looking at goosenecks and hay hauling....need help please.

[moloss]

I'm showing my ignorance/stupidity here (and not trying to be argumenative) but what is the big deal about putting the ramps on and off? flat bed semi trailers don't have loading ramps and they get all kinds of equipment on them.......that said I have not loaded anything other than hay onto a gooseneck trailer

[chh]

Personally I prefer the dovetail if I was going to load equipment much at all.
1. I have had the slip on ramps twist on soft ground and move with a tractor part way up a ramp.
2. Flip down ramps with spring assist are easier to handle. IMO
3. Flip down ramps contact the ground loading heavier equipment and reduces trailer squat which also lifts the back of your truck.
4. 10 degrees doesn't sound like much until your drive on it and back off of it.
I have loaded tractors, dozers, assorted equipment, cars and pickups on and off various trailers and I still don't enjoy doing it.
5. Heavy equipment semi trailers are usually dovetailed or have a removable hitch and load from the front. Flat deck trailers hauling equipment are many times loaded and unloaded from a dock. No ramps used at all.
6. I think the dovetail ramps are stronger than the pull out style.

From what I hear PJ's are good trailers. The one you have in the pics is a great looking trailer. Truthfully its what you prefer. If you know someone with a trailer of either or both stlyes load a tractor up on it a couple of times and get the feel of doing it. That will tell you as much as anything if it the trailer for you.

[Robert_in_NY]

as CHH said, flatbed semi trailers are loaded from docks or specially built loading ramps. They don't have ramps for you to just load and unload anywhere they want. You need to have a docking area to unload them or a forklift.

I have been looking at PJ trailers for the same reason as you, hay hauling first, equipment second. I am going with a dove tail eventually with three ramps so I can load various types of equipment without having to struggle.

I would definitely beef up your axles though as a 30' trailer will be handy for a lot of things and if your truck can handle it build the trailer so you can max it out with 20 bales. Those extra 6 bales per trip add up quick.

[hudr]

Another thing about slide in/out ramps. I have never seen a set that wasn't bent all to heck after a few years. Plus it seems no matter where the slot is for them, it is unhandy.
In all the years growing up around the flat bed business (Dad always owned an OTR truck, even when he himself worked a "real" job) I never saw a pair of ramps. Like the other poster said, they get loaded at docks, by forklifts, cranes, even helicopters. But I never saw a truck pull up and the driver snatch a set of 12' long ramps out from under the trailer to drive something up on it.
Once again, I really stress the 10k pound axles if you are looking at a 30' trailer. The temptation will always be there to "fill it up" and two 7k axles will be overloaded very quickly.

[Robert_in_NY]

Originally Posted by hudr

Another thing about slide in/out ramps. I have never seen a set that wasn't bent all to heck after a few years. Plus it seems no matter where the slot is for them, it is unhandy.
In all the years growing up around the flat bed business (Dad always owned an OTR truck, even when he himself worked a "real" job) I never saw a pair of ramps. Like the other poster said, they get loaded at docks, by forklifts, cranes, even helicopters. But I never saw a truck pull up and the driver snatch a set of 12' long ramps out from under the trailer to drive something up on it.
Once again, I really stress the 10k pound axles if you are looking at a 30' trailer. The temptation will always be there to "fill it up" and two 7k axles will be overloaded very quickly.

What was funny is after I posted my post about using docks I was reading Tractor Shop magazine (Welcome to Tractor Shop) and found a ad for a company that makes aluminum ramps for all sorts of trailers. Aluminum Loading Ramps Discount Ramps Drop Deck Ramps

I would not want to use these very often though but in a pinch I could see using them.

MikePA: Changed inline image to a link to copyrighted picture.

[hudr]

Robert,
I stand corrected.... And like you, I wouldn't want to use them very often. It would have to be a HECK of a pinch!! :-)
Also notice that is a drop deck trailer. Imagine driving that up on a standard 48' float!

[Robert_in_NY]

Originally Posted by hudr

Robert,
I stand corrected.... And like you, I wouldn't want to use them very often. It would have to be a HECK of a pinch!! :-)
Also notice that is a drop deck trailer. Imagine driving that up on a standard 48' float!

I would be nervous driving up to the height of a drop deck (and nothing any higher) and do not think I would try it unless I had no other option.

[mlauk]

Originally Posted by moloss

I'm looking at gooseneck trailers......I'm wanting a 30' with load leveling ramps and center section and 7K axles......assuming 4x6 rolls of hay, I can 7 in a row right? I see alot of guys doubling there hay on the lower level (smaller rolls?)......I'm new to this cattle thing but I'm looking for advice on what size trailer is best.....thanks Chris.

I got in late on this, but with 4x6 rolls and a 30' trailer you can only get 5 rolls side by side on the bottom which is all the trailer could handle without overloading. To put 4 more on top, I would go with the dually 10k axles.

[moloss]

thanks guys for all of your help.....I ordered the trailer in the pic.....I think for what I'm going to be doing it will be more than sufficient......this sounds silly but I'm excited, it will be a month or a month and half before it gets here.....the trailer cost more than others but the quality seemed to be the best.....thanks again Chris.

[Willis Fecon Bushhogging]

Originally Posted by moloss

thanks guys for all of your help.....I ordered the trailer in the pic.....I think for what I'm going to be doing it will be more than sufficient......this sounds silly but I'm excited, it will be a month or a month and half before it gets here.....the trailer cost more than others but the quality seemed to be the best.....thanks again Chris.

This may not be the best place to ask this, but I just bought a new 10 ton, 28ft tilt bed to haul my mulching machine. I just got it today from the factory, get trailer. But of course my brother had a question I didnt know how to answer. Quote-if its wet or icy, will the steel track machine still go up and down safely? I am in eastern NC and we really dont have a real ice storm, but it was a good question and my reply was, time will tell.
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