Hauling question

[BuzzyG]

I need to purchase a tractor and have found some good deals about 150 miles from my land. I don't have hauling equipment. Which is the most logical long-term solution:

1. Purchase close to home even if a lesser deal
2. Buy the hauling equipment as an investment in the future
3. Contract to have the beast hauled so I have minimal equipment to maintain

Thanks,

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I need to purchase a tractor and have found some good deals about 150 miles from my land. I don't have hauling equipment. Which is the most logical long-term solution:

1. Purchase close to home even if a lesser deal
2. Buy the hauling equipment as an investment in the future
3. Contract to have the beast hauled so I have minimal equipment to maintain

Thanks,

If this is a first time tractor purchase, I'd recommend either rent a trailer or contract to have it hauled. If you can get a deal that offsets the cost of transport, then do it.

You'll eventually want a trailer, but there are so many options for trailers including deck-over vs. lowboy, tilt, gooseneck, long, short, etc. that I think you'll want to have the tractor and use it for a bit before you decide what trailer you want to get.

On the other hand, if you have already done your research and know exactly what you want in a trailer then by all means buy the hauling equipment along with the tractor.

 

[rimshot]

Perhaps your dealer would be willing to deliver the tractor like mine was. I was closer to 250 miles away. On the other hand, in my case I ended up getting a trailer brand new for under $2000 which gave me lots of flexability with the tractor.

Call around and I am sure you will find dealers who would willingly bring you a tractor as incentive to purchase.

rim

 

[pitt_md]

Do you have a need for a trailer other than getting it home?
If you will be doing the service work at home and don't run a business where you need to drag it around then let the dealer dilever it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had mine delivered but it was a free haul up to 300 miles. If I had to pay for it which runs $2-3 per mile, I believe I would opt to buy a trailer if I had a truck to pull it with (which I do). In Texas, I can buy a 16-18 foot trailer for under $2000 with dual 3500 # axles with brakes on one axle. This will haul just about any CUT with FEL, box blade and bushhog in one load and still not be overloaded. Many dealers have package deals with just such equipment 16 foot trailer will haul all but an 18 foot will limit the overhang that you will have with a 16 footer. There is only a couple hundred dollars difference in 16 vs 18. Seems to be about $100 per foot above a 16 footer price. Electric brakes on one axle looks like about a $400 option also.
I would look on Craigslist for someone selling. I have found some good deals but watch it, some of the guys ask for more than you can buy them new for. Looking for a sucker I suppose.

 

[VALENT]

Depending on how big the tractor is, you can always rent a truck and trailer and probably save a few dollars. Or else, just pay someone.

 

[rayc45]

Tell the dealer you'll buy it if they deliver it. Stand firm and they will deliver

 

[deepNdirt]

Depending on how big the tractor is, you can always rent a truck and trailer and probably save a few dollars. Or else, just pay someone.

I secound this motion

I use to have a 18 ft lowboy I only used 1or 2 times per year over the 12 years of owning, I would loan out more then use myself, in fact I loaned it to a man one time and he return it with 2- new tires and told me that was payment for loaning it to him, I sold the trailer because of the upkeep and expense of tagging it each year,
they're certainly handy to own if you going to use them, but if not! just find someone to barrow from I did wind up buying another smaller 12 ft. trailer that has more pratical use and yet heavy duty enough to haul my compact tractor if ever need be.

 

[taborekle]

Depending on the size of the tractor, you -may- be able to get delivery for free, but what happens after you buy and you want service? Their going to charge you go come and get it and return it, and at 150 miles that could be quite expensive.

My first choice would be to check out my neighboors and friends and see if they will allow you to borrow a suitable trailer.

Just my take on it, but my dealer delivered for free if I was within 20 miles. Great! But for my 50 hour service it was a $75 fee to get it and I think another $75 to return it. I'm 18 miles from the dealer.

I bought a small trailer and have already used it several times, so I paid myself to use my trailer totake the tractor to them and drop it off, and then go get it when they were done.

I have a Kubota B2920, which is a fairly small tractor. I'd think you'd have to be buying a very large tractor for free delivery 150 miles away.

