I have a slight dilemma in selecting another trailer. Currently I have a 6x12 landscape trailer and love it's versatility. But I would like to step up to a heavier trailer with my recent acquistion of a 4500 lb tractor, and just to have the ability to haul cars if needed. I love the versatility of the landscape style trailer, but generally they lack sufficient tie down points, even though most tandems are rated at 7k. Would i be better off to go with a skidsteer style trailer? I'm looking in the 16'-18' range. I use the trailer about once a month on average, but it's empty alot. The tractor would only be on an as needed (minimal) basis. Also trailer weight is an issue with my 150, but aluminum is out of the question, as it's too much of a cost to justify. What do you guys think? Does anyone have any experiance with chaining someting like this to a landscape trailer? There is an 18' landscape traler around here at a great price, and I can unload the 6x12 for 650, but i don't know if thats the best way to go. Thanks for any respones.

 

I have a 16' landscape trailer that is "rated" at 7K pounds. I have a Mahindra 35 HP tractor that weighs about 5800# with the bucket attached. I have hauled my tractor once on my trailer and will not do that again. I'll borrow a heavier one from now on. But since your tractor is not as heavy, then I'd imagine that a well-built landscape type trailer would work o.k., especially since it is not going to be used for the tractor everyday.

FWIW, I bought my landscape trailer new about 12 years ago and have beat the crap out of it. I quit mowing about 6 years ago and now only use the trailer to haul hay and run the mower over to Mom's to mow her yard once a week. The only way I'd part with my beat up trailer is if someone came along and gave me too much for it so I could go get a new one that is just a little bit heavier.

 

If I read correctly, theres a really really easy fix to your primary issue of tiedowns. E track. The stuff is like a buck a foot, comes in 10 foot lengths, and you can bolt it on yourself anywhere you like. Maybe its intuitive, but if you can at least hit the frame everywhere the track crosses it, that's a good thing. The clips that lock in come in a couple of styles, there's a D ring version I have, about 6 bucks each and a larger round ring that I think has like 7000lb of pullout strength.
I have a 8x20 closed cargo and it's on the floor and a couple of places on the wall. Invaluable for strapping things down. I learned early on that expensive equipment is always topheavy and will always tip and break the most expensive part when it falls. Thats got to be Murphy's corrolary on trailering.
Now the 150 . . . mmm dunno hoss. Weight there might make you hurt. I know mine which really is right at its axle limit of 12K, I have it set up to ride level on my F350, and it squats that truck a good 8 inches. I think if you put that on a half ton your front tires would be airborne. Although, if you kept it balanced with a minimum of tongue weight, a set of air bags might go a long ways towards improving the ride. I don't know for sure. I think I'd want to take a good educated look at axle weight and GCVW ratings before trying that. I bet you a nickle you're way over.
Which realistically, only matters AFAIK legally in most cases if you're a business and fall under DOT rules. But if you break something, your pocketbook pays. And if you hit someone, I bet you a second nickle your insurance doesnt if they find out you're over the GCVW, whether you're a biz or not.

 

Actually, if I set the tongue weight to 850 (max for hitch is 880) the truck, with me in it would hit 7,050. 7200 GVWR would be ok there. According to Ford's brochure my truck is rated for 8700 maximum towing capacity, as configured, 14,500 GCWR. Somehow, those numbers fail to add up correctly. I get a 7,500# max, when I take away the 7200 from 14,500. Interesting, but that seems to be enough of a window for the trailer's weight anyway. Would be using brakes on BOTH axles and WD hitch. Basically I think it can be done, legally, but I wouldn't do it unless absolutely needed. Thanks for the idea on the e-track. Seems that the tractor may push the e track to its limits, though. Not sure if I'd trust it.

 

Actually it just hit me tonight, but the math is thrown off by my lack of thinking in the last post. The truck with me in it is 6200, so that leaves me with 8300# until I hit GCWR. I used the GVWR, not the actual weight of the truck last night. Still doesn't agree with Ford, but is closer. Now back to the original topic. Anyone else have any suggestions/ recommendations on the trailer type from experience?

 

If you go left to the sponsor list, you can look at the stuff at Etrailer. They've got horizontal and vertical. If you don't find it local at least there's one place to get it online. They say for a 3 ft piece its rated at 6000 lbs. I think ten foot strips on either side, and 4 o rings holding it, I wouldnt worry about the tractor. I'd worry about what kind of straps or chains were holding it. Stuff is pretty sturdy if you anchor it correctly.
If I could post attachments, I use it in mine to hold scaffolding, the spare for the trailer, and anything thats portable and goes with like a shaper table, pressure washer, an airless pump . . . granted, that isnt thousands of lbs, but. I still wouldnt sweat it.

 

Equipment trailers are great for what you need, they are a little heavy. If you have low gears and the 5.4L you should be able to pull one even if it excedes manuf guide lines.