Need Help choosing Equip. trailer

Bob_Young · Oct 16, 2004

Guess that is the simple answer, Rick. Was resisting it partly because it would mean upgrading the hitch on the truck....but that's small potatoes compared with everything else. Trying to get by with a little less got me into this. Not wise to continue the error.

Thanks to all for the responses and insights. You've convinced me to go back and upgrade to the 10K 20 footer. It's a very nice looking trailer, the first that caught my eye.

Thought the 7k/18' would serve if I carried tractor with FEL and No brush cutter OR tractor with brush cutter and No FEL. But that was probably not a realistic plan. If, down the road, I add the backhoe, I'm not going to want to take off the FEL for hauling....and a BH must certainly weigh more than a brush cutter.

The comment about having enough room to move the tractor on the trailer for tongue load adjustment hit home. Couldn't see how I was going to do that on an 18 footer even with my No FEL hauling scheme.

You guys may have just saved me some serious change. Thanks much.
Bob

MossRoad · Oct 16, 2004

Remember, a 7000# trailer is total weight. You have to include the weight of the trailer, too.

I have an 18 foot car hauler rated at 7000#. It weighs 1500# so the real load it is capable of it 5500#.

Your tractor weighs 3000#, plus your brush hog @1100# already equals 4100#. Add your FEL to that and you are probably pretty close to maxing it out.

surfran · Oct 17, 2004

On another subject, if your going to be hauling your tractor often, make sure you have insurance to cover it.

Auto insurance covers the liability of the trailer hooked to the vehicle, but not the contents of the trailer as I was informed.

Many use homeowners ins. for their tractors, which also does not cover the tractor being hauled from my understanding.

I purchased an Inland Marine policy for mine which covers "all perils" to the specified value. This also covers if I do something stupid like rolling if over.

Just another thought since I trailer mine very frequently.

Good luck on the new trailer.

Poncho · Oct 17, 2004

Bob.... I don't think you can go wrong witht he 20'. I've been using a 16' for towing my MF135 with bush hog and the rear wheel of the bush hog hangs off the back. I'm in the market for a new trailer and will be looking at a 20 footer.

gray · Oct 17, 2004

Bob,

For what it's wirth- go to a 20ft/10000gvw with brakes and keep it low if you can. I have an 18ft and would like a 20. Some day.

they are right- stay away form the 12K it will bring the DOT and others into your life- Not worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck.

GeneD14 · Oct 17, 2004

I have had several trailers and by far the best decision that I have ever made buying one is a 10,000 GVW 20' long tilt bed. It is much safer and quicker than using ramps. You will never regret buying a 10,000 gvw vs a 7,000 gvw. See attached picture. Good luck!

Bob_Young · Oct 18, 2004

MiGosh GeneD; that tractor seems to dwarf the trailer. It's your L4330, right? My tractor will be a little smaller but not much. If I'd seen that picture up front I'd never have considered an 18 footer.

Mossy, Poncho and gray; thanks for the additional input. Invoice was switched to 10K/20 footer today. It was almost $900 more, but a lot more trailer for the money. It's a Big Tex 10PI 20' with pipe rail, integrated HD ramp gate and brakes on both axles. If this is the last trailer I ever have to buy, that $900 was well spent. Should be nice for hauling firewood and an occasional load of hay as well.

Surfran, I'll give some thought to insurance, but I'm honestly a bit negative on the whole insurance thing. Especially now that rates are high. Might be worth it, though if I start hauling on a regular basis. My 90 yr old Dad says I drive like an old grandmother; but it's really just a double dose of caution and courtesy brought on by minimal insurance coverage.

OhioGuy · Oct 18, 2004

Hey Bob,

I'm also debating on a trailer. A couple of weeks ago I was overhead door shopping and discovered Home Depot wants $125 to deliver a 16' door. Sounds like as good excuse as any to buy that trailer. I currently have a 6x10 tilt trailer I bought used that has been a real workhorse. It will hold about 5 yards of mulch, I've hauled tons of gravel, lumber, crushed limestone, golf carts, tractors, you name it. It has a cover also that has really been helpful. I hauled a load of 16' 2x8, 2x10's in it, bad decision, I got the load home OK, but it was tense, too much weight to the rear. An 18 or 20 foot trailer would really be the ticket there. I was considering an enclosed trailer, but they seem to be about triple the cost.
I saw an 18' tandem landscape trailer in the paper last week for $900 but didn't call in time.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Curt

GeneD14 · Oct 19, 2004

That is my L4330. When I had a 18' trailer and a bush hog on the tractor it would hang over the back end about a foot. It made the decision to go to a 20' pretty easy.

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 19, 2004

""Once you get the trailer, friends & relatives want "stuff" hauled... How popular do you want to be?

Try having a couple trailers, dump trucks and now a bulldozer. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I never realized what a helluva guy I am until I got this stuff. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif