GOOSENECK - TWO QUICK QUESTIONS

[JohnDeere4300]

Sounds like your approach to this is right on track. You have the right type of truck for the task at hand, a good hitch, and done some research. One thing I would look into is Gator Made Trailers. They are in Southern KY, near Lake Cumberland. They are top notch and you could easily drive there in a few hours and pick it up at the factory to save some $$$$.

Chris

I agree with Diamondpilot, those are some nice trailers but you might
need to weld some D-rings in the bed. But that shouldn't be a problem.

And it sounds like you have the right truck.

 

[HCJ]

I pull my M-6800 with an F-250. My trailer is a Big Tex 20 plus 5 ' deckover gooseneck. I use every bit of it, especially with long implements such as a rotary cutter or backhoe. I also don't like the idea of depending on corner D-rings. The position of the load varies depending on what I am carrying and the attachment points to the tractor can be limited so having a continuous side channel to hook to gives more flexibility. You need to load up your equipment on the trailer you are considering, imagine all of the different options on what you could carry in the future, and see if it fits and is balanced, before you buy.

 

[habanero]

Thanks to all...Here's an update...And I would REALLY appreciate additional feedback. I visited one manufacturer and a couple of sales lots, did a lot of measuring, some photos, etc, and here is my current thinking. I would appreciate ideas, feedback, and any suggestions as to sources who I could work with to think out/engineer, and then build this for me. I know that I'm going to spend some $$$, but I want quality and versatility without just throwing money away! Here's my current thinking, along with a bit of the rationale behind it...

A. Heavy duty, low profile, gooseneck dump with two 7k, braked axles.
B. Flat, 18 foot deck instead of box.
C. Rub rail with plenty of stake pockets and at least 8 "D" rings for binders.
D. HD lift mechanism, jacks, loading ramps, and tool/chain box(es).

FEEDBACK PLEASE???

A. Sources for building it?
B. Type of lift mechanism?
C. Type of deck and material?
D. Other ideas or "watch outs"?

Here's my current thinking...

A. The flat deck will be much easier to load, arrange, and tie down.
B. With a 7'x18' deck size, a set of low and manageable stake sides will allow me to carry as great a weight of material as I want to manage.
C. The 18' deck length (vs. my original thought of 16'...thanks for earlier input!!!) will allow a bit of leeway for load balancing (I do have a tongue weight gauge). With the gooseneck, the rig will still be reasonably maneuverable, and this is probably a good compromise.

THANKS FOR ANY IDEAS AND INPUT!!!

 

[GreenWannabe]

You might try these folks, Gooseneck Trailer Mfg. Co. - Custom Trailers, Frac Tanks & Truck Beds - they offer a 16 footer and 20 footer, with removable sides optional. I'm sure they would work with you on any customizations you want as well. I know they've been in business more than 40 years, I went to their plant back in the mid-sixties. Their website lists two dealers in Kentucky, and I saw a dealer in Fayetteville, TN a couple of years ago - don't know if they still are.

 

[radman1]

Habanero

I have not seen a true dump trailer with removable sides. I guess it could work but I would be a little leary. The sides need to be strong to take the push outwards of any loads of dirt, rock etc. This is especially true if the sides are held in by stake pockets. Can removable sides take the weight without bowing out, especially if the tailgate is open or removed. I have seen chains/supports that run across the sides in older dumps. However, these are often in the way when dumping limbs, trees or trash.
Also make sure the dump trailer can lift to 45-50 degrees. I have seen few trailers than can tilt with removeable sides but only get 30-40 degrees. I call these half utility/dump trailers. Is this what you are thinking about? What kind of material do you plan to haul. Damp dirt does not slide well and takes a steep lift angle. The sides need to be higher then the load in my area, otherwise it has to be tarped. Low sides make it difficult to haul mulch, trees, limbs, grass clippings etc.

 

[texasjohn]

I think you are in the right ballpark and doing the right research...
I have an 18 foot bumperpull flatbed and a 20' gooseneck dump with removable sides.

I'm often thanking myself for getting the 18' flatbed... hauls my tractor with FEL and rear equipment. 16' absolutely would frequently be just too short.

The sides on the dump trailer, dual axle, dual wheels, are HEAVY although they can be unbolted and removed... I've never done it... but am glad I have the option. I DO have a chain across the top to keep sides from bowing out more than they already are.... purchased the dump trailer used.

My dump trailer is a PJ
PJ Trailers - Flatdeck, Deckover, Tilt, Dump, Carhauler, and Utility Trailers.

Well made, tough, good reputation, gave me good and willing verbal advice over the phone even though out of warranty... problem turned out to be a clogged hydraulic filter caused by water in the fluid... easy fix once this was understood.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A big concern for me would be the 2 7K axles. I really think you need to go with 3 6K or even 7K axles to helps with the weight of the trailer. I sold and use a buddies Bi-Mar 14' Bumper Pull with twin 7K axles and it weighs 4,200# empty leaving only 9,800# for the load. A GN trailer that is 18' long will weigh in the 5,500# neighborhood empty so you will not have much load capability with twin 7K's, about 8,500#. Not enough. That would be about 1' of material in the trailer.


Chris

 

[nickel plate]

I am in the process of preparing to buy a Woods BH90-X backhoe and hydraulic thumb that will attach to my New Holland TC-40. My gooseneck flatbed steel trailer deck is 16' with another 27-1/2" beaver tail. I have been working closely with a fine member of this forum who has been providing me measurements of his similar to my tractor with a BH90-X backhoe and with this information the backhoe bucket will be at about the upper middle of the beavertail with the FEL resting on the gooseneck. The trailer is a 1974 Zieman and can carry 16000 lbs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am in the process of preparing to buy a Woods BH90-X backhoe and hydraulic thumb that will attach to my New Holland TC-40. My gooseneck flatbed steel trailer deck is 16' with another 27-1/2" beaver tail. I have been working closely with a fine member of this forum who has been providing me measurements of his similar to my tractor with a BH90-X backhoe and with this information the backhoe bucket will be at about the upper middle of the beavertail with the FEL resting on the gooseneck. The trailer is a 1974 Zieman and can carry 16000 lbs.

Are you sure it can carry 16,000# or is the the max GVWR of the trailer? I am guessing from the looks of it its GVWR is 16,000# and the trailer weighs about 5,500# leaving 10,500# for the load.

Just curious?

Either way its a good looking trailer for a 1974. Probably has never been abused.

Chris

 

[nickel plate]

Are you sure it can carry 16,000# or is the the max GVWR of the trailer? I am guessing from the looks of it its GVWR is 16,000# and the trailer weighs about 5,500# leaving 10,500# for the load.

Just curious?

Either way its a good looking trailer for a 1974. Probably has never been abused.

Chris

Yes, the GVWR is 21,000 lbs. I could not find an attached spec tag on the trailer when I bought it so I called Zieman in SoCal and with the attached (welded) serial number I got that GVWR over the phone. I put new tires on it, matched what was there-7.50-15, 14 ply rating, DOT OD57, Flange Guard. These are very heavy split rims, a thing of the past but in very good shape. The trailer has a steel diamond tread deck and electric breaks with a battery operated break-away system and there is no major or minor rust, some surface scale and very little of that. I bought it on E-Bay for $1400.00 and it was located about 15 miles from my house so I got a chance (several) to inspect it.