Larry

 

[Treemonkey1000]

If you are like me I didn't have a trailer when I purchased my tractor. The dealer was only 8 miles away so they delivered the tractor free. Also my experience hauling something that big and heavy was next to nothing. I would opt to see if you can get it delivered by the dealer or an insured carrier. Then while the tractor is at home where you can play take the time to shop Craigslist or a dealer for a trailer. I ended up buying a 20' trailer with dual axles and brakes on all 4 tires for $2K. I did put new trailer tires on it as it had car tires which weren't rated for heavy loads. The trailer has yet to be used to move my tractor anywhere though so it has been a big lawn ornament to keep licensed. I do have some really big oak and fir beams sitting on it if you are interested!
Keep in mind the bigger the trailer your towing vehicle might need to be rated for that trailer as that seems to be a bone of contention with the Law officers in different states.

 

[bpattie]

there is a comfort factor to some degree just knowing you can haul the tractor if needed. But the decision to acquire one most likely should depend on your intended use. Is this just for your property or do you have aspirations to be a try to make some money providing a service with your tractor that would require trailering? Also may depend on your ability to service the tractor as needed.

 

[clemsonfor]

Like others have said keep in mind the haul price, if it is at a dealer and he wont cut you a deal of a lower haul rate, your looking at lets say $2.50 a loaded mile or $375 delivered to your house. Like others have said if you can not do all the repairs/maitenace and wish to go back to said dealer or even to the next town 20 miles away there will be say $100 fee each way to deliver. See where im going with this $400 when you buy 50 hr service $200 want to help a buddy plant food plots, oh wait you cant cause you dont have a trailer, so he has to find or rent one. You can get a use car hauler all day for $900 and get a new 16ft equiptment or car hauler for $1500.

To those of you who have to license you trailers thats terrible. Glad i live in SC and we dont have to do this. Id be trailer broke with 3 of them (2 boat trailers,with boats obviously, one is leaving as soon as i find a buyer for it, and one 16ft tanden axle 7K trialer for boat or vehicles as neccisarry) a huge expense for something like the tandem axle trailer that may be on the road 6 times a year? The Gov will find a way to get theirs i guess, and their only way is to take it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Like others have said keep in mind the haul price, if it is at a dealer and he wont cut you a deal of a lower haul rate, your looking at lets say $2.50 a loaded mile or $375 delivered to your house. Like others have said if you can not do all the repairs/maitenace and wish to go back to said dealer or even to the next town 20 miles away there will be say $100 fee each way to deliver. See where im going with this $400 when you buy 50 hr service $200 want to help a buddy plant food plots, oh wait you cant cause you dont have a trailer, so he has to find or rent one. You can get a use car hauler all day for $900 and get a new 16ft equiptment or car hauler for $1500.

To those of you who have to license you trailers thats terrible. Glad i live in SC and we dont have to do this. Id be trailer broke with 3 of them (2 boat trailers,with boats obviously, one is leaving as soon as i find a buyer for it, and one 16ft tanden axle 7K trialer for boat or vehicles as neccisarry) a huge expense for something like the tandem axle trailer that may be on the road 6 times a year? The Gov will find a way to get theirs i guess, and their only way is to take it.

In CA one of the few things that went down in price is Trailer Registration... $18 for 5 years...

 

[clemsonfor]

In CA one of the few things that went down in price is Trailer Registration... $18 for 5 years...

Not bad but one more thing that you would need to keep track of by the fifth year if you move oh yes got to tag my trailer if you dont renew theres your $30 penalty for late registration. Just is a huge hassle, but i do agree with the part that it could keep some half rigged safty hazard of a trailer off the road, that assumes that there has to be some sort of inspection to register?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Not bad but one more thing that you would need to keep track of by the fifth year if you move oh yes got to tag my trailer if you dont renew theres your $30 penalty for late registration. Just is a huge hassle, but i do agree with the part that it could keep some half rigged safty hazard of a trailer off the road, that assumes that there has to be some sort of inspection to register?

In Idaho we have to register our trailers, but there's no inspection.

I even registered another guy's trailer once (I was borrowing it) without him or the trailer present. They got their money, I got my sticker. Everyone was happy.

 

[RPW]

Trailers for hauling tractors is only one of the benifits of owning your own. Each person has there own to-do list of things to perform around there property. In my case I plan and have to haul hay from time to time. Move telephone poles. Assist other neighbors in vehicle recovery etc. I'm tired of borrowing trailers and not knowing if they are available on a particular day so in the very near future (about a month) I'm going to get my own. Probably a 20ft dovetail GN. 14000lb GCVW. New around $5300.00. Expensive? Somewhat but if the need fits...... Also on those rare occasions I'll be able to haul my tractor to the dealer for work that's beyond me. Now I know my needs are different from several on this thread so only you can decide if you need your own trailer. Besides it's only about $5.00/yr registration (with ag exemption).

Good luck.

 

[clemsonfor]

R., for got that point, once you have the trailer you can do with it what you want, Want new appliance today from lowes, just take your trailer with you. Need to buy lumber for your deck and dont want to pay delivery and dont hit the threshhold for free delivery. Haul garbage, pretty big trailer for this but you have it. Start a scrap metal busniss hauling scrap? Many possibilities that depending on how you look at it can make the purchase of a trailer more appealing, or pay for itself. Heck you might even be able to haul another guys tractor for a few hundred bucks down the road to held recover some funds! Id look for a good used 16 ft trailer in the $800 range may not be pretty but jsut needs to be heavy duty enough for the tractor and be safe no heavy rust in critical areas and if it has brakes that there working and repack the bearings and inspect them and the stub no matter what the guy tells you about when he did them if you buy used.

That $800 trailer will only really be around $400 if you had to pay to haul your tractor to you since you would have to pay that money regardless, so basically if you bought one for 800 really your only out 400 in this scenario. Haul some stuff for a neighbor for 100.... get my point.

 

[ultrarunner]

R., for got that point, once you have the trailer you can do with it what you want, Want new appliance today from lowes, just take your trailer with you. Need to buy lumber for your deck and dont want to pay delivery and dont hit the threshhold for free delivery. Haul garbage, pretty big trailer for this but you have it. Start a scrap metal busniss hauling scrap? Many possibilities that depending on how you look at it can make the purchase of a trailer more appealing, or pay for itself. Heck you might even be able to haul another guys tractor for a few hundred bucks down the road to held recover some funds! Id look for a good used 16 ft trailer in the $800 range may not be pretty but jsut needs to be heavy duty enough for the tractor and be safe no heavy rust in critical areas and if it has brakes that there working and repack the bearings and inspect them and the stub no matter what the guy tells you about when he did them if you buy used.

That $800 trailer will only really be around $400 if you had to pay to haul your tractor to you since you would have to pay that money regardless, so basically if you bought one for 800 really your only out 400 in this scenario. Haul some stuff for a neighbor for 100.... get my point.

I agree... I have several trailers and the one I use the most is a small 4 x 6 homemade low-boy with a ramp and steel deck... perfect for so many things like moving appliances and medical equipment because it is easy to load and move around the yard...

Just be careful when hauling for hire... had a lengthy discussion about that with my agent... my insurance won't cover me without a commercial endorsement... the agent did say I can be reimbursed for my "Expenses"

The Model A club I belong to is often asked to furnish vehicles for parades and weddings... we can't be paid but we can be reimbursed or a donation can be made to the club...

 

[Ken45101]

You didn't say how big the tractor is and what tow vehicle you have.

A 5000# tractor on a trailer can be scary for a 1/2 ton pickup. Now if you are talking a 1500# tractor, that's a different story, you could pull it with an SUV. For an 8000# tractor, you probably need at least a 3/4 ton pickup (1 ton better) and a gooseneck trailer.

Besides the points already made about getting the tractor serviced, how often will you be taking the tractor off your property?

Ken

 

[D7E]

...If it's less than 50 miles we drive most of our purchases home , Many of the better ones i've driven over 100 miles home from auctions...Depends how enthusiastic you are..??
If it's a wrecker or i think the tractor is of questionable health i rent a heavy pintle trailer for the day and pull it behind one of the tandem grain trucks ..I've had enough of towing with pickups 5th wheel or not..?