which trailer to buy? Help!!

[HCJ]

I have a 1996 F-250 diesel and am buying a trailer to pull a Kubota M6800 (loaded tires and front weights) and a BB720 cutter. Total weight about 8300 lbs. I only will use it 4 or 5 times yearly for trips of under 50 miles. I am tired of borrowing or depending on others, and neglect servicing my tractor because of this inconvenience. Am considering a 96'' X22' PJ deckover BP (twin 7,000 lb) or a 20' deck, 5' dovetail gooseneck with the same axles. Only difference is BP vs GN, and the BP has a 3' dovetail which may give me a steeper loading angle which may be a problem if I back on with a disc or cutter attached. It seems backing on would be better to distribute the load a little further back rather than having such a heavy tractor too far forward. I realize the GN has advantages but is it worth $1500 more for this occasional use on these short trips? My dealer feels the BP would be fine, but would I regret this? The gooseneck is also 102" wide and somewhat heavier. If I go with the BP, my hitch is a normal receiver hitch. The labels are long gone, so I am not sure of its rating. Forgot to mention my disc is 8' wide hence the need for a deckover. Am I in the ballpark in my thinking? I am new to trailering. Is my truck sufficient? Thanks for your help!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I personally like Bumper Pulls because I need my bed 75% of the time. I also feel the are more versatile because you can pull them with a 3/4 and up van, Ford Excursion, dump truck, ect. Most will recommend the GN for its superior ride. Just remember that the heavier trailer will have less hauling capacity. Example: My 18' bumper pull with 2 3,500# axles weighs only 1,200# empty. I can legally haul 5,800#. Lets say the trailer was over built and weighed 2,000# then I would be limited to 5,000# cargo.

I am sure your factory hitch is not up to the job of a 14,000# bumper pull so look at another $400 for a good hitch, bar, ball, and pin. It will cost you about the same to add a cheap GN setup to your truck. Dont forget about the electric brake controller for the truck also.

Chris

 

[wushaw]

The bumper pull would be more user friendly since you can pull it with many different vehicles.

I myself like a GN just because of the ride and no need for WD hitch for heavy loads but that is just me.

 

[BarryinMN]

I bought a PJ 24' bp deckover earlier this year. Only modifications I made were a hinged steel cover over the chain tray (strong enough to walk on), a spare tire mount & tire on the A frame, and finally a 2" receiver on the front rail to hold a electric winch to drag dead stuff up if necessary.

The ball height is quite a bit higher than my old bobcat type trailer.

 

[john_bud]

If you don't have a FEL, the 22' would be good. An FEL will need a longer deck.

Do you ever carry other attachments and the BB? May need space for them if you do.

With the total weight under 12k, a tag trailer is fine. Especially with a F250. You will want the WD hitch.

jb

 

[HCJ]

No, don't have a FEL, and carrying other implements is not important, as usually we only use one at a time, or could easily make two trips. I believe the 19' deck length would be adequate. As far as a WD hitch, I see that Reese and Putnam make a Class V hitch rated to 12000 lbs. without a true WD addition. Would this be adequate, as it seems that the WD accessory adds some complication?

 

[wushaw]

WD hitch puts weight back on your ft. tires for braking, steering control and headlight aiming at night. WD is very important with heavy pin weights. That is just one reason GN hitches are preferred.
WD is not all that complicated, just more stuff to deal with & more hardware for towing.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Of course if you went with the longer trailer the WD would be less important because you have more flexibility on how you load your stuff. I bought a 18' trailer and kick myself every day for not going bigger. I guess its a guy thing!

Chris

 

[coobie]

I have a 1996 F-250 diesel and am buying a trailer to pull a Kubota M6800 (loaded tires and front weights) and a BB720 cutter. Total weight about 8300 lbs. I only will use it 4 or 5 times yearly for trips of under 50 miles. I am tired of borrowing or depending on others, and neglect servicing my tractor because of this inconvenience. Am considering a 96'' X22' PJ deckover BP (twin 7,000 lb) or a 20' deck, 5' dovetail gooseneck with the same axles. Only difference is BP vs GN, and the BP has a 3' dovetail which may give me a steeper loading angle which may be a problem if I back on with a disc or cutter attached. It seems backing on would be better to distribute the load a little further back rather than having such a heavy tractor too far forward. I realize the GN has advantages but is it worth $1500 more for this occasional use on these short trips? My dealer feels the BP would be fine, but would I regret this? The gooseneck is also 102" wide and somewhat heavier. If I go with the BP, my hitch is a normal receiver hitch. The labels are long gone, so I am not sure of its rating. Forgot to mention my disc is 8' wide hence the need for a deckover. Am I in the ballpark in my thinking? I am new to trailering. Is my truck sufficient? Thanks for your help!!

The 3 trailers I looked at last year we PJ,Big tex and better built.I ended up buying a PJ 20ft.bumper pull with 7000lbs axles.I went with the PJ because I had a local dealer close who gave me a fair price.If I had to do it again I would go with a 22ft. trailer,it gives you more room if you have a FEL and brush hog or disc on.I have a kioti Dk40se(41.5hp)tractor,with fel and my 2004 dodge 2500 3/4 ton P/U pulls my trailer fine.I am sure your ford would also do a fine job.coobie

 

[mlauk]

I would get the gooseneck since it is more forgiving when tractor isn't loaded in the correct location (tail wag). Also anything over 12K, I like a gooseneck.