Help me with the right size trailer!

[Lance2622]

I am currently in the market for a new trailer. All we currently own are (2) 16 ft flatbeds and our equipment is outgrowing the trailers. I am looking for something longer and a gooseneck. My initial thought was a 27ft gooseneck with a 5 ft dove tail with tandem duals. This trailers capacity is currently larger than what I need right now but I am hoping to buy a new tractor in the spring so I will have a need for the bigger trailer. My other concern is I have a 3/4 Chevy with the 6.0 gas motor. I have future plans of upgrading to a new truck but that is still a year or more away. So I then begun to think that a trailer the same length but with single tires would be better and a easier pull. I would like to buy one trailer that will fit my needs for years to come rather then having to upgrade again in the future, but don't want to buy a trailer that is so big and heavy that I can't load anything on it.

So I was curious to see what yalls thought are. Additionally do not turn this into a CDL post, I won't need one in Texas because it will be ag use.

 

[Dewbie]

I'd go with the biggest trailer I think I'd need. That 6.0 gasser will get you by until you upgrade. You should be able to haul 12k+..im guessing without knowing what model you have. I've hauled more than that in my uncles 04 6.0 because the dmax was at another job site. I won't say how much more because the over weight **** folks will jump my case. If you're scared your gaser won't pull it then wait until you upgrade trucks otherwise you'll regret your small trailer later on

 

[bdog]

We pull a gooseneck that weighs 13-14k behind a ford 6.2 gasser 3/4 ton. It works but pulls so much better behind the diesel. I hauled this particular trailer from Texas to Kansas yesterday and it pulled great behind my f250 diesel.

Your truck will pull that tandem dual loaded light but if you load it heavy you are going to want a diesel dually.

Might also think about what you are going to haul and the length of the trailer. The longer the trailer the more it weighs and the less payload you have but you need to make sure it is long enough to fit everything you need.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a dual tandem trailer and 3 diesel trucks I pulled it with. Never cared for the tandems. The problem you will run into is just the empty weight. Mine was every bit of 6500# empty, about half of your 6.0 gas motors tow limit.

Chris

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Get a trailer big enough for what you need. That gas motor is going to feel anemic if you have many hills to climb. Most tandem. Duals come with 10k axles and alot of payload is eaten up by length. My next trailer is going to have 12k axles for this exact reason. They do make heavier GVWR trailers with singles that may suit your needs bUT they generally are not advertised as much as the bare bones trailers. Do you have an estimated payload that needs to be carried so we aren't guessing at numbers?

 

[Lance2622]

Payload with tractor and more will be just under 10k which is just above the gvwr of a single wheel tandem axle trailer. That is the weight of the tractor I am looking into buying with a 3k lbs bush hog. I also have a skid loader that is 7k lbs that I would haul every now and then. My truck is a 2011 with 3.73 gears.

Thanks for everyone replies and advice thus far.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Payload with tractor and more will be just under 10k which is just above the gvwr of a single wheel tandem axle trailer. That is the weight of the tractor I am looking into buying with a 3k lbs bush hog. I also have a skid loader that is 7k lbs that I would haul every now and then. My truck is a 2011 with 3.73 gears.

Thanks for everyone replies and advice thus far.

I haul my nearly 12k tractor on a 14.5k tandem single wheel gn with no problems. The tongue weight of that would likely be to much for a 3/4 ton regardless of the rear axle. You can take into account the tongue weight and not just the gvwr-tare of the trailer as long as it's not a cheap trailer.

 

[oliver1555]

Talk to your trailer dealer about getting 17.5 wheels and tires. You can get the capacity of duals with singles (up to 6005# per tire) @ 125psi. Lots of hotshot and oilfield trailers are running them. Cost per mile is lower than duals or three axles.
Rickson Wheel Manufacturing
17.5" Radial Tires

 

[WM75Guy]

I am looking at the same situation. I don't like a dovetail with ramps. I like the PJ 30' low-pro hydraulic dovetail tandem axle with duals. They also make it in three axle single tire. As I get older ramps are not that attractive and use up trailer space. I will have them downgrade the GVWR to 20,000# so I can pull it with a Texas Class C and farm tags. I plan to pull with either a F450 or F550.

PJ Trailers - Low-Pro with Hydraulic Dove (LY)

 

[ovrszd]

Man, this topic has opinions like butts, everyone has one.

I've blown a tire on a tandem, dual wheeled GN at 70 mph with 2 Jeep Buggies onboard while in the passing lane with solid traffic around me and a semi at my right side. Wonder what that would have been like on a single wheeled trailer?

My GN dual wheeled 28+4 trailer weighs 6850lbs. That pushes your tow vehicle's capacity. But you'll never worry about the trailer carrying it's share.

To date, I've never had a desire for a large GN with singles. Kinda freaks me out.

As I said above, lot's of opinions on this subject. Problem is you won't know what you prefer 'til you pull it awhile.