In agriculture, using a tractor comes with tons of amazing benefits. The equipment is designed to perform several different farm functions, such as plowing, planting, cultivating, fertilizing, harvesting crops, and many more. However, like other farm equipment, owning a tractor has its problems.
One of the many issues attached to owning a tractor is the ability to move it from one field to another. As you already know, tractors are engineered to move slowly, and of course, there’s a reason for that. Most tractor owners, in a way to move the farm equipment down to the working field quickly, often prefer hauling it on a trailer.
A U-haul car trailer is one of the vehicles that you can use to haul your tractor down to your field. However, that depends on a couple of factors, such as the weight of your tractor and the hauler. That’s not all; does the towing vehicle have brake control? Also, is the car trailer equipped with stake pockets and a ramp?
What are the different types of trailers available out there? Can you haul a tractor on a car trailer? As you read through the rest of this article, you’ll find answers to these burning questions and more.
What are the types of trailers and their functions?
Trailers are unpowered vehicles designed to transport goods, farm equipment, and other materials. Since they are not powered, they are usually towed by powered vehicles from one place to another.
Several different types of trailers exist out there, depending on the type of goods or materials they can transport. Let’s have a quick look at some of them below:
- Utility trailers
The basic utility trailers are unpowered vehicles that come in several different sizes. They usually come with two wheels, a tailgate, and guardrails. These utility trailers aren’t all that good for transporting vehicles, especially tractors. Instead, they are designed to haul equipment, supplies, and construction materials.
- Dump trailers
Another type of trailer that you’ll find out there is “dump trailer.” This unpowered vehicle is available in different kinds, such as the small single-axle and the high-capacity dump trailers. Speaking of their functions, they work similarly to the dump load. It’s best for moving mulch, dirt, gravel, and many other similar materials from one place to another.
- Enclosed utility trailers
The function of enclosed utility trailers is similar to that of the basic utility trailers. The only difference, however, is that this type of utility trailer is enclosed. They can be used to transport farm equipment, supplies, animals, and many more to the field.
- Lowboy trailers
The lowboy trailers are another type of trailers that you’ll find out there. They are designed in a way that allows them to be adjusted to a pretty low deck height. With that, it means you can always use the vehicles to load heavier equipment.
That said, you can always use cowboy trailers to haul your tractor, bulldozer, backhoe loaders, excavators, and many more.
- Flatbed utility trailers
The flatbed utility trailers are another type of utility trailer out there. However, the way they work is quite different from that of the basic utility trailers. They feature flat surfaces at their back, which makes it pretty much easier to load and unload different kinds of farm equipment.
- Car trailers
Car trailers are designed to transport vehicles from one place to another. They come in several different types. For instance, there are heavy-duty car trailers – these are capable of hauling heavy farm equipment and vehicles. Also, there are hydraulic car trailers, which packs ramps and wheel straps – these offerings make loading of vehicles easy.
Can you haul a tractor on a car trailer?
You already know that car trailers are engineered to move vehicles from one place to another. But here’s a burning question; can these unpowered vehicles haul a tractor.
Of course, a car trailer can always be utilized for hauling your tractor to your field. A car hauler with a flat deck feature will do the job better than an open deck type.
Here’s why; an open deck car trailer has an open center. No doubt, this offering is good for hauling a vehicle. With the open deck, it becomes pretty much easier for you to tie down the hauled eq with the open center.
However, if the tractor is narrower than the runner, this could make it fall through the floor of the trailer. The best thing you can do, as suggested by George, is to “fill the space with 3/4″ plywood, aluminum, or steel decking.” With that, you’ll find it useful for hauling your tractor.
That’s not all; another factor that makes car trailers a great option for hauling tractors is that they are usually equipped with stake pockets. With these offerings, you’ll be able to tie down the hauled equipment to the open center. Interestingly, they also enable you to hook a chain through them with ease.
Furthermore, most car trailers don’t come with ramps sticking on their backs. For this reason, it means there are no obstructions. And since that’s the case, it means you can always let your tractor with a rotary cutter overhand safely on their back.
Factors to consider when planning to haul a tractor on a car trailer?
As you now know, you can always haul a tractor on a car trailer. However, for you to do that, you’ll need to put a couple of factors into consideration.
- The size and weight of the tractor you’re planning to haul on the car trailer is the first factor you need to put into consideration. After knowing it, you’ll need to check the trailer’s manual and see to it that the weight is within the capacity of the hauler.
- Another factor is the type of powered vehicle you’ll be using to tow the trailer. Is it capable of towing the trailer & the load and does it have a brake controller?
- Stake pockets and ramps are some other factors that you need to check for in the car trailer.