Let me pass on my "life experiences" with trailers. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Up until a few years back, I TRIED to get by hauling a 6500 LB tractor, along with the occasional implement, on a 16' "car trailer", rated at 10,000 GVW. The tractor barely fit WITHOUT anything hooked to it. When trailers are "rated" for a given GVW, that doesn't take into consideration a 1600 lb bush hog hanging 6' over the rear of the trailer /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Also, I had to run the tractor all the way to the very front of the trailer, loading about 3000 lbs on the bumper (actually a reciever hitch) of my 1/2 ton truck. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Not a pretty picture here..... On a number of occasions, I was read the riot act by local police. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Then the D.O.T. joined in on the party... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Fast forward to the day when I bought my new trailer/heavier truck! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Not only do you need a trailer big (long) enough to fit your tractor on, it needs to be long enough to be able to position the tractor so you wieght the rear of your tow vehicle in accordance with it's capacity. That usually means staying just forward slightly of centered over the trailer axle(s).
I now use a 25' gooseneck, behind a 3/4 ton truck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif When loading, I try to get maybe 1500 lbs "tongue weight" The balance of the tractor/implement weight is carried on the trailers 2x7000 lb axles. The trailer is long enough so that with a 7' bush hog attached to the tractor, I'm still 2' forward of the back of the trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif D.O.T. likes it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I'd HIGHLY recommend getting a trailer MUCH bigger than you HAVE to have. It may set you back a few bucks more, but D.O.T. fines are costly. Even if it's NOT a commercial vehicle, you still need to comply with certain saftey regs. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
And to add to the raging storm... You need to make sure that your trailer will comply with any FUTURE laws/regs pertaining to hauling on public highways. In other words.... Go over-kill! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif