Utility Trailer for Subcompact Tractor

[paulsharvey]

To the OP: If you haven't bought a trailer U-Haul now rents a 16' 10,000# utility trailer, if your vehicle can tow it. Here is the thread I started on it.

U-Haul 16' 10,000# Toy Hauler Utility Trailer Now Available.

Vehicle and trailer inspections are no longer required in Texas, as of January 1, 2025. Emissions tests are still required in 17 of the largest counties. But I still have to pay the fee when I register my vehicles, that didn't go away.

Don't know if it is all U-Haul trailer rentals or just some? But they ask tow vehicle, and what it is hauling, and then some hard time you about it. Don't ever tell them a tractor, say a Geo Tracker or something as the load...

But, in all seriousness, picking up the rental, dropping it off, and all is a pain IF you are going to use it more than a few times per year. If this is a mater of getting the machine home, and 1 or 2 trips a year; a rental is probably the best choice. All of that of coarse dependant on distance and availability

 

[WinterDeere]

Don't know if it is all U-Haul trailer rentals or just some? But they ask tow vehicle, and what it is hauling, and then some hard time you about it. Don't ever tell them a tractor, say a Geo Tracker or something as the load...

But, in all seriousness, picking up the rental, dropping it off, and all is a pain IF you are going to use it more than a few times per year. If this is a mater of getting the machine home, and 1 or 2 trips a year; a rental is probably the best choice. All of that of coarse dependant on distance and availability

Good post. But also don't discount trailer maintenance if you own. Mine is getting a new deck this summer, and it's only 10 years old.

It's also getting some major retrofitting, but that's more in the area of discretionary customization, than pure maintenance.

I'm using mine at least a half dozen times per year, doule or triple that a few years, so well worth owning. But I did rent for many years, when I was using just 1-2 times per year, and it worked (mostly) fine.

 

[shooterdon]

To the OP: If you haven't bought a trailer U-Haul now rents a 16' 10,000# utility trailer, if your vehicle can tow it. Here is the thread I started on it.

U-Haul 16' 10,000# Toy Hauler Utility Trailer Now Available.

Vehicle and trailer inspections are no longer required in Texas, as of January 1, 2025. Emissions tests are still required in 17 of the largest counties. But I still have to pay the fee when I register my vehicles, that didn't go away.

I might need a trailer that size 3 times a year. $300/year. Makes no sense to buy one.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Well, true is, you also have to watch mission creep. If we get 9,999 capacity, 8x18; dual breaks, ect; we end up with a "dry" trailer weight of around 3500#. Then the issue is; we run our single ATV to the trail or pick up 500# of lumber; you start wishing you didn't have nearly 4000# of dead weight trailer....

So, single trailer, and the OP does specifically talk about budget; new. he's going to be tight getting a 6'4"x16', tandem, single set of brakes...

If budget wasn't an issue; a 6x12 or 6x14 light utility and a 7x18 equipment would be a great set up.

The certificate of ownership for my 16' 10.4k rated Gatormade GT-XT equipment trailer states that the dry weight is 2k. My "to do" list includes weighing the trailer especially after adding various "D" rings etc.

 

[WinterDeere]

I might need a trailer that size 3 times a year. $300/year. Makes no sense to buy one.

Price new is usually $5500 ± $200, depending on dealer and options. So 3x per year, if you assume 20 year life or resale at 10 years for half price, is roughly $92 per use to buy.

That assumes free storage and zero maintenance. If we assume $100/year inspection + $500 for new decking at 10 years, it's more like $133/use.

Of course, having the damn thing always on-hand and ready to use without the hassle of arranging and retrieving a rental is worth something, which for me is worth maybe $100/use alone. IOW, unless the rental is less than $33, I'd still argue to buy for 3x per year.

For others, the hassle of storing a trailer is a factor.

 

[shooterdon]

Price new is usually $5500 ± $200, depending on dealer and options. So 3x per year, if you assume 20 year life or resale at 10 years for half price, is roughly $92 per use to buy.

That assumes free storage and zero maintenance. If we assume $100/year inspection + $500 for new decking at 10 years, it's more like $133/use.

Of course, having the damn thing always on-hand and ready to use without the hassle of arranging and retrieving a rental is worth something, which for me is worth maybe $100/use alone. IOW, unless the rental is less than $33, I'd still argue to buy for 3x per year.

For others, the hassle of storing a trailer is a factor.

I have averaged 10% on my investments so $5500 nets me $550. If I can rent for $300 I am ahead. No maintenance and no having to move the darn thing around to mow grass.

I understand your point about having something handy and readily at hand but that becomes almost a non issue if you need something two or three times a year. Nothing I do is that time sensitive or important.

 

[paulsharvey]

The Gladiator Max Tow package is rated at 7700#. His tractor package might weight 2000#; maybe 2200# with a box blade or 2400# with a tiller. Even with an added safety margin, and room for growth; we dont need 10,000#.

If one day he upgrades tractor and tow vehicle; 7000# gives him a lot of room for growth, upto a smaller utility sized tractor, as long as its long and wide enough. If he gets a skid steer or larger utility tractor, then get a 2nd trailer,

 

[nyone]

I have a Bad Boy 1022H subcompact tractor that I will need to haul occasionally. These are the manufacturers stats on my tractor.

OVERALL LENGTH94.2"
OVERALL WIDTH44.5"
OVERALL HEIGHT86.6"
WHEELBASE53.1"
MINIMUM GROUND CLEARANCE8.3"
WEIGHT1,433 LBS.

With the bucket, the length and weight will change.

I am on a budget and want a reasonable bumper utility trailer with my Jeep Gladiator for local hauling usually under 50 miles. The Gladiator is fine for towing with the Max Tow Package. I have hauled stock trailers with no issues.

My problem is that most local dealers are in the $3600-$5000 range. My budget is $2000-$3000 (preferably on the lower end). Used trailers are often close in price to new trailers here.

1. Length 12’-16’? Does 14’ make sense?
2. Single vs tandem axle?
3. With or without brakes? Smaller utility trailers often do not have brakes.
4. Optimum GVWR for my use?

I appreciate any comments.

1433lbs without the loader. Thebloader adds another 5-600lbs. Are your rear tires loaded?

Appalachian trailer has some of the lowest cost/new trailers I have seen. I would not get anything under 7,000lb gvw. The weight of the trailer takes away from its capacity. Your looking at roughly $3300.

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[Too many Kubotas]

I have averaged 10% on my investments so $5500 nets me $550. If I can rent for $300 I am ahead. No maintenance and no having to move the darn thing around to mow grass.

On the flip side, with a rental you'll have no idea how many times the tires have been curbed, what shape the wheel bearings, brakes, etc. are in.

If something goes wrong with my trailers I only have myself to blame, which I much prefer.

 

[Torvy]

The other nice thing about choosing something small and light is that you can use the tractor to pull the trailer around the yard, when doing things like tree and shrub trimming. Then if your disposal is off-site, you can hook the trailer to your truck to haul it all to the mulch facility.

This is similar to my thinking. My SxS can pull my trailer, but the trailer has a strong enough axle to carry the SxS and could haul my tractor (sans loader) in a pinch. It doesn't tax my truck at all.

Partly it comes down to use. My trailer is used 90% of the time on the farm. The road uses are mostly for rock or other big landscaping items that won't fit in the truck bed. Hauling the SxS, tractor or attachments would only be for repairs I cannot do myself.

Others have multiple properties or do some commercial work with their equipment. That would change the calculus a bit.