Trailering a 1700

[sirgknight]

Does anyone trailer their tractor with a single-axle trailer? I would like to have a trailer for my 1700 but I do not want to go to the dual-axle if I don't have to. My maximum travel distance will be 30 miles or less and I do not have a heavy duty towing vehicle that would handle the much heavier trailer. I want something safe but at the same time something that would be a little easier to handle by myself. I would be towing with a compact SUV 4-wheel drive vehicle. Thanks for your input.

 

[cfoxmd]

I have a FX28D. Almost 4000 lbs. I tow with a jeep grand cherokee, but its on a 2 axle trailer. I go the back roads (no interstate and only go 15 miles). Its within the range of the V8 towing capacity of the vehicle, but it I wouldn't want to go far with it. Add up the weight of the tractor and trailer and see if it is within what your manufacturer recommends.

 

[ducksjunk]

If your SUV engine is smaller than 3000 cc then it could be a lot of work for it. Try borrowing a single axle car trailer and tow a small car on it. see how that works. Most car trailers are heavier than you will need.
A tandem axle trailer doesn't need to be excessively heavy, but will give more stability, & easier loading.

 

[blackd]

I towed with a single axle tilting (means axle is in the middle) trailer. BAD, BAD, BAD idea. Almost lost everything, tractor (FX24D), trailer, and truck (Nissan 4X4 V6). Got an inexpensive landscape trailer (duallie) & never had any problems or concerns.

One thing to consider when hauling a tractor is what implements are you taking with you. That effects length & should be considered when selecting a trailer.

BTW dual axles make a GREAT difference in stability & many come with brakes which is VERY important.

 

[mark777]

Gotta go with what blackd said. I have tried it both ways and with the single axle no brakes, it was pretty scary. Went to the end of my street and brought it back home.

Around here there are plenty of dual axle trailers with brakes for sale (cheap). I found a 16' tilt bed, two axle with single brakes and controller for $1K. Works perfect. Sure like the idea of driving on and off without detaching implements.

Mark

 

[Soundguy]

Back when I bought my first tractor.. my 1700, I knew nothing about them.. or hauling them.. heck.. didn't even have a trailer, and only had a ford ranger as a truck.

The old crusty neighbor that lived near me was halping me and I borrowed his old heavy single axle trailer.. this sucker was old.. had those 'widow maker' style split rims. Lots metal and lumber in the trailer.. so weight was no problem.

Got the tractor loaded.. tractor filled the trailer. Tounge weight on the truck was wrong, and made my front end a tad lite. It had no breaks either. I too only had about 5 miles to go, so I just drove slow with the hazards on. Stopping distance was doubled. In short.. I didn't like it. Get a cheap dual axle trailer if you can at all afford it. Even if you get a 14' and narrow job instead of a more standard 16' 'car hauler'.

I think it will be money well spent.

Soundguy

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( towing with a compact SUV 4-wheel drive vehicle )</font>

Don't do it.

Like Soundguy, I brought home my 'new' Yanmar with an undersized tow vehicle because that's all I had. (1988 Trooper - 3650 lbs, 125hp 2.5 l. These had a heavy truck-like suspension, not spongy like an Explorer). In 15 years it had always done everything I asked of it. I had towed my 1800lb tent trailer all over the west - Death Valley, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Victoria BC. I thought I understood its towing capability pretty well.

I rented a a top quality 4 wheel trailer (U-Haul car hauler with surge brakes) and it handled flawlessly. However the sense of inertia from towing 5000 lbs behind a vehicle rated to tow 2000 lbs was simply terrifying.

I tried a test panic stop after I left the seller's driveway and the stopping distance was excellent so I proceeded to take it home to the ranch - 100 miles, 2/3 freeway and 1/3 55mph two lane highway. No traffic, no excitement, nothing unusual except it took a full minute to get from 50 mph to 57 on the empty freeway.

Would I do it again? No, I wouldn't even tow it anywhere for service with that rig. Next time will be a tow vehicle from U-Haul to pull their trailer.

 

[Inspector507]

Just my experiences, but I trailered my 1700 with RFM numerous times on a 12' single axle landscape trailer, no problems. It just fit, but I never had a problem.
Oh yeah, this was behind an F250SD and more recently an F150 SB.

 

[sirgknight]

General concensus is dual axle - I think I already knew this. Guess I just needed someone to make me make the proper decision.....I'm not that easily pursuaded, but I try not to be too hard-headed either.....Thanks everyone.

 

[normde2001]

If you have a pickup truck, according to the YM240 sales brochure, (per "California"), that tractor, larger than the YM1700, was designed and sized to be hauled in the bed of a pickup truck.