How big of a trailer needed

[SONNY]

I use either the little TSC 5.5 x 10, or the Baker built 6 x 12, both single axle to haul my cubs. Pull them mostly with 98 explorer, no problems yet. usually run 40 -45 with it. If I need to go long distance, I use the F-150 to pull it. ---Don't like them behind the F-350, cant see the trailers.

[radioguy41]

Just keep in mind what your towing with ... A lot of the single axle trailers I've been seeing don't have electric breaks and if you have to stop hard, that Cub and the trailer are going to want to keep going, but that's just me playing overly safe... Especially the area where I live in a mountainy area with windy roads

Very true. When you see a trailer with a 3500lb axle rated at 2990lbs it tells you it doesn't have brakes. In most/all (?) states the crossover point for requiring brakes is 3000lbs GVWR so they take a 3000+lbs trailer and spec it at 2990 in order to leave the brakes off and keep the price down. Be aware, however, that brake kits are also sold as an after-market add-on so you can add them to most trailers yourself.

I would also point out that the towing vehicle needs to have above average brakes and respectable gross weight. In other words you wouldn't want to tow a Cub with a Volkswagon Bug. I tow with a modified 2001 4Runner. The factory brakes are minimal for just the vehicle much less towing a load so I installed the brakes for a Tundra pickup truck (40% bigger). I installed a new pair of rear springs for a 1999 4Runner in place of the stock ones. They're 1" higher than the 2001 springs so when I'm towing the 4Runner's level instead of taildragging. And of course HD shocks plus an auxiliary transmission cooler. It might seem overkill but I'd rather have more than I need than just enough, or less.

[1954Frank]

My understanding is this trailer is rated 2990 to keep it under the 3000 lb license. You’re right, no brakes. Load Trail brand. 1499. They also sell a Lamar same specs, also no brakes. 1639. This dealer will add brakes for $500-600. That seems a bit high to me...

May tow vehicle is a Dodge Dakota with 3.7 V6 and factory trailer-tow package. Max trailer weight rating 4650. Max combined weight rating 9300. I think it will be adequate. Thanks for all responses.

[mark02tj]

Thanks for all responses.
You have all confirmed what I thought myself.

Since it looks like the OP has his question answered, I'll hijack the thread since I have the same basic question. Before starting my own thread, I did search on "hauling" and this thread popped up.

I have a 5x8 trailer with a wood deck. I do have mesh ramps, but they should hold my Cub and I'll probably supplement them with a set of 2x6 ramps that I have. My trailer has a 3500 lb axle and the tag on the trailer says a payload limit of 2200 lbs. I have good tie down points and I also have straps and chains.

My Cub is a '53 that has a sickle bar on it, but no wheel weights. I need to take it from OH to WV - about a 250 mile drive. (The Cub was my Grandpa's but it's never going to get restored here, so it's going to my cousin with the hopes that he'll do something with it. Bummed to be letting it go.)

I think the trailer should be OK (assuming the gate will close - I know it's going to be close), but I would welcome opinions. I'm trying to avoid renting a trailer, as I'll be staying in WV for a couple of days for a family reunion so I'd rather not pay for extra days.

What do y'all think? Use my trailer or should I spend the money and rent one?

[Scrivet]

........The Cub was my Grandpa's but it's never going to get restored here, so it's going to my cousin with the hopes that he'll do something with it. Bummed to be letting it go..........

To answer your question the trailer sounds fine. I always worry about tire condition. The bigger question is what are you pulling it with? The really big question is why isn't cousin coming to get it? If you truly are bummed about letting it go why does it HAVE to be restored? If it doesn't have major mechanical issues most things are relatively simple to work on and most things don't have to be done right away. Engine rebuild for instance, it's amazing how long you can run a low compression smoking engine, especially if it isn't used very often. Major mechanical issue or something beyond your abilities, there are Cubfests. You already have the trailer and presumably something to pull it with to get it there. I would like to have shiny looks like it just came from the factory Cubs. The truth is, the ugly ones do their job just as well as the pretty ones. One of the members here (Boss Hog maybe?) had a saying I haven't seen repeated for awhile "paint don't pull" Once grandpa's Cub is gone you may not ever have the chance to get it back. There are lots of folks who go looking for a family tractor and never find it. You have one in the palm of your hand.

