How big of a Trailer will I need?

[MossflowerWoods]

Howdy,

I'm about to purchase either a Kioti DK50SE w/FEL, or a Bobcat CT450 w/FEL (basically the same exact tractor).

How big of a trailer do I need to haul it plus a bush-hog (for example).

Also, I suspect you ill tell me I need to upgrade my 2001 2wd F-150 supercab (I believe it will tow 8500lbs).

I want advice from you guys "living the life" and not from the dealer with $$$ in his eyes...

Unfortunately Money IS an object, so I am likely shopping around for used (spending all I gots on the Tractor).

Thanks in advance and Be well!
David

 

[LD1]

Howdy,

I'm about to purchase either a Kioti DK50SE w/FEL, or a Bobcat CT450 w/FEL (basically the same exact tractor).

How big of a trailer do I need to haul it plus a bush-hog (for example).

Also, I suspect you ill tell me I need to upgrade my 2001 2wd F-150 supercab (I believe it will tow 8500lbs).

I want advice from you guys "living the life" and not from the dealer with $$$ in his eyes...

Unfortunately Money IS an object, so I am likely shopping around for used (spending all I gots on the Tractor).

Thanks in advance and Be well!
David

Well, the tractor weighs ~4000lbs. The FEL will probabally add another ~1300lbs. If you add ballast to the rear, tack on another ~700, and then your heviest implement, perhaps a ~1000lb bushhog, and you are looking @ 7000lbs of tractor. So I will say you need a 10k trailer MINIMUM. If you plan on towing in this configuration.

And you are probabally going to want a 22 or 24 footer as well. I know my smaller kubota 3400 with a 6' hog on the back, the tail-wheel hangs off the back of my 20 footer.

As to the truck, if you plan on towing much, yea, I'd upgrade to a 3/4-ton or 1-ton.

How often do you plan on towing the tractor around? How far?

If not very often, and not very far, a 10-12 mile road trip a few times a year isnt that bad. And usually, anything under 6 miles, I just drive the tractor anyway:thumbsup: 6 miles takes me ~30min. If I trailer it, by the time I load it, chain it, drive there, unchain, unload, it takes about 30 min as well.

 

[Chef Pa]

Moss,

Congrats on the new tractor. I've been looking at Kioti & Kubota and had spec sheets downloaded already. Don't take my comments on the trailer too seriously, as I'm not an expert. I do think the numbers below are pretty close though - hope this helps.

3968 = DK50SE - Overall L = 134"
1100 = Loader (est) - Addt'l L (est) = 40
1046 = Land Pride 72" RCR2672 - Overall L = 126
634 = Fluid (est) 13.6-24 tires 317 lb ea
200 = Chain, hardware (est)
------
6948 = est weight
25' = est overall L (this seems long to me, maybe I'm missing some overlap?)

 

[Chef Pa]

Moss,

Forgot to add comment on trailer. I have a 10K bumper pull 22' and looked forever at used and finally gave up and bought new. I had left gooseneck off my list altogether as I just didn't want to mess with it, or spend the additional $ for the hitch, since there's already a class V on my truck. If I had it to do over again I would reconsider the used GN. Seem to be more available for sale, at least in my area, and at a more reasonable price. Just my :2cents: on the trailer. I'm sure others will have good suggestions also.

Greg

 

[foreman Etexas]

I would say the Gooseneck is they way to go,with the half/ton pickup the load would pull so much better. Look at the 24ft lowboy Goosenecks they have twin 7000lbs axles...Just my 2 cents!!

May look into getting overloads or air bags instead of buying a new truck"Way Cheaper"..

I personally would go with the air bags so you can keep the level ride without the trailer and when your hooking up the trailer you can just de-flate the bags and back under then in-flate without any jacking involved.....

 

[Diamondpilot]

Very good info so far.

Let me start with the truck. I am a big F-150 fan, own 6, but you are going to kill it. I am a trailer dealer and and can tell you a trailer to pull this load is in the range of 2,500# so using the calculations of other here at aprox 7,000# for your load you are pushing 10,000# for the total load by the time you add the extras like chains, tools, ect.

2001 F-150 2x4 Super crew had 3 engines available according to my trailer towing guide and each have a different tow rating.

4.2L V-6 has a rating of 5,500#
4.6L V-8 has a rating of 6,900#
5.4L V-8 has a rating of 8,600#

I have towed 10,000# with my 2001 F-150 4x4 Super Crew 5.4L back in 2003. It was not fun and actually would not pull the load up a hill I encountered on a road on a 100deg August day. I had to drive it in 4 Wheel Low for 3 miles to crest it. If it were not for that low gearing I would still be there. I bought a brand new 2004 Powerstroke 4x4 the next day.

I am also in the drive the tractor camp for shorter distances. I find it way less stressful and gives me a time to relax after some work.


Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

One other thing. I have been dealing trailers for maybe 25 years now. Dealt with hundreds. I have seen maybe 10 good deals on used trailers.

Most used trailers need some type of work. Brakes, bearings, wiring, paint, deck, and the biggie tires. Trailer tires last 5 years on average. I see this every month where someone buys a trailer for 2/3 the cost of new. Example is a guy who bought a used 16' car hauler. I could have ordered him a new one for about $1400 at the time. He gave $800 for his used one and all it needed was a new deck???? So $200 for the deck and the brakes do not work. He brings it to me and they are shot along with all the wiring. We do a whole job on that and discover the bearings are all in need of service. 6 months later he is coming to me to replace the tires because he has had 2 blow outs.

Long story short he now has a 10 year old trailer with lots of wear and is into it for $1500. I could have sold him the same trailer new for $1400 6 months earlier.

Do your homework.

Chris

 

[LD1]

Moss,

Congrats on the new tractor. I've been looking at Kioti & Kubota and had spec sheets downloaded already. Don't take my comments on the trailer too seriously, as I'm not an expert. I do think the numbers below are pretty close though - hope this helps.

3968 = DK50SE - Overall L = 134"
1100 = Loader (est) - Addt'l L (est) = 40
1046 = Land Pride 72" RCR2672 - Overall L = 126 634 = Fluid (est) 13.6-24 tires 317 lb ea
200 = Chain, hardware (est)
------
6948 = est weight
25' = est overall L (this seems long to me, maybe I'm missing some overlap?)

Wow, that landpride tailwheel sticks way out there:confused2:

Probabally more than most 6' hogs.

My bushhog model 306 6' cutter (comparable to the LP) is only 113". Over a foot shorter.

And if the load will distribute well on the trailer, you can leave the tail-wheel stick out back off the trailer with no problems.

 

[Chef Pa]

My bushhog model 306 6' cutter (comparable to the LP) is only 113". Over a foot shorter.

It all seemed long. Didn't catch that, just used the LP numbers as we've got one on my Dad's place and like it a lot.

Also agree with Chris on the used trailer, to some degree. I looked all over for a 10/14K BP and started to add up my fuel/other expenses when looking (PS it always cost MORE if you take the Mrs. with you ) and broke down and bought new. With the BP's I ran into exactly what Chris said - lots of work/parts required to get a used trailer in shape. However, I've seen a few decent deals on GN's lately that appeared to be in good shape. Don't know if the demand just isn't there or what, but I do think they're out there if you aren't in a hurry and can wait for a good deal. Maybe it's just been my luck, finding good deals after I bought a new trailer. Good luck either way.

 

[foreman Etexas]

2004 heavy/half 6.0gas is what I have been using to pull my trailer is a 24ft flattop gooseneck twin 7000lbs axles I just back on the trailer so tractor is over axles,pulls fine(70mph) truck has over 350,000miles:thumbsup: