Matching a trailer to my load/truck, current setup isn't cutting it????

[rustyshakelford]

I wouldn't get a flat deck. I'd strongly recommend a trailer with a dovetail. Slide in ramps would get old quick and the dove lowers the angle to load and unload substantially.

Brett

 

[Diamondpilot]

I wouldn't get a flat deck. I'd strongly recommend a trailer with a dovetail. Slide in ramps would get old quick and the dove lowers the angle to load and unload substantially.

Brett

I am the opposite. Had a DT and much prefer my low boy flat deck with slide in ramps vs the stand up ramps on my old trailer that always seemed to be in the way.

Chris

 

[Piston]

I wouldn't get a flat deck. I'd strongly recommend a trailer with a dovetail. Slide in ramps would get old quick and the dove lowers the angle to load and unload substantially.

Brett

Rusty, have you used both? The reason I ask is because my current trailer is a dovetail with fold up ramps and I hate it. I know it isn't good to hang the rotary cutter off the end but I would love to be able to let it overhang a few feet, whereas now I can't, because the ramps are always in the way. I haven't used a flat deck trailer but I can't see why it would be a big deal. I would really only use it for equipment, and not a car or anything that needs a shallow angle of approach. I feel like I would get more usable space with a flat deck.

The other use I have for the trailer, is to lay my Woodmizer sawmill on it for when I want to do a mobile job. The mill is not a trailerable model (LT 15) but is easily setup on a trailer. I've done this on my current setup but it overhangs as well.



I also do not like how little clearance I have on the back of the tractor, more than one occasion I have scraped/dragged the bottom of the trailer on a customer's driveway, I have to be really careful of that.


I'm browsing online and found this PJ trailer...
PJ Trailers - 8" I-Beam Deckover (F8)
I would probably like the 26' model, it comes with two 7,000lb axles and has a 14k lb weight rating. The trailer weighs 4k lbs (actually 4300 but let's say 4k for easy math) I'm assuming this means I can safely and legally carry 10k lbs?
If I were to upgrade to the two 8k lb axles, could I then legally carry 12k lbs on the trailer?


What would be better, two 8k lb axles, or three 7 lb axles? It seems like 3 axles would weigh more, and I couldn't take advantage of the extra weight rating, but it may ride or carry the load nicer with 3 axles? What are the advantages and disadvantages of 2 or 3 axles?

 

[Ken45101]

I agree that a short bed means more problems with a gooseneck. 1) you will need a narrow front on the gooseneck (no front deck) and 2) you will still have to be very carefully turning while backing up so that you don't run the truck cab into the side of the trailer. People do that even with the more spacious full sized beds.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Rusty, have you used both? The reason I ask is because my current trailer is a dovetail with fold up ramps and I hate it. I know it isn't good to hang the rotary cutter off the end but I would love to be able to let it overhang a few feet, whereas now I can't, because the ramps are always in the way. I haven't used a flat deck trailer but I can't see why it would be a big deal. I would really only use it for equipment, and not a car or anything that needs a shallow angle of approach. I feel like I would get more usable space with a flat deck.

The other use I have for the trailer, is to lay my Woodmizer sawmill on it for when I want to do a mobile job. The mill is not a trailerable model (LT 15) but is easily setup on a trailer. I've done this on my current setup but it overhangs as well.
View attachment 327354


I also do not like how little clearance I have on the back of the tractor, more than one occasion I have scraped/dragged the bottom of the trailer on a customer's driveway, I have to be really careful of that.


I'm browsing online and found this PJ trailer...
PJ Trailers - 8" I-Beam Deckover (F8)
I would probably like the 26' model, it comes with two 7,000lb axles and has a 14k lb weight rating. The trailer weighs 4k lbs (actually 4300 but let's say 4k for easy math) I'm assuming this means I can safely and legally carry 10k lbs?
If I were to upgrade to the two 8k lb axles, could I then legally carry 12k lbs on the trailer?


What would be better, two 8k lb axles, or three 7 lb axles? It seems like 3 axles would weigh more, and I couldn't take advantage of the extra weight rating, but it may ride or carry the load nicer with 3 axles? What are the advantages and disadvantages of 2 or 3 axles?

I have used both. With your trailer being a lowboy the slide in ramps wouldn't be a problem but if it was a deckover, the ramps would be very steep. To the OP if you place the bucket on the neck, it frees a bunch of deck space up. I have a 25+5 and have been able to haul anything needed from my 20k lb Dozer to a little kubota 3400.

The other thing to think about is slide in ramps aren't supported by anything other than the trailer lip and ground. In my opinion that puts a bunch of stress on the back of the trailer and ramps. On my setup the ramps have a brace on the ground so when loading the weight is on the ramps and not the trailer.

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

Here's how mine is set up





Brett

 

[schmism]

you should be able to get a 24-28' dual axle 16K bumper pull.

1600lb class 5 hitch (2.5") with WD hitch,

Id expect the trailer to weigh 4K lbs but with 1600 TW youll net about 13.5K cargo.

 

[Piston]

you should be able to get a 24-28' dual axle 16K bumper pull.

1600lb class 5 hitch (2.5") with WD hitch,

Is a Class 5 hitch and WD hitch, easily retrofitted to my truck? How much would something like that cost?

Id expect the trailer to weigh 4K lbs but with 1600 TW youll net about 13.5K cargo.

So just to make sure I understand this correctly, the tongue weight load does not apply to the total weight on the trailer? So if I have a 16k lb trailer, and it weighs 4k lbs, I can load MORE than 12k lbs on it legally?

 

[Piston]

I have used both. With your trailer being a lowboy the slide in ramps wouldn't be a problem but if it was a deckover, the ramps would be very steep. To the OP if you place the bucket on the neck, it frees a bunch of deck space up. I have a 25+5 and have been able to haul anything needed from my 20k lb Dozer to a little kubota 3400.

Brett

Brett,
Thanks for the pics :thumbsup: That is a nice setup! The reason I don't like to pull the tractor all the way forward and put the bucket on the neck, is because of the increased tongue weight. I don't worry about the stress on the trailer, but rather overloading my hitch, which at this point is now approaching 14-15 yrs old.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Is a Class 5 hitch and WD hitch, easily retrofitted to my truck? How much would something like that cost?



So just to make sure I understand this correctly, the tongue weight load does not apply to the total weight on the trailer? So if I have a 16k lb trailer, and it weighs 4k lbs, I can load MORE than 12k lbs on it legally?

On my trailer if its pulled on to scales the trailer axles are not supposed to be above 10k each. The trailer is rated for 20k. The way to work the numbers is to put more weight on the rear axle of the truck. Technically I could put 23000 on my trailer. 20k on the axles of the trailer and 3k pin weight on my truck. Sometimes you move things around to get it balanced out right.

Brett