b3200 with FEL and BH77 backhoe on 16' trailer?

Teikas Dad · Apr 21, 2016

I'm shopping to get a trailer to transport my B3200 with the FEL and BH (BH77) mounted. Will a 16 foot flatbed trailer handle this OK or do I really need to go to an 18 foot trailer? I prefer to keep the trailer size as small as possible keeping safety and load distribution in mind.

Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated!

CDN Farm Boy · Apr 21, 2016

I'm sure lots of guys here will say to go with the 18'. I would suggest getting the trailer dealer to let you load up and give it a test drive to see what you are happiest with. I've towed mine with the same BH on 14', 16' and 18' and they all work fine by my standards. I also know that I can crowd it into a 12' dump trailer (without considering tongue weight)

trihounds · Apr 22, 2016

I have the same setup and tow mine on a 16'. Works perfectly.

Tompet · Apr 22, 2016

I have similar setup and went with 18' (16' + 2' dovetail) 7k trailer. It functions ok, but if I were to do it over it would be 20' (18' + 2' dovetail) 10k trailer.

I understand your concern about keeping it small as possible, but the trailer gets short quick.

beckmurph · Apr 22, 2016

This is my experience.
With an 18' trailer you will be able to put fel flat on the deck.
You will also be able to put the backhoe bucket on the deck with out having to swing it to the side.
A 16' trailer will position your tractor farther to the rear of the trailer and take some weight off your tow vehicle.
Also, if you load your tractor with fel and bushhog on an 18' trailer, you will only have the tail wheel hanging off the back of the trailer.:2cents:

arkydog · Apr 22, 2016

i have same tractor setup as yours. get the 18 foot. i have 20 ft car hauler and have 2ft wasted space with tractor and bh on it. if you can afford it, get the trailer without the sides rails. heavier duty without rails and have stake pockets and d-rings added.

beckmurph · Apr 22, 2016

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Teikas Dad · Apr 22, 2016

Thanks all. beckmurph, that photo was worth 1000 words! I'll go with the 18' trailer, pricing out aluminum trailers as it will keep my total towed weight down. I know aluminum are more expensive than steel but if I can get what I'm looking for in aluminum within $1000 of the steel trailer it's worth the extra cost to me.

Hammer Head · Apr 23, 2016

Teikas Dad said:
Thanks all. beckmurph, that photo was worth 1000 words! I'll go with the 18' trailer, pricing out aluminum trailers as it will keep my total towed weight down. I know aluminum are more expensive than steel but if I can get what I'm looking for in aluminum within $1000 of the steel trailer it's worth the extra cost to me.

Good choice with the 18'. Good luck with your purchase.

Teikas Dad · May 19, 2016

beckmurph said:
View attachment 465760

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beckmurph, quick question for you. Are you using a weight distributing hitch on your setup or just going with the receiver hitch and balancing the weight with tractor position? I've got the trailer picked out, it's an 18' X 6'4" landscape trailer that weighs 1750 lbs. The B3200 TLB weighs in at 3400 lbs bringing the whole setup at 5150 lbs. I've got a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 6k tow rating and also might tow the trailer with my Toyota FJ Cruiser. Only problem with the Toyota is it's got a manufacturers tow rating of 5k lbs. The GMC has 180k miles on it and I need to take the trailer 275 miles a couple times. The Toyota only has 50k on it and is in much better shape. Trying to decide the best way to handle the whole thing. Thanks.