Help with trailer decision

[artho45]

I am looking for a tandem axle utility trailer. The heaviest thing I would haul would be my CUT when I get one. I'm willing to drive to find the right tractor, but want to get the trailer now. We have a local H & H trailer dealer and am looking at the 6X16 tandem for $2600. I can find cheaper trailers, but I need some advice on which ones would be the best. How much difference is there in brands, what do I look for, frame size, etc. BTW, I'm looking at 3500 pounds axles.

 

[4570Man]

What size tractors are you looking at? Keep in mind the posted tractor weight is base tractor only. The loader, fluid filled tires and implements are extra. And the maximum hauling weight of a trailer is combined axel capacity plus the hitch weight minus the trailer weight. That probably leaves 5500-6000 pounds with 7k combined axels. It doesn’t take much tractor to exceed that.

 

[artho45]

I'm looking for something similar to a Kubota 3240 with FEL.

 

[4570Man]

I think the base tractor 4wd no cab is 3400 pounds. The loader adds another 1100 which I’m not sure if that includes the bucket. Then you’re probably going to load the tires or at least use an implement. You’ll need to do both to maximize the loader. My L3240 could pull the back end off the ground with loaded tires and a 500 pound box blade and a backhoe subframe. The point of all that? You need a heavier duty trailer. I’ve been accused of exaggerating the truth on this number but I think my L3240 with a backhoe, backhoe subframe, loaded tires, loader and bucket was around 8k pounds.

 

[Tompet]

I have an Appalachian 18' 7k car hauler (2-3500 axles as you listed). In some situations it is barely enough. If I was to do it over it would be 10k 20' (2-5k axles). I suggest you consider something similar. Btw, get brakes on both axles.

Put an attachment on the back of your tractor size listed and a trailer gets short real quick with almost no room to balance load.

I really like the trailer design with wedge metal front and rest of deck wood, the 16" wide slide in rear ramps with smooth top are great. I would just prefer next size up.

 

[4570Man]

18 feet is enough if you don’t have a backhoe and don’t intend on hauling any extra implements and have removable ramps like most car haulers have. There’s probably not room to keep the loader on the deck with a rotary cutter on the back and fold up the ramps if you have a folding ramps trailer.

 

[Fallon]

A Kubota Grand is a 5k lbs machine without an impliment. The flail mower for my L4060 is almost an extra 2k lbs ontop of that, but is about as heavy an impliment as you can get for a CAT1 machine.

My 22' tilting deck trailer with a pair of 7k lbs axles weighs 4k lbs. The weight of the trailer counts against the capacity of the axles. So I have 7k lbs of load vs 10k lbs of capacity remaining on the trailer.

Pushing equipment right up to their rated capacity wears them out quick & gives you very little wiggle room or safety margin.

Also remember get a longer trailer than you need. You need to balance your load so you get 10-15% of the trailer weight on the tongue. If you dont you fishtail or break your hitch & truck suspension.

A F150 is also only rated to tow 11,000lbs or so in the optimal configuration. Depending on your truck, you are likely to need a better tow vehicle. It's not cheap or easy to tow but things legally or properly.

 

[Fallon]

And a photo of my L4060 (pretty much the same size & weight as a L3x40) on a 22' trailer. I only have a couple feet of extra space even with the moderately short flail mower. A rotary cutter would pretty much be the full deck covered if not a little hanging off.

 

[4570Man]

I had a 10k GN that was marginal for hauling my tractor with backhoe. Sometimes the tires rubbed the deck. Then I traded it and I thought I was really over doing it with a trailer with double 10k axels. Nope, my new to me backhoe loads it to capacity.

 

[artho45]

Wow! thanks for all the help. the tow vehicle will not be a problem, I have a 3/4 Chevy Duramax diesel, it will handle the load alright. I don't plan on ever having a BH, but would plan on a box blade, tiller, and shredder, not that I would ever haul them all at once though. Looks like I will have to move up in trailer. I was hoping to buy the trailer now and then the tractor in 6 months or so. this will be a 100% cash only deal, so looks like I have to save a little bit longer. Thanks for all your advice.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

This is my tractor with brush hog on an 18' trailer:



As pictured, my tractor weighs just over 7K pounds.

I would not go a foot under 20' trailer, and probably 22-24', so you'll be "set" no matter what implements you have on.

 

[fried1765]

Wow! thanks for all the help. the tow vehicle will not be a problem, I have a 3/4 Chevy Duramax diesel, it will handle the load alright. I don't plan on ever having a BH, but would plan on a box blade, tiller, and shredder, not that I would ever haul them all at once though. Looks like I will have to move up in trailer. I was hoping to buy the trailer now and then the tractor in 6 months or so. this will be a 100% cash only deal, so looks like I have to save a little bit longer. Thanks for all your advice.

Minimum:
10K
20 ft.
102" wide

 

[George2615]

This is my tractor with brush hog on an 18' trailer:

View attachment 577709

As pictured, my tractor weighs just over 7K pounds.

I would not go a foot under 20' trailer, and probably 22-24', so you'll be "set" no matter what implements you have on.

If your tractor does weigh just over 7K as you say then your 7K trailer is way overloaded and 18' is too short. Your trailer alone probably weighs at least 2K which only leaves you able to carry a 5K load.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

If your tractor does weigh just over 7K as you say then your 7K trailer is way overloaded and 18' is too short. Your trailer alone probably weighs at least 2K which only leaves you able to carry a 5K load.

Which is why I have my eye out for a 30'-ish gooseneck.

 

[Stimw]

Here is my 35 hp Branson on my 16' trailer.
When I haul tractor with backhoe attachment I have part of the stick over the tailgate.
Tows really good.
I saw Rural King had a large selection of trailers at my local Gainesville Fl. store Sunday.
They had small to large steel and aluminum in the parking lot with prices clearly marked.
Make sure you get trailer brakes!

 

[PA452]

Needs do tend to increase.

I used to have a Tacoma. Bought a used Kubota BX23 because I wanted a small backhoe and mower, but also needed it to be kind of light so I could tow it with the Tacoma. Being a little cheaper was nice too. Picked up a brand new PJ 16' landscape trailer that I still absolutely love; great trailer. The trailer could conceivably hold more than the tow rating of the Tacoma, so the Tacoma was my choke point. This past summer, I traded for a Tundra, so now my tow capacity is a fair amount higher than my trailer. It's made towing much nicer. Now I want to move up in tractor size some, and my new choke point is trailer weight capacity. Still, based on what I'm finding I should be able to manage a B2601 or B2650 with FEL and backhoe just fine on my trailer.

 

[nyone]

I move around my heavy old ford 851 with loader, loaded tires and box blade on a normal 18ft 7.5k car trailer just fine. It also moves my micro ex well too.

I do have a 6.5x12ft with 3500lb axle that i love useing.

 

[two_bit_score]

Wow! thanks for all the help. the tow vehicle will not be a problem, I have a 3/4 Chevy Duramax diesel, it will handle the load alright. I don't plan on ever having a BH, but would plan on a box blade, tiller, and shredder, not that I would ever haul them all at once though. Looks like I will have to move up in trailer. I was hoping to buy the trailer now and then the tractor in 6 months or so. this will be a 100% cash only deal, so looks like I have to save a little bit longer. Thanks for all your advice.

Is there a need to break the purchase in to two parts? You’re still going to spend the money. Why not decide on the tractor you want and buy the optimal trailer for that tractor at the same time. Do it right at the same time.


TBS

 

[rgr33]

Buying both tractor and trailer at the same time seems like a better way to go to me ,

A package deal with an implement added to the mix will get you a good discount. Plus you can see the whole loaded combo beforehand, and decide whether the trailer size works for you.

 

[artho45]

I'm looking for a used tractor. I found one that I liked but it was in Saint Louis, (I live in Nebraska) I was willing to drive to get it, but while I was trying to figure out if I could rent, buy or borrow a trailer, the tractor sold. If I go ahead and get the trailer, when the right tractor comes along I can hook up and go take a look. In case anyone questions, the company I work for allows me to use my company truck for personal use, and they pick up the gas along the way. So driving 8 hours to get a tractor is not a huge expense. BTW, they take a certain amount each month from my paycheck for personal use, so I personally use it.
So, that is why I want to get the trailer now and then the tractor.