Light tractor towing suggestions

[geologic]

I need to tow my Kubota Grand L5740 4x4 tractor with a JD MX6 rotary cutter and front loader bucket attached. I have a nice Performance tandem axle trailer with heavy axles and trailer brakes.

I have not added a brake controller or helper air bags to my 200 LC but think I need to do it before towing my ~7000 lb load.
Suggestions please!

 

[TroutRunner]

How far are you going?

Adding a trailer brake is never a bad idea. You'll be fine, just be smart and think ahead while driving.

 

[NQCruiser]

How far are you going?

Adding a trailer brake is never a bad idea. You'll be fine, just be smart and think ahead while driving.

This, regardless of how far you are going. I regularly tow large & heavy trailers with my 200, some of which would be quite dangerous without brakes. But if you take it steady, keep your approach speeds down when coming to stop signs & intersections, you'll be fine.

This is the tractor & bucket combination I've been hauling around recently....

And the big trailer I tow quite regularly from North QLD to NSW for Field Days a couple of times a year

I will add that we run with heavy duty Load-Sharing hitches and anti-sway links as well - makes them a dream to tow.
My 200 has had the Max Towing Capacity upgraded to almost 10 000lb's as well, with all the heavy springs and bisalloy towball. Being a diesel, it tends to forget that there's something on the back until you try and pass someone - but with a bit of planning it still handles that with no real drama's.

The big trailer's first trip was on the back of my 100 Series 4.7L V8 petrol - it averaged 37L/100km for about 1500km - thank f**k work was paying for that trip......

 

[geologic]

I noticed that your down under. I'm trying to get an auzzy TRD front bull bar. Apparently not available in the US. I need to install a brake controller. I've ordered Firestone air bags for the rear coils. This is the bar I'm looking for:

 

[OGBeno]

I noticed that your down under. I'm trying to get an auzzy TRD front bull bar. Apparently not available in the US. I need to install a brake controller. I've ordered Firestone air bags for the rear coils. This is the bar I'm looking for:

Only way to get that would be to buy it in Australia and have it shipped here.

Those are "official" Toyota accessories for the LC.

 

[geologic]

I really like the way that bar blends into to body.

 

[NQCruiser]

It looks like a lighter copy of an ARB - the lower half is almost identical. The top half looks to be using smaller diameter tube than on the ARB. I must admit, I prefer the ARB, and we do hit a few roos every year - so far it has paid for itself a few times over.

The shiny alloy bar in the photo above is a genuine Toyota model, and to be honest, it's a piece of crap. They rattle & vibrate too much (the one pictured has been specially braced in our workshop at the boss's request), and the only times they've hit roos with them on, the bar has been written off and damaged the panelwork as well.

The boss has a new 2012 model arriving soon, will be interesting to see what it's fitted with when it arrives....

Our ARB's...

 

[geologic]

Placed firestone airbags in rear coils today. Got Stink Bug look now. Must have raised the rear ~2 inches. Only have 4 lbs of pressure in em. Now I need a trailer brake controller that installs with a factory look. Suggestions please.

 

[TroutRunner]

I doubt any trailer brake modules will have a factory look. They are all little boxes and you have to pay closevattention to the orientation.

 

[NQCruiser]

We used these units made by Tekonsha. I think Prodigy is the model, but not 100%. They were small enough to fit in the coin tray slot in the centre console. It's under my UHF anyway so not that much of an eyesore to me..

Excuse the dust - I only got home from a Field Day on Sat night and haven'y had a chance to clean it up yet!!

 

[josharre2000]

I tow a 6800lb boat all the time with mine. The trailer has surge brakes. No issues. Air bags would help. Towed the same boat with my 80 as well.