[DuffGuy]

Hi All!

I just purchased my 2020 Teryx4 LE yesterday and borrowed a neighbors trailer to pick up and take it into the mountains. The trailer I used was an all steel 7' x 14' bed with side walls. I was a little concerned about the weight I was putting on my truck as it was sitting really low from the weight. I drive a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad SLT 5.7L V8. Im really new to towing and hoping someone can give me some feedback/tips as I generally like to overthink things.

So Im looking at an Aluma 6812H which measures at 68" x 144" to lighten the load as well as consider the benefits of an aluminum trailer that I just have spent hours comparing to other types of decks. I like the idea of a light and low maintenance trailer (im not especially handy). Im hoping to have just a little room at the end of the trailer with the SXS on it for things like a cooler or whatever I can save space on instead of loading into the bed of the truck. Another thing Im concerned about it clearance as I plan to take it to the mountains a lot with roads that can be a little rough.

Love to hear feedback from you veterans!

 

[GrandkidsMX]

I drive a 1/2 ton to tow our Teryx. If ya balance the Teryx weight over the axle you won't have an issue. I load our Teryx with about 60% weight forward of the axle and my pickup doesn't squat at all.

 

[DuffGuy]

That makes sense I had the tires all the way to the front. I've always been paranoid about weight distribution

 

[NeeBlackDak]

You need to get a little bit handy if you’re going to own a side by side. There are maintenance items that just don’t make money sense at a dealer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AZTeryx4_2017]

You may also want to consider adding air bag assists to your rear on the Dodge like from Airlift

 

[Andy>]

You should not have any problem towing your machine with a 1/2 ton. Just gotta have it loaded properly. Once you figure out what works for you it’ll be easy. Need a bit of tongue weight but not 2000lbs of it. I just wing it myself, but the google says tongue weight should be 9-15% Of The total trailer weight.

I hauled my rzr on a 12’ trailer with too little tongue weight with a 3/4ton with no issue, my buddy hauled it for me once Like that and it whipped his 1/2 ton around. Speed And lack of common sense was also a factor.

Last summer I saw 2 guys with f150’s pulling tandem. I’m not saying it was smart but it was done. Yes that is a 1/2 ton pulling a 5th wheel pulling a 10?' trailer. The one in front of it was pulling a 16-18' tandem axle car trailer behind a fifth wheel. He was over length among other things. These were older guys in there 60-70's that came out from 3-4hrs away on gravel roads.

 

[VirginiaHawk]

Your truck is MORE than capable of towing that trailer with the Teryx. You only need a 6x10 foot trailer to haul it. You can then load your coolers in the bed of the truck and/or Teryx. You can get an aluminum trailer, but honestly, you don't need it. They cost a lot more and the weight savings at the size you need is negligible. As for clearance, get a trailer with full size tire on it, avoid the 14" and smaller tires. Get at least a 15" wheel and you will be fine.

The Teryx has a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution, meaning it weighs almost the same on the front wheels as it does the rear. Put the center of your Teryx just a few inches forward of the trailer axle and you should be fine.

Here are my top 5 towing tips for beginners.

Tip #1: Swing wide when making a turn with a trailer (watch your mirrors!)
Tip #2: Hook up the trailer, go to an empty parking area and practice backing it into a slot until you can do it first try
Tip #3: Stop after about 10 to 20 minutes of towing and re-tighten your straps. Check again at every stop.
Tip #4: Keep an eye on your trailer and load CONSTANTLY when going down the road. Watch for problems.
Tip #5: Do not tow above 70MPH. Trailer tires are not rated above 70MPH.

Bonus tip: Make sure you remember to plug in your trailer lights and test them every time you tow.

 

[huntertim214]

you should have absolutely no issues pulling a teryx4 with your truck. I pull a 28' trailer with 2 four seat sxs's behind my 2017 Ram 1500 with no problems at all. My old 2007 Ram had the 4.7L motor and I pulled a trailer with 6 or 7 utility quads all the time. We just got back from a trip from Michigan to Tennessee, through the mountains and the 2017 never even flinched. The set-up on the truck can make a difference (axle ratio, tow package, etc) but for hauling one machine any half ton truck should work just fine. Aluminum or steel trailer shouldn't really be a factor other than personal preference. A 12 foot trailer will leave you enough room for coolers, gas cans, spare tires, etc.
there are some good tips above for towing, one thing I will add that I have found the best tie down method to be the straps over the tires instead of to the frame of the machine. If you google it you will find different methods and set-ups for strapping down over the tires. I find that the straps stay tight and locked down way better than attaching to the machine somewhere and it allows the suspension of the machine work as you trailer instead of it fighting against the straps the whole time.

