TOWING a skid steer loader?

Guagke · Aug 17, 2009

im planning to get a skid steer loader "bobcat" and trailer at a richie bros aution. would that work good with a 4.0l a4ld with 5.13 gears and 35s. i know it was originally rated at 6000lbs towing in the manual.but will i still get that with this setup cause im planning to use this truck as a work truck also.i just have a ls8.8 28 pliner in rear and wondering if the 1.31" shafts will hold up to what i figure a 4000lbs bobcatwith 1000lbs trailer???i just dont want to invest in another truck for work i already use a 2.3 ranger for dd driver.

Will · Aug 17, 2009

What model is the loader?

You can look up the weight here: http://www.bobcat.com/historical_specs/

What kind of trailer is it? Look through these and find one that looks like yours and you can get an idea of the weight: http://www.bigtextrailers.com/#

I wouldn't use a Ranger for that as a plan--an A4LD pulling 5,000# everyday, when people are depending on you. I don't think so. Plus, it's likely you'll have 1,000# of tools and materials in the bed I would think. And though your truck was rated at that as originally produced, with your lift I don't know how it's going to act with the CG raised. And I don't know how the rear lift was done.

feellnfroggy · Aug 17, 2009

I have pulled more with less, however I would think safety is the issue, Ive never done it for a long period of time. The ranger just doesnt have the stability of a fullsize truck.

michowski · Aug 17, 2009

Can it do it, yea probly. Is it the best tool for the job on a day to day basis? Thats what you have to answer.

dirtsquirt · Aug 17, 2009

even a 1/2 with a v8 is too small. just makes it on a short pull. 3/4 ton at a min. 1 ton would be better.

85_Ranger4x4 · Aug 17, 2009

If it only weighs 4k I wouldn't be afraid of pulling it on a trailer about anywhere with a half ton. Maybe a couple blocks with a Ranger with good trailer brakes, but that would be about it.

The bad part about those little skid loaders is that unless you look up their weight... they are usually a lot heavier than they look.

dirtsquirt · Aug 17, 2009

85_Ranger4x4 said:
If it only weighs 4k I wouldn't be afraid of pulling it on a trailer about anywhere with a half ton. Maybe a couple blocks with a Ranger with good trailer brakes, but that would be about it.

The bad part about those little skid loaders is that unless you look up their weight... they are usually a lot heavier than they look.

very true. but a trailer that is built strong enough to handle one most times are in the 2500 pound range, then had machine, buckets, fuel tank, then add a couple attachments, ( auger, hoe, extra bucket( smooth or toothed) soon add's up fast. even a small 45 starts at around 5 k

Roadkill · Aug 17, 2009

So true. I had a JCB backhoe (1200 series). Not a small machine in the least. Didn't look like much though, still topped the scales at 15,000#. Now add a trailer for it at probably 7500# and it is quite the load to tow.

Construction equipment, though small in size sometimes, weighs a good bit.

rusty ol ranger · Aug 17, 2009

I pulled one with my 96 F150 i had, it weighed in around 8000lbs, on a 2000lb trailer, it handled it just fine, that was with a 300 6, E4OD, and 3.55's. But it also had 3/4ton springs.

Your biggest task will be whoaing that much weight, You could probley do it if it was done carefully.

later,
Dustin

85_Ranger4x4 · Aug 17, 2009

dirtsquirt said:
very true. but a trailer that is built strong enough to handle one most times are in the 2500 pound range, then had machine, buckets, fuel tank, then add a couple attachments, ( auger, hoe, extra bucket( smooth or toothed) soon add's up fast. even a small 45 starts at around 5 k

No extra equipment was mentioned so I didn't think he would be hauling any.

Will · Aug 17, 2009

It really depends on the machine he gets. That's why I posted those links. My Bobcat is an M371 and it weighs 2,000# and I usually carry it in the bed of my pickup. It would fit on a 1,000# single axle utility trailer and any Ranger would handle it just fine.

A new S630 is a pretty average weight loader and is 7,700#. Keep in mind a skid steer is designed to have 70% of its empty weight over the rear axle and 70% of it's loaded weight over the front axle. That S630 will put 5400# on one axle on your trailer deck.

The largest loaders run about 10,000#. That's on a 4,000# gooseneck behind a pickup.

So I'm saying, what loader are you looking at? What trailer?

Frank The Tank · Aug 18, 2009

5.13 gears......... I'd say go for it. for getting it home, or pulling it on the occassion.
Pulling it every single day isn't that feasable though.
balancing the weight on the trailor is key.

Frank

legoms013 · Aug 28, 2009

I'd say it depends on the weight of the trailer and model of bobcat.

I have only ever towed a bobcat with a 3/4 ton dodge. thats with a 3500 pound trailer and 8ooolb bobcat. not something a ranger could do. thats a bobcat T180, not even a very big one. they dont look it but they are heavy.

even bobcat's smallest tracked one weighs in at 5000 lbs....not something tow able with the truck you have mention when you consider a trailer that is rated for that much of a load or more.

my .02

JFA_Spyderman · Sep 7, 2009

Yo,
+1 for more information. I work at an equipment rental yard and I can tell you I would never let a ranger leave with one of our standard skid steers. (we have an ultra compact one for tight areas that a ranger can tow (under 5k lbs)). While you might make it home, with the modifications and unknowns, there are just too many variables. The best line we hear at work is, "well i tow my 25' boat all the time without any problems!"

They usually forget to consider that their boat is both hollow and made entirely of fiberglass.

See if you can buy a buddy a case of beer to borrow his full size truck.

throttlejockey689 · Sep 7, 2009

I also work at a rental yard and the same applies, no way a bobcat would get loaded behind a ranger/or any compact pickup.

But to answer the question- Yes you can pull it, with the gears, starting out it will pull and get going, the biggest problem you will have is cornering and stopping. If you have trailer brakes this will help the stopping but in an emergency stop it can get ugly fast. A trailer heavier than the tow rig will usually want to push the rear of the truck(in a bumper pull, 5th wheel/gooseneck not as much).

again this all depends on the overall weight of the machine and trailer. I personally would not recommend towing a heavy trailer or towing daily with your set up unless it were a lighter weight such as 1500-3000. I have done 2000lbs on a trailer with no trailer brakes and had no problems and was in full control at all times.

TOWING a skid steer loader?

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