which Kubota

[MChalkley]

Yikes! It's hard to believe a 27' travel trailer could weigh so little. My custom 24' flatbed three-axle Winston trailer that I haul my equipment on weighs almost 4,500 pounds - empty.

Mark

 

[Bird]

OK, JimBinMI, I seem to recall you mentioning not having a trailer to haul that Boomer, so I didn't know you had a little trailering experience. I haven't kept up with the trailering recommendations much in the last few years, but if I remember right, the 1989 1/2 ton Chev. (before the 4-speed overdrive transmissions) was rated to pull 10,500# with the 350 cu.in. (5.7L) engine and a 4.10 rear end (if you didn't have too much other load in the truck).

Bird

 

[Bird]

Yeah, Mark, it's amazing how light they can make some of the travel trailers. My 32' 5th wheel was aluminum frame and pretty light, but the manufacturers know that the RVers are going to load them up. By the time I put the optional generator, washer/dryer, air-conditioner, filled water tank, etc. it wasn't quite so light anymore. However, I was still only running 2,000 pounds on the pin and 7,300 on the axles. When I first got it, I had a 1 ton, single rear wheels, 350 engine, and 3.73 rear end; not bad, but not great either. It was a pleasure to drive, though, with the 1-ton dually, extended cab, 454 and 4.10 rear end, especially with the Gear Vendors (and after I replaced the 3,500 pound axles under the trailer with 5,000 pound axles, radial tires, and bigger brakes).

Gordon may know more than I, but I always guessed that about 75% of the travel trailers on the road are running over the GCVWR of the towing vehicle (and I wasn't one of them).

Bird

 

[W5FL]

I pulled a 20 ft travel trailer all over the US. It was 3400# empty. Pulled it with a Chevrolet Malibu Station Wagon after redoing the cooling system and using an equilizing hitch, then with an International Travelall. I pull my tractor with an old 88 Ford truck with a big 6 cylinder and 5 speed (gear naturally). The difference is the travel trailer pulled nicely at 80 MPH and never get the tractor above 50 MPH. A good brake controller is a must. Most people also don't pay enough attention to the hitch receiver on the car or the hitch mount to get one rated for over 10,000#.

 

[JimBinMI]

Wen,

You're really working that truck pulling that kind of weight behind it!

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[JimBinMI]

Bird,

My truck has the four speed overdrive tranny but I rarely pull in OD, usually, as recommended, I pull in 3rd. Can't imagine pulling 10,500 with that engine, even with the 4.10's!

The weight I posted with the trailer was "dry" with no options so you have to add water, LP, battery, air conditioning, awning, microwave, jacks, cargo, etc. Never had it weighed full but the trailer was rated to go up to 7,000 lbs.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

 

[MChalkley]

Bird - I'm sure you're right. From what I've seen, I think that at least the majority of the trailers on the road are over the GVWR rating. When I pull my tractor, I usually am, too, but I've got way more brakes than is stock on both the truck and trailer, way more power than is stock, etc. I've also had the truck re-certified for higher GVWR.

Mark

 

[gandalf]

Thanks for all of the advice, at least before the question got side tracked into brand loyalty, different auto trans types and trailers etc etc etc etc.

I agree with the advice to get something comfortable and big enough to do the job, so I'll go to the dealer and try a few models on for size. I'll also try the different types of transmissions too.

I won't worry about the rig to pull the tractor because I have a new Dodge 2500 with a cummins turbo diesel engine that has been modified by DIESEL DYNAMICS in Las Vegas, Nevada and puts out 306 HP and 610 ft lbs of torque to the rear wheels on their dynometer. The truck also has a DUNRITE heavy duty towing complete auto trans, low stall with all the goodies! 0-60mph 7.4 seconds! The trailer I use to haul is a 1999 PACE 25ft shadow, tandem, fully enclosed with drive up ramp and side door, electric brakes, heavy duty 6 lug wheels etc! I got it all---but I still need a tractor!! Thanks again, Sam

 

[W5FL]

Answers usually stay on topic for a little while. Hopefully you got a little valid data from everyone, but it all boils down to needs and wants and what if's. The more land you have the broader range of what if's. I have a lot of rocky soil and that makes everything cost more and take more power to just do things that would be simple in sandy soil. Every place has a different set of requirements. People actually move sometimes and the problems are suddenly different.

 

[Bird]

Aaah, now you threw another variable in there. How high's the roof on that trailer. You'll have to stay with a small enough tractor that the ROPS isn't too tall to fit into the trailer./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Sounds like a mighty nice rig you've got./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird