Minimum trailer length for BX2230 w/FEL?

[John Mc]

I have been reading this forum off and on all summer. De-lurking and joined in order to ask a question that has me stumped. Someone here will know from first hand experience.

Having used and owned other, older 2WD tractors in the past, I am now looking at purchasing a small used 4WD tractor with a loader to use on my property in the country. A dozen acres of rolling pasture, scrub, rock & dirt piles from previous owners, mobile home foundation, collapsed barn rubble, overgrown fences, some fruit trees and small pond, plus seasonally wet bog/spring areas that sucked down a A-C WD45 to the frame, so I don't need or want a full size unit. One of the neighbors already hays the open sections. And leaves huge ruts that I need to fix, among other things.

Based on on-line info gleaned from several sources, it **looks** like a BX2230 with FEL and no rear implement will **just** fit on a 5 foot wide by 8 foot long landscape trailer with 1 foot high rails and an attached mesh tailgate, and just be under the legal weight limit of 2000 lbs. Hoping not to have to hang the loader bucket over the front rail, but will if I have to. (Yes, I do know how to chain one down, @4 points and one more to the bucket.)

Towing anything reasonable with my Expedition is not a problem. However: taking the FEL off and making another 250 mile round trip for it is not in the cards. I would sooner rent a slightly bigger trailer for this one trip if needed.

Yes, I will have to eventually upgrade to a bigger trailer in the future, but that is still a few paychecks away. A similarly equipped B or L model would break the bank, and require the new trailer immediately as well.

Thanks in advance for your replies, however they are phrased.

 

[bearskinner]

Don't just look at what minimum size trailer you need, look at pricing and what else you may need it for. A "standard" dual axle trailer, which can be found cheaply in the lightly used market is around 16' average. usually only one axle braking. I picked my last one up for $500. It will tow your Kubota and all the extras, it will also help out a neighbor, or drag home a car or?? lots of uses, inexpensive, and plentiful in the used or new market

 

[ZoomZoom71]

I have a single axle, 5x10, 3500gvwr trailer that tows my BX1870 w/ FEL just fine. I pull it with my 2013 Tacoma. I do have to put the loader bucket over the front edge, though, so I can get better weight distribution. Now, if I had anything hanging from the 3PH, like a tiller or weight box, I would have to remove my rear gate and find some detachable ramps to use instead.

 

[bh115577]

This is what a BX2200 looks like on a 6' x 12' trailer. Not much room left over.

 

[John Mc]

Thanks Bearskinner, but a trashed 16' double axle trailer starts at $1000 here. I don't need another project. $500 is what I paid for my little 5x8 unit, Black Friday, with a coupon. Has worked for appliances, project lumber and the zero turn mower so far, so has paid it's way.

Decent used starts at $1500, and a new off-brand stripped model at $2000, and goes up quickly. There goes this summer's bonus pay, and I won't see a dime of it until 8/31, dang it.

Thanks, guys, I could not wrap my head around the spread in numbers from Tractor Data, and have not been past a dealer's lot to measure one.

 

[ShaunBlake]

John, lots of folk on OTT are have similar constraints (and some, like me, are even more constrained) so I can identify with your difficulty. I urge you to make CraigsList your bosom companion, and add Search Tempest to your browser to suss out all those gems that are just over the horizon. (Since you already have a little landscaping trailer, your Expedition is set up to scoot out to the boondocks (oops, you're in Frog Pond -- I mean to the wilderness) and haul a decently-sized trailer back home.)

Yes, you can fit the puppy on your trailer. However, you really don't want to risk your new tractor, your well-being/life, or the life of a passenger!

My advice, FWIW, is to seal the deal on the tractor you want when you can, and meanwhile be stashing every penny you can get your hands on into your trailer fund.

And John, I'm not suggesting putting off getting a properly-sized trailer. It is critical that you do that straightaway!

Please keep us updated on your progress.

