Is renting a trailer safe?

fiziksgeek · July 9, 2014

So now that I have truck, I am looking at trailers to tow my tractor up to my parents house (~50 miles one way) to help them with some yard work. If I bring the mower deck, loader, and chipper, the set-up should be right about 2700 lbs. I've seen all softs of recommendations about what length and width woul dbe appropriate. I thought about renting a trailer for the first time, to se for myself. A somewhat local place rents an 18' Sure-Trac car hauler (7k lbs GTW) for $50/day.

Advantage: I get to try out a trailer to see how my rig fits without having to make an immediate investment in a trailer.

Disadvantage: Don't get an optimize trailer for my needs (no weight distrbution), It has surge brakes not electric (is that a real disadvantage?)

If my weights are correct, The trailer+tractor will be right around 5K lbs. If I am between 10-12% tongue weight, thats 5-600 lbs, I should not need a WD hitch. I was thinking of buying a TW scale, so I can properly load.

I figure the summer is going by quickly, and I'll probably only take it up there once before winter, so I'd like to hold off on buying a trailer until the spring. If renting works well, maybe I don't need to buy a trailer at all. What say you guys?

8.1HD/ALLISON · July 9, 2014

Nothing wrong with renting. Makes perfect sence. Just be sure to check if your tractor is covered if somthing happens. Most policies ive ever seen do not cover trailers, or cargo.

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txab · July 9, 2014

+1

You should have no problems as long as you get everything chained down well. Nice rig you've got there.

fiziksgeek · July 9, 2014

I keep my tractor insured with AGCO, not through my homeowners policy. So as best I understand, the tractor in insured where ever it is.

Nothing wrong with renting. Makes perfect sence. Just be sure to check if your tractor is covered if somthing happens. Most policies ive ever seen do not cover trailers, or cargo.

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At the moment, I have 4 of those heavy duty ratchet straps (3,333 lb working load, 10,000 lb break). I figure 2 on the front axle, and 2 on a shackle in the draw bar in the rear. I'll probably look at a couple more if I am bringing the chipper, as even though its attached to the 3pt hitch, it should still be tied down. Think that will be sufficient?

+1

You should have no problems as long as you get everything chained down well. Nice rig you've got there.

Blue2500CC · July 9, 2014

Renting should give you an idea of trailer size. Only thing you should verify is the hitch rating for weight carrying. Some factory hitches are only rated for 500lbs without a wd hitch. Not sure what the new trucks hitches are rated for.

Also make sure your ball mount and ball are rated high enough as well.

Maybe look into a set of axle straps to go on each side of the rear axle, then cross your tie down straps to them. It will be a little more secure than just 2 tie down straps to a shackle in the center draw bar.

As for the trailer, unless you want the ability to haul a car at times as well, what about a landscape style trailer that has the rear ramp gate? Just need to verify the gate would handle the tractor weight,

fiziksgeek · July 10, 2014

The same place also rents a 6'8" x 16' utility trailer, also 7k lb gtw, same price. I suppose either one would work. The car hauler gives me a little more room to adjust the load front-to-back, and I assume a little less drag when towing, but probably doesn't matter.

I've been searching craigslist for used trailers in the local area, I have no pressing need, but ya never know when a good deal might come along...

8.1HD/ALLISON · July 10, 2014

Sounds like you have it covered!

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fiziksgeek · July 10, 2014

Thanks guys. I am stil well within the break in period, so no towing yet. I'll report my success (or failure) when when the day comes!

NEFisher11 · July 10, 2014

All i have to say about renting a trailer is before you leave with it walk around it and take a real good look at the trailer, and especially tires. Make sure there are no gouges or dry rot on them and the trailer is in decent shape. Place near where i live rents them and they are so beat and bent i wouldn't tow it across the street if i had too.

fiziksgeek · July 10, 2014

Good advice.....one possible disadvantage I hadn't thought of before!

All i have to say about renting a trailer is before you leave with it walk around it and take a real good look at the trailer, and especially tires. Make sure there are no gouges or dry rot on them and the trailer is in decent shape. Place near where i live rents them and they are so beat and bent i wouldn't tow it across the street if i had too.

grampadirt · July 11, 2014

Rented a flatbed twice...once to haul a '69 Chevy truck home and once to haul my daughter's Expedition to a yard.Trailer was rented from a good local yard.No problems either time.

doverarjim · July 11, 2014

The surge brakes will be fine they work the same loaded or unloaded where as with the electic brakes I have you need to adjust the gain when loaded and let it off when empty