Hauling my Tractor.
- Thread starter JohnBoy45
- Start date
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RoyJackson
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 24,646
- Location
- Bethel, Vermont
- Tractor
- John Deere 4052R Cab,, Deere 855D UTV, Z920A Zero Turn Mower and assorted implements
I guess my only question is..why a closed trailer?
Your tractor can handle the "open air", and there'd be exhaust fumes in an enclosed trailer.
Your tractor can handle the "open air", and there'd be exhaust fumes in an enclosed trailer.
RobertN
Super Member
An enclosed trailer would be ok. It would be a lot more expensive... My 16' flatbed 7000lb trailer was $1600 new. I am buying a 14' 7000lb enclosed trailer for our Boy Scout troop; it will run about $4500. An enclosed would be nice for locking stuff up at a job site.
The flatbed would be cheaper. It would be easier to load materials other than the tractor; I use mine to haul the tractors, tow Cub Scouts in parades, haul lumber, haul firewood, pallets of concrete block, and numerous other things that would be difficult to do with an enclosed trailer.
I would not be concerned about the tractor falling off a flatbed trailer; they are towed on them all the time. The key is to chain it properly(which is the case even with an enclosed trailer; you still have to chain it down inside an enclosed trailer).
The flatbed would be cheaper. It would be easier to load materials other than the tractor; I use mine to haul the tractors, tow Cub Scouts in parades, haul lumber, haul firewood, pallets of concrete block, and numerous other things that would be difficult to do with an enclosed trailer.
I would not be concerned about the tractor falling off a flatbed trailer; they are towed on them all the time. The key is to chain it properly(which is the case even with an enclosed trailer; you still have to chain it down inside an enclosed trailer).
CT_Tree_Guy
Platinum Member
Terry: I agree with RobertN that an open flatbed is probably the best way to go and would be more versatile. I haul my 5030 on an 18' 4 1/2 ton flatbed. The 18' is just long enough to accomodate a brush grapple on the front and a rear grapple that sticks out about 5' from the 3ph. You've got me thinking though: sometimes I'm too lazy to bring my tractor inside and she gets rained and snowed on a lot while she's on the trailer. Enclosed might be nice for that. It would make tie-down more of a pain, but not a show-stopper ... hmm.
Whichever way you go, don't worry about the tractor tipping over on an open trailer, I think it's a non-issue.
Whichever way you go, don't worry about the tractor tipping over on an open trailer, I think it's a non-issue.
George2615
Super Member
Some things to consider with an enclosed trailer are
1) How high or tall is your tractor. My ROPS is 7' tall. A tall enclosed trailer costs more.
2) How wide is the trailer inside? will you have enough room to walk around the tractor inside since you will have to chain it down which will be a hassle inside.
3) Exhaust fumes in an enclosed trailer.
4) A cargo truck may even be worse since the bed is higher off the ground, higher center of gravity, making it more top heavy. besides, what would you use for ramps to get a tractor into a cargo truck.
5) Enclosed trailers are double or triple the price of open trailers.
6) What does a 2800DT weigh. You could probably get away with a double axle 7000# flatbed car trailer. My trailer bed is 83" wide between the fenders x 20' long and only 24" off the ground.
In my opinion I,d go with a flatbed open trailer.
1) How high or tall is your tractor. My ROPS is 7' tall. A tall enclosed trailer costs more.
2) How wide is the trailer inside? will you have enough room to walk around the tractor inside since you will have to chain it down which will be a hassle inside.
3) Exhaust fumes in an enclosed trailer.
4) A cargo truck may even be worse since the bed is higher off the ground, higher center of gravity, making it more top heavy. besides, what would you use for ramps to get a tractor into a cargo truck.
5) Enclosed trailers are double or triple the price of open trailers.
6) What does a 2800DT weigh. You could probably get away with a double axle 7000# flatbed car trailer. My trailer bed is 83" wide between the fenders x 20' long and only 24" off the ground.
In my opinion I,d go with a flatbed open trailer.
I needed a trailer for my racecar, so aI bought a 20 ft (24 overall) with torqflex axles and 4 wheel brakes.
As I've run out of garage (again, as I collect cars) and I wanted a way to haul the car to the racetrack too, the enclosed was a natural.
When I need to move the tractor, I simply flip down the rops and drive it in. A 5 minute job. Of course I have to remove whatever is stored in there (part of the reason to own an enclosed in the first place is that it's a spare garage!).
As for walking around, any trailer that holds a car will easily hold a tractor. You can get out either side of the tractor and have major room to spare (note my rig below).
I use ratchet straps on the racecar and the same for the tractor. Chains are a monumental PIA and I only use them outside to pull stumps. I'll NEVER again use them to tie down anything, including the tractor.
Exhaust? They all have a side door, so open it first and it's no issue.
Would I buy an enclosed for just a tractor? Not unless you park it in there. But it IS secure and no one can see what you are bringing to the jobsite. Leave off the decals on the outside of the trailer and no one has a clue. In fact, put Joe's Bagels on there and no one will mess with it.
If you are a racecar guy, or have another reason to buy an enclosed trailer (snowmobiles, 4 Wheelers, etc) these trailers work great.
In fact, with the low floor of the bobtail units like mine, plus the huge flip-down door, getting a tractor out of one is very, very easy. It's much easier than the open trailer units as the floor height is much, much lower.
Do note that a decent enclosed is $7500, so you can buy about 3 open trailers for the same price.
As I've run out of garage (again, as I collect cars) and I wanted a way to haul the car to the racetrack too, the enclosed was a natural.
When I need to move the tractor, I simply flip down the rops and drive it in. A 5 minute job. Of course I have to remove whatever is stored in there (part of the reason to own an enclosed in the first place is that it's a spare garage!).
As for walking around, any trailer that holds a car will easily hold a tractor. You can get out either side of the tractor and have major room to spare (note my rig below).
I use ratchet straps on the racecar and the same for the tractor. Chains are a monumental PIA and I only use them outside to pull stumps. I'll NEVER again use them to tie down anything, including the tractor.
Exhaust? They all have a side door, so open it first and it's no issue.
Would I buy an enclosed for just a tractor? Not unless you park it in there. But it IS secure and no one can see what you are bringing to the jobsite. Leave off the decals on the outside of the trailer and no one has a clue. In fact, put Joe's Bagels on there and no one will mess with it.
If you are a racecar guy, or have another reason to buy an enclosed trailer (snowmobiles, 4 Wheelers, etc) these trailers work great.
In fact, with the low floor of the bobtail units like mine, plus the huge flip-down door, getting a tractor out of one is very, very easy. It's much easier than the open trailer units as the floor height is much, much lower.
Do note that a decent enclosed is $7500, so you can buy about 3 open trailers for the same price.
I suspect that if the L2800 fell off an enclosed trailer, most likely the walls wouldn't stop it. The tractor would just wreck the sides and roof as it was going over.
I don't understand the scenario where the tractor would be top heavy and fall off? Is the trailer particularly narrow or is the tractor not chained/strapped down, etc?
I don't understand the scenario where the tractor would be top heavy and fall off? Is the trailer particularly narrow or is the tractor not chained/strapped down, etc?
wushaw
Elite Member
Terry, you don't have to worry about the tractor falling off or being top heavy, you just have to chain it down right and it becomes one with the trailer, the whole trailer would have to flip over which in that case you would be doing some very erratic driving.
I just took my L2800 loaded on my 16' TT to the dealer earlier today and not one problem, this makes the fourth time I've hauled it on the same trailer.
I would reccomend atleast a 18' trailer and 20' being best, a Bushhog and the FEL make it kinda long.
I just took my L2800 loaded on my 16' TT to the dealer earlier today and not one problem, this makes the fourth time I've hauled it on the same trailer.
I would reccomend atleast a 18' trailer and 20' being best, a Bushhog and the FEL make it kinda long.
JoeR
Platinum Member
Anytime you move the weight over the axle you will have better control. The further the tow point is from the rear axle the more chance of sway. Gooseneck is better than bumper pull for control and stability.
Joe
Joe
