what tractor do you tow with compact truck?

shadoe · Mar 27, 2006

I've heard some good stories on towing.
I wanted to know what size tractors people tow with their compact truck. (Also if there was any special setup?)
Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

KubotaSteve · Mar 27, 2006

I've towed a Massey Ferguson MF-135 with rotary cutter with a Chevy S-10. The S-10 did have the heavier payload package and electric brakes. I only towed on short trips, less than 20 miles. You definitely had to keep on top your game when pulling that rig.

ronjhall · Mar 27, 2006

I tow my B2910 with FEL and BH with no problems. Behind my 2003 AWD Astro Van. It has a 4.3 V-6. Seems to be a good match. But I do not have any mountains to climb either.

daTeacha · Mar 27, 2006

I've had a B7100 with loader and heavy 4' bush hog plus a Cadet 109 sitting on trailer behind a Dakota for a 60 run up to my daughter's new lot. Trailer is a homebuilt tandem with small (8") high pressure (80 psi) tires and a wood deck. The trailer is about 1000 lb, the 'bota, loader and hog about 1600, and the Cadet probably about 250. I wouldn't want more than that behind the Dakota for that long a trip.

BillG_in_TX · Mar 27, 2006

I regularly tow my L345 and 5' cutter behind a 1996 B4000 with the towing package. It's only about 5 miles from my in-laws place (where I keep the tractor) up to our property, all on county roads. There's a pretty steep climb involved, but the 4.0 V6 handles it fine.

18KwPower · Mar 27, 2006

Make sure you have a twin axle trailer with trailer brakes.

Don't exceed your tow capacity for the vehicle. Otherwise if something happens causing trouble... You'll likely be fishing the tractor out of the ditch or have some other kind of manglement.

make sure you load the heaviest part of the tractor (engine &loader) forward of the trailer axles so that you always have weight on the hitch. Do NOT ever back your tractor onto the trailer. Tie the tractor frame down to the trailer frame...

Personally, I won't be hauling my tractor (BX2230) anywhere unless I have a full size truck and tandem axle trailer with electric brakes. I've spent enough on the tractor and loader, that I don't want to have any chance of problems.

Make sure you have "replacement value" on your insurance coverage.... Just incase something does happen when you are towing.

-Dave

KentT · Mar 27, 2006

I pull anything with my V-8 Dakota that I pulled with my Ram 1500... in fact, it tows much better. I have a 14 foot tandem trailer with electric brakes and most importantly, a load-levelling hitch. I've hauled about 3500 lbs of garden tractors and such about 1500 miles (see pic below) and I regularly make 900 mile trips hauling first a little Kubota with loader and now my Power Trac 425....

Stay within the tow ratings of your vehicle, use a tandem axle trailer with brakes and by all means use a load-leveling hitch.

Road trip to Minnesota/Wisconsin

keeney · Mar 27, 2006

I hauled my JD 4100 with mower deck home from Ohio to Minnesota on my 10' single-axle utility trailer with my V-8 Dakota (older '91 style, before "Magnum" engines). Trailer was easily less than 3000 lbs gross (rated at 3500). Was fine.

Same truck used to haul my 5000 lb boat combo with some overheating.

Have since upgraded truck and trailer, but same tractor and boat.

- Rick

mrtractor · Mar 27, 2006

What is a compact truck ?

A web page I made just for this subject. Click play on the player.
It shows pics of a Dodge 3500 crew cab duelly with a 53 foot long trailer and 3 5500lb china made TLB on it.
It also shows my truck and trailer.
I got a refund for snapping the tractor in half.
I am still shopping for a replacement tractor.
Mean while I use my compact truck to tow my other compact truck. . from this web page

rico304 · Mar 30, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I've towed a Massey Ferguson MF-135 with rotary cutter with a Chevy S-10. The S-10 did have the heavier payload package and electric brakes. I only towed on short trips, less than 20 miles. You definitely had to keep on top your game when pulling that rig. )</font>

How much does your Massey Ferguson MF-135 weigh? Those things look rugged/heavy... I'm impressed if it weighs what it looks like it weighs!