Canopy Canopy

DK35vince · Apr 6, 2004

I'm considering a canopy (sunshade) for my DK 35.
One concern is trailering the tractor at high speed.
Does anyone trailer their tractor with a sunshade and will the wind tear it up.

RedDog · Apr 6, 2004

Tow away Vince,,, it ain't goin anywhere. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have never had any problems.

RedDog

Bird · Apr 6, 2004

Wind and highway towing never affected my canopies.

DK35vince · Apr 6, 2004

Thanks RedDog and Bird,
I'd like to get a canopy this summer, but had visions of it sliding down the Interstate the first time I got it trailering up to speed !

BigAl · Apr 6, 2004

Hi Vince ,
I just had this conversation with my friend who went to pick up his new DK45 with sunshade today . When I picked my tractor up, the dealer reconmended we take it off . It was a one way trip of about 2000 miles . I called my friend to tell him about this and he told me his dealer said not to worry . His trip is about 300 miles . His is Metal ,mine is Plastic . I do not know it that makes much difference . Mine is only held in place by 6 -1/4" self tapping screws with 2" washers . I have moved my tractor around the county and never worry about taking it off on short trips . It will be coming off when I head up to Idaho ,which is a 700 mile trip .
Big Al

DK35vince · Apr 6, 2004

Thanks Al,
Most of my towing is short trips (usually 20 miles or less), but since I live so close to Interstate 80, I often use it and was somewhat concerned about the canopy at 65/70 MPH speeds.

lamarbur · Apr 7, 2004

65 - 70 mph, that is one fast moving DK 35 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Golfgar4 · Apr 7, 2004

I don't recall who did this (maybe he'll recognize the description and fess up!), but somebody had the same concern. He ended up installing a small handle on the underside of the canopy in the exact middle at the front edge. Then, when he was going to be traveling at highway speeds, he'd run a lash strap through the handle and tie it off to each loader post. With a little tension pulling down on the front of the canopy, he said that he never had a problem driving at highway speeds. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

virgil · Apr 7, 2004

I sell and use a diamond plated aluminum sun shade. I've never had one blow off. However I do tend to BACK the tractor on the trailer. That will get you a LITTLE less wind resistance and it calms my fears of damage due to wind.
If you are going 70MPH and facing a 20MPH wind... to me that is 90MPH. Then you add in the gusts of meeting a big truck---WOW!

PineRidge · Apr 7, 2004

My dealer installed a Firebird fiberglass canopy on my TC-40D before I took delivery of the tractor. When he delivered it the tractor was chained down to his tilt-bed truck via the axles the same as all the rest he delivers. When I asked him about trailering with the canopy he told me that he has never lost one yet. He travels the freeway to make his deliveries.