Dump trailer to haul tractor?

[El Wood]

At the end of the week I'm happy to say I'll be pulling the trigger on a JD 3320. The tractor and implements will weigh in around 6000 lbs. I currently have a 7k duel axle trailer (max load capacity is 3700 lbs) that is going to be too light duty so I'm thinking of trading it in. My first thought was a second equipment trailer. I then stumbled upon a dump trailer and fell in love... I can find lots of jobs for this thing. Anyone have any experience with hauling a tractor around in a dump trailer? Is this a good idea? A 16 footer is all I can probably afford.. Thanks for the input!

 

[jpm1]

Well, my opinion, for what its worth is if the deck is long enough for your tractor and impliment so you can get the right tongue weight. You have proper tiedowns, whats the difference? In My area i see guys hauling skidsteers in dump trailers all the time. As far as im concerned if your going to be doing loader work why haul twice to the jobsite, fuel prices being the way they are. . . .John

 

[SLHawkins]

I hauled my first 3 tractors in my Texas Bragg Dump 6x14 Dump Trailer. The largerst being my Mitsubishi Mt4201D. I did not have any issues unless the implements were wider than 6'. 16' will be plenty long enough. If you have a FEL, just hang it over the front or back. If you do that however, I recommend building wood side racks, or some type of brace to support the FEL. When I hung mine over the front it bent the pole for my tarp. When I hung them over the back, it rubbed the doors a bit (nothing dysfunctional however). When I bought mine, I had the dealer install 3 D-rings (Front, Midways, and Rear) along the side of the trailer for tie-down points. Sometimes, it can get a little tight trying to reach between the FEL, or tires, and the walls of the trailer. You'll figure out what works for you thoguh. As JPM states, with the dump trailer you can get all of your equipment to the jobsite in one move. But, if you have to haul anything away from the site you will still have to come back and get the tractor once you dump your load. My current tractor is too large to fit in my dump trailer now. So, I am back to making two trips. But, my dump trailer is still serving me well. Oh yeah, I can fit my Jeep inside of the dump trailer too, so it is not for just hauling tractors Here's a short video of me loading the MT4201D into my trailer.

Loading Mitsubishi MT4201D into trailer into Texas Bragg Dump Trailer - YouTube

Hawk

 

[CJONE]

A couple of things to think about, you will not be able to haul but 1 attachment if your lucky. I have to remove my box blade and put it in the box of the truck. If I load the tractor to the front the loader has to hang over the front to get the right amout of toung weight. If I back on it does good, but the box blade still has to be off the tractor. In my case the tractor is heavy enough to want to lift the back of the truck off the ground if I don't support the back of the trailer. It is also a pain to chain down because of no room in the box of the dump trailer with the tractor in it. So I have to be going a long way to make it worth it for me. Oh I have a 16' 14k dump so it is good sized. CJ

 

[CJONE]

Just too add I see you are in Michigan be aware if you hang your FEL over either end of the trailer you have to chain it down or you can get a ticket. Just a FYI. I sold my tripple axle gooseneck trailer just to get away from being a target for the DOT, they seem to leave the tandem axle trailers alone more than the bigger stuff. CJ

 

[El Wood]

Thanks for the input guys and for the video Hawk. Dump trailer it is! I'll make sure to get some of those D rings for ties down points.

 

[SLHawkins]

Thanks for the input guys and for the video Hawk. Dump trailer it is! I'll make sure to get some of those D rings for ties down points.

Make sure you get the the 3" (big ones!). The dealer initially installed some small rings when I told him that I'd be hauling a tractor. I reckon he thought I mean 'lawn tractor'. He then welded in some rings large enough to run 1/2" chain through. If you hang the bucket over the front, watch for hydraulic leak down of the bucket and arms. Fortunately, the tongue on my trailer is pretty long and I had plenty of clearance behind the tailgate of my pickup. Otherwise, you could quite a bit of damage in a tight turn. Just some things to think about...

Hawk

 

[El Wood]

Thanks Hawk!

