HOW DO YOU TOW YOUR TRACTOR?

[PHILIP8N]

Just found it!! Good god man, I HAVE been exceeding the limit. The way I understand it now, my Titan (4x4 tow package) is rated for 9,200# tow capacity as long as it is not a bumper hitch, and an actual tow frame style hitch (which mine is)....however (and this is what I missed the first time) ANY load over 5000# requires a WD hitch!!! WOW I did not know that. Thanks UpNorth1 and Philip8n !! Looks like I will be buying a Weight Distribution hitch on top of both Axle braking systems! Please tell me I havent missed anything elsemy billfold is running low on that green stuff! lol:hissyfit:

I have an F250SD and do not required WD for my load, so I cannot help any further here. I suggest you weigh your loads as I have suggested per my example so you clearly know where you are at, what you need to do, and what options you have. If you do not want to go WD, and if you have the capacity, see if Draw-Tite or another manufacturer offers a WC hitch for your Nissan with the proper specifications. If we knew your weights, we could help more. Just look at things like, what is your drawbar rating? What is your ball rated for? Is fuse installed for charge circuit to trailer break-away battery? Every vehicle and trailer is differenct, just read as much as you can. Good luck. Philip.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Just to add to the confusion: I tow a 7500# boat + trailer behind a 3/4 ton Suburban without a WD hitch.

The key as I understand it is tongue weight - too much makes the rear squat, unloads the tow vehicles front wheels and interferes with steering. Long-tounged boat trailers are typically run with much less tongue weight than shorter trailers - 5-10% instead of 15%.

To start a fight: I prefer properly-functioning surge brakes to electrics. (I bet I'm the only one around here) Probably because I've been dunking trailers into salt water for 40 years. I had the TuffTrailer I use to haul the BX built with Kodiak disk surge brakes and am very pleased with the performance. And easy maintenance.

Z.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Just to add to the confusion: I tow a 7500# boat + trailer behind a 3/4 ton Suburban without a WD hitch.

The key as I understand it is tongue weight - too much makes the rear squat, unloads the tow vehicles front wheels and interferes with steering. Long-tounged boat trailers are typically run with much less tongue weight than shorter trailers - 5-10% instead of 15%.

To start a fight: I prefer properly-functioning surge brakes to electrics. (I bet I'm the only one around here) Probably because I've been dunking trailers into salt water for 40 years. I had the TuffTrailer I use to haul the BX built with Kodiak disk surge brakes and am very pleased with the performance. And easy maintenance.

Z.

Yeah, electric brakes and continued boat launches, don't last too long. especially in saltwater

 

[PAPPASMURF]

I got a lot of homework to do to ensure I'm doing things right. Brakes are a must, so thats out of the way, but as far as the hitch and weight and all that...well I gotta do some figuring. I also have a letter to write to Kubota Corporation so wish me luck. Firefighter......The chains vs straps is a good idea.....I use 10,000# straps but would prefer the chain system. This is gonna sound funny but my dealer sells the 10,000# straps that are Kubota orange with the Kubota Logo on them, so I couldnt resist!! I was in the military (U.S. Air Force) years ago (not devuldging my age) and my job was to calculate and tie down tanks, helicopters, vehicles, and large guns on the decks of C-5 Galaxies,C- 141's, and C130's (Cargo Planes) and we ALWAYS used Chain systems, however some points were acceptable to use straps. Anyway....thats how I became partial to Chains. But that was before I owned a pretty Orange toy!:cool2:

 

[94BULLITT]

I agree, but the laws vary state by state, see link.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

I think it is crap to sell a 7K GVWR trailer without brakes, they know it is wong, but when the trailer leaves (empty), it is under 3K, so brakes are not required, no laws broken. I do like your idea of registering it though. But to be honest, most people in Indiana put 3K plates of a 7K trailer, and most people here put 7K plates on 3/4 and 1 ton trucks!

Now in PapaSmurfs case, that was down right illegal, because trailer was loaded above 3K, which breaks state law in Indiana.

But, before people just go hook a trailer and tractor to their 1/2 ton truck, they need to do their due dilgence for themselves and all the innocent people around them and learn about pulling a load. I am sure the Nissan or Toyota or whatever it is came with a manual with a section on towing a trailer. READ IT. Learn what GVWR, GCVWR, and maximum axle ratings are. Go to the truck scales, weigh all axles with and without load. Are these within specifications of your truck and trailer? What are the weight carrying and weight distributing limits on your hitch? Ratings on your tailer tongue and coupler? Drawbar? I am also sure that manual has a section on how to hook up an electric brake controller, the harness is usually in the glove box. Read up and learn, the information is out there, just have to look and educate yourself.

Philip

I understand what you are saying but if the trailers sold as a 7k it should have brakes. I believe the trailer manufacturer is it fault somewhat.

 

[94BULLITT]

I got a lot of homework to do to ensure I'm doing things right. Brakes are a must, so thats out of the way, but as far as the hitch and weight and all that...well I gotta do some figuring. I also have a letter to write to Kubota Corporation so wish me luck. Firefighter......The chains vs straps is a good idea.....I use 10,000# straps but would prefer the chain system. This is gonna sound funny but my dealer sells the 10,000# straps that are Kubota orange with the Kubota Logo on them, so I couldnt resist!! I was in the military (U.S. Air Force) years ago (not devuldging my age) and my job was to calculate and tie down tanks, helicopters, vehicles, and large guns on the decks of C-5 Galaxies,C- 141's, and C130's (Cargo Planes) and we ALWAYS used Chain systems, however some points were acceptable to use straps. Anyway....thats how I became partial to Chains. But that was before I owned a pretty Orange toy!:cool2:

You are alright with straps as long as you don't pull them over a sharp edge. On the front you could tie down around the front axle and use a axle strap. On the back since you have a back it may be best to chain it.

Here is a link to a axle strap. http://www.truckntow.com/c-146907-axle-straps.aspx

 

[wcampbell47]

PapaSmurf .. Glad the light came on. I was thinking you had not quite got the concept of tongue weight vs towed weight. Your tractor with FEL / BH is probably not more than 5,000 #. That requires brakes in your state, you got that. Now turn the tractor around, drive on and find the balance point that puts weight on tongue/hitch but not so much to make the front of the truck light - not more than 500 #. It really is that simple. A starting point could be to have someone with a ruler measuring the distance of the hitch to the ground. When you have driven sufficiently forward enough to lower the hitch by 2 inches stop. As said that could just be a starting point.

 

[PHILIP8N]

This is gonna sound funny but my dealer sells the 10,000# straps that are Kubota orange with the Kubota Logo on them, so I couldnt resist!! I was in the military (U.S. Air Force) years ago (not devuldging my age)

I bet those are 3300 pound straps. Most all 2" straps are rated 10000 pounds breaking and 3300 pounds SAFE WORKING LOAD LIMIT. Just pay attention to the safe working load limit so you don't get in trouble (confused).

You can't be that old, my Uncle was in the US Army Air Corp.

Philip

 

[PAPPASMURF]

Thanks to everyone for all the information and education. Thanks for all the links as well. I now have a good grasp on all of this, so my Orange toy and more importantly me and fellow drivers will be safe. This is what TBN is all about. :drink:

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I bet those are 3300 pound straps. Most all 2" straps are rated 10000 pounds breaking and 3300 pounds SAFE WORKING LOAD LIMIT. Just pay attention to the safe working load limit so you don't get in trouble (confused).
...
Philip

What Philip said. Just checked my 2" straps: 10,000#/3335# rated.

I use reinforced PVC hose chunks for chafing gear when the straps get anywhere something that isn't smooth, and hair-pin shackles strategically located on the BX frame for tie-down points. The shackles make a nice smooth landing spot for the straps.

Z.

 

[firemanmike69]

WD hitches do not have anything to do with hitch rating per say. its how the load is distributed to the tow vehicle. if you have a stable vehicle you can tow 10K with out it. My 3/4 ton crew cab chevy has a beefed up rear suspension, I rarley use a WD hitch on my 11K toyhauler. I really use the WD hitch set up to help with sway control...and of course a sway bar

The hitch may be rated for a certain amount of capaity with a relation to a WD use. but they are not required.