[MiCarl]

I'll kick in a few thoughts:

According to TractorData the Cub is 99.325 inches long. That's a little over 3" too much for an 8' trailer with a fold up gate. If it's got a low or no front rail it might go on backward. They also list it at 48.25" wide, which with my reckoning is with the wheels at the narrowest setting. If the trailer manufacturer was a bit generous with the width or it doesn't have sides you can probably squeeze it in.

If you do squeeze a Cub onto a 4x8 trailer you're not going to be able to position it to get appropriate tongue weight. I haul mine on a 6X12 trailer and I end up putting the rear wheels pretty close to the axle to keep the tongue from being light, but I do have weights on the rear.

For anyone thinking of buying a trailer to haul a Cub I suggest 6x12 minimum. With a 193 plow on mine and the weight properly distributed the rear of the plow would just clear a fold up ramp.

I had my 6x12 trailer custom built. It's got a 3,500lb. axle and a gross rating of 2990lbs. While they don't weigh them the manufacturer says the trailer will be about 1,000 lbs. so cargo capacity would be 1,990. I weighed my Cub with touch control, rear weights and a full tank of fuel at 1,702lbs. I figure with an implement I just squeak by.

[T-Mo]

I backed my Cubs onto my 6 x 12 trailer, whichever one I'm transporting.

[Peter Person]

Rented a 6'x12' dual axle UHaul utility trailer without ramp for 3 years before I decided it was time to stop spending money with nothing to show for it.


After lot's of discussion with several forum members, I ended up with a 6 1/2' x 16' dual axle PJ Utility Trailer with a 2' boat tail and mesh gate. One axle has brakes and I have another pair of brake hubs to put on...one of these days! GVW is 7,000lbs - trailer weighs 1,500lbs, so I can put 5,500lbs on it safely.


I also use the trailer to gather firewood, broken down vehicles, dump runs, and moving. This trailer tracks great.


Added rear jacks to stabilize the trailer while loading and unloading. Highly recommend this modification. Keeps the rear wheels of the tow vehicle on the ground!


Current tow vehicle is a 2006 Silverado 1500 4wd 4.8L V8 Crew Cab with trailer package. 212,000 miles, so I take it easy.

If you are buying a trailer, think of what else you may decide to use it for. If borrowing, safety-safety-safety. There have been many posts on the forum of personal tales of close calls and disasters as well as just plain bad examples of hauling/trailering incorrectly that we have all seen or heard of.

[staninlowerAL]

It's hard to get a trailer that is not big enough but real easy to get one that is too small to do the job. JMHO

[1954Frank]

Thanks again for all comments. The 5x8 trailer I bought when I bought a new lawn "tractor" in 2013. And it's way plenty for that. Other uses have included OSB sheets, hard foam insulation sheets, lumber, a motorcycle a couple of times, and mostly tree branches and yard debris. So I will probably keep it if/when I get another trailer. The U-haul 5x9 with ramp seems like the best solution for a one time haul.

[Waif]

Thanks again for all comments. The 5x8 trailer I bought when I bought a new lawn "tractor" in 2013. And it's way plenty for that. Other uses have included OSB sheets, hard foam insulation sheets, lumber, a motorcycle a couple of times, and mostly tree branches and yard debris. So I will probably keep it if/when I get another trailer. The U-haul 5x9 with ramp seems like the best solution for a one time haul.

Yeah. I bit the bullet and acquired a bigger trailer for the tractors and also kept the smaller one too.
Jr. has more nimble uses still.