Anyone use a car trailer for hauling a tractor?

[Teikas Dad]

OAL on a B3200 (without the TPH) is 99.2 inches. That leaves me 20 inches of extra space on the trailer. I use the trailer (Big Tex 35SA, GVR 2995/trailer weight empty 910 lbs) for my Yamaha Rhino which weighs 1100 lbs and is 113 inches long without any issues. With the shorter length of the B3200 (bare tractor) I think that will work for me for transporting just the bare tractor. I wouldn't try to squeeze it on the 10 foot trailer with the loader and backhoe attached, I may be dumb but I'm not stupid.

 

[s219]

I wouldn't try to put the tractor with the loader and backhoe attached on the 10' trailer. I was referring to just the tractor alone. The Kubota specs list the B3200 (tractor only) at around 1763 lbs. The FEL is 492 lbs, the BH 850 lbs. On my calculator that adds up to 3105 lbs, but I rounded up to 3200 just to keep it simple. No, the rear tires are not loaded so I don't have to contend with that weight.

That's still not going to work. You'd have no fore/aft adjustment to get the tongue weight right. The tongue weight capacity of the vehicle is equally important to the gross tow rating. Too much or too little and the vehicle will be unstable on the road.

Whatever you do, make sure you get a trailer with brakes and a brake controller. Very important for loads of this size.

 

[Teikas Dad]

OK, now I get what you mean...I didn't catch the tongue weight part when I read your other post.

 

[94BULLITT]

I wouldn't try to put the tractor with the loader and backhoe attached on the 10' trailer. I was referring to just the tractor alone. The Kubota specs list the B3200 (tractor only) at around 1763 lbs. The FEL is 492 lbs, the BH 850 lbs. On my calculator that adds up to 3105 lbs, but I rounded up to 3200 just to keep it simple. No, the rear tires are not loaded so I don't have to contend with that weight.

Tow vehicle is a Toyota FJ Cruiser with a listed towing capacity of 5000 lbs. It has a Cat 2 hitch on the truck already. I know of other people towing boats that weigh in excess of 5000 lbs (boat and trailer) with an FJ with no problem, but I wouldn't. With my luck I'd have an accident and the insurance company would disavow all knowledge of my activities because I was towing over the listed rating.

I guess my other option would be to check into renting a trailer and a tow vehicle seeing that it's only once or twice a year that I'll need it.

I appreciate all the input and suggestions. You guys give a lot of points to ponder, thanks.

Dont forget about the buckets. They are not included in the weight of the loader.

 

[Soundguy]

i see many using old uhaul trailers doing hte same.

if spacing is correct.. should be fine.

I play with trikes alot now.. so open center is a no-no for me..

car hauler trailers are probably more common than standard lowboy or deckovers for the average weekend warrior tractor hauler/owner.

Anyone ever use an open deck car trailer for hauling a tractor? Like this:
View attachment 289011

This type of trailer is lighter than the wood deck utility trailer and would tow easier with my vehicle.

 

[Teikas Dad]

I hear you S219. Trust me, I don't want to end up in a ditch someplace or on the front page of the newspaper either. I'm actually thinking about trading in the SA35 on a larger Big Tex trailer (tandem) if I can keep the total GVW within the 5000 lb range. If I can't then I'll come up with a Plan B that will work safely.....maybe a Uhaul trailer pulled by a Uhaul truck.

 

[s219]

I hear you S219. Trust me, I don't want to end up in a ditch someplace or on the front page of the newspaper either. I'm actually thinking about trading in the SA35 on a larger Big Tex trailer (tandem) if I can keep the total GVW within the 5000 lb range. If I can't then I'll come up with a Plan B that will work safely.....maybe a Uhaul trailer pulled by a Uhaul truck.

I had deleted my post because I felt like a nag, and that's not my intention, but I think you understand anyway. Definitely take a look at a 7x16 tandem-axle landscaper with heavy-duty gates. That's what I use to tow my B2920 within the 5000#/500# capacity of my vehicle, and it works perfectly (including the FEL and various rear implements). It's also good for many other uses, and has great resale value if I ever decide to sell (I've had at least 4-5 landscapers and grounds crews come up and ask me to tell them if I ever sell).

