RTV Trailer Towing

[caylor]

How does the RTV handle towing trailers around? I know this sounds goofy but, I am looking to buy a trailer for my L3130 and it more than likely will be a gooseneck type trailer. I was wondering if anybody has rigged a RTV to hook up to a gooseneck trailer? (I am thinking rear reciever hitch adapter, not through the RTV bed, since the bed dumps)

Let me state that I am not intending for the RTV to pull massive weights on the gooseneck, but I would like to use the RTV/Gooseneck combination to be a utility type trailer around the farm (haul off large branches, brush, carry irrigation pipe and construction related items. What do you RTV owners think? All this said becasue I am a cheapo and I only want to buy one trailer. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[FL_Cracker]

I don't think the RTV rear hitch could take a GN adaptor. The leverage created by the long adaptor would let the GN trailer rip the hitch off the rear axle tube...

I pull a 5x10 single axle tag-a-long trailer and that works fine....

 

[bczoom]

I'm with FL_Cracker on the leverage issue. I wouldn't think the rear receiver could handle it. The RTV can tow very heavy loads but the receiver can't take incredibly high tongue weight.
A 2nd (smaller) trailer could be purchased or built relatively cheaply. Check out sales, auctions... I have trailers in the 4x8 or so size that I've picked up for $50.

Brian

 

[DrRod]

I'm going to venture out on a limb here and assume that towing with an RTV is somewhat similar to towing with an ATV -- at least in the following way:

Its not how much you can get moving, its how much you can get stopped. ATVs typically have tow rating in the 900 - 1100 lbs range. They will tow a lot more, the limit is often a matter of getting traction, but once you've got something rolling, it can be hard to stop it with a 500 lb machine.

While I've never pulled anything too heavy with wheels on it, I once was skidding logs out of the woods on crusty snow. I saw my daughter waving and pointing and when I looked around I saw the log gaining on me. I sped up and made it to the road before it did but when I headed up the road it headed straight across and basically played crack-the-whip with me and the ATV. Given the icy conditions, it all went pretty well and was sort of fun -- but is probably not recommended procedure.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm going to venture out on a limb here and assume that towing with an RTV is somewhat similar to towing with an ATV -- at least in the following way:

Its not how much you can get moving, its how much you can get stopped. )</font>

That's true for any vehicle with something in tow. One of the primary reasons I got the RTV was for processing firewood. Living in the hills, I didn't like towing a trailer to get the wood down. On the hills, I carry as much as I can in the box and that's it. On relatively flat ground, I'll tow heavy trailers.

 

[caylor]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will just bite the bullet and buy a little trailer to tow behind. What size do y'all recommend to be able to transport the RTV? I figure I can use it to haul the RTV on, and use it as the RTV utility trailer. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think I will just bite the bullet and buy a little trailer to tow behind. What size do y'all recommend to be able to transport the RTV?)</font>

From the post above, I think FL_Cracker uses a 5x10 to haul his RTV. I'm using a 6x12 and have some room around the sides and back (I pull it all the way forward for tongue weight).

Since you're going to "bite the bullet", think of other things you may want it for and size for those things as well. If I stack very carefully, I can get about 100 bales of hay on a 6x12 (but won't take that kind of load down a hill...).

Brian

 

[DrRod]

You want to get a little more space than the minimum fit. This gives you room to adjust for tongue weight and angles for tie-down. Sometimes a trailer rolls along and you don't even know its there, other times it seems you just can't get the weight distributed right. So leave some room to adjust.

 

[Tact]

I had a 5 x 10 when I first got my RTV and it fit snug on the sides with a little tire rubbing getting it loaded and unloaded. I then bought a 6 x 12 which made loading and unloading a lot easier. I also got a fold down ramp in the back. If you get a tilt trailer I don't think you'll have enough front weight to tilt it back level. I'm extremely happy with my 6 x 12.

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you get a tilt trailer I don't think you'll have enough front weight to tilt it back level. I'm extremely happy with my 6 x 12. )</font>

Fred,

Have you tried a tilt? Just wondering why you couldn't get it back up. I have a 6x12' with ramp and it works nicely.

Brian