Time to buy a trailer?

[Ashful]

So, I have access to all the free wood I ever need, but it's located about 9 miles from my house. I've tried everything for moving it over the last year... a half-dozen trips in one day with my pickup, renting a trailer, borrowing a trailer...

A lot of that wood is BIG stuff, as in rounds bigger than 40" diameter. This is because the guy who owns the wood lot processes the small stuff for himself and a neighbor, and leaves to me anything too big for him to handle himself. That means rounds that require a tractor to load and unload from a pickup (no problem... got that). The few times I've used a landscape trailer with a drop tailgate, I've found it pretty easy to roll these big rounds right up the ramp onto the trailer, and then back down again when I get home. A trailer, even a light one, can also haul more weight than my Ram 1500 pickup.

So, I start asking around, and it seems the going rate for a single-axle landscape trailer is about $1000, depending on size. Then I start thinking, if I'm going to lay out for a trailer anyway, maybe I should get something that can haul my tractor or mower. Mower is a JD 757 ZTrak, only about 1200 lb., if I recall. Tractor is a JD 855 with 52 FEL, roughly 1900 lb. unloaded, or 3000 lb. carrying the front end loader and ballast.

I suspect the need to move the tractor and mower would be more often for service than for hauling the tractor with implements somewhere to use it, so my current thinking is get a single-axle trailer that can haul at least 2000 lb., and just rent when I need something heavier.

Any recommendations? The weight of the big rounds I haul adds up quick, with only a dozen rounds often putting the average landscape trailer overweight.

 

[mking7]

You'll never be sorry for going bigger than you think. I wouldn't haul a tractor on a single axle trailer but that's just me. A blow out on a single axle trailer with a tractor on it could get ugly quick. I have several trailers (including a single axle landscape type) and they all have their place but if I was going to have just one....I'd go with an 18' on 5200lb axles. I have a 20' with 7,000lb axles so I can haul just about anything I want but an 18' or 16' tracks better around corners if you don't need the extra length.

Hauling tractors and big wood I'd want brakes. At least on one axle. That said, I just read what you're pulling with. With a 1/2 ton gasser you may not enjoy pulling my big trailer loaded. So, maybe a 16' with 3500lb tandem axles and brakes? Might be a good match.

 

[Kentucky Greg]

I would think that a trailer that would haul a tractor would be bad for firewood. I've used a car hauler to move my tractor and a trailer with sides for firewood. Some thoughts I have:

Can you split the wood on site to avoid needing a tractor to load? You could pull a splitter there perhaps if the wedge & sledge would take too long.
Are you opposed to a used trailer? I've had good luck with them. (http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/...ler&catAbb=grd&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=1000) There's a dual axle one with metal walls for $750 from 11/27 (people will usually take less)

 

[mking7]

I've hauled several tractors on my 20' pipe top lowboy and a JD855 isn't a big tractor. It would fit nicely on a 16' lowboy with room leftover. A lowboy isn't the best option for a dedicated firewood hauler but it would do fine for the scenario above I think.

 

[swagler85]

My secretary's husband is selling a 16' dual axle landscape trailer. Has ramps back and side. He was asking $1000. I can see if he still has it

 

[Ashful]

Thanks for the ideas, guys. You're right on brakes, although my primary use for this would be low speed country roads, under 10 miles. I do own other trailers up to 25 feet, but all have boats on them!

Swagler, $1k for a tandem is maybe a good deal, but aren't you in Ohio? Tapatalk doesn't show locations.

My hesitation to go big is as much about storage as it is about price. We live in a neighborhood where leaving trailers and such outdoors is not appreciated by the neighbors.

Greg, no problem with having a tractor on site. Got a second JD855 and a Ford 3000 over at the wood lot.

 

[mking7]

My hesitation to go big is as much about storage as it is about price. We live in a neighborhood where leaving trailers and such outdoors is not appreciated by the neighbors.

Ahhh...been there before. Then you have to get what you can store but if you can swing tandem axles you won't be sorry...you can carry more weight, they back easier and a blow out is easier to stomach.

 

[mellow]

I have a single axle dump style trailer, does well for me, I can hold a cord of split stacked wood in it. In rounds I have put almost 2 cords in it but I was sweating the drive back home.

Pic of my last load: (broken link removed)

I picked it up a few years back for $700, had all the wood redone in it.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

What you need a trailer for???

 

[schlot]

What you need a trailer for???

How unsafe! Irresponsible drivers are a menace! How can he drive that way ...... without a tail light out?

 

[mellow]

Looks like he has no tail lights(post in that hole). The brake lights are hanging on a cord halfway up!

 

[nate379]

I have a single axle dump style trailer, does well for me, I can hold a cord of split stacked wood in it. In rounds I have put almost 2 cords in it but I was sweating the drive back home.

Pic of my last load: (broken link removed)

I picked it up a few years back for $700, had all the wood redone in it.

How did you load 2 cords on that small trailer and not destroy it?! Two cords is roughly 10,000lbs. That is what I load on my 18ft 12k rated trailer. I tow it with a one ton diesel truck and I can for sure tell it's back there.

 

[mellow]

F250 Diesel, and going very very slow. The tires looked like they were about to go but held. It was one of those things where you are cutting with a buddy and he swears it will hold it so we tried it, only had to go 2 miles thank goodness. Never again will I try that.

 

[Ashful]

Something's not right in that photo. No squash out on the tires? Looks like there's no weight on them.

 

[swagler85]

Something's not right in that photo. No squash out on the tires? Looks like there's no weight on them.

Reciever looks like its on the pavement

 

[Ashful]

Reciever looks like its on the pavement

Yet their primary interest is still feeding a credit card into the pump.

 

[Ashful]

I have a single axle dump style trailer, does well for me, I can hold a cord of split stacked wood in it. In rounds I have put almost 2 cords in it but I was sweating the drive back home.

Pic of my last load: (broken link removed)

I picked it up a few years back for $700, had all the wood redone in it.

Mellow, I think your cord is different than mine! That looks like less than half a cord after stacking (maybe 1/3), to me.

 

[mellow]

That is not it holding a cord, that is loose wood, a bit more than half a cord. Only picture I have of it with wood in it. It will hold a cord of split wood neatly stacked 2 feet high.

 

[AJS56]

So, I have access to all the free wood I ever need, but it's located about 9 miles from my house. I've tried everything for moving it over the last year... a half-dozen trips in one day with my pickup, renting a trailer, borrowing a trailer...

A lot of that wood is BIG stuff, as in rounds bigger than 40" diameter. This is because the guy who owns the wood lot processes the small stuff for himself and a neighbor, and leaves to me anything too big for him to handle himself. That means rounds that require a tractor to load and unload from a pickup (no problem... got that). The few times I've used a landscape trailer with a drop tailgate, I've found it pretty easy to roll these big rounds right up the ramp onto the trailer, and then back down again when I get home. A trailer, even a light one, can also haul more weight than my Ram 1500 pickup.

So, I start asking around, and it seems the going rate for a single-axle landscape trailer is about $1000, depending on size. Then I start thinking, if I'm going to lay out for a trailer anyway, maybe I should get something that can haul my tractor or mower. Mower is a JD 757 ZTrak, only about 1200 lb., if I recall. Tractor is a JD 855 with 52 FEL, roughly 1900 lb. unloaded, or 3000 lb. carrying the front end loader and ballast.

I suspect the need to move the tractor and mower would be more often for service than for hauling the tractor with implements somewhere to use it, so my current thinking is get a single-axle trailer that can haul at least 2000 lb., and just rent when I need something heavier.

Any recommendations? The weight of the big rounds I haul adds up quick, with only a dozen rounds often putting the average landscape trailer overweight.

Well first, good for you to have access to that supply! I have a JD 755 which is smalled than your 855. Tractor wieghs about 1650 lbs, with FEL and ballast or backblade it weighs about 2100-2200 lbs. I was exactly in your position and finally got a single axle 6.5x12 ft trailer by Rice MFG. It has a ramp tailgate (expanded metal, and sides about 12 in high. It weighs about 1000 lbs and is rated to haul 2500 (single 3500# axle), but that is plenty on it for sure. I thought about a tandem in case I ever got a bigger tractor, wanted to haul tractor with implements etc., but as I planned to (and do) use it frequently for wood and utility hauling around the yard and property, I didn't want the tandems due to the fact that they really tear up things when cornering. As you mentioned, if and when I need bigger, I can rent or borrow, but 98% of the time I'm good with a single axle.

Oh, and it cost me $1000 new.

 

[wardk]

Well first, good for you to have access to that supply! I have a JD 755 which is smalled than your 855. Tractor wieghs about 1650 lbs, with FEL and ballast or backblade it weighs about 2100-2200 lbs. I was exactly in your position and finally got a single axle 6.5x12 ft trailer by Rice MFG. It has a ramp tailgate (expanded metal, and sides about 12 in high. It weighs about 1000 lbs and is rated to haul 2500 (single 3500# axle), but that is plenty on it for sure. I thought about a tandem in case I ever got a bigger tractor, wanted to haul tractor with implements etc., but as I planned to (and do) use it frequently for wood and utility hauling around the yard and property, I didn't want the tandems due to the fact that they really tear up things when cornering. As you mentioned, if and when I need bigger, I can rent or borrow, but 98% of the time I'm good with a single axle.

Oh, and it cost me $1000 new.

Singles a great for the yard but if not loaded properly will fishtail badly at hwy speed.

 

[Sean McGillicuddy]

Something's not right in that photo. No squash out on the tires? Looks like there's no weight on them.

BULSA WOOD !

 

[Halligan]

Heres a link to a thread I started a couple of months ago regarding my trailer purchase. I just couldn't find a decent used trailer for fair money so I purchased new. The trailer was built locally and is beefier than some of the trailers sold at TCS, Lowes, and similar locations.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/upgraded-my-wood-hauling-capability.92474/

 

[AJS56]

Singles a great for the yard but if not loaded properly will fishtail badly at hwy speed.

No doubt about that. You have to be careful to position the load so you have the right amount of tongue weight. If I were hauling a 2000-3000+ lb tractor/equipment a lot, I would have a bigger (tandem) trailer for that purpose. But like the OP, I only move my tractor about 10-11 miles a couple times a year, so I can take it easy. It's dang handy and just the ticket for hauling wood, debris, yard furniture, and such around the property, and I can haul my tractor on occasion.

 

[greg13]

If you have a half ton truck a 7000# tandem Axle would be no problem. Brakes are a must. Tilt deck trailer would be the way I would go, easier & safer loading for the equipment and you can easily add side racks for wood.

 

[mking7]

If you have a half ton truck a 7000# tandem Axle would be no problem. Brakes are a must. Tilt deck trailer would be the way I would go, easier & safer loading for the equipment and you can easily add side racks for wood.

If you mean 2x3500lb axles I agree. If you mean 2x7000lb axles I don't. I'm sure you didn't but jut wanted to be clear for others reading this.