Moving a large boat trailer?

[cscpianoman]

I have a BX23s and am in the process of a getting a 24ft boat - total weight of trailer and boat is about 6500lbs. I know many here can thread a needle with their truck/trailer, but the dilemma I have is a 24 foot wide dirt road at a 90 degree right before my driveway and my driveway which has two pillars on either side that are extremely narrow. I have no problems getting this with a 16ft trailer, but the additional 10ft of trailer is going to be daunting at best. The grade is flat.

The question - I know the towing capacity of the BX23s is limited - especially compared to the 6500lbs boat/trailer, but all I need it to do is make the turn. Once there, I can hook the truck back up and complete the travel down the driveway. The other option is to get a Trailer Valet vs a ParkIt360, but those options are several hundred more and since I have the tractor - why not use it if I can.

Thoughts?

Chris

 

[Fallon]

If its flat, give it a shot. At worst you wont be able to pick it up or lack traction. If there was any slope, you could get in trouble quickly. I bet your machine will do it on flat reasonably hard ground though.

At the proper 10-15% tongue weight you are looking at 650-1000lbs. Which your 3pt can probably lift. May need some ballast in your bucket though

 

[bcp]

I would do it, but make a circuit and switch to apply the trailer brakes if needed. Even flat, that is a lot of momentum to push the little tractor around.

Then I would re-arrange my entry so I didn't need the tractor.

Bruce

 

[Scook222]

Depending on the tongue weight and mounting it to the drawbar you should be fine. I would hook the tractor to the boat and see how much the tractor squats. If you have a loader have alittle extra weight in the bucket. I have moved a 21 foot pontoon boat with all aluminum floor on trailer around the yard to be back in into a tight spot with my L2501 several times. I just take it slow and avoid having the tractor at a extreme sharp turn where the trailer is close to the tires. When I first started to move the pontoon I was surprised how little weight was on the drawbar because the boat is balanced very well on a single axle trailer. It pulled better than a lot of logs I have drug with the tractor.

 

[Deere Dude]

Tractor Data shows a 680# lift capacity for a cat 1 hitch, if I read it right. If the tongue on the trailer is above that it might not work anyway. Towing the weight shouldn't be a problem on the flat.

 

[cscpianoman]

the dirt road is compacted and the driveway is asphalt going into concrete. The tongue weight is supposed to be about 750lbs. Though hopefully, the weight will be well balanced since it is a tandem trailer. I was thinking of this as an add-on - Quick-On Receiver Hitch

We are thinking the pillars - which are super ugly - need to go

 

[atsah]

If it were me I would add ballast to the 3pth and move it with the loader in reverse. If you can lift the tongue off the ground enough with the loader making the turn will be a breeze being able to steer the trailer.. We move hay wagons this way all the time. Chain it good..

 

[cscpianoman]

this is a way old picture from 2013 from Google Maps - told ya the pillars were ugly. The tree and junipers are gone. thanks for all the awesome replies. So far, it seems using the tractor is not a terrible idea. I have every intention of taking it slow.

 

[cscpianoman]

If it were me I would add ballast to the 3pth and move it with the loader in reverse. If you can lift the tongue off the ground enough with the loader making the turn will be a breeze being able to steer the trailer.. We move hay wagons this way all the time. Chain it good..

I would likely leave the back hoe in place - essentially this would be - drill a hole and place a hitch ball, correct?

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

this is a way old picture from 2013 from Google Maps - told ya the pillars were ugly. The tree and junipers are gone. thanks for all the awesome replies. So far, it seems using the tractor is not a terrible idea. I have every intention of taking it slow.

View attachment 597080

Looks to me like you have plenty of room across the entrance of your driveway. The other side of the road is wide open. With half way decent towing mirrors on your truck, I can't see this being an issue at all. And that's assuming you have to back it 90 degrees into the driveway (as opposed to a "pull through" type drive).

I would call this a non-event, and just use the truck.

 

[rgr33]

If it was me, I’d remove those pillars and clean up the entrance. Then you should be able to get in and out without the hassle.

 

[atsah]

drill a hole and place a hitch ball, correct?

You could but I would want to make sure the loader will lift the tongue safely before you alter anything.

 

[cscpianoman]

Looks to me like you have plenty of room across the entrance of your driveway. The other side of the road is wide open. With half way decent towing mirrors on your truck, I can't see this being an issue at all. And that's assuming you have to back it 90 degrees into the driveway (as opposed to a "pull through" type drive).

I would call this a non-event, and just use the truck.

Sadly, the other side of the road is no longer wide open. the google image is from 2013 and a lot of undergrowth has taken over. there are a ton of hedges now in the way.

I certainly could be making a mountain out of mole hill. I am not inexperienced when trailering though I like to over prepare. A 20ft truck plus 26ft boat/trailer on a 24ft wide can still be intimidating. What I didn't want to happen is get the boat home have trouble threading the trailer and end up with hedges all over the truck. If anything, having a back-up option in that event would be awesome. I agree with the trailer mirrors though. Another thought I had was either backup cameras or a go pro. An awesome spotter would also do the trick, but my wife has never trailered or really even driven a truck. Also, getting rid of the pillars would make this even easier. thanks for the input - I will be giving it a shot with the truck for sure.

Chris

 

[cscpianoman]

You could but I would want to make sure the loader will lift the tongue safely before you alter anything.

Point well taken. I think what I am going to do is get the hitch adapter from Bxpanded - take slowpoke slim's advice and try to work it with the truck. If this fails - then at least get the corner taken care of. And lastly, get rid of the pillars. For $89 for the adapter and with several trailers, it will get it's use If that fails, I will try the front-loader approach.

 

[atsah]

I built one of these, it's nice to be able to lift tongues up an down.

 

[fried1765]

I have a BX23s and am in the process of a getting a 24ft boat - total weight of trailer and boat is about 6500lbs. I know many here can thread a needle with their truck/trailer, but the dilemma I have is a 24 foot wide dirt road at a 90 degree right before my driveway and my driveway which has two pillars on either side that are extremely narrow. I have no problems getting this with a 16ft trailer, but the additional 10ft of trailer is going to be daunting at best. The grade is flat.

The question - I know the towing capacity of the BX23s is limited - especially compared to the 6500lbs boat/trailer, but all I need it to do is make the turn. Once there, I can hook the truck back up and complete the travel down the driveway. The other option is to get a Trailer Valet vs a ParkIt360, but those options are several hundred more and since I have the tractor - why not use it if I can.

Thoughts?

Chris

The best option is obviously to buy a new.... bigger..... tractor!

 

[cscpianoman]

The best option is obviously to buy a new.... bigger..... tractor!

Hmmm, I will not disagree with you, but I just paid this one off! And sadly, I think the next size up will be a bit too big for the lot. This one has been a gem and absolutely perfect for my scenario. We got a ton of snow this year, in addition to hip surgery. the tractor saved my bacon soooo many times! It is definitely getting it's use.

 

[grsthegreat]

why not lift with the loader. i move a 30' 5th wheel horse trailer with mine. If the tongue weight is only 600 pounds, i would thing you should be able to lift that.

 

[cat fever]

Are you pulling in or backing in?

 

[cat fever]

The best option is obviously to buy a new.... bigger..... tractor!

It sure would make getting the entrance bigger a cake walk.:laughing: