Tractor rig length?

[Panik]

Does anyone have a measurement on how long a bx2360 with FEL and brush hog happens to be?

A little background - I am one of those folks that bought a BX with just a mmm. At the time I was using a 77"x10' P&T trailer with a two foot dovetail. For that particular setup the trailer was quite adequate in terms size/weight and was small enough that I could use it easily for hauling yard debris.

However, I have since added a FEL and a couple of attachments to the mix and can foresee the need for a brush hog in the future. Also with moving recently my dealer/maintenance shop has gone from being literally 5 minutes down the road to a 45 minutes trip. As well I now have two properties to maintain instead one.

The point is that I need to upgrade trailers. Ideally, I'm looking for a 77" wide by 14' or 16' dovetail with dual 5k axels and brakes all around. Nice perks would be LED lights, and round or square top rails. Currently I'm hauling with a 4x2 4.7L '06 Jeep Commander which gives new about 6,500 max tow capacity.

 

[The Bog Man]

Does anyone have a measurement on how long a bx2360 with FEL and brush hog happens to be?

A little background - I am one of those folks that bought a BX with just a mmm. At the time I was using a 77"x10' P&T trailer with a two foot dovetail. For that particular setup the trailer was quite adequate in terms size/weight and was small enough that I could use it easily for hauling yard debris.

However, I have since added a FEL and a couple of attachments to the mix and can foresee the need for a brush hog in the future. Also with moving recently my dealer/maintenance shop has gone from being literally 5 minutes down the road to a 45 minutes trip. As well I now have two properties to maintain instead one.

The point is that I need to upgrade trailers. Ideally, I'm looking for a 77" wide by 14' or 16' dovetail with dual 5k axels and brakes all around. Nice perks would be LED lights, and round or square top rails. Currently I'm hauling with a 4x2 4.7L '06 Jeep Commander which gives new about 6,500 max tow capacity.

I'd be looking at a trailer no less than 16' long. I had an 18' and if I recall, I used up a good portion of that for a similar set up.

 

[Panik]

Thanks for the quick response! In many ways I wish I didn't have to upgrades trailer sizes... The 10 footer is a really nice size for landscape and general hauling and I wish I didn't have to trade it. As well, my Christmas present to myself this year was going to be a nice, scoped Air Arms rifle but that's not going to happen with a new trailer and safety kinda trumps recreational plinking.

 

[Panik]

Another thought had come to mind as a medium term solution. I could always keep the 10' dovetail trailer and swap the 3k axle for a 5k axle with brakes and save up for the big trailer down the road and in the intervening period hire the work at the other property done as needed.

 

[wawajake]

I have a BX2660 (roughly same size as BX23) and with FEL and a PTO woodchipper it filled my 14 ft landscape trailer leaving me maybe 18 inches to spare, ...........a brush cutter will stick out much further and so mine does not fit on my trailer, A 16 foot at minimum would be required and even then you would be putting bucket with bucket facing as "down and inside " as possible.

 

[madmax12]

Dealing only with the length equation, if transport was a relatively rare occurance, could you use the tractor to load the rotary cutter in the nose of the trailer, then drive the tractor in and rest the bucket on top of the rotary cutter somehow (without damage)?

It's probably not a good suggestion, but it came to mind.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Just to add to what you're already hearing: BX24 with FEL and 42" Rankin bush hog. With the loader flat at the front of the 16' trailer (not overhanging) the bush hog wheel hangs just behind the back of the trailer. Not enough to require a flag.

(it just fits)

Z.

 

[Panik]

Thanks for all the help so far guys! Your input and experience is really helping. Well, the idea of swapping for a heavier duty axle on the current trailer ain't going to work. Talked to my trailer supplier and at the cost of a heavier axle, new springs, larger tires and rim I might as well start looking at trading for a new trailer.....:confused2: And if I'm gonna do that I might as well not compromise and get something that my tractor won't outgrow.

Zoltanthegypsy, thanks for the telling me about your setup. How does your trailer handle loaded? I think I might actually be okay with 16'. I don't currently have a brush hog, but anticipate getting one to mow my MIL's property 45' minutes away. It's an old homestead that's only occupied once or twice a year for holidays, so I really can't imagine loading up everything more than twice a year. I can deal with a little overhang a couple of times a year if the handling is manageable.

Madmax12, I like your suggestion, assuming I can convince the family accountant, otherwise known as SWMBO, about a new trailer I will likely try your idea with other implements, or a brush hog once get one.

I'm really fighting the idea of getting an 18' trailer. Maybe it's a mental block, I used 18 footers when I worked as a biologist and never had a problem. Our house has plenty of open space for using a large trailer for landscaping. I dunno it's just feels like 10' is too small, 16' is doable, and 18' is too large/commercial.

Anyways I think I can get 16-18' for P&J for about 1700.00, hopefully with dovetail and slide in ramps.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

...
Zoltanthegypsy, thanks for the telling me about your setup. How does your trailer handle loaded? I think I might actually be okay with 16'. I don't currently have a brush hog, but anticipate getting one to mow my MIL's property 45' minutes away. It's an old homestead that's only occupied once or twice a year for holidays, so I really can't imagine loading up everything more than twice a year. I can deal with a little overhang a couple of times a year if the handling is manageable.
...

