Help me pick the right trailer

[jayhaitch]

Our new house should be ready in 6-8 weeks. I've purchased a Massey GC2310 TLB/mmm/tiller combo, but it's being stored at the dealer until we take possession of the house. I need a trailer, both for hauling the tractor (friends, in-laws, etc with delight in their eyes when I mentioned what I bought ) and as a regular utility type trailer. I'm seriously looking at H&H.

My issues are size and braking. The tractor weighs 2600 lbs with loader and BH, so that puts me over the 3500lb single axle limit when I add the trailer weight. H&H has a 5200 lb single axle option, by only electric brakes. I need surge brakes as I don't have a controller in my Expedition, but more importantly my wife wants to be able to tow occaisonally with her Pacifica, 3500 lb tow limit. I certainly don't want to put a brake controller in her vehicle. She's a great driver towing (and launching!) our boat, so I'm not worried about her skills. H&H only has surge brakes available on their tandem axle trailers. Other than surge brakes being more expensive, they work fine for my boat trailer. Is there any issue I'm not aware of that makes electric brakes the standard for non-boat trailers? Any downsides to a surge-braked utility trailer?

The max width of my GC2310 is 48 in., length is 14'9". I don't need a really long trailer, as I won't be using it as a car hauler. The models I'm looking at go 10-16', but I think 16' is overkill. The tractor dealer mentioned turning the BH sideways would shorten the overall length for towing. I'm thinking 14' should be adequate length. But width? Is it bigger is better? They sell 5', 8', and 8.5' widths. I thought 6' would be just what I need (not available) but I guess 8' it should be. 5' seems just too tight (true 60" inside width, but that still leaves only 6" on either side of the bucket), vs 76" inside width for the 8' trailer.

Opinions please: does an 8x14 tandem axle surge braked utility trailer sound like the best option for my needs? TIA!

 

[RayH]

I have basically the same tractor, (BX23). I think it would be a mistake to get a trailer shorter than 16'. I know the TLB will fit on a 14' trailer but it really limits your ability to adjust the weight back and forth.
Why so hesitant to get a brake controller? They really arent a big deal to hook up. You could get something like a Prodigy that can be moved from one vehicle to another simply by plugging it in. You would need two controller harnesses but the controller itself can be easily removed. Trailer brakes are not the area to compromise. Not a big deal for your Expedition that can muscle the trailer around, but the Pacifica will be muscled around by that much weight. It will be a real safety net to be able to reach down and tap on the trailer brakes if needed.
Most people on here will tell you that towing what will end up being a little over 4000lbs with that Pacifica, rated to tow 3500, is a death trap. Im not one of them. I dont put much weight on the factory tow ratings. An example why. My Cherokee is rated to tow up to 5000lbs when properly equiped. It weighs less than your Pacifica, about the same wheel base and only has tiny drum brakes in the rear vs the discs on your Pacifica. Someone at Chrysler is smoking crack if they think its any safer to tow 5000lbs with a Cherokee than a Pacifica. Me personally, Im only looking for tandem trailers with electric brakes on both axles to tow my BX because I know Im at the limits of my Cherokee, in spite of what Chrysler says.
As far as your wife, and you, being skilled drivers and towers. Remember, the first step, and most important step in being a skilled driver is knowing when to say, "stop everything, this is not safe". So if you find that the surge brakes arent cutting it or the Pacifica cant handle it, dont be afraid to backstep and do it right.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

A few random thoughts;

1. You'll never get me to say ANYTHING good about surge brakes. I flat DON'T LIKE 'em. They're "alright" for boat trailers where you don't want all electric brakes submerged in water, but I'd consider investing a little in brake controllers for your vehicle(s) and going with electric brakes.

2. With-in reasonable limits, a trailer almost can't be too long. That gives you more flexability on where you spot the load, so as to get proper balance. (tongue weight, weight on trailer axles, ect) Also, your tractor probably won't be the only thing you end up hauling in the lifespan of the trailer. Just like a barn, garage, closets, ect... no matter how big of a trailer you get, there'll come a point where you will wish you'd bought bigger.

3. Single axle trailers sometimes tend to "porpoise" (sp?) or make the back end of the tow vehicle bob up and down, more so than a tandem trailer if and when it or the tow vehicle are near their maximum intended load, or the load isn't exactly "centered" over the axle.

4. The cost of a 7000# tandem trailer with 2-axle electric brakes isn't that far above the cost of a single axle 3500# trailer in the grand scheme of things. Consider the extra wear and tear on the tow vehicle if you have a trailer that's fighting a load that's ALMOST too heavy for it.

5. 4 tires in contact with the ground, and 4 brakes stopping the forward momentum are much safer than just 2. With inexperienced drivers, that saftey net is at the very least, just as important, and argueably MORE important.

6. Tandem trailers are safer in regards to dealing with a tire failure than a single axle trailer. A tractor loaded on a trailer has a high center of gravity. Loose a tire and they can get mighty hairy. An extra set of tires/wheels give you a further saftey net.

You can't be too safe.

I'm an advocate for going "over-kill" with trailers and trailer saftey.

 

[MrJimi]

Always remember this! A trailer is like a boat, garage or a house. No matter how big it is on paper, when you put the items in it you need, It WILL shrink always get more than you need for future use. If I were you I would go with the tandem axle 16 foot trailer. They are around $1,500 here in Florida and they should be about the same at you end of the world
Look at my signature, I am wanting a trailer also. Thanks
Jim

 

[roxynoodle]

I bought a 16' tandem axle utility trailer a month ago for $1200. It has one brake axle and a breakaway box. That wasn't much more than a single axle trailer and I personally think tandem axles are much safer with heavy loads like tractors. The place I bought from charged the same whether you bought 12', 14' or 16' so the 16' was a no brainer as far as I was concerned.

I do think towing with the Pacifica isn't a great idea if the tractor or comparable weight is on it. Obviously you may have some safety concerns but you are also going to have transmission concerns. Rebuilding your tranny may cost you as much as the trailer.

 

[MrJimi]

Roxy brings another real good point, don't forget the transmission cooler for the automatics.
Jim

 

[Highbeam]

" The cost of a 7000# tandem trailer with 2-axle electric brakes isn't that far above the cost of a single axle 3500# trailer in the grand scheme of things. Consider the extra wear and tear on the tow vehicle if you have a trailer that's fighting a load that's ALMOST too heavy for it. "

I vote for a tandem electric braked and axled carhauler style trailer with the standard pair of 3500 lb axles. The length should be such that you do not have to turn your BH sideways, that's a compromise that you don't have to make when buying new. H&H is a good brand.

If you want a utility trailer for loads of mulch then a single axle landscape trailer is a good idea. I have both and the tandem axle trailer tows much nicer.

 

[kevinj]

I bought a 16' tandem axle utility trailer a month ago for $1200. It has one brake axle and a breakaway box.

My trailer was like yours, for about $200.00 you can buy the parts to add brakes to the second axle if the mount flanges are on the axles.

 

[roxynoodle]

I have never had problems with just one brake. My tractor only weighs about 3000lbs too. If I had a bigger one I would probably want to have that second brake.

 

[kevinj]

I have never had problems with just one brake. My tractor only weighs about 3000lbs too. If I had a bigger one I would probably want to have that second brake.

It works ok, mine did too, but with tractor and trailer you really have 5000# on 3500# brakes. Here in Michigan we need brakes on all wheels now or the trailer rating would drop to the braked axle rating of 3500#. I was looking at new trailers before I rebuilt mine and the only way to get 7000 or 9000 GVW rating was with brakes on both axles so I added to mine to be sure it was up to current standards and provide better braking.