'd bought a 20' -- When I haul my brush hog & tractor - I have to hang a flag out 'cause the brush hog sticks out past the back 2 - 3' ---- It sounds like a good deal - but make sure it's enough trailer for you. keep in mind too that with a dove tail you lose carrying space.
mike

 

[cowboydoc]

I would seriously consider a 10k trailer. You will be surprised how very quick you are overloaded with the 7k trailer.

 

[Hoeman00]

Hello rmonio;
I replied in your other post but wondered where u live (fill in bio).
I bought a 20' flat deck trailer in central OH (no dovetail to drag around)
2 7k axles w/ brakes
6' pin on ramps
1.25" white oak floor
82" between fenders
stake pockets w/ rub rail
10" head board
7k hd jack
7" channel frame and tongue
4" cross members
weight 4000 lbs.
w/o tires and wheels $2050 (I had my own)
w/new 265 r 75/16 10ply tires and wheels $2450.

 

[rmonio]

Thanks for all the feedback. One of the reasons I went with the 18' was due to the size situation (with the tractor, loader, and the length of my mower deck factored in) - even then, because the 72" mower deck is 5ft long, it would extend over a bit.

In figuring weights, I thought that if a trailer was rated for 7K pounds that only the weight of the things riding on it could not exceed that number. That being said, the 4600 FWD tractor weighs 3450lbs alone and I'm not sure what the 460 Loader or 72" finish mower weighs. How do I find this out?

I don't plan on having much larger stuff or carrying much more - I figured the price was right for the size of the trailer, etc.

[I've now attached a picture - the one I'm looking at is black with the linux-coating... you can see more of them at the following website: http://www.eddybauersales.com/new_inventory.htm -- scroll down and you'll see their trailers listed - they are local to me here in Minnesota through the Interstate Dealer in Fergus Falls, MN]

I appreciate your feedback - thanks!

-Bob

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a link to a trailer that I bought a few weeks ago.<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/46-181037-trailer1.jpg>
Click here for picture </A>

18' car hauler.
Full steel deck.
3500# axles
stored ramps
stake pockets
electric brakes with breakaway feature
new tires and rims
Crank down jack

Sound very similar to yours except for the steel deck and jack differences.
Paid about the same as you.

The Axles are rated at 3500# each. Since the trailer rests on the axles, you have to subtract the weight of the trailer from the total load capacity. Mine weighs 1500# so I have a usable load rating of 5500#. I'll bet your 4600, FEL and mower will be close to that limit. You might want to look at a heavier capacity trailer.

 

[Hoeman00]

I didn't see weight on JD web site.
Owners manual should have weights.
3450# shipping weight need fuel, oil, and mud added on
NH loader about same size 1100#
Woods 6' RFM 500#
Any ballast in tires or wheel weights
for FEL ??
Trailer weight 2000# ?
3450
1100
500
2000
-----
7050# on trailer
minus tongue weight 500#
6550# u would be at max weight.
Distance hauled and roads will make difference.
I would atleast go for heavier C or D range tires.
Less wishy-washy on highway.

 

[rmonio]

I've checked the manuals for both the JD and the Buehler Finish 72" mower deck. There are not weights listed for the FEL or the mower.

Where else may I find the weights? Although I don't think I'll ever take the mower with me, what are the comparable weights for a BoxBlade or other implements?

I don't want to buy TOO big a trailer - but I also don't want something too small. 7000#/19' is quite a bit of trailer for the weekend junkie that I am. I don't plan on hauling this anywhere but to our cabin and that is infrequent and wouldn't use any of the implements other than the loader.

Any more thoughts from the JD folks out there? I once asked for an FAQ comparing implements, their stats, companies making them with reviews, etc.. I'd still like to get something like that as it would sure be nice when it comes to tracking this kind of thing down.

Thanks again for the help!

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

I can't add the picture after I've made the original post (?). Here is the picture of the trailer from the website (http://www.eddybauersales.com/new_inventory.htm)

Thanks!

-Bob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Comparing trailers by remote -- looking at basic specs (length, axle capacity, etc) -- isn't enough. Any region of the country has enough independent dealers for you to check out on-site other features that will make/break your long-term satisfaction. For example:
- Wood planks should be treated, not painted
- D-rings in the corners are invaluable
- Undercoating is mandatory (real protection, not a fast-pass with the spray-gun). I've had 2 trailers rust out from underneath my equipment.
- Protected wiring under the trailer
- Ramps that are stored so rust doesn't cause them to stick in-place
- "New, radial tires" doesn't mean good tires
I've got a 4700 w FEL, 400 lbs wheel weights, other add-ons, bringing total weight to 5500-6000#. I do occasional trailering on a 7000# trailer with auto-type tires, and I know it's too much. Will go to a 10K eventually.
jim

 

[MJB]

I looked up the weight of the 460 FEL and the JD272 72" RFM in my handy dandy JD Grounds-care Equipment Purchasing Guide (available from your friendly local JD dealer) last night. The shipping weight for the RFM was listed as 670 lbs. The 460 FEL was listed at 890 lbs. It was not clear on the FEL whether or not the weight of the standard bucket was included in the total./w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif If you think you might get a backhoe someday, the shipping weight of the JD48 hoe is listed at around 1500 lbs. If it were my decision, I would go for a 10K lb trailer. Hope this helps.

 

[rmonio]

Thanks for all the feedback. I went back to the trailer dealer with the revised estimates on weight and length and here is what they are saying:
-18' Length
-12K LB
-8-Ply truck tires, 6K per axle
-Linux-coating on all exposed metal on trailer
-10K drop leg jack
-drop stands

$2580.00

This provides for coverage on the heavier loads, gives me the length I need, and has the features of the previous trailer. I've attached a picture also (although the linux-coating sprayon will look different). Given what everyone has been saying, what are you thoughts on this - in both price and capability?

Thanks in advance everyone - your feedback has been incredible!

-Bob

 

[MJB]

Looks really stout. I like the jack setup and the adjustable height on the hitch. Is the deck treated lumber? Where are the ramps stored? I can't tell from the picture if is has a beaver tail or not. I prefer trailers without the beaver tail since they tend to drag on the ground fairly often on rough terrain. I once had the beaver tail on a trailer catch on a railroad track at a crossing./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Made a heck of a racket, but luckily no damage other than to my heart.

 

[rmonio]

The trailer comes with treated lumber and the ramps are stored on shelving under the tail. There is no beaver tail involved - nor do I want the ramps on the back being foldups as I am nervous about them dropping back (saw a weld do that once) and making that racket that you described.

Thanks for the feedback!

-Bob

 

[rmonio]

Well, I worked with the trailer sales folks and arrived at what I believe is a fair price for the 10K trailer. Included in the price is a 10K drop jack, linux coating, integrated jack lift on the front rail, drop stands for the back, tuck-under staired ramps, and 225x16x8PL tires. The total price is $2580 and takes about 4 weeks to manufacture.

With this trailer I should be able to haul my 4600, FEL, and an implement or two - besides for being able to use it for other things also. Fortunately my 40x60 polebarn still has alot of room as I'm starting to fill it up with all of these new toys.

Thanks for the feedback and help everyone. I'll let you know how things go with the trailer.

-Bob

 

[Turfman]

Post a few photos when you get it. Your pole barn is bigger than most houses here. I'm jealous. We are building in a sub-division and I get a nice shop, but it MUST match the house, so the square footage gets smaller to have a brick building that looks like a house. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif