Can my stock Titan legally/ safely tow my tractor on a trailer?

[beppington]

I calculated that my tractor/ loader weighs 6,156 with no 3PH implement. Add say 1,000 lbs worst case scenario (my dad's old beast of a rotary cutter) ... & round up for other junk riding along (chain, etc.) ... so 7,250 I'll call it.

Can my un-modified '05 Nissan Titan King Cab with tow package legally/ safely tow this tractor on a suitable trailer using the factory receiver hitch & ball?

I don't currently own a trailer capable of carrying 7,250 lbs, so I'd need to get that. Nor do I know what such a trailer weighs. I just need to know if a gooseneck would be required, or if I might be able to tow the tractor + trailer with my truck, without a gooseneck?

Also, I've noticed that the 2" balls I see for sale seem to max out at 6,000 lbs capacity. Is that correct? Would a 2-5/16" ball do the trick?

Totally new to trailering a heavier load like this ... Thank you!

 

[RandyT]

You will need a 2 5/16 ball with weight distribution with a 10k trailer with brakes on both axles which will weight betweem 2600-2700 pounds and your quoted rate of 7250 puts you between 9850 and 9950 which exceeds your maximum allowable towing capacity of 9500 by 350-450 pounds.

 

[beppington]

Well CRUD. Thanks for posting all that for me :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

First off what tow package do you have on your Titan? I have a 2008 4x4 Titan with the BIG TOW PACKAGE. The best way to tell if you have this or not is to either look at your window sticker or every one I have ever seen with the BIG TOW PACKAGE had real truck mirrors like a Ford Super Duty, not car type mirrors like a GM 1/2 ton.

If you have the big tow package you are rated at 9,500# but the regular tow package is only rated at 7,400#

I tow my 28HP tractor that weighs 5,600# with a Bush Hog on the back on my 18' Car Hauler. It only weighs about 1,400# and is a 7K unit so its right at the max for the trailer. It tows great. I also tow my 30' long 9' wide boat that weights 9,700# with low fuel ect so usually around 10,000# with a normal load and it does fine. I have towed it well over 5,000 miles this last summer and averaged 9.1 mpg. Yes, a little over weight but not bad.

You can get 10K trailers that weigh in the range of 1,800 to 2,000# if you look around a little.


Do not mess with a GN trailer.


Chris

 

[Rancher Ed]

I agree you will need a 10k trailer with brakes on both axles and a weight distributing hitch, which will use a 2 5/16 ball. However, a trailer like that is not going to weigh 2600-2700 pounds unless you get a super heavy duty tilt bed trailer. A normal deck between the fenders 10k trailer 18' to 20' long with slide in or stand up ramps should weigh between 1800 and 2000 pounds which will put you under your max tow rating.

So, as long as you check weights when you get a trailer, you should be fine. The factory receiver hitch is most likely only rated at 5K weight carrying, but 10k or 12k with a weight distributing hitch. As long as you get a weight distributing hitch, set it up correctly, and have a good brake controller, you should be both legal and safe.

Ed

Edit - Looks like Chris said basically the same thing, you can find a 10k trailer that weighs less than 2k, and if you have a 9500 pound tow rating, you should be fine.

 

[beppington]

First off what tow package do you have on your Titan? I have a 2008 4x4 Titan with the BIG TOW PACKAGE. The best way to tell if you have this or not is to either look at your window sticker or every one I have ever seen with the BIG TOW PACKAGE had real truck mirrors like a Ford Super Duty, not car type mirrors like a GM 1/2 ton.

If you have the big tow package you are rated at 9,500# but the regular tow package is only rated at 7,400#

Now that you mention Big Tow, I think I remember that term & thing that's what I have. I remember the 9,500# towing capacity, too. My mirrors are pictured below.

You can get 10K trailers that weigh in the range of 1,800 to 2,000# if you look around a little.

I will do that.

Do not mess with a GN trailer.

I would sure prefer not to.

Thank you.

 

[MrWhippy]

Huh. I prefer GN's, especially with a ball that can be dropped down. They tow better and with a little practice, they're not too difficult to turn.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yep, you have the BTP. You are good to go with a 9,500# tow rating. I think you are also heavy on your bush hog. I have had 3 of them. 2 old Fords and a Woods. 5' and 2 6's and none weighed over 600#. The old Fords are as though and heavy as they come.

Now get a WD hitch setup with a 2 5/16" ball and a good 18' trailer that about 2,000# and you will be all set.

I recommend slide in rear ramps. Stand up ramps get in the way if you are hauling long objects like lumber or have to have you Bush Hog hang off a few feet. By the way, in most states you can legally have 4' of hang off the rear as long as its flagged. Anything over that is not legal without a chase vehicle marked as such.

Chris

 

[Rancher Ed]

Yes, go with slide in ramps. Also, get a full flat deck, no dove tail. On a car hauler type trailer like you are considering, it is already low enough that ramp angle isn't an issue, so it just takes up space and lowers your ground clearance.

Ed

 

[clemsonfor]

Well CRUD. Thanks for posting all that for me :thumbsup:

How about taking the loader off at the site and going back to get the 3pt implement? Unless its not quick disconnect