16K trailer

[1gr8bldr]

I have talked to Pro line, Kraftsman, Kaufman, Mikes trailers, PJ and Gatormade. I may be going with Gatormade. I saw some bad feedback in years past history, but this I assume could be corrected in little time so I can't assume it still exist. I am looking for a 16K, 12,000 pound capacity, deckover with the big fold over ramps or pop up dovetail, 20 flat by 5 ft dovetail. Any opinions based on recent experience would be appreciated.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have talked to Pro line, Kraftsman, Kaufman, Mikes trailers, PJ and Gatormade. I may be going with Gatormade. I saw some bad feedback in years past history, but this I assume could be corrected in little time so I can't assume it still exist. I am looking for a 16K, 12,000 pound capacity, deckover with the big fold over ramps or pop up dovetail, 20 flat by 5 ft dovetail. Any opinions based on recent experience would be appreciated.

By far Gatormade is the most bang for the buck in this area. They are by no means the cream of the crop but they are a lot of trailer for the money.

Chris

 

[1gr8bldr]

Now I can't decide..... I had a new quote come email on one of the trailers mentioned. Not the flare of the Gator but I can get a dual 10 K axles with dual tires, same lengths, difference being a pop up dovetail verses the flat laying ramps that act as a flat dovetail. I need either that pop up or the flip over ramps for carrying long metal sheets from time to time. That is alot of difference for the same price. 8 tires verse 4 with an extra 4000lb capicity. Any cons of a dual wheel trailer. It would seem, but I don't know, that twisting would not be as bad because the weight on each tire is half that of 4 tires????

 

[1gr8bldr]

Question about dual tires: Do the duallies wear out half as fast because less weight when twisting and turning..... when on the open road... or are they the same as single wheels?

 

[blacktruck]

Now I can't decide..... I had a new quote come email on one of the trailers mentioned. Not the flare of the Gator but I can get a dual 10 K axles with dual tires, same lengths, difference being a pop up dovetail verses the flat laying ramps that act as a flat dovetail. I need either that pop up or the flip over ramps for carrying long metal sheets from time to time. That is alot of difference for the same price. 8 tires verse 4 with an extra 4000lb capicity. Any cons of a dual wheel trailer. It would seem, but I don't know, that twisting would not be as bad because the weight on each tire is half that of 4 tires????

Another aspect you haven't mentioned is licensing. In this state the difference in $$ between a typical 14K to a 21K trailer is substantial. I pull a spread axle P&J and in my opinion the tire wear is on par with other trailers. The way you drive will make more difference than whether they are singles or duals. The extra capacity of the duals and heavier axles is nice but does come at a cost. Do you need the extra capacity or is it just nice to have? Not for sure but I think if you stay under 26K gross weight, you don't need to worry about the IFTA. Bigger trailers are great in some applications but sometimes, smaller is better.

 

[1gr8bldr]

Another aspect you haven't mentioned is licensing. In this state the difference in $$ between a typical 14K to a 21K trailer is substantial. I pull a spread axle P&J and in my opinion the tire wear is on par with other trailers. The way you drive will make more difference than whether they are singles or duals. The extra capacity of the duals and heavier axles is nice but does come at a cost. Do you need the extra capacity or is it just nice to have? Not for sure but I think if you stay under 26K gross weight, you don't need to worry about the IFTA. Bigger trailers are great in some applications but sometimes, smaller is better.

I guess it seems like free payload, Getting more for the money. Seems like an awesome deal though.

 

[tcartwri]

You'll be over the 26K magic number. Do you have your class A?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I vote for the pop up beaver tail unless you can come up with a reason not to. Make sure it has the ramp bars to lock the ramps upright. Are you going to ever carry something longer than 25' and wider than what would fit between the ramps? I have a Moritz 20+5 trailer and I love being able to make full use of the 25'. It is also nice for coming out of oddly angled fields and driveways and not have to worry about dragging the tail. I'd look very closely at the trailers wiring and tires they put on there. Are they name brand axles or knockoffs? Cheap trailer are going to be a headache in a few years when the lights begin to fail and the tires are blowing apart.

 

[Piston]

Are you looking for a gooseneck or tag along style?

Have you thought about Hudson trailers? I really like my 4T 18' trailer but want to upgrade to a 6 Ton (16k) trailer with a 25' length. I don't want a gooseneck style though.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a dual wheel 30' GN with 12K axles. I hated it for the same reasons o hate dually trucks. Maintenance is a SOB. Odd sized tires.

We Now Have A Tri Axle 18K trailer. Much better. Maintenance is a breeze and 16" wheels and tires.

Chris

 

[tcartwri]

Triples are garbage. Unless you like buying tires every year.

 

[blacktruck]

You'll be over the 26K magic number. Do you have your class A?

Another reason to have a smaller trailer. Keep the GCWR below 26K or you will need a Class A CDL. Along with that there is this little issue. Both of these little tidbits of info were excerpted from the IL Sec of State website.

"Class A Combination of vehicles with a GCWR* of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds."

