Trailers

[CMV]

I have a basic landscape type utility trailer w/ 2x 3,500 lbs axles, brakes both axles, 16', with reinforced and spring assist gate. Was great for my small tractor and thought I'd get by with the new one, but wasn't considering 900+ lbs of loaded rear tires.

I have 5400 lbs capacity subtracting trailer weight from axle rating which is right at what new tractor + FEL are.

So am wondering...... how big a deal is it to have a tractor that I can't move on my own? Dealer is < 15 min away and can get it if it breaks (for a fee I'd assume). I don't have any immediate plans to take it off my property for anything - other than maybe friend's nearby land <2 miles away that would be easier to just drive there vs trailer it. Figure as soon as I decide to NOT have a capable trailer that's when a family member 6 hrs away will really need help

Other than being real tight w/ 16' length, can I just replace my current 3500 lbs axles, springs, wheels, & tires with ones rated for 5k or 6k lbs? I can get around the gate/ramps not being able to hold the tractor with a set of skid steer ramps from Northern Tool. That seems like it would be a lot cheaper than buying an 18'-20' equipment trailer rated for 12-14k lbs. Just don't know enough about trailers in general to know if that would be possible or safe.

 

[bcp]

What else do you use the trailer for?

Figure as soon as I decide to NOT have a capable trailer that's when a family member 6 hrs away will really need help

Is that^ a reason you should buy a new trailer?

Bruce

 

[LouNY]

Well you do have a small cushion, don't forget how much tongue weight that you have, your truck is carrying that.
On top of that if you take good care of your wheel bearings and keep your speed realistic the main concern would be your tire ratings,
for just a limited amount of trailering I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[CMV]

Only other thing I really use trailer for is basic stuff that a smaller utility trailer would be fine for. IBC totes with water - but I was keeping those way underfilled due to tractor lift capacity. Otherwise, run to Lowe's and get a pallet of something, take bulky items between my land & house. Anything my 6' truck bed can't fit well.

I do prefer to take the tractor from my land to the house to do service just since it is much more convenient. No utilities at my land, working in a field, fewer tools there. Other than hassle of trailering from A to B, much easier to do any type of work to tractor in my driveway with an engine lathe and milling machine 15' away if I'm making something. But that's only a 15 min ride - take longer to load/unload the tractor than the drive.

 

[BLSXJ]

you shouldn't just upgrade the axles of your trailer, because now the frame/ coupler will be the weak link.

I'm in the same situation you are with a 7K car trailer. I'm starting to figure out that if some one "needs" my help and equipment.... they can spring for the cost of transport.

 

[CMV]

I could just opt to not fill the rear tires. Do a lot of loader work so would prefer they were, but this tractor is already considerably heavier than my last so other than loader counterbalance don't think I need the weight. Can make my current ballast box much heavier than I have it now.

Other stuff is a lot of 'what-ifs?'. Like, what if I puncture a tire - would hate to pay dealer to transport just for something simple like that. BUT the cost of an equipment trailer covers probably a lifetime supply of paying the dealer to move it for me.

Will see. Dealer I got it from is going to give me trade in value for it. Maybe that will offset cost of replacement enough that it makes sense.

 

[Teachu2]

If it just needs to go in for a tire, leave the loader behind. You'll drop much more weight than the loaded tires. It only takes minutes to dismount/mount, and it's a really good time to clean and lube it. If you need to go six hours away, rent an equipment trailer.

 

[wagne223]

I am in the exact same situation. Tractor with loader and Box Blade and tires filled is right at 5500#.

Add in trailer itself, and I am at the rated limit.

So, having a 3/4 ton truck I simply rest the bucket on the front rail of the trailer giving me about 900 lbs of tongue weight.

I do however keep tires fresh and maintained and keep the wheel bearings greased and adjusted.

I also drive a max of 65 mph.

If taking it for service I would leave the bucket and counter weight off. Assuming you have SSQA.

 

[George2615]

I was in the same boat when I upgraded from a 26HP to a 36HP tractor. With the new tractor my 20' 7K tilt bed trailer was overweight by about 800 lbs. The 7K was also overloaded whenever I hauled a full size pick up or other vehicle over 5K in weight.
Replacing the axles and springs is not going to change the trailer manufacturers GVWR. In my area the dealer charges $80 (40 each way) for pick up and delivery. That fee varies due to distance from the dealer.

I started shopping for a 10-12K trailer and figured going to a 22' length would also be better for my uses. I looked for about 6 months and could not find a 10-12K anywhere. Finally the last dealer I called said He also did not have any 10-12K trailers in stock because they are his most popular sellers but he did have a leftover prior year model 22' tilt bed rated at 14K which he would sell me for $300 more than than the 10 or 12K which he'd have to order so I went with that. The 14K allows me to load just over 10K on the trailer. I have my CDL but my 3/4T truck and 14K trailer keeps it well under the 26,000 CDL requirement.

If your used 7K trailer is in decent shape you should be able to sell it outright very quickly and apply that to a larger trailer with more capacity. I sold my 7K on CL in less than a week. I only use my trailer about 15-20 times a year but its there when I need it and I know it can safely handle whatever I can put on it.

 

[ning]

I simply rest the bucket on the front rail of the trailer giving me about 900 lbs of tongue weight.

Note that some places don't allow "tongue transfer" to be subtracted from the trailer GVWR; a trailer may be weight with scales under the tongue and wheels; while other places will just weigh under the wheels with the tongue attached to the tow vehicle.

See this thread for more...