Best trailer for a BX23

[hennydamule]

Hey All,

Just read through a trailer post with a lot of different opinions, so I'm hoping to come to some sort of concensus here.

I've got a BX23 with BH and FEL, of course, and a Tacoma 4 cyl. 4x4. I want to go as small as possible with the trailer for the truck's sake, but I also want to be safe. Is a tandem with brakes an absolute necessity? If so, is there a particular kind of brake system to look for? Is ebay the best place to look for a used one? Should I be looking for a particular frame material and/or shape, ie C channell, etc.?

All help is welcome, as always.

Thanks,
Hen

 

[HomeBrew2]

There's quite a few variables to your question but ... I'd probably try it with a single axle 10'-12' trailer but, I'd definately have brakes on it. I like elctric brakes but many folks like surge brakes too. I'd leave the backhoe off and would rather only tow it when I really had to. And I'd avoid hills and high speed roads. I'd probably dig out my weight distributing hitch too, as much as I'd hate to pile another 100# or so on the hitch.
You probably ought to see what your truck is rated to tow and the combined weight rating too. If you'll be at any real altitute or pulling grades, you might want to figure cutting the truck's tow rating in half.
I suspect that when the safety police get wind of this thread, you'll get plenty of other advice /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Cheers!

 

[escavader]

HEN,
I know you probably have read my opinions on this,on some of the old post already,so i wont beat and old horse to death.Just dont underestimate the weight of this tractor by the looks of it,it is kind of heavy.I was going to go the single axle with brakes root,until i loaded it the first time.It actually lifted the rear of my tow vehicle 3 ft off the ground,when i drove it up the ramps.I positioned it just right on the trailer to get proper tounge weight,and all looked fine.
I never took it on its maiden voyage,because after some thought a couple issues bothered me.
1] Going up a steep grade,with a single axle,the center of gravity changes,and you loose all your tounge weight.I proved this driving up my upper drive way[which is steep]and the rear of my jeep cherokee came off the ground,the only thing that saved me was i had in in 4 wheel drive.
2] What happens if you get a trailer flat at highway speeds?Is it worth wrecking a 15000 dollar tractor,wrecking your trailer,possibly your tow vehicle,and possibly killing someone.
These two questions promped me to srounge up some more greenbacks and buy a tandem.I am so glad i did,have BEEN trailereing alot in steep country this year and its been smooth sailing. Just something to think about.
ALAN

 

[tomtractor]

I have a BX23 and load it on a 14' dual axle utility trailer with a 4' fold down ramp on the back. The trailer has brakes on one axle. It fits perfectly and the ramp comes up and locks in place. I can load the box scraper on as well by placing it under the FEL. The tractor loads with the MMM on and clears with no problems. I have towed the load with a Dodge Dakota 4x4, GMC Yukon, and F250 4x4 with no problems

 

[Will_C]

I would advise you to get a tandem with brakes. I am not sure of the weight of the BX 23, but I know my BX 2200 with the FEL is about a ton. Your backhoe must weigh at least 500 pounds, probably more because you have all that steel in the sub-frame. You can possibly stay legal with a single axle with brakes (3500lb. trailer limit), but why? Although you won't be able to take full advantage of a 7000 lb. tandem with your Tacoma, you will gain trailer room, probably not pay much more (especially after adding brakes to a single axle trailer), and have more trailer that you can use to your advantage if you ever buy more truck.
Will

 

[DannyD]

I have a 16' tamdem with brakes on both axles. Dove tail adds 2 feet, ramps fold up. I have pulled this on narrow roads, wide roads and expressway driving. I rides great. Pull it with a Ford Sport Trac with a frame hitch.

 

[BPD239]

For several months I towed my BX23 with a 3000lb single axle trailer. It handled it ok, but I had been stopping the trailer and truck with an exhaust brake and the truck brakes. After I traded my truck for an automatic I found that the trailer was pushing my new truck. I think that you are looking at around 2 tons behind your truck. A toyota pickup would be pushed even harder by the trailer and tractor.

I recently bought a 16ft equipment trailer with dual brakes. I think that a the tractor would have fit perfectly on a 14ft dual axle trailer,, but it was cheaper to buy a 16ft equipment trailer than the 14ft trailer. The 16ft trailer is standard and you can get one for around $2000 bucks brand new.

 

[tracdoc]

Without knowing more about your tow vehicle, I would guesstimate that the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) for the Tacoma is around 4,500# +/-. That's one of the most important considerations aside from the trailer capacity itself, since that's the max weight for trailer + load + passengers + everything else you're carrying.

I had a Tacoma (great truck), and to stay below the GVWR and still have the safety/security of a tandem axle trailer w/ electric brakes, I went to an all aluminum 14' bed (16' LOA) open car hauler by Featherlite {HERE} The trailer weighs sub 1,000# so that gave me ~3,000# before I started to have to worry about exceeding the GVWR

I would definitely recommend a tandem with electric brakes for all the reasons mentioned in the thread. For me, the biggest worry is not the value of the load, nor the trailer or truck. It's the possibility of injuring or killing an innocent bystander because I was too stingy in not getting the right/safest rig for the job.

Just my $0.02...

 

[RayH]

Im in about the same boat you are. I just got my new BX23 yesterday but have been researching for trailers for some time. Ive got a Jeep Cherokee to tow it with. The Cherokee is going to be real close to the tow capabilities of your Toy, just more power with the 4.0. I worry more about the braking ability than anything else. The power isnt a real big deal unless you get in a hurry, then you need something bigger anyway. The wheelbase isnt great but its ok, same with the Jeeps weight.
Ive decided to go with a 16' tandum axle trailer with brakes on both axles for a couple reasons. As was stated above, the 16' trailers are easier to find than 14' and gives me more room to fine tune the load because I have to watch my tongue weight with the Cherokee. Dual electric tandum axle brakes are a must when towing with a light vehicle and dont try to save a couple buck by buying a cheap brake controller. Get something thats going to help keep the load in check. You can get a Tekonsha Prodigy for less than $100. From what Ive read, it doesnt get much better than the Prodigy.
I believe we will both be pushing the envelope by towing 4600-4800lbs of trailer and tractor with our vehicles but I also believe it can be done responsibly and safely with some research and caution.

 

[RobertN]

I have to reply; this is a safety issue. I used to have a similar sized truck, and have used a Toyota or two. I have a good grasp for what you are towing.

You may brake ok dry pavement, with clear conditions, for a stop sign or signal light. But when a car pull out in front of you, or a kid chases a ball into the street you will have you hands full. Very full. See the picture posted to your thread...

As I mentioned in your previous thread, I had to emergency brake with my tractor on a trailer. I have a 3/4 ton Dodge 4x4 diesel, and a Kubota that weighs in the same range as yours. I borrowed an old 16' dual axle trailer to move the tractor. The trailer was in great shape, except it had no brakes...

I was on dry pavement, on a clear afternoon. I was running the slow lane, going barely 55mph(Calif max speed when towing). I left lots of room ahead of me. A small car decided it wanted in my lane, and instead of pulling behind me to catch thier exit, they pulled right in front of and hit the brakes so they could catch thier exit. Fortunately it was on a straight-away.

I held it straight, but the trailer/tractor was pushing me hard. It tried to push me sideways. My anti-lock brakes on the truck were anti-locking for all thier ability.

When I had my S10(v6/5sp/4x4/LB), I hauled a 1/2 yard buggy of concrete, once. The buggy was dual axle, and had surge brakes. That buggy pushes me all over the place!

In fact, around here, the rock yards won't hook a concrete buggy up to anything less than a 3/4 ton.

I don't think the issue here is that your trailer can't haul the load you have. It is an issue of the truck controlling it. No, not controlling it just cruising to a stop. It's controlling it when that kid chases the ball in to the road, or when the deer jumps right in front of you. Or, when that car cuts in front of you and stomps on the brakes to make thier turn...

I do not think anyone has picked on you. Most all of the folks that visit this site stress being safe.

 

[hennydamule]

Just wanted to send a HUGE thank you to everybody for the valuable insights and information given. The GVWR of the Tacoma is 5350#, so I think that I'll take the advice with the tandem and brakes, etc. Does anyone have brands that they suggest, or links for shopping?

Thanks Again,
Hen

 

[BPD239]

hennydamule,

I see that you are from CT. I found the 14ft dual axle equipment trailer at a trailer dealer in Bolton CT. They have a large supply of trailers on the lot. I ended up buy a trailer at a trailer and truck equipment dealer in Columbia, CT. They didn't have as large a selection of different trailers on the lot, but they did have a large amount of 16ft equipment trailers available at a lowest price I found in CT.

 

[Berniep]

RobertN

I agree with everything you and others have said regarding enough truck and trailer to do the job. However I must point out that no matter what you are pulling or pulling with you must adjust your driving. Not that I am acusing anyone here of this but I get the impression when talking to people that they think because the trailer has brakes you can drive it like the trailer isn't even there.
You have to leave extra room everywhere. Always be looking for an out, and always expect people to do the absolute stupidest thing possible right in front of you.

 

[tracdoc]

When I was a resident of the very fine Nutmeg State, I got my Haulmark trailer from a place in Farmington. I can't recall the name of the dealer, but they are pretty big, and cater to farm, toy, horse trailers, you name it. Unless they've gone out of biz, they should be easy to find. They had the best prices at the time.

 

[RobertN]

You're right on target. I have run with equipment, firewood, lumber ect on the trailer. I used to have a 11' cabover camper that was pretty heavy. You have to drive for the conditions and your vehicle. My old cab-over camper weighed a lot, and changed the truck handling drastically. I drove slower, and left more room. Same when I haul the trailer. I have really good control hauling my trailer with a 3/4 ton diesel. But... it does not handle or brake like when the truck is empty. Defensive driving is a must when you are hauling.

In my example, if it was not for defensive driving and leaving extra room, I would have been right on top of the car that pulled in front of me.

 

[RobertN]

I do not know what brand it was, but this afternoon I saw a nice smaller 12 or 14' dual axle flatbed trailer behind a Ford Ranger on the highway. It looked full size, but short... He seemed to handle it fine. Looked just right for a BX sized tractor.

 

[Scrounger]

Trailer questions are like oil questions but I can tell you that at off-road.com we have about ten around the upstate NY office and we just dropped that to three. I'm towing an Aluma Mfg 16' tandem that has turned out to be awesome for the BX, a pair of Rhino's, and four full sized ATVs. Full aluminum deck with removeable fenders and sides. All in all, a pretty impressive trailer. I'm working on a full writeup for off-road.com so I'll post when the review is done.

 

[hennydamule]

Tremedous thanks to BPD and tracdoc for the local info., as well as everyone else for the advice. I'm looking at a couple of places tomorrow.

Hen /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif