What is the smallest trailer I can get away with?

Jackrabbit_Slim · Jun 19, 2004

The Ford service guys here are really good to deal with. They told me they figured about 6000 lbs. was all I really wanted to haul with an F150 4X4.

Thought about a 16 footer, got the tape measure out and decided 18 was more practical in the long run. I'd rather have 2 feet I don't need than need two feet and not have them.

Worked out good for me. The manufacturer set me up with a 7000 pound 18 foot trailer for only a hundred dollars more than the 7000 pound 16 footer.

Weight wise, I can haul anything I want as long has I don't want too much at one time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif My postpounder puts me right up to about 5970 lbs. Loader and hoe at around 5700 lbs. (I think.)

True, you could go shorter, but you never know, down the road you might really appreciate something a little bit longer.

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 19, 2004

Slim is right. Even with my trailer, which I love, I'd change a couple things if I could. I'd make it a 24 footer instead of a 22 and make the axles 5,000 each instead of 3,500.

And, if I had that, I'd probably want something bigger yet. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RonR · Jun 19, 2004

Hi Bob,

I had some overriding concerns when I bought my trailer, a 5 x 14 with a ramp. I wanted it to fit in the garage (with the BX 2200 on it). I wanted single axle for several reasons: cost, short haul only, ease of moving it by hand.

I needed it to be narrow to fit in my backyard between the house and fence, so I had some overriding concerns.

Mine is a PJ Trailer, mfged in TX. It looks well built. Mine has angle iron rails that are removable, plus 2x4 stake holders. With this arrangement, I can remove the rails, build some sides, and have more of an enclosed trailer (especially with a tarp cover).

The ramp is easily removable if I want to.

I had to mod it a little already--I have a 5' BB that has an overall width that is wider than the rails. So I cut the rails behind the fenders. It might not look neat, but it is functional.

I am able to load a harrow over the front rail and still haul the BB, with 2200 and FEL.

If I were going long distances, and/or in hills, I'd have a longer tandem axle with brakes.

Your mileage might vary.

fishman · Jun 19, 2004

Bob,

The only reason I'd go smaller than a tandem axle 7k trailer 18' long is if that was physically too big for some dimension on your property. There is no question that my 20' (including dovetail) trailer requires more room to turn around than a 16', but I have the room, and regardless of what implements I have on my tractor, I can easily balance the load.

I wouldn't go shorter than a 16' unless the choice was between a 14' trailer or no trailer.

I have brakes on only one axle, and I have been unimpressed with their capabilities with max loads. If I were buying a trailer today, I'd seriously consider brakes on both axles.

hazmat · Jun 19, 2004

Sounds like 14' might be the right choice?


Nope. Get a 16' min. That's what I haul my TC18 on. You want a little manuvering room to get the fore-aft balance right (affects tongue weight). With the FEL & 4' cutter - the cutter tail wheel hung off the back. With just FEL, plenty of room.

What about axels . . . dual 3500#? 

Yup - be sure to get brakes on both axels.

8561 · Jun 19, 2004

Bob - I use a 16' dual axle (brakes on both) 7000 lb trailer with the last 2' dovetailed to haul my 2410. I have hauled it with a backhoe on as well as a boxblade. It towes great. My father pulls it behind his Ranger with no problems when he borrows it. I realize your 2910 is larger, but I still believe it is plenty of trailer. You might consider an 18', but I don't think it's necessary. Like you, I like to keep things smaller and more manageable rather than having to deal with more than necessary. I would definately stay with a 7000 lb as opposed to a 10,000. I borrowed a friend's 10,000 lb before I bought mine and it towed like a beast (behind my '03 GMC 1/2 ton 4wd with a 5.3 V8). It was way more trailer than necessary, and way more than I would own unless I had a much larger tractor.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 19, 2004

So 16' with tandem 3500# axles sounds like the minimum?

There would not be a rear cutter on any of the possible tractors because I no longer own own and have no desire to buy one. The largest rear implement would likely be a box blade, but more likely the most common implement hauled with a tractor would be a 3pt sprayer.

Tow vehicle will likely alternate between a Volvo XC-90 T6 and less often a Chevy 1 ton van with a V8 (not sure what size). I'd still like to go to a 14' trailer, mainly because the most common tractor hauled would be one of the garden tractors.

I just measured the B2910 with a box blade on it and it comes to 15' long. So I figure 16' would be the minimum.

hazmat · Jun 19, 2004

So 16' with tandem 3500# axles sounds like the minimum? 

Yup.

See below. The FEL Bucket was resting on the "front stop" don't know what to call it /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif - the tubing across the front of the trailer. Tow vehicle is 1/2 ton Ford with 5.4L V8 3.55 gears.

RickB · Jun 20, 2004

Hazmat, I just bought the same trailer in the 18' length. I like it a lot.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 20, 2004

HAZMAT thanks for the picture, that really put things into perspective for me.

It looks like IF I knew that I would never haul anything bigger than my TC24 then I could use a 14' even if I had the sprayer, tiller, or similar implement attached as I no longer have a rear finish mower or a rotary cutter. But the 16' footer would be ABSOLUTELY necessary to move the B2910 even if there was nothing attached to it.