It handles just fine behind my half ton Silverado. The BX isn't really all that heavy and the trailer is rated for 7000#.

I had it build with dual axles and both-axle disk surge brakes. Works very well for the BX or anything else I care to trailer.

I also tow a 7500# boat on a trailer (with a different tow rig) that's closer to 30' long so the 16-footer doesn't seem big at all.

Z.

 

[mmorisoli]

If it matters I have an L3940 with a skid steer quick connect loader, a grapple, box blade and 6 foot rhino shredder that I tow all over with a 16 foot Maxey dump trailer gooseneck with two #7,500 axles with dual electric brakes and a 2008 GMC 2500HD long bed crew cab Duramax

I load the loader bucket and box blade in the front of the trailer first the drive on with the shredder and grapple attached. By setting the grapple on the top hat portion of the gooseneck the shredder still sticks out the back several feet but it tows just great and better yet it stops good too.

The Duramax helps to maintain 70mph on most any normal hills... Water temp being the limiting factor.

 

[Panik]

Thanks. Handling wise I was curious about the balance front to back considering that you didn't have any room to adjust, but it sounds like things work out fine. I am planning on getting dual axles with brakes on 4 wheels. It may be overkill for the BX but it means I won't have to worry about it later on if I am carrying close to my limits.

Thankfully when we got the commander it came with a good tow package . It originally was the wife's car hauler. She wanted something she would feel safe with, and I wasn't willing to get a H2 at the time. When my Dakota died she got a new minivan and I ended up with the Jeep - which was actually a step up in towing ability from the Dakota.

Anyways I think I convinced the family of the need for upgrading the trailer and will probably be committing within the next couple of weeks after working out a couple of options. Like I said a dovetail, slide in ramps would be ideal and if I'm going for broke LED's and rear jacks would be just cool.

I'm planning on getting a Tekonsha P3 controller. The wonderful thing about living in the sticks and owning a commander is that no one seems to know who do an install on my Jeep. Even more fun is that the local dealer is only willing to install mopar. I'm probably going to have them install the wiring harness, and then handle the plug and play and location of the controller myself.

 

[C4Ranch]

Installing a brake controller is pretty simple....... I've installed that controller on 3 vehicles. Don't know about jeep, but my chevy's had a pigtail that just plugged in. My newest '12 had the wires stuffed up in the dash.

 

[Panik]

Your right it should be a pretty smile install..... However it is a Jeep. For the research I've done, even though Commanders were sent out the door with tow packages no one ever thought to include a plug and play wiring harness with the tow package. So, in addition to getting ordering a wiring harness, it also means splicing into a couple of wires that may or may not be taped forward or aft of the firewall and may or may not be either green or white with a tan strip depending on the year.

Point being the Jeep needs to go in for service: brakes, fluids, etc. With three kids and a wife in school my time is at enough of a premium that its worth it to have someone else who can do it quickly and correctly the first time handle it.

In any case I'll be picking up the new trailer on Monday. I should have realized that the farm supply that I'm buying from wouldn't take Amex. It is a dual 3.5k axle, 16' dovetail light equipment trailer with LED lights, flip up ramps and brakes on a single axle. If I remember correctly the GVWR is around 7,500 which leaves plenty of capacity for my needs. It was made by P&T Trailer out of Alabama and not P&J, but its got nice construction, welds, paint etc. My only complaint is scotch locks on the wiring but I can live with that until something shorts.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee require the sub harness be installed if you have the trailer tow package. This involves getting behind the radio/ climate control to access power feed for power outlet and brake pedal switch. It leaves a 4 pin blue connector that either the brake control pig tail plugs into or you can get a plug and play cable for the Prodigy units.


Mopar Brake Controller Sub Harness 82210512AC | eBay

Install manual
http://site.justforjeeps.com/guide/82210512AC.pdf


Have 2006 Commander Limited with Quadra Drive II and it is a keeper.

David Kb7uns

 

[Panik]

Thanks man! I really appreciate the info. I'd already seen the installation manual, but had been scratching my head about what the part number was for the sub harness. I want to do the install myself, I just don't know how much time I have to dig around under the dash. That why I was contemplating have the dealer put in the sub harness and finish the install myself so I could put the unit where I wanted

Mines a 4.7L from 2006 as well and I've enjoyed the heck out of it so far.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Hardest part was standing on your head and splicing to the brake switch. DO NOT REMOVE SWITCH if you do it must be replaced. Took me less than 2 hours to do job. Usually first page of install manual has the part number it is for in this case the PDF title has it. Notice location of wires is different from, factory and dealer installed harness.

The QDII with studded tires is very impressive on ice, it did better then other similar rigs with chains around here a few years back during a big freeze when chains were required on everything in town included. Have my Commander also set up with a comprehensive mobile ham equipment install also.

David Kb7uns