Tractor for Trailer

[yooperdave]

I have a 6.75' x 16' tandem axle trailer with a brake for my F150 4x4 off road. It came with my Kubota F2400.

How big of a tractor can I put on the trailer & still not kill my truck? I only plan on transporting 10 to 15 miles at a time and only with the most extreme of care.

Am I further ahead by just taking the tractor on a road trip and leaving the truck & trailer behind? I did not want to put many "highway miles" on the tractor. Will a large frame CUT with loader even fit on this trailer?

I am undeceided between a large frame CUT (L5030 or a 4710 or a TC45) and a TN series New Holland or a M series Kubota. Do the CUT's offer more features than the Ag sized tractors?

I am still scratching my head. One size does not work for everything. I like the hydos on the CUT's but the hydraulic shuttle shift on the larger tractors are also acceptable.

Thanks for any input.

Yooper Dave

 

[lamarbur]

depends on the gross weight of the trailer.. I have a 12,000 lb at 18 ft and can load 9,000 on it. Remember to subtract trailer weight from it's gross, the balance is what you can carry. I would think with a 150 Ford, you should be able to carry that trailer and prpbably close to 5,000 or a hair over it.

 

[KAB]

Quite often on full size trucks the GCVW (Gross COmbined Vehicle Weight Rating is listed either in the glove box or the door jamb.

This number is the maximum weight of the truck and trailer loaded can can be. You will need to include passengers, equipement, supplies, etc. into this number.

You did not specify which engine, cab style, axle ratio, if it has a payload group option, and whatever else can make a difference on a Ford. (I am not a Ford person)

Another item that can always help when towing a trailer is a weight distributing hitch.

According to Fords Website for the F150 heritage towing capacity can vary from 5200# to 8000#.

Kurt

 

[Casimir]

Check your owner's Manual on the truck. It should give a towing capacity. I would expect about 5000 lbs on a F150, but if it is a heavy duty model with a lower speed rear end, it may be rated for more. The vehicle recommended towing capacities should be OK unless you are hauling all day every day. If you are only towing once in awhile for short distances, you could probably handle a slightly larger load, depending on towing conditions (hills, temperature, weather, etc.).

That said, it is always best to stay within the tow rating of the truck and hitch, whichever is less. As lamarbur said, the rated towing capacity would include the weight of the trailer, as well as what you load on it.

 

[zuiko]

I have a 01 2WD F150 and the towing capacity with the factory tow package is 5800. The 4WD was slightly less I believe, still above 5000. That would be your limiting factor. I don't have a trailer for my tractor since I wouldn't be able to pull it anyway with the loader and the loaded tires.

 

[JimR]

One thing to remember when trailering 4-5k with any vehicle that small in weight. Make sure the trailer has brakes. Your life and someone else's may depend on it. Your F150 should be able to pull 5K. My S-10 4dr is rated at 5k.

 

[BigAl]

Ok ,I am more than likely going to get slapped around for this . My current truck is a 2000 GM 1500 4x4,V-8 extended cab . I run 10 ply tires . I just went to Texas ( 4700 mile round trip ) to pick up a Kioti DK45TLB . I estimated total towing wieght at 9700 pounds including the trailer . I do have low gears and a tow haul package added to the truck . I am always more concerned about my STOPPING distance ,than my towing speed . My trailer is set up with brakes on both axles and I keep them set agressive when I haul my tractor . I do know the exact spot on the trailer where my tractor will put the proper tongue weight on the hitch when it is loaded . I do not get in a hurry and try and outrun the sports cars on the freeway nor am I the guy that is slowing everyone up . I keep plenty of distance between me and the car in front of me . I don't tail gate . I use my gears and brakes on hills and grades the same way I did when I drove loaded semi's . When I had my one ton dually diesel , I drove the same way . A 3/4 ton or 1 ton single rear wheel truck is not that much heavier than most 1/2 ton extended cabs . And I can get just as big a engine /transmission in most 1/2 ton's as most 3/4 or 1 ton's .STOPPING ability is the most important part of towing anything . Period!!!
I have a good friend who has a 1 ton 4x4 diesel with all the bells and whistles who almost got me killed because his trailer brakes were so far out of adjustment . He was cut off by a car and hit his brakes . The trailer kept going and pushed us sideways .He looked like he was swatting flies because his arms were moving so fast to correct for the constant oversteer .If it had not been for me reaching across and engaging his manual overide on his trailer brakes and yelling at him to get off the truck brakes we were on are way for a fast ride to the cementary . It still took a few seconds for the trailer brakes to fully engage and bring the partially loaded trailer under control . It was a very quiet ride for awhile as I adjusted his trailer brake setting to where it should have been set /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Lesson Learned ? He just assumed that big new one ton truck could handle anything that came along and never gave a thought about the importance of good braking on the trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
. Ok , now you guy's can slap me around .
Big Al

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

No slaps from me... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[lamarbur]

up here in New England, well supposedly anyway, anything over 10,000 meand CDL. Also, I had to bring my trailer through DOT inspection in CT. Here, regardless of the number axles (one or two) all axles has to have brakes, the trailer has to have an operable break away switch. I had to change the factory HD hitch over from 500 lb toungue weight to a 1200 lb tongue. You wouldn't need this on a 150 and 16 ft traier. Just pointing out that in some areas, trailering is taken more serious than in others..

 

[Moon]

Big Al,
I'm right there with ya. That is how I try to drive whenever i tow. But ... I have no idea how you engage a manual override on the trailer brakes. How do you do that?

Your post also reminded me that its been awhile since my trailer brakes were checked. Another item to add to my spring to do list ....
Thanks,
Moon of Ohio