Deckover Trailer opinions and options

[elginfarm]

Hello all, I am considering going from my 7k utility trailer to a 10 or 12k deckover trailer. I am going to a skid steer to go along with my tractor and I often pick up pallets of supplies for the farm. The deckover would be easier to unload with pallet forks and it would be easier to center the load. I would also be using it to haul hay. I tow with an 08 F250 diesel. If necessary I will use a load equalizer hitch.
I am concerned about center of gravity issues with the higher trailer, even though the trailers I have looked at are about 34 inches to the deck. Also tilt versus ramps. I have also seen them with ramps and a powered dovetail that raises to the height of the bed and lowers to give you a better loading angle with the ramps. I have also seen ramps that when folded equal the angle of the dovetail and give you a totally flat deck. I figure an 18, or 20+2 would probably work for me. I am looking for advice and opinions.
Thanks

 

[ovrszd]

Think big.

Think to the next equipment you might buy and get the trailer to match it.

Kinda like buying a tractor. Alway buy a size larger than you currently need unless money prohibits it.

 

[Rustyiron]

Although they are higher than a "deck between the wheels" trlr. I have not found that to be a factor in stability while driving like you should. They are as you point out, much better for loading, esp with "forkable" stuff. As for the tilt decks, I'm not a fan unless I was hauling a single machine all the time. The axles in relation to the bed are set forward to allow for a lower loading angle, usually leaving a bunch of trlr deck out back empty. For me an old fashioned 3' beavertail with fold over ramps is hard to beat, nothing fancy, no extra moving parts or mechanism to give you troubles. Your truck should be fine when loaded properly so you can leave all that load equalizer crap to the camping crowd.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I tow a 20' (16'+4' dove) 10k lbs deckover regularly with my '99 f250. I haul trucks, tractors, logs, hay, junk, you name it I haul it... if you're gonna haul a tractor with loader and brush hog get 20'.

That's a 32" x 16' red oak on the trailer in the picture...

 

[rustyshakelford]

I'd look at a GN deck over. Mine is a 25+5 with tandem 10k axles. Pulls great and takes something big to be over weight. Don't really have to worry about out growing it for a while.

Brett

 

[Ken45101]

I agree with rusty ^^^

I have a 20+5 (14k) gooseneck and it pulls like a dream. Other than slower acceleration, I can't even tell that it's back there. Totally stable

 

[Diamondpilot]

I personally hate GN and 5th wheel trailers. Had both and loss of bed space was a deal breaker for me. All my trucks have handled just fine with BP trailers.

Chris

 

[Xfaxman]

I personally hate bumper pull trailers. Had both and for me Gooseneck handles better, and I can still put a lot of stuff in the bed. Here is my favorite, an eight year old Delta, 4' popup dovetail, 14k deckover.

Here is a good thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/273476-stand-up-slide-ramps.html

 

[MBTRAC]

I'd second that - we run both ball hitch & much prefer goosenecks which invariably work out a far superior set up for ease of use (including control, stability, hitching & less strain on the tow vehicle) - as for ramps unless it's low loader dedicated to moving our larger earthmoving equipment we avoid dovetails & fixed ramps (primarily because of loss of usable deck space & the compromise of carrying around consistently the additional "non-productive"weight )
Below is our most versatile gooseneck which we made up c.10years or more ago & still going strong - c.10,000lb, 14'9" tipping lower deck with drop sides/8'2" fixed upper deck (over gooseneck) complete with a removable stock crate:

 

[Ken45101]

Now that ^^^ is a versatile trailer!