How fast with a canopy?

[roadhawk]

The NH I'll be picking up is about 650 miles away and on the ROPS it has a fiberglass canopy. Will that hold up OK on the trailer at highway speeds or will it break, or act like a sail, or?

If I put it down will "down" be far enough to get it out of the wind or will it be acting like a big speed brake?

Do I just need to take it all the way off and figure out a way to put it on the trailer safely, or is it collapsible enough to fit into my Suburban (NH TC40D)?

 

[kthompson]

I have Kubota fiberglass canopies and have trailered them about 55 mph for a few miles, but 650 miles? I would take mine off. If you met a big rig running at 70 and you were also running there that could be a big shock wave hitting it.
Can you not place in between the front wheels and rear wheels on the trailer it is on and strap it down?

Just as I was about to hit submit, remembered they hauled my CUT with the canopy on it about 80 miles to me. No interstate so legally 60 was max speed limit.

 

[roadhawk]

Can you not place in between the front wheels and rear wheels on the trailer it is on and strap it down?

I haven't seen it yet so that might be the answer.


I didn't consider the suction then poof of a big rig zooming by. Good point.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I tow my tractor all the time. When I first got it I pull the tractor on forwards. I now back it on because the weight is better distributed on the trailer and I noted the canopy rides much better. So my simple answer is just back the tractor on and you should have no problems.

Chris

 

[buck12]

I pull my tractor with canopy at highway speeds with no problems.

 

[Builder]

If you want to be sure the canopy won't blow off and you can't back the tractor on, just throw a rope over it and tie the rope ends down to the tractor as an insurance policy.

I know how you feel, I hate driving with a heavy load and being unsure it's properly secured.

 

[nickel plate]

If you want to be sure the canopy won't blow off and you can't back the tractor on, just throw a rope over it and tie the rope ends down to the tractor as an insurance policy.

I know how you feel, I hate driving with a heavy load and being unsure it's properly secured.

I do exactly as you have advised but with a flimsy old Cushman golf cart lid. Works great.

 

[Hematite]

I just took my T2310, same as TC40DA, with canopy for a 3 hour ride at speeds up to 65mph and there is no problem. When up, the canopy cuts the wind with its leading edge. I also had some concerns originally, but you will have no problem at all.

 

[KB9UDE]

When I had my JD 5203 utility tractor I would throw a ratchet strap over the canopy for safety.

 

[roadhawk]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling better about it now.
For those of you that put the "just in case" straps on it, did the bouncing/rubbing cause any damage to the fiberglass?

 

[Hematite]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling better about it now.
For those of you that put the "just in case" straps on it, did the bouncing/rubbing cause any damage to the fiberglass?

Considering the abrasive nature of nylon straps, that is a VERY good question.

 

[KB9UDE]

I never had any problems. I used a 2" nylon rachet strap

Thanks for all the replies. I'm feeling better about it now.
For those of you that put the "just in case" straps on it, did the bouncing/rubbing cause any damage to the fiberglass?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Just tow it backwards and be done with it. Keep it simple, it works!

Chris

 

[kthompson]

I had never thought about putting a strap or tieing it to tractor. That sure seems simple. Backing it on makes sense also.

 

[roadhawk]

I've been playing around with the tractor and all the implements on my family's place trying to learn the tricks and techniques they've learned over the years so I haven't taken "the trip" yet. I had to tow it to the dealer for a couple of days and at the low city speeds there wasn't any issues with the top or anything else, and it was good practice learning the new brake controller, balance point for good hitch load, etc.

I asked the dealer about long tows and he too suggested that if I was going to go that far and hit highway speeds, that I back it on to keep the wind from putting all that pressure on the top. So, after all the good comments here, and from the dealer, I'm going to try to do it backward as long as I can fit everything else on the trailer that I need to. If I can't, I suppose I'll just have to go S L O W E R than I was already planning on going.

 

[Hematite]

Frankly, I don't see how there would be the slightest difference in the effects of wind on the canopy whether it faces forward or backward. Maybe I'm not aware of something that is changed by being backwards.

One thing that I will warn you about: the dynamics of tongue weight and where the load is carried on the trailer WILL be changed by putting the tractor on backwards. It's pretty cavalier to think that nothing will be changed by doing so. I would recommend checking how the weight is distributed on the trailer by putting it on backwards before making any high speed trips.

 

[Diamondpilot]

How can you not see there is a benefit for the canopy by towing backwards? When forward the wind can get under the leading edge and fold it back breaking it. Towing in reverse you do not risk this.

Chris

 

[Hematite]

How can you not see there is a benefit for the canopy by towing backwards? When forward the wind can get under the leading edge and fold it back breaking it. Towing in reverse you do not risk this.

Chris

If you're talking about the very front edge of the canopy, it would have to be made of paper mache to be so weak to bend. So, yes, if you have a VERY poorly made canopy, that COULD happen. In that case, remove it altogether would be the only safe thing to do. Thankfully, mine is very well built, apparently.

 

[skipmarcy]

I agree with Chris, most canopies I've seen, including mine are slightly angled up at the front and can catch the wind easier than if it was reversed. I couldn't load my tractor backwards because of the weight issue but have hauled it much at speeds of 55 - 60 mph for shorter distances. When I loaded it up to haul from Fl. back to Tenn. here I took the canopy off though, I didn't think it would be safe at 75 mph and with gusts from semis it could easily have folded her back. Mine has an excellent angle iron frame and good solid mounts to the ROPS and a heavy gauge steel roof but it's not indestructable.

 

[Builder]

I agree with Chris, most canopies I've seen, including mine are slightly angled up at the front and can catch the wind easier than if it was reversed. I couldn't load my tractor backwards because of the weight issue but have hauled it much at speeds of 55 - 60 mph for shorter distances. When I loaded it up to haul from Fl. back to Tenn. here I took the canopy off though, I didn't think it would be safe at 75 mph and with gusts from semis it could easily have folded her back. Mine has an excellent angle iron frame and good solid mounts to the ROPS and a heavy gauge steel roof but it's not indestructable.

If there was a concern that the canopy was really flimsy and the tractor was reversed onto the truck, the canopy could also "flap" in the wind and be damaged.

Either way, strap it and drive without sweating.