 

[Teikas Dad]

I had deleted my post because I felt like a nag, and that's not my intention, but I think you understand anyway. Definitely take a look at a 7x16 tandem-axle landscaper with heavy-duty gates. That's what I use to tow my B2920 within the 5000#/500# capacity of my vehicle, and it works perfectly (including the FEL and various rear implements). It's also good for many other uses, and has great resale value if I ever decide to sell (I've had at least 4-5 landscapers and grounds crews come up and ask me to tell them if I ever sell).

First - you are not a nag - I truly appreciate the input I get from you and everyone else here on the forum. I'm an old dinosaur, but I don't know how I ever bought anything or did anything before the internet! The advice that you and other members have given me so far will help keep me from getting in trouble. I'm new to the tractor game so I've got a lot to learn!

 

[94BULLITT]

I think that will make a pretty good load for a FJ. If you only do it a few times a year on take it easy you should be okay. It may not be a bad idea to install a trans temp gauge so you don't get it hot.

 

[s219]

First - you are not a nag - I truly appreciate the input I get from you and everyone else here on the forum. I'm an old dinosaur, but I don't know how I ever bought anything or did anything before the internet! The advice that you and other members have given me so far will help keep me from getting in trouble. I'm new to the tractor game so I've got a lot to learn!

Heh, I remember showing up at the Kubota dealer and asking what tractor I could haul in my 8' trailer, and they gave me a polite version of the "you must be dumber than a bucket of mud" response. Luckily they set me straight and everything has gone smoothly.

 

[dstig1]

I'd open your options. What other things can you do? Perhaps rent a SS or tractor there as it may be cheaper than the gas to tow one, if the use is short. If not, then maybe look at 2 tow vehicles to take everything. Another option is renting a larger truck to do it. But if you are needing to go this alone, then you need some degree of buffer in having a tow vehicle and trailer that are fully capable by themselves. You are bumping up against the limit, if not over, of the vehicle you have. If you were talking about 5-10-20 miles a couple times a year that would be one thing, but 270 miles indicates lots of highway or, worse yet, country roads. You want to be able to handle emergency situations with that setup.

Don't try to just get by. It isn't worth it.

This has been a public safety message of the TBN Safety Police! :cop:

 

[Soundguy]

if needing to do this move with any frequency.. having a real trailer and tow vehicle might be nice..

I'd open your options. What other things can you do? Perhaps rent a SS or tractor there as it may be cheaper than the gas to tow one, if the use is short. If not, then maybe look at 2 tow vehicles to take everything. Another option is renting a larger truck to do it. But if you are needing to go this alone, then you need some degree of buffer in having a tow vehicle and trailer that are fully capable by themselves. You are bumping up against the limit, if not over, of the vehicle you have. If you were talking about 5-10-20 miles a couple times a year that would be one thing, but 270 miles indicates lots of highway or, worse yet, country roads. You want to be able to handle emergency situations with that setup.

Don't try to just get by. It isn't worth it.

This has been a public safety message of the TBN Safety Police! :cop:

 

[Gary Fowler]

When I started looking at towing tractors with FEL / backhoes etc, I started looking at rental trailers and couldnt find anything that would haul 4000 pounds of tractor. I ended up getting a 20 Foot car hauler with dual 6K axles with brakes on both axles. I pull with a 1500 series Chevy and have a good towing weight but limited bumper load. I find that the 20 foot trailer allows me to balance my load correctly on the trailer without overloading my bumper. I have hauled my B 26 Kubota TLB 250 miles without hardly a notice that it was behind me. I also hauled my 8500+ pound LS P7010 with FEL to and from dealer @ 70 miles each way without issue. The trailer is 2900# but pulls so well that you can forget about it when empty but with almost 12,000# of weight(trailer and tractor) behind you when the LS is on it, you can sure tell when you are going up even a slight grade. Empty towing, I get about 21 MPG fuel economy but loaded with the LS it drops to about 10MPG. I wouldnt look at anything less than 18 foot for towing a tractor with implements. This leaves you some wiggle room for balancing the load.