Trailering question
- Thread starter vicar
- Start date
- Views: 5255
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
Not sure those vehicles are considered 1/2 ton. I doubt it.
I think it would depend on your terrain. If you live in a hilly area it might not be a good idea unless you had brakes installed.
I know my full size 1/2 ton pulls my l3400 effortlessly, and more importantly stops it with no problems. Electric brakes are key when you are pushing your limits.
I think it would depend on your terrain. If you live in a hilly area it might not be a good idea unless you had brakes installed.
I know my full size 1/2 ton pulls my l3400 effortlessly, and more importantly stops it with no problems. Electric brakes are key when you are pushing your limits.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
Neither is vicars Nissan.swampvol 1* said:
His Nissan and my Nissan are the same truck.
The
Toyota
1986 Dodge D50
1989 Dodge D50
are in the same class as the Nissans.
The reason I'm questioning the advice given to vicar is because I've been warned over and over again on this and other boards not to use these import pick ups to trailer my BX23.
It just appears odd to me that nobody here has cautioned him about this but they have warned me.
RobJ
Elite Member
KeithInSpace said:
One might think a harmless looking Expedition with a 10,200# rated trailer might give the appearance of a tail wagging the dog and not be the ideal truck/trailer combination.
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
I've seen so many post here and other boards saying I need a 3/4 ton rather than a 1/2 ton that I've been thinking about getting a 3 / 4 ton and wouldn't even consider a 1/2 ton because I've been told so many times that a 1/2 ton isn't enough truck to handle trailering my bx23.swampvol said:
I'm a little
between the conflicting information.Maybe they think you're trailering all your bx's at the same time.
Seriously, my 1/2 ton is rated at 9k towing. Your bx with bh weighs ~2700lbs. Factor in another 1500-2000 lbs for the trailer and you're still under 5k....
Again I pull my l3400 just fine with the towing package set up on my 1/2 ton. If I had a grand L, I would be wanting a 3/4 ton.
Again, trailer brakes are key. But, if you can afford the 3/4 ton get it. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
Seriously, my 1/2 ton is rated at 9k towing. Your bx with bh weighs ~2700lbs. Factor in another 1500-2000 lbs for the trailer and you're still under 5k....
Again I pull my l3400 just fine with the towing package set up on my 1/2 ton. If I had a grand L, I would be wanting a 3/4 ton.
Again, trailer brakes are key. But, if you can afford the 3/4 ton get it. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
My thoughts on the truck thing:
I would not tow a 7,000# trailer behind a Nissan or D50 Dodge. Those are small trucks with empty beds (no weight) and smaller tires that could get pushed around by a trailer in an emergency situation.
I towed a 5,000#+ boat/trailer behind my 4Runner and it was VERY borderline. Didn't go over 4 miles distance in a tow and COULDN'T get over 50 MPH. Probably not safe enough. I had to swerve to avoid someone about 2 weeks after I got my Expedition...I was very thankful because if the same situation had arose while towing with the 4Runner, I would have been in real trouble. I'm certain of it.
A BX23 on a 7,000# trailer would be pushing about 5,000#.
I would never consider a 1/2 ton pickup without the tow package. WITH a tow package, I would not have a problem towing a fairly serious trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. Pretty obvious since I tow a fairly serious trailer with a thusly equipped Expedition, a 1/2 ton SUV.
A 3/4 ton is better, the big difference being the huge upgrades in the rear end, the suspension, and the transmission. But I don't see why a 3/4 ton is REQUIRED to tow a BX23. That simply isn't the case. A properly equipped 1/2 ton is just fine.
Regarding my Expedition looking like the "tail wagging the dog", I have to admit that it is a little odd (for me) towing a trailer that you could PUT the Expedition onto in a pinch. HOWEVER, having done a significant amount of research, I've learned that the Expedition has consistently higher tow capacities than a Suburban. I've seen Suburbans, Tahoes, Avalanches, and others towing VERY large trailers as well as some SERIOUS RV trailers...many dragging their rear bumpers on the ground, trailers poorly leveled, and none with the WD hitch or AS hitch installed.
Therefore, I feel OK having a trailer that weighs under 2,000# pulling a max of 4,000# load (~7,000# load for under 5 miles when hauling dirt/sand) when rated for significantly more. With the 300 HP engine, huge brakes, a great controller, and the WD hitch, I feel more "in control" of this trailer than I have of any other...and I AM in more control of my trailer than many on the road.
My point really was this: I can get an 8' x 26' landscape trailer rated at 7,000#, load 2 ZTRs held by two small nylon straps, a few push mowers, and a bunch of weed wackers, tow it behind an F150 and that is perfectly fine? And at the same time my 7' x 20' trailer with my chained down tractor and a WD hitch is begging for someone to pull me over? All I'm saying is that, while not perfectly optimal, I can point out a combination worse than mine every time I go to the grocery store. A
nd if it is the length that makes it look out of place, the extra 4' over a 7' x 16' probably weighs 200# tops. And it probably makes it safer since the axles are back more, further decreasing the chances for sway. Personally, I think of it as a Heavy Duty 7,000# trailer...not a 10,400# trailer.
I would not tow a 7,000# trailer behind a Nissan or D50 Dodge. Those are small trucks with empty beds (no weight) and smaller tires that could get pushed around by a trailer in an emergency situation.
I towed a 5,000#+ boat/trailer behind my 4Runner and it was VERY borderline. Didn't go over 4 miles distance in a tow and COULDN'T get over 50 MPH. Probably not safe enough. I had to swerve to avoid someone about 2 weeks after I got my Expedition...I was very thankful because if the same situation had arose while towing with the 4Runner, I would have been in real trouble. I'm certain of it.
A BX23 on a 7,000# trailer would be pushing about 5,000#.
I would never consider a 1/2 ton pickup without the tow package. WITH a tow package, I would not have a problem towing a fairly serious trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. Pretty obvious since I tow a fairly serious trailer with a thusly equipped Expedition, a 1/2 ton SUV.
A 3/4 ton is better, the big difference being the huge upgrades in the rear end, the suspension, and the transmission. But I don't see why a 3/4 ton is REQUIRED to tow a BX23. That simply isn't the case. A properly equipped 1/2 ton is just fine.
Regarding my Expedition looking like the "tail wagging the dog", I have to admit that it is a little odd (for me) towing a trailer that you could PUT the Expedition onto in a pinch. HOWEVER, having done a significant amount of research, I've learned that the Expedition has consistently higher tow capacities than a Suburban. I've seen Suburbans, Tahoes, Avalanches, and others towing VERY large trailers as well as some SERIOUS RV trailers...many dragging their rear bumpers on the ground, trailers poorly leveled, and none with the WD hitch or AS hitch installed.
Therefore, I feel OK having a trailer that weighs under 2,000# pulling a max of 4,000# load (~7,000# load for under 5 miles when hauling dirt/sand) when rated for significantly more. With the 300 HP engine, huge brakes, a great controller, and the WD hitch, I feel more "in control" of this trailer than I have of any other...and I AM in more control of my trailer than many on the road.
My point really was this: I can get an 8' x 26' landscape trailer rated at 7,000#, load 2 ZTRs held by two small nylon straps, a few push mowers, and a bunch of weed wackers, tow it behind an F150 and that is perfectly fine? And at the same time my 7' x 20' trailer with my chained down tractor and a WD hitch is begging for someone to pull me over? All I'm saying is that, while not perfectly optimal, I can point out a combination worse than mine every time I go to the grocery store. A
nd if it is the length that makes it look out of place, the extra 4' over a 7' x 16' probably weighs 200# tops. And it probably makes it safer since the axles are back more, further decreasing the chances for sway. Personally, I think of it as a Heavy Duty 7,000# trailer...not a 10,400# trailer.
Last edited:
LBrown59
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2004
- Messages
- 16,831
- Tractor
- 2003 Kubota BX1500/2004 Kubota Bx23/2005 Kubota BX1500
swampvol said:*Maybe they think you're trailering all your bx's at the same time.
Seriously, my 1/2 ton is rated at 9k towing. Your bx with bh weighs ~2700lbs. Factor in another 1500-2000 lbs for the trailer and you're still under 5k....
Again I pull my l3400 just fine with the towing package set up on my 1/2 ton. If I had a grand L, I would be wanting a 3/4 ton.
Again, trailer brakes are key. But, if you can afford the 3/4 ton get it. It certainly wouldn't hurt.
*Naw that was way way B 4 I got the 2 BX1500s.
If I have to go to a bigger bulkier more cumbersome full size pick up I might just as well go with a 3/4 ton.
Besides I'd like to have a dump bed and I could haul heaver loads with a 3/4 ton over a 1/2 ton.
Wish I had such a truck and trailer for my BX23 right now as there is somebody giving away free fill dirt.
The only rub is you have to load and haul it yourself.
This is the second time I've missed out on free dirt because of the truck and trailer situation I'm in.
