Utility Trailer for Subcompact Tractor

[John_Mc]

If I had a 10k# trailer, I don't think I'd want to be doing grassy hills with it on my CUT, at least without adding a brake controller to the CUT.

Where are you finding brake controllers for CUTs? I've been looking for one for my NH TC33D. My log forwarding trailer has electric brakes that have come in very handy when pulling it with my truck. I'd like to find something fr the tractor, so I don't get pushed around when coming down hill with the trailer behind the tractor while working in the woods.

I'm figuring I will have to trigger the brakes manually, since there is no brake light circuit on my tractor (and I'm not using the brakes that often anyway, since it's a hydrostatic transmission). I've considered using one that I pulled from one of our old vehicles but it's not weatherproof, and I don't want to have to remove it from the tractor every time I'm done using it (or worry about whether it's going to work after getting caught in the rain).

 

[nyone]

Where are you finding brake controllers for CUTs? I've been looking for one for my NH TC33D. My log forwarding trailer has electric brakes that have come in very handy when pulling it with my truck. I'd like to find something fr the tractor, so I don't get pushed around when coming down hill with the trailer behind the tractor while working in the woods.

I'm figuring I will have to trigger the brakes manually, since there is no brake light circuit on my tractor (and I'm not using the brakes that often anyway, since it's a hydrostatic transmission). I've considered using one that I pulled from one of our old vehicles but it's not weatherproof, and I don't want to have to remove it from the tractor every time I'm done using it (or worry about whether it's going to work after getting caught in the rain).

Why not just use a resistor inline with a 3 possition switch. Center could be off and up/down could be hi/low. I would not but over 10v to the brakes as they will prob lock up.

 

[ultrarunner]

An old Kelsey Hayes brake controller with the long over ride lever?

Nothing electronic… all mechanical.

 

[John_Mc]

Why not just use a resistor inline with a 3 possition switch. Center could be off and up/down could be hi/low. I would not but over 10v to the brakes as they will prob lock up.

The problem is that a standard electric brake draws about 7 or 8 amps per axle. I've got brakes on all four wheels, so my trailer could draw as much as twice that. That means I'd need about a 200 watt resistor. I can find wire wound resistors with that rating, but they are fairly large (ranging from 4" to 8" long) and they get hot in use, so finding a good place to mount them will be an issue. None of them mention anything about being weatherproof, so I might be back to the same problem: protecting the device from the weather.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

My local U-Haul has a 6x12 tandem trailer with ramp for $34.99 per day. They've never let me down.

 

[WinterDeere]

Where are you finding brake controllers for CUTs?

My newest CUT has brake lights, so I'd probably just tap my old Tekonsha P3 into that circuit. God knows I'll never buy another truck without integrated OEM brake controller, so the Tekonsha is just sitting in a bin collecting dust, as so many others are.

 

[John_Mc]

My newest CUT has brake lights, so I'd probably just tap my old Tekonsha P3 into that circuit. God knows I'll never buy another truck without integrated OEM brake controller, so the Tekonsha is just sitting in a bin collecting dust, as so many others are.

I have a Tekonsha P3 gathering dust - removed from our minivan when it was finally retired a month ago. I'm not worried about the lack of brake lights, since with a hydrostatic transmission, I'm seldom using the brakes anyway: I just let off the pedal. I'll mostly be using the manual override lever.

The issue I still have is that it is not weatherproof. I might be able to find a place to mount it where I can put some kind of cover over it when not in use (possibly with an open bottom for the wiring?) I could lift the cover off when using it, and remove the controller entirely for the winter snow removal season.

To the OP: sorry for hijacking your thread. I probably should have started a new one, or resurrected the one I started years ago on this same topic.

 

[ultrarunner]

I installed about a dozen of these as a teen… mostly for folks with horse trailers…

Seems to be no shortage online.

 

[John_Mc]

I installed about a dozen of these as a teen… mostly for folks with horse trailers…

Seems to be no shortage online.

I do like the large, easy to grab knob. There would likely be no problem finding it during an "Oh S*%t" moment.

The concern is that they are intended to be installed inside the cab of a vehicle, not out exposed to the weather.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ True about exposure…