 

[SLHawkins]

Greatlakes37
I have some tips on how to set up your dump trailer as well. You can also find some good info by searching the threads. One of the biggest issues with dump trailers is the batteries draining on ya during the dump cycle. I locked up the dump in Fayetteville, NC once when my body got stuck in the up position. I had to pull the 2nd battery out my truck to get it back down. That was the 3rd (and last) time that happened...lol I now have an aux power cable running from the battery on the truck directly to the pump in the trailer. I think there are already a couple of threads on the site that address that. If not, I'll post some pics and instructions on how I set mine up.

Hawk

 

[El Wood]

Hawk,

Your dump box stuck in the up position would make for a bad day! I'll definitely have to learn how to run that AUX cable from my truck to the trailer battery. Some pics would be great. I'd like to see your setup. I can also send you some pics of mine when I get it. Once I get my tractor I'll be to the dealer for the trailer. Probably a few weeks. Thanks.

Paul

 

[SLHawkins]

Paul,
Sure thing! Give me a couple days and I'll have pics and steps posted.

Hawk

Sent from my iPod touch using TractorByNet

 

[Dmace]

Make sure you go with a low profile dump trailer vs a deck-over. It will keep the center of gravity lower and more stabil plus easier to load. I have a deck-over 6x10 10k dump trailer but making ramps to load my tractor would be really steep or really long.

 

[Artisan]

I haul w/ a dump trailer. It is AWESOME for the job. I can kill 2 birds
w/ one stone if I please. It is all good. BE SURE you are not
overloading the axle, nor even close to it and go for it, get
a trailer w/ ramps that slide under it and stow. I have a 14'
trailer for my BX25. I just pull the BH full left or right and
close the doors and off I go.

 

[77bronco]

Hawk,

I'll definitely have to learn how to run that AUX cable from my truck to the trailer battery.

Paul

You just have to make sure that you use heavy enough cable to carry the amp load. A #2 welding cable should work fine, and put a self-resetting circuit breaker at the battery. Those units pull amps almost as bad as a winch.

 

[michellesc7]

I recently purchased a JD 4120 with loader used. I am picking up a 7 by 16 dump trailer made by Tow-Right HAWKE trailers in SC sat at a dealer in Florence. I need to haul compost from one side of state to the other, and on occasion will put a little bit of compost and my 4120 pointed forward and make the haul 3 hrs away. The trailer is a low profile and has 14,000 lb capacity minus the trailer weight of 43000 lbs. You could probably use a 6 or 7 by 12 with 10,000 lb capacity and do the same thing. Worthwhile investment.

 

[El Wood]

Michellesc7,

I was thinking I would need a 7 by 16. You think I could get by with a 12 or 14 footer? I want to be able to load the tractor, FEL and ballast box into the trailer. I was thinking of lowering a brush hog into the back of my truck bed if needed.

 

[Dmace]

Keep in mind, when the tailgate on the dump trailer is down you add about 2 ft. My 6 x 10 is a true 12 ft long with the gate down.

 

[CJONE]

Hawk,

Your dump box stuck in the up position would make for a bad day! I'll definitely have to learn how to run that AUX cable from my truck to the trailer battery. Some pics would be great. I'd like to see your setup. I can also send you some pics of mine when I get it. Once I get my tractor I'll be to the dealer for the trailer. Probably a few weeks. Thanks.

Paul

Most trucks are set up with a 12v charge circuit in the 7 pin plug with the trailering package. You enable it by adding a relay or fuse depending on brand of the truck. CJ

 

[aczlan]

Most trucks are set up with a 12v charge circuit in the 7 pin plug with the trailering package. You enable it by adding a relay or fuse depending on brand of the truck. CJ

Methinks that Hawk used SLIGHTLY heavier cables so as to eliminate the battery on the trailer as it wasn't charging fast enough through the 7 pin plug.

Aaron Z

 

[Agent Blue]

If a dump trailer is designed to haul a load of rocks why could it not be used to haul tractors, attachments, or anything that fits and meets the weight requirement ? If one has to hang the loader over the front a simple T fixture to rest the arms on would be very simple to make. Angle brackets to slide it in place ... problem solved. Tie to front D rings.