A tractor hauling question

tedregentin · Jun 22, 2021

I am looking for some opinions on hauling a 48 Cub that my wife's grandfather bought new and it is now being passed on to us to keep in the
family. I live in Oregon and the tractor is in Iowa and it is going to my families place in the thumb of Michigan. I own a good car hauling
trailer. My question is would I be better off renting a Uhaul trailer in Iowa for $600.00 just taking my trailer empty from Oregon to Iowa
and then pulling it all the way back to Oregon?

Traditional Farmer · Jun 22, 2021

If you have a full size pickup you could haul it in that,I've hauled a couple that way.

Duner Wi · Jun 22, 2021

Run thru you filters again saying you will return to trailer to place of origin.
So rent trailer in Omaha and return to trailer to Omaha.

Determined · Jun 22, 2021

I guess it would depend on the circumstances, that is an awful lot of fuel you are going to burn empty or loaded.

Would be a lot cheaper to just hire the hauling out.

But if you are making the trip anyhow for other reasons then all you need to figure is will your trailer make it there and back without any problems?

$600 would probably buy you a new set of tires that you would still have when all is said and done.

You would be coming home a long way empty so if it was me I would start looking online now for what might be a great deal on another tractor or vehicle that I could possibly buy on the way back to make it a win win.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 22, 2021

The bare tractor weighs around 1500lbs. Wheel weights, mowers, plows, other attachments all add to the weight. Cubs often have a set of rear wheel weights which adds 300lbs, so figure on around 2000lbs total load.

U-haul really doesn't have anything suitable for hauling a Cub. Their smaller open trailers max out at 1500lbs. Their car hauler doesn't have a middle deck, and unless the Cub is set very wide, it won't fit in the car rails. Plus you have to lie to rent the trailer which is a moral crisis for many folks here (they need to know what you are hauling or they can't rent you the trailer, and tractors aren't on the list in the computer).

If you've got a flat deck car hauler with tandem axels, that is IDEAL for hauling a Cub. I've hauled on a single axle landscaper trailer and it works fine but you're going halfway across the country.

Pitch · Jun 22, 2021

If you do rent a U-Haul, you will have to lie.. I rented one to get my 8n home, I was refused,apparently hauling machinery or equipment on a U-Haul car carrier is for some reason verboten.
I then rented a car hauler to transport a '49 Ford which was totally acceptable.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 22, 2021

(quoted from post at 05:54:42 06/22/21)
Would be a lot cheaper to just hire the hauling out.

Des Moines, IA (mid-state) to Bad Axe, MI (mid-thumb) is around 700 miles. Even if by some miracle you could find a hauler willing to do it for $1 a loaded mile, that's still more than $600.

You're more realistically looking at $3+ a loaded mile.

Determined · Jun 22, 2021

(quoted from post at 08:06:10 06/22/21)

(quoted from post at 05:54:42 06/22/21)
Would be a lot cheaper to just hire the hauling out.

Click to expand...

Des Moines, IA (mid-state) to Bad Axe, MI (mid-thumb) is around 700 miles. Even if by some miracle you could find a hauler willing to do it for $1 a loaded mile, that's still more than $600.

You're more realistically looking at $3+ a loaded mile.

When I said it would be cheaper to hire out the hauling that was based on him not having to drive from Oregon to Iowa to Michigan then back to Oregon.

If he was going to make the trip for other reasons anyhow then it would not apply.

Geo-TH,In · Jun 22, 2021

Pulling an empty trailer will lower my mpg as much as trailer with tractor.
I would just as soon have a root canal than to pull this trailer empty.
It kicks the trucks butt.

<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto92651.jpg
No question I would rent a uhaul.

DoubleO7 · Jun 22, 2021

Fly to Iowa, rent a moving truck, the van with a box body should be sufficient.
Load tractor inside, drive to MI.
Fly back to Oregon or drive truck back to Iowa then fly back.

Might not be the cheapest but it will eliminate risk and time on the road.

Compare expense of hotel nights, meals, risk of vehicle troubles, time, etc. of driving 100% or just flying the most.

This post was edited by DoubleO7 on 06/22/2021 at 06:36 am.

Determined · Jun 22, 2021

(quoted from post at 08:27:46 06/22/21) Pulling an empty trailer will lower my mpg as much as trailer with tractor.
I would just as soon have a root canal than to pull this trailer empty.
It kicks the trucks butt.

<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto92651.jpg
No question I would rent a uhaul.

Guess it depends on what your tow vehicle is.

I moved a 8000 lb truck 250 miles this past weekend.

Loaded It did 8 mpg empty trailer on the return was 13 mpg.

No trailer or load I get around 14 mpg.

Unless I look in the mirrors I don't even know it's behind me.

Gambles · Jun 22, 2021

I recently rented a tilt trailer from a private individual to haul a 5,500 lb tractor. Cost was $200 and I used it two days. Insurance on my truck covered it. If you get one from Penske/Uhaul, youll have to lie about it. If involved in a wreck and a lawyer gets involved, Uhaul will tell the jury that you are a liar.

4520BW · Jun 22, 2021

They will fit in the bed of a pick up truck.

ss55 · Jun 22, 2021

Have you checked the Hauling Schedule in the left hand column of this webpage?

Fordy20 · Jun 22, 2021

Sounds like a 3000 to 4000 mile trip? Maybe eight days or so? Add up the cost of 200 +/- gallons of fuel, $600.00 for trailer (weather you rent or about same amount for additional fuel to pull yours) motel rooms, restaurant food, wear & tear on vehicle, (don't know how you value your time) and I would think hiring it moved would look a lot more attractive.

DRussell · Jun 22, 2021

If you have to use a trailer to haul it you're better off renting one from Uhaul than pulling yours from Oregon to Michigan and then back to Oregon.

Janicholson · Jun 22, 2021

My son works for U-Haul I just called the office and asked if a tractor could be hauled in a U-Haul pickup. I was told clearly that anything that fits can be hauled. I was specific about the Cub tractor that fits. I was told that there is no issue. That is a possible option. Jim

rustred · Jun 22, 2021

if it was not so far i would just load it in the truck box. 3/4 ton is ideal. years ago i hauled a farmalL A in my 74 ford 1/2 ton. when i bought my w12 i hauled it home in my 96 ford 1/2 ton. that little cub is not heavy. it dont even weigh 1 ton.

kencombs · Jun 22, 2021

Uhaul has an open utility trailer with Ramps that would be perfect. And permitted by their rules. Or the enclosed 5x12 will work. You are not limited to the car hauler.

mjsnodgrass · Jun 22, 2021

if your mind is made up that you'd like to move it yourself, i think i'd fly back there and rent a pick up / trailer from u haul and move it. your time is worth something. the price of fuel, food and motels adds up pretty quick as well. good luck

bmack95hd · Jun 22, 2021

Me, I would be up for a Road Trip. Being retired I drove with trailer from Flagstaff, AZ to Easton, MO to pick up my J/D 5203. Took a few days and I had a blast seeing some different country.

RCP · Jun 22, 2021

Another option, find something that needs to be hauled during the empty legs of your trip, the pay will help offset the cost of your trip.

My grandfather would haul for other people by buying the article for a $1 and then selling it back to the owner, the sales price would be the cost of the hauling.

grizz02 · Jun 22, 2021

Find a hauler to haul it for you , and put feet up in the recliner , no worries . Had a large tractor brought of Texas to WA. state for 2K

Pete in Holland MI · Jun 22, 2021

Contracting someone to haul it will be the cheapest alternative for your situation. If you opt to make a road trip, and enclosed trailer will pull much harder (wind drag) than a flat bed trailer. At 700 miles from location to location, that's a hard weekend for the Michigander to come get it from the Thumb, but do-able. Make sure to take the muffler off (it and the manifold are not designed for 75 mph wind resistance.

Preserving a family's tractor is a worthwhile endevor.

Good luck !

A tractor hauling question

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