Trailer opinion

[mendodave]

Hello Kubota people!

I am a happy owner of the Mighty Mouse, my BX23. I use it around my place a LOT more than I ever thought I would.
I have been looking for a possible tow vehicle and a trailer to move it around with, but that is even more money..

I found a local trailer, it is JD green, so I am sure its a tractor capable one. The owner said he towed a John Deere 40020? maybe he meant a 420

two axle, ramps, pretty rusty, two long boards down the center, tires old but still good, lights all work.

it has a strange tow hitch with a brake master cylinder it looks like in it, on braking the tow vehicle the tow hitch brakes the trailer...

what the heck is that?

I can get this for $800 bucks, whaddaya all think?
Towing to friends, make some bucks, in to the dealer for maintenance, etc. I can borrow a tow vehicle for now.

here are some photos


I think I am pulling the trigger on this one

David

 

[ericb2400]

That sounds a bit high to me. My 6x14 tandom was that much new. It did not have breaks though.

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[tjkubota93]

Thats called surge brakes.

Like you said, the trailer pushing forward while the tow vehicke is braking pushes the master cylinder like a foot pushing on a pedal.

Trailer looks old but built heavy. Most surge brakes i have seen didn't work (all on old trailers).

 

[ultrarunner]

Trailers seem to cost more out here as most things... looks like an old timer by the hitch... also surge brakes were very popular with rental yards because no trailer brake controller needed.

Plenty of trailer for your BX... tow my BX23 about 1500 miles so far with a single axle trailer with 12 ply tires and 5,000 pound gvw axle...

Every used trailer I bought needed work... after looking it over for structural defects mostly from overloading pull the wheels and check the bearings... very important... hydraulic brakes don't keep well when not used... might have to spend money of new or rebuilt master cylinder and wheel cylinders and look the tires over real good... some would say if you plan to do any highway towing start with new tires...

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

If it needs tires or new boards or any thing, that's a bit high. That price should be for a near new used trailer.
For sure get dual axle for safety in case a tire goes out you can still keep on the road. I've trailered tractors with no brakes trailers for 10 years with no issues but some states require it and where/mountain roads/long hauls could make a difference of brake needs. My current newer trailer has brakes but truck doesn't have a brake controller.
16" dual axle no brakes used tires new trailers from Mo are/were around $1200/$1400 and some local makers are making/selling them for that around this area.
Keep looking is my :2cents:

 

[mendodave]

Having slept on it I think it is too much trailer for a little BX.

Thanks, guys!

David

 

[chucky79]

its not too much trailer but it is too much money (at least for my area). Ive walked away from two this week that were tandem 18ft trailers for 800 each based on condition and price. I think that's a 500 trailer in my opinion..

 

[bellweather]

Wow, I didn't think stuff got that rusty in a dry state like CA?

 

[mendodave]

Well, when you live a half mile from the ocean things tend to rust up.
I am going to hold out for a 5x14 dump trailer, you can squeeze a BX into one of those.

Mendo

 

[skidsareforkids]

Doesn't matter what the tires look like. What's the DOT date of manufacture? If they are five years old or greater they need to be replaced. Trailer tires and car/truck tires are not made the same nor of the same components.

 

[ultrarunner]

Are the temp extremes in Texas a factor?

I maintain a lot of equipment... cars, trucks and trailers and tractors and would be in a world of hurt if I had to replace tires every 5 years...

 

[94BULLITT]

You can get a pretty decent new 7x16 trailer for $2,100.

 

[skidsareforkids]

Are the temp extremes in Texas a factor?

I maintain a lot of equipment... cars, trucks and trailers and tractors and would be in a world of hurt if I had to replace tires every 5 years...

Temp extremes are part of it but not the whole story. Trailer tires lose strength over time and heat exasperates the problem but mostly heat from friction (rolling). That is why it's reccomended to stay under 65mph. The faster you go the hotter the tire gets and the faster the sidewalls begin to break down. Trailer tires are stamped with a date of manufacture and when buying new you should insist on tires less than 6 months old. This link is to a Discount Tire article but I'll try and find the link to the NHTSA article I used to have.

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[ultrarunner]

I have noticed a lot more tire casing and tread on the side of the road when I was traveling in Arizona and New Mexico one summer... figured it had to be heat and speed.

Many of my old cars have a sweet spot around 45 mph or even less... like 25 for the Horseless carriages.

My single axle car trailer has made in USA 12 ply tires that are at least 20 years old... they are not radial.

It does seem we did build better longevity into tires... some of my friends collect WWII military vehicles and some are still running tires made in the 1940's... and you are right... they simply don't drive at high speed for for long periods of time.

Any multi-axle trailer can exert tremendous side pressure or scrub... I've seen loaded trailers literally pull tires right off the rims when negotiating a true hair pin turn on grade near my home...


Doubt I've ever hit 60 mph when towing... I set the cruise and figure it will take me a few more minutes to get where I am going and seldom have to touch the brakes... or look over my shoulder!