"In general, drivers of commercial motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 10,001 pounds and who are driving in commerce within the United States, Canada and Mexico must obtain medical certification from a Medical Examiner. Currently, a Medical Examiner is a person who is licensed, certified and/or registered in accordance with applicable State laws and regulations to perform physical examinations. The term includes but is not limited to doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses and doctors of chiropractic. "

Some states are really cracking down on people pulling a gooseneck trailer. They aren't as invisible as they used to be. As mentioned earlier, smaller is sometimes better. I believe in over capacity but not when it comes to this.
Triples versus tandems??? Tire wear will depend on how you drive them and maintain them. There is more to it then just the number of axles. Axle alignments are needed to keep them running true and then don't abuse them by dragging them. We have all had to do a 90 degree turn on occasion but don't do that as a habit. Even minor wear in suspension components will cause dramatic wear in trailer tires. Maintain them and keep them inflated and aligned. It also makes a difference in fuel mileage.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Triples are garbage. Unless you like buying tires every year.

Really? We have 3 now in my family. Tow all the time and tires wear no quicker than a tandem.

Have maybe 30 Tri Axles at my marina with upto 24,000# GVWR and no issues. But what do I know, I only have 50,000 miles with tri axle trailers behind me.

Chris

 

[tcartwri]

Really? We have 3 now in my family. Tow all the time and tires wear no quicker than a tandem.

Have maybe 30 Tri Axles at my marina with upto 24,000# GVWR and no issues. But what do I know, I only have 50,000 miles with tri axle trailers behind me.

Chris

Is all this work between your 24/7 posting on here.

 

[1gr8bldr]

I decided to go with the Tandem Dual. Getting alot more for my money. Not that I need this much trailer, or will ever need that much capacity, but I figure that the weight distribution is better, better brakes, etc, is just better. One could have a valid argument that if I don't need it, then why. I did want the powder coat paint of the Gator. That was a good trailer. The 16K 20 ft with 5 ft dovetail had a capacity of 11,300 if I recall. Not entirely enough... but close. I feel like I need 12,000 capacity. But what a nice trailer. Anyway, I have no reservations about my choice. Builder said we can "down state" it's capacity, meaning I can label it wherever I need to stay under 26,001 lbs. This does set a limit for me, which is not a problem... and restricts the potential of the trailer, but I get enough payload and a more than capable trailer. Now I need to understand GVWR so I know what lbs to request this trailer labeled at. I don't want to leave any capacity on the table. So.... can someone explain how to figure all this?

 

[1gr8bldr]

Just checked, I thought I was higher than this... but registration says I am licensed for 20,000 lbs. I'm trying to get all the info so someone can tell me what I need to get in order to get the most from this trailer.... without going over the 26K. What other info do I need to provide?

 

[Silvic]

It depends on your state's rules and how they interact with any adjacent states you may tow in. For example in my state WA the 26001 weight effects all vehicles whose GCVWR exceed 26K. However there are exceptions. If you fall under the exceptions you are ok; if not then you need a CDL.
Tow Vehicle rated weight plus trailer rated weight > 26K need CDL. If your combined rated weight is under 26K but you are stopped and weighed by the portables and are over 26K then you have a problem. Many rules are universal but there are exceptions that are unique to the states.

Here is my states flow diagram not applicable outside WA ---- check your own state.


The exceptions for us are: (your state will be likely similar, but still different, check the state website or better yet call them.)

By law, the following types of drivers don't need a commercial driver license (CDL):

Farmers transporting farm equipment, supplies, or products* to or from a farm in a farm vehicle are exempt if the vehicle is:
Operated by the farmer or a farm employee.
Not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier.
Used within 150 miles of the farm (in an air-mile radius).
If farmers meet all requirements of the farm exemption, they may operate farm-exempt vehicles between the states of Idaho and Oregon.
*Farm products include Christmas trees or wood products transported by vehicles weighing no more than 40,000 pounds licensed gross vehicle weight. This weight restriction applies only to Christmas trees and wood products.
Firefighters and law enforcement personnel are exempt when operating emergency equipment if they carry the certification card proving they have completed the Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention Program (EVAP).
Recreational vehicle (RV) operators are exempt when driving an RV for non-commercial purposes. This exemption includes 2-axle rental trucks and horse trailers.
Military commercial drivers are exempt only when they are operating the proper military vehicle under a military license issued by their branch of the service.
Drivers of vehicles with air brakes that don't otherwise qualify as a commercial vehicle.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Really? We have 3 now in my family. Tow all the time and tires wear no quicker than a tandem.

Have maybe 30 Tri Axles at my marina with upto 24,000# GVWR and no issues. But what do I know, I only have 50,000 miles with tri axle trailers behind me.

Chris

To be honest dp, in all the forums I have read on, you are the only person I have come across that recommends triaxle trailers and bumper pulls. They may work out for your particular situation but I hardly believe that it would work for everyone else. The Vast majority of trailers running down the road are tandem singles or tandem duals. Boat trailers and car trailers are the only ones I ever see with triples. I don't think we will ever agree on this though.

Op, add the GVWR of the truck + the GVWR of the trailer and together they need to be less than 26k. It sounds like you need a medical card since you are well over 17k though. You should be Able to death the trailer to make it work.

 

[Silvic]

Triple axle dump trailers works well. Limitations yes but so does a dually tandem axle. Cost and tires are prohibitive or not available above 16K and the axles on a dual 16K are extremely expensive as well.

 

[1gr8bldr]

Looking through my manual...GCWR is 24,500. Is this based on hitch capacity, suspension, or many factors???? My aftermarket Air lift rear suspension does not factor in any way does it?