Seems to me that a WD hitch is a band-aid to not having the correct tongue weight/ enough towing capacity on the truck. I have never used one and I have never found myself having an issue with trailer tongue weight or sway. I would defiantly get brakes on both axles of your trailer get the tongue weight squared away and see how it tows before you go drop money on a WD hitch

 

[firemanmike69]

Deleted double post

 

[PAPPASMURF]

Seems to me that a WD hitch is a band-aid to not having the correct tongue weight/ enough towing capacity on the truck. I have never used one and I have never found myself having an issue with trailer tongue weight or sway. I would defiantly get brakes on both axles of your trailer get the tongue weight squared away and see how it tows before you go drop money on a WD hitch

Thats what I plan to do. I just cant get the fact that dealers sell these trailers with the tractor without brakes. Most states this is against the law, so I am going to write Kubota Corporation to see what they have to say about it. If I'm lucky, they may be willing to at least get brakes on my trailer. Am I over reacting to this? I dont think so, and yes before I get dogged out for not doing more homework before taking custody of my package (tractor/trailer), I do accept a little responsibility here, but to me the dealer should know about these things. most people dont drive their tractor home from the dealer like you would a car, so offering a trailer as part of the deal should be a safe, legal trailer....not just a "trailer" by definition. This is my first tractor ever, and if I were a dealer I would educate my customers as to what is safe with the expensive product the customer is buying. Another way of looking at this would be if you were a salesman of a riding mower at (lets say) Lowes. A customer comes in and buys a new lawn tractor from you and you offer them a free lawn tractor lift with the package. The customer gets home and discovers that the mower lift is not rated for the weight of the lawn tractor they bought. I would stand firm in my position that Lowes would be responsible to make things right with the customer....after all safety is compromised and because the salesman didnt give the proper equipment with the "package deal" to the customer I would think any of us would ask for things to be made right wether or not we did homework on weight limits or not before the purchase. Any constructive comments here?:confused3:

 

[Reyer Farms]

Well I don't see where it is kubota's fault. Is it a kubota trailer? Did kubota or your dealer offer the trailer? Either way it must be frustrating to be disappointed in such a costly investment.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I don't think Kubota will do anything about the trailer, but that he expects Kubota to put pressure on the dealer to stop this crap, and hopefully compensate the buyer. As PaPa admited, he should have done more on his side (truck prep), but the dealer has the reponsibility to provide a LEGAL trailer (with brakes) that abids by his states laws as he pulls off the lot. Philip.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

Well I don't see where it is kubota's fault. Is it a kubota trailer? Did kubota or your dealer offer the trailer? Either way it must be frustrating to be disappointed in such a costly investment.

I agree Reyer. Its not a Kubota trailer. I guess my way of thinking is that Kubota does authorize dealers to make "package deals" that include a trailer. Usually the trailer is a third party (local) trailer dealer, but its the dealer in my opinion that carry's most of the burden of liability since they are the ones putting the trailer to another use which warrants the passing along of information to the customer concerning safety. Kubota would most likely be interested in this information because they "authorized" this dealer to sell their product in this manner. Just my opinion here.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I guess my way of thinking is that Kubota does authorize dealers to make "package deals" that include a trailer.

No, I do not think Kubota authorizes this. No control and too much liability to oversee every little issue a dealer does. Dealer is not owned by Kubota, it is a local franchise.

Kubota would most likely be interested in this information because they "authorized" this dealer to sell their product in this manner. Just my opinion here.

Kubota did not 'authorize' this. But, I think they would be interested in knowing what they are doing, and could put pressure on them to do the right thing since thier name is associated with it.

Philip.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

You could be right Philip. I may be looking in the wrong direction here, but until I communicate with Kubota I wont know what restrictions they have on their authorized dealers. I do know that in the car world manufacturers (like Hyundai, Chevrolet, etc.) have gotten VERY strict with their dealers that they have authorized. I'm not saying they cant have any "play room" with deals, but this is not a "free television offer" if you buy a new Hyundai either...its a safety thing. I may not get anywhere, and I'm not trying to get something for free, or get compensated for my ignorance, but at least someone will know whats going on at the very least, and it may very well save someones life too.

 

[Reyer Farms]

Well I am not very versed on the agreements between the manufacturer and dealer. I see where going to kubota could have adverse effects with your dealer. I don't intend to imply that your concern is invalid, but it is possible that the dealer is unaware also. I don't remember reading you had already contacted them. Dealers sometimes are held to such a high standard, that as humans they easily fall short.

 

[PAPPASMURF]

Well I am not very versed on the agreements between the manufacturer and dealer. I see where going to kubota could have adverse effects with your dealer. I don't intend to imply that your concern is invalid, but it is possible that the dealer is unaware also. I don't remember reading you had already contacted them. Dealers sometimes are held to such a high standard, that as humans they easily fall short.

Very good point....I have a good relationship with this dealer, so it would probably benefit everyone if I spoke with them first. I might be suprised at what they are and are not aware of concerning the trailer. Great point Reyer...Thanks.