Need you guys to talk me outa something...I think.

The tractor weighs in (if memory servers) at about 2700 lbs. Suprisingly, the guys at the trailer places don't seem to frown to hard on the idea. I've also got a buddy who is knowledgable about such matters and is typically really safety conscious, and he thought it would be "alright".

Is this truck capable of pulling this tractor safely? (with the proper hitch and trailer setup).

Thanks in advance

You've really gotten the gamut for advice. 2700# tractor huh? Well, I figure my Regular to weigh in at about 4000, add the trailer and we're up around 5500#. I've got a '96 Dodge Dakota with a 318 V8 and tow package. I won't say the Dakota walked away with it, there was one hill that has railroad tracks at the bottom and we never got out of first going up that one, but spent 250 miles at highway speed and never had an issue.

So yeah, take your 2700#, find an appropriately sized trailer, DON'T plan on taking your implements if you need them make 2 trips. You don't need an 18' trailer for this, that big a trailer is going to do nothing but help overload your truck. 16' is plenty. Then compare the weight of the trailer and tractor to the tow rating on the truck. If your not going to do this much then I wouldn't worry about going a bit over. If this will be frequent, like bringing the tractor home every night then consider picking up an old Dakota or a fullsized half ton truck.

The ones that said to pay carefull attention to the trailer brakes and tires are absolutely right, this is not a time to cut your preventative maintanence down. Also spend some time playing with your brake controller with the trailer loaded at low speeds to get it set real good, then realize it'll be different at higher speed. I played alot at 25mph before I was very comfortable with what I was doing. Even then I wouldn't do it often. If I get to the point where I want to tow my tractor alot I'll get a bigger truck.

Also make sure the thing is chained down good, you don't want it getting loose on you.

The guys that suggested you need a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck for this job are NUTS. Thats overkill, why buy 2x or 3x the truck you need just to have it sit in the weeds most of the time?

Also, don't put a Dakota in the same class as a ranger or S10. Its a bigger, heavier, more powerful truck. Well, the old body style '96 and earlier ones like mine are anyway.

Everyone has covered the truck, the trailer, the brakes and proper loading but I have something to add which is just as if not more important, YOU.

Since I don't know you I have to ask:

Do you run your tires until you see air?
Do you service your truck timely or does it take $800 to $1,000 when you do finally do your service work?
Are you a conservative driver or would your friends say you are aggressive (if not reckless)?

Since your question was stated the way it was it seems you have some possible second thoughts about this. The bottom line is "Its your neck your risking if you make a mistake".

Some make good points as to the terrain and distance you are going to cover. Outside of buying the right trailer with good brakes and a proper hitch with a good controller do you consider yourself a good and safe driver? If you collect speeding tickets like some people collect stamps you may not need to be towing anything with any kind of vehcile.

Wish you luck.

You're risking everyone within collision distance if the tail is wagging the dog and you can not control it.

Your insurance co may not cover the damage/medical.

Good Luck!

What sort of terrain are you planning to tow this in? Going up hills tends to be a slow job. I can pull 2,000 lbs with my 86 Toyota 1-ton up a moderately steep Pennsylvania mountain and keep decent speed in 4th gear. At 4,000 lbs, I'm in third, flashers on, doing about 30 mph up those same mountains.

Your truck is somewhat light, so you will always be dealing with a comparatively heavy trailer. Just something to keep in mind. Makes good trailer brakes all the more important.

If you live in the mountains of Wyoming, I'd say get another truck. Otherwise, your Toyota may well be able to handle it.

Just my $.002 worth

Dan

With trailer brakes, a rated hitch for 500/5000 and you keep your speed down to 35mph then it should do ok.

I doubt if your receiver is rated at 5000lbs GVW? or more than 500lbs tongue weight. Watch where you place your load on the trailer.

The faster you try and pull this load, your repairs will greatly accelerate by 200%.

T_Bone

That Toyota pickup will out do a Chibbie or Dode 6cyl by a good bit.