School Me On Open Trailers

I need a trailer to tow my car and my 7000# tractor (not at the same time). I've towed the tractor before with a standard car trailer. It was overloaded, but it really didn't seem to mind. I think to do it right, I really need an equipment trailer, but I'm not sure. Anyway, what I'm asking you about is what manufacturer's are the best, and why?

Anybody?

Think you may need to buy a equipment trailer as most car trailers max out at about 6K I think.

For that much weight I would only be looking at steel frame and decking and heavy load tires. As for manufacturers I have heard good things about Big Tex trailers anyone else? The trailer I have is old and I do not know who made it so no help from me.

Paul B

Are you sure your tractor is 7k lbs? That's a big tractor-at least if it's an antique. Deere D's and McCormick WD9's (about 60 HP) tractors back in the day were about as big as tractors got.

I suppose some newer "small" tractors (I grew up on a farm, so it's relative) may weigh 7k.

You can find 10k trailers if you look. They weigh about 3k, so that leaves 7k for the load. My dad has one. It is much heavier than my 7k trailer (weighs 2k, hauls 5k), but isn't much longer or wider. The truck knows about the weight difference, though, and the ramps and everything else is just much beefier. You'll want brakes on all four wheels, and proper tires. His trailer has a wood deck, which is much grippier than my steel deck. Deck boards should be rough-sawn hardwood and not pressure-treated.

Buy one used to haul Bobcats around, that would be strong enough!

Yes, it's 7000 lbs. It's a Ford 3000 with a front end loader and fluid filled rear tires. I actually had it weighed, so I'm sure about that. It also requires an 18 ft min trailer, so most Skid Steer trailers are out, as they are usually shorter. I looked at a used Big Tex trailer and it did look pretty good, but I felt the price was too high. Because it I will sometimes be loading the tractor dirty, I think it should have a solid floor, not a split type like a lot of car trailers. I'd really like a tilt trailer, but they tend to be even more money. Anybody have any experience with brands other than Big Tex?

My FIL had a trailer built to haul his small Ford tractor. Its fine for the tractor, but its a bit heavy trailer to be using for most other stuff. The problem is you then have to have the truck to pull it.

In reply to spitfirebill:

I have a couple trucks that can haul it. That's not a problem.

I can't tell you a thing about manufacturers. I'm in the rural south, where every other company and his brother makes trailers.

I do, however, have a similar trailer and towing situation.

I choose to use a car trailer, because there is a huge price jump for equipment trailers, and my car trailer is much more versatile. The best setup would be a gooseneck fifth wheel, but I hitch tow an 18' car trailer with 2- 5000 lb axles. Works fine.

I never remove the loader. I generally load with it down and forward. Sometimes I leave a 6' bush hog on the tractor. I don't usually tow this long distances, and then I will lift the loader high over the truck, so I can pull forward more. The bush hog still overhangs the tail of the trailer, but I flag it and I've never been stopped. Of course, there's lot's of questionable stuff being towed around on the roads down here.

You need brakes, and a break-away setup.

Look for stout frame rails, good weld quality, and quality jacking mechanism. I also look hard at paint jobs. I figure, a company putting the effort into the paint is probably building a decent trailer. Most don't.

I was admiring a low slung aluminum trailer the other day. Too small for my needs, and I doubt I could find one with a high enough rated capacity, but it really was a nice rig.

What brand is your car trailer? Does it have an open or closed center?

It's made by a company called Wholesale Trailers Inc. Like I said, everybody and his brother.

Closed center wood deck.

Is it considered a 7k or 10k GVW trailer?

10K.

Of course, you have to deduct the weight of the trailer.

I haven't had any luck finding a 10k "car" trailer. Seems like they're all 7k, which is why I was starting to consider an equipment trailer instead.

Order one from a small builder. Tell them to put 5k axles on it. Done.

I was hoping to buy used.

A used 10K is a rare bird. What is your budget?

As little as possible. I'd like to stay under $2k.

10k car trailers are out there, but rare, and probably more than $2000. My dad found his for $1700 (10 years ago) and bought it on the spot. Look for 8-lug axles and 16" wheels--those are a dead giveaway for 5k axles. Also, they usually have heavier jacks, usually right at the front of the deck instead of on the tongue.
Don't rush your purchase by buying something homebuilt. These often aren't built very well. Big trailer manufacturers can build them cheaper than anybody because they buy their steel in bulk and have jigs, as well as proven designs.

Some manufacturers lower their costs by not painting the underside. Look out for these. Also look for Dexter axles, as they're the most popular and parts are easily available at most RV centers.

I'd post a pic of my dads trailer hauling his 1946 Chevy one-ton panel truck. It hauls this big truck like nothing's on it. He's also hauled Bobcats and other implements with ease. Nothing's worse than having an overloaded trailer.

^ What he said.^

You are going to have a really tough time finding a decent 10K or equipment trailer for under $2K.

If I could find them at that price, I could make a living doing nothing but re-selling them.

But watch, like Kramer said, for the 8 lug wheels. You might get lucky.

If you do get lucky, stop worrying about who the manufacturer is. Look for the things mentioned in this thread (including the paint quality/ underside) to make a determination about build quality. You are not going to have many to choose from.

But paint can be fixed cheaply.

I'd say if you find 8 lug axles on a trailer with no major welding compromises for under $2K, hand him the cash.

Good, used trailers hold their value pretty well. I got mine cheap because it was five years old and rusty underneath (unpainted from the factory). I already had 2K Uro Primer and paint (I never repainted my old trailer), as well as sandblasting equipment and a backhoe to flip my trailer to paint it.

You may find it isn't much more expensive to buy new rather than used. And you won't have to screw with sandblasting/painting/rebuilding brakes. A good trailer will last you a long, long time-easily 20 years or more. Divide the overall cost over that time frame, and you'll justify the price.

In reply to Kramer:

Yeah, I'm starting to see just that. The new ones aren't that much more when you consider how much easier it is to buy new. Plus most of these places will finance the trailers, something I hadn't really considered. Thanks a lot for all the information, Kramer, SVeX and everyone else.

You bet!

I was hoping it wasn't a TVR.

Ever heard of Gatormade Trailers? I found this one, but it's about 4 hours away.

Nope. Probably the brother-in-law of Wholesale Trailers Inc.

Looks like a good opportunity.

BTW- that trailer is heavy. It wouldn't shock me if it is pushing 2000 lbs. with no load on it.