 

[VirginiaHawk]

the best tie down method to be the straps over the tires instead of to the frame of the machine. the straps stay tight and locked down way better than attaching to the machine somewhere and it allows the suspension of the machine work as you trailer instead of it fighting against the straps the whole time.

Excellent tip! :icon_thumleft:

 

[Hawaii_Built]

I second the suggestion on looking at airbags for your truck. My Ram has a pair from Timbergrove industries that are really helpful when towing or hauling heavy loads in the bed.

As far as towing when offroading, if you have more than one driver in the truck, it may be easier, less stressful and more fun to drop the sxs at the start of the trail and drive it in instead of having it on the trailer. A friend of mine will often unload his sxs and pull the trailer with it when driving to camping spots (he says it's easier to drive offroad with a trailer hitched to the machine instead of onto the truck).

 

[6.2Blazer]

As stated several times above the OP is nowhere close to the towing capacity of that truck, and along with that there is no reason he needs airbags. Come on now, we are talking about hauling a SxS on a small trailer here that is maybe 3,000 lbs.! My wife's Honda minivan is rated to tow 3,500 lbs. If you think the rear of the truck is sagging too much than just back the Teryx up a little to take some tongue weight off......with a 14' long trailer you have the opportunity to put a lot of tongue weight on the truck if you pull the Teryx all the way forward on the trailer.

As far as trailer size I would recommend at least a 12' long version, especially for a T4. For the typical style trailer in that size that has a rail all around and a fold up rear tailgate you would have to pull a T4 on backwards to get the gate all the way up and closed (pulling it on backwards lets the bed stick out over the front of the trailer and rails. The 12' trailer gives plenty of room to tuck coolers and gas cans at either the front or rear of the machine.

 

[DuffGuy]

You should not have any problem towing your machine with a 1/2 ton. Just gotta have it loaded properly. Once you figure out what works for you it’ll be easy. Need a bit of tongue weight but not 2000lbs of it. I just wing it myself, but the google says tongue weight should be 9-15% Of The total trailer weight.

I hauled my rzr on a 12’ trailer with too little tongue weight with a 3/4ton with no issue, my buddy hauled it for me once Like that and it whipped his 1/2 ton around. Speed And lack of common sense was also a factor.

Last summer I saw 2 guys with f150’s pulling tandem. I’m not saying it was smart but it was done. Yes that is a 1/2 ton pulling a 5th wheel pulling a 10?' trailer. The one in front of it was pulling a 16-18' tandem axle car trailer behind a fifth wheel. He was over length among other things. These were older guys in there 60-70's that came out from 3-4hrs away on gravel roads.

Thanks for the reply, this helps. That is pretty insane on what those guys were willing to haul with those 1/2 tons. Definitely something i wouldnt have been willing to risk. I agree with others who also have stated that I need to figure out proper load.

 

[DuffGuy]

Your truck is MORE than capable of towing that trailer with the Teryx. You only need a 6x10 foot trailer to haul it. You can then load your coolers in the bed of the truck and/or Teryx. You can get an aluminum trailer, but honestly, you don't need it. They cost a lot more and the weight savings at the size you need is negligible. As for clearance, get a trailer with full size tire on it, avoid the 14" and smaller tires. Get at least a 15" wheel and you will be fine.

The Teryx has a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution, meaning it weighs almost the same on the front wheels as it does the rear. Put the center of your Teryx just a few inches forward of the trailer axle and you should be fine.

Here are my top 5 towing tips for beginners.

Tip #1: Swing wide when making a turn with a trailer (watch your mirrors!)
Tip #2: Hook up the trailer, go to an empty parking area and practice backing it into a slot until you can do it first try
Tip #3: Stop after about 10 to 20 minutes of towing and re-tighten your straps. Check again at every stop.
Tip #4: Keep an eye on your trailer and load CONSTANTLY when going down the road. Watch for problems.
Tip #5: Do not tow above 70MPH. Trailer tires are not rated above 70MPH.

Bonus tip: Make sure you remember to plug in your trailer lights and test them every time you tow.

Wow these are great tips, thanks for taking the time to share! Thats really good to know on the Teryx weight and you're right i think i just need to distribute the weight much better. I'll look into the 15" tires as well

 

[DuffGuy]

you should have absolutely no issues pulling a teryx4 with your truck. I pull a 28' trailer with 2 four seat sxs's behind my 2017 Ram 1500 with no problems at all. My old 2007 Ram had the 4.7L motor and I pulled a trailer with 6 or 7 utility quads all the time. We just got back from a trip from Michigan to Tennessee, through the mountains and the 2017 never even flinched. The set-up on the truck can make a difference (axle ratio, tow package, etc) but for hauling one machine any half ton truck should work just fine. Aluminum or steel trailer shouldn't really be a factor other than personal preference. A 12 foot trailer will leave you enough room for coolers, gas cans, spare tires, etc.
there are some good tips above for towing, one thing I will add that I have found the best tie down method to be the straps over the tires instead of to the frame of the machine. If you google it you will find different methods and set-ups for strapping down over the tires. I find that the straps stay tight and locked down way better than attaching to the machine somewhere and it allows the suspension of the machine work as you trailer instead of it fighting against the straps the whole time.

Appreciate the tip on tie downs, i'll have to look into this. After reading a lot of the comments here its reassuring to see that i was just paranoid about the weight and also good to know that i have more options in regards to trailer types. Those aluminum decks are pretty damn expensive.

 

[VirginiaHawk]

Appreciate the tip on tie downs, i'll have to look into this. After reading a lot of the comments here its reassuring to see that i was just paranoid about the weight and also good to know that i have more options in regards to trailer types. Those aluminum decks are pretty damn expensive.

I use a 6x12 dovetail steel trailer to haul mine. The dovetail allows for a shorter gate which translates to less wind resistance when towing and it costs less than $1200 and has 15" tires.
https://sleequipment.com/utility-trailer-6-4-x12-dove-tail.html

 

[6.2Blazer]

To clarify one comment about rated speeds for trailer tires, most trailer tires are rated for at least 75 mph which some up to 87 mph. Tire manufacturers have adapted to the higher speed limits of the roads.

 

[huntertim214]

I use a 6x12 dovetail steel trailer to haul mine. The dovetail allows for a shorter gate which translates to less wind resistance when towing and it costs less than $1200 and has 15" tires.
https://sleequipment.com/utility-trailer-6-4-x12-dove-tail.html

That's a good deal on a nice Teryx hauler... might have to make a road trip when I'm ready for a new one. :icon_thumleft:

 

[Lawdog]

Good thread with some solid advice. Myself, I run an 18' Aluma trailer and I double tow it behind my fifth wheel. The trailer is exceptional quality and I was willing to pay more for it. If you can afford it, and want to buy a trailer only once until you need a bigger one, get an Aluma and don't look back.

That said, it is a luxury and you don't need it.

As for strapping, I have not yet punched the holes in the Aluma deck to run over-the-tire straps. I used them on my last trailer and they are the way to go. But, until I get the gumption to punch holes or run e-Trac, I run the straps through the wheels. By pulling/holding the Teryx forward and backward with quality straps, it cannot go anywhere and the suspension isn't compressed during the tow. You have to be intentional about not cranking them down so hard that you tweak the wheels. I have run thousands of miles safely doing this, on interstate speeds and on bad dirt roads. Machines never move a bit. And to clarify, I only do this when pulling multiple machines and I lose the space for the normal strapping to rear and front hooks.

*100% agree with checking your straps early in the drive. They'll usually settle a bit and need that initial re-tighten. Good luck.

 

[DuffGuy]

Thanks everyone for the replies, advice, and overall recommendations. Truly a great community here, one that I hope to someday give advice to new comers like myself.

After taking everyones considerations, I've decided a 6' x 12' will be more than adequate. Trailers in my area seem to be in limited supply and the one I stumbled upon is at a Murdoch store. I've never heard of "Carry-On" before but finding what I could on reviews they seem to be positive to mixed. I also noticed they only have a 1 year warranty compared to others that have a 3 year. Anyone have one or thoughts about the one Im looking at?

https://www.murdochs.com/products/a...-on-6-x-12-wood-floor-trailer-with-ramp-gate/

 

[VirginiaHawk]

Thanks everyone for the replies, advice, and overall recommendations. Truly a great community here, one that I hope to someday give advice to new comers like myself.

After taking everyones considerations, I've decided a 6' x 12' will be more than adequate. Trailers in my area seem to be in limited supply and the one I stumbled upon is at a Murdoch store. I've never heard of "Carry-On" before but finding what I could on reviews they seem to be positive to mixed. I also noticed they only have a 1 year warranty compared to others that have a 3 year. Anyone have one or thoughts about the one Im looking at?

https://www.murdochs.com/products/a...-on-6-x-12-wood-floor-trailer-with-ramp-gate/

One of the Carry-On manufacturing plants is 20 minutes from my house. The trailers are mostly built by illegal aliens but the quality on them is satisfactory. Having said that, you can get a trailer built just as well for several hundred less if you look around, like the link I posted above with the dove tail.

The most common complaints with Carry-On are with the lights/wiring and the tires (Chinese brand)