Oh, and John, since you say you've been lurking, you're prolly aware that the "tractorporn" (in the infamous words of skeets), the defunt... or is that default?... leader of the 'tractorporn Nazis', "without pics, it didn't happen!" <hint><hint>

 

[OranjeBX25]

Another thing worth mention is buying a tandem axle trailer. A single axel may "get the job done", but I would fear a tire blowing out being at close to the max weight, and loosing trailer, tractor, life and whatever you're towing with.

Just food for thought.

 

[John Mc]

Hours of research on Tractor Data and various forums - check. Visiting local Kubota dealer - check. SearchTempest 3 times a day - check. $$$$$$ - Nope.

Have actually been lurking off and on much longer, just got serious when I thought I had enough money in the bank. Not going to pull the trigger on anything with a loan. Either I can afford it or I can't. Starting with a adequate trailer.

No pictures because nothing has happened yet. Kinda like fishing, I could regale you with stories of the ones that got away, now to include that BX2230. And so the search continues.

 

[dfh1977]

Check prices on dual axle trailers from your region. If I drive out of state over to Coeburn VA I can have a dual axle with electric brakes for about same as what local tractor supply or Lowes offers for single axle.

 

[John Mc]

No fancy phone with camera, just took pix with my old digital camera. No interface here to read card anyway. (Promises, promises...) But....

Saw a CL ad late last night, no location listed. No phone #, CL email address only. (Bad sign.) What the heck, nothing ventured, nothing gained. So he calls me back this morning, says he don't know nothin' about the internet, had his daughter post the ad. And he is waaaay out in the country. Where, I sez. Frog Pond, he sez. Neighbor, I will see you within the hour!

Long story short, he trailered my purchase of a B2150 with 570 hours, FEL, MMM & scrape blade *2 whole miles* to my place. Just ahead of a thunderstorm. And it filled a 14' double axle trailer.

Saturday, we play!!!!

 

[ZoomZoom71]

Great news! How much?

 

[John Mc]

Same as the similarly equipped BX2230 I had been eyeing for 2 months. $8K.

 

[GEPM64]

Interesting timing for this. I've been looking for a trailer to haul my BX 2370 with FEL and tiller or box scrapper. I wanted a 16' load trail with tandem axel but the dealer can't get one until October. I put a deposit on a 14' tandem axel with brakes and a 5300lb load rating (7000lb gvwr). My concern is the tractor will fit, with about 6 inches to spare. Am I cutting it tight or do you think I'll be fine? The BX is the biggest thing I'll need to move on the trailer.


Thanks,

 

[bcp]

You need to consider balance/tongue weight as well as fit. You could face the tractor (with implements) forwards or backwards. Or place the rear implement in the front of the trailer, then load the tractor facing forward, loader over implement, and other variations on separating the three.

Bruce

 

[ShaunBlake]

Another thing worth mention is buying a tandem axle trailer. A single axel may "get the job done", but I would fear a tire blowing out being at close to the max weight, and loosing trailer, tractor, life and whatever you're towing with.

Just food for thought.

Maybe more a banquet for thought. More often than a blowout is the need to adjust the load to get a proper tongue weight. Keep in mind that dual axle trailers change the load distribution in a way that reduces the need to shift the tractor/implements as critically as single-axle trailers.

Also there is the "coolness" factor. (Which, to my thinking, totally negates the decrease in MPG, increase in tire and bearing replacement costs, and such!)

 

[ShaunBlake]

...

Saturday, we play!!!!

Oh, John Mc, we're all so happy for you!

Keep taking pictures, you can transfer them and upload them later, and we will still enjoy them. (As well as enjoy ragging you about "... it didn't happen!")

 

[John Mc]

A bare BX will *just* fit on a 8' trailer. (I measured one yesterday at the dealer.) Add even a front weight rack bar on, and something is gonna hang over. Figure 3' for a FEL and another 3' for a box blade or backhoe, and you are now up to 14'. Unless you take the trailing wheel off of a shedder, even a 16' might be tight, best count on a 18'.

And it just gets worse for the bigger units. But I am now broke as a joke after buying 2.5 acres next door and closing on it last night at 6pm in the lawyer's office. Trailer is going to have to wait.