What is the smallest trailer I can get away with?

Bob_Skurka · Jun 18, 2004

I want to be able to haul my Cub and my Ventrac to and from my office on a periodic basis.

BUT, I figure if I am going to buy a trailer I should size it for the biggest toy, and that is a Kubota B2910 with FEL. So what is the smallest trailer I can get that will safely carry the B2910 . . . trailer length? . . . weight capacity?

Henro · Jun 18, 2004

Bob,

A post by RayBee in the past convinced me that should I buy a trailer for my B2910 an 18 footer would be the right size.

A 16 foot might work...but for the sake of 2 feet, why cut corners?

If I buy a trailer it will be an 18 foot with brakes on both axles I think. I suspect the difference between just good enough and pretty good is only a few hundred bucks...

Now perhaps someone with some real knowledge and experience will chime in... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · Jun 18, 2004

Bob, are you talking about only the tractor and FEL or will you have an implment on the back (3-point) of the tractor, also. I used a 16' trailer for my B2710 and that was just fine with the FEL and box blade or tiller, but while it did work with the brush hog, the brush hog was sticking out over the back end farther than I'd like. With no implement on the back of the tractor, you could even use a 14' trailer, but I don't think you'd like it. I think you'd be happier if you get an 18' trailer; two 3500# axles will do; 5000# axles are just that much better.

tough451 · Jun 18, 2004

16' would do as long as your not hauling it with a bush hog or any other implement. Unless you went with a Goose Neck than you could put your loader on th top deck and the implement should have plenty of room. At least thats what we do. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

JDGREEN4ME · Jun 18, 2004

I just bought a 7K tandem axle 18' car hauler with a dove tail that I use for my tractor. I had a 5K tandem axle 16' utility trailer but the weight capacity and length were cutting it too close.

ultrarunner · Jun 18, 2004

I recently towed my BX23 TLB 600 miles with my single axle trailer with 10 foot long rails. The loader was secured by chain to the "A" frame tongue and the Backhoe was secured with chain even with the rear of the trailer rails. Also, all four corners were chained.

My trailer is 40 years old and rated at 3600# gross. The trailer weighs 800#, leaving 2600# for payload. Over the years it has been used to haul cars as big as Ford Mustangs from the West Coast to the East Coast without incident.

I think having 8 ply or better trailer tires with at least one spare is very important as is always keeping the wheel bearings well packed with grease.

Bob_Skurka · Jun 18, 2004

From my home to the office is 17 miles.

I'd be looking to make 1 trip a year each way with the B2910, only sporting a FEL, no backhoe. It stays at the office all winter, comes back in the spring. Currently that makes the trip each year on my neighbors race car trailer.

I'd probably make 2 to 4 trips a year with the TC24D, with a FEL and a 3pt Spray rig. The TC24D is quite a bit shorter than the B2910.

I'd probably make 4 to 6 trips a year with the Ventrac and a blower or power broom, but that is a pretty small tractor. The Cub is pretty much stuck at the office, but it might make the trip every once in a while.

I'd really like the smallest trailer practical, for simple Point A-to-Point B transport.

Sounds like 14' might be the right choice?
What about axels . . . dual 3500#?

tough451 · Jun 18, 2004

I would go with dual axles but weight wise you may not need it. But It would pull a lttle better loaded than a single axle.

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 19, 2004

You've gotten good advice here. For that size tractor a 7,000# tandem axle trailer is probably what you'd want. You might be able to get by with a 16' if you're not carrying any implements. I have a 22' deck and have open floor in front of and behind my Deere 4200 with FEL and either my BH or my 6' Woods fiinishing mower attached to the rear. With nothing on the back I'm sure I could get by with four or six foot less.

KiotiJohn · Jun 19, 2004

Don't forget that what you're pulling the trailer with is all important. It's fine to put a big trailer on, but you need to know what the gross vehicle weight rating is for the pulling vehicle. If you get a really large, heavy trailer and put a lot of weight on it, will your tow vehicle be sufficient? Tongue weight and overall carry weight must be considered. John

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.