Hydraulic dovetail trailer questions

[rustyshakelford]

I have a 25+5 tandem dual GN. Had it several years and has been great. I have ordered a new truck (F-450) and new tractor and mower (JD 5100E H260 and MX-15). With my current trailer I'll have to load the tractor way forward and have the loader over the neck. This will result in a bunch of pin weight and it'll be a very tight fit. Will also have to modify the ramps to stand up.

I have started thinning the herd of trailers and going to consolidate to one or two primary ones. Just sold a military trailer I don't use and need to sell an 18' bumper pull that I've never used due to it constantly being borrowed. I will also sell my current GN. I am looking a a tandem dual 12k/15k axles trailer with a hydraulic dovetail. I've been looking at them recently and they seem pretty slick.

Do any of y'all run them and how do you like them? I can get a loaded one with 12k axles and hyd landing gear for 15k but I'd rather save some more and go with the manual jacks. There's a new one semi-local with 10k axles for 11k but I'm afraid I'll be over on my weights and would like to have more than I need vs skirting the line

Brett

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Is a tilt bed out of the question?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Is a tilt bed out of the question?

Where the whole thing tilts or like the back half? If just the back half, I would say yes it's out of the question because I wouldn't be able to fit the tractor and batwing on the tilted part before it came down. If it was the whole thing I think that it wood be pretty steep. This will be atleast a 36' long deck

Brett

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Where the whole thing tilts or like the back half? If just the back half, I would say yes it's out of the question because I wouldn't be able to fit the tractor and batwing on the tilted part before it came down. If it was the whole thing I think that it wood be pretty steep. This will be atleast a 36' long deck

Brett

We have a 44' semi pulled trailer and the back 32' tilt down to a 4' stationary section with an 8' upper deck. I don't think that I would ever even consider anything other than a tilt bed after using ours for the last 10 years.

 

[ovrszd]

Brett has to have a GN to fit his truck.

You are way beyond my experience in size Brett. Good question though!!! Curious to see what the trailer gurus come up with.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I understand that he needs a GN. I'm pretty sure that there are several manufacturers of them. Here is just one and they go up to 25K GVWR.

 

[rustyshakelford]

This is what I'm talking about. Big Tex also makes one and I like the way the dovetail is a little better but these are the one I'm studying up on

Brett

Details

 

[ovrszd]

Nice!!!

Only concern I would have is the overhang behind the axles. Hafta be cautious about tail swing!!

Be sure to update us on your decision. Nice trailer!!!

 

[dieselcrawler]

We have a 30' GN with hyd dove at work. Ive helped load/unload it, and move it around the shop lot, its a nice piece of equipment. Dove tail is rated for 4k lbs. Tail swing is an issue, but not much worse than any other 30' trailer.

 

[WM75Guy]

I am considering one as well. This is the PJ I looked at. There is a video on the link.

PJ Trailers Hydraulic Dovetail

 

[rustyshakelford]

We have a 30' GN with hyd dove at work. Ive helped load/unload it, and move it around the shop lot, its a nice piece of equipment. Dove tail is rated for 4k lbs. Tail swing is an issue, but not much worse than any other 30' trailer.

Figured it be a little worse and I'll need to measure what my current length behind the axle is but I'm thinking it shouldn't be to bad. Nice to get some first hand info since I've never even seen one.

I am considering one as well. This is the PJ I looked at. There is a video on the link.

PJ Trailers Hydraulic Dovetail

That's slick too. Big Tex, pj, land trail are at the top of my short list. All seem to be a heck of a trailer.

Brett

 

[WM75Guy]

I want a 30' or 32' LY model. This one is a tad too long for me at 40' but is nice with the winch for $15,200.

217 PJ Trailers LY Flatbed Trailer | Happy Trailer Sales | PJ Trailers in Texas

 

[rustyshakelford]

I want a 30' or 32' LY model. This one is a tad too long for me at 40' but is nice with the winch for $15,200.

217 PJ Trailers LY Flatbed Trailer | Happy Trailer Sales | PJ Trailers in Texas

Check out the trailer guys. They are localish to you if your still in east Texas. I'm wanting a 36' 26+9. Hyd landing gear and dove was 14,800 right now for the one in stock. 12k axles also. I believe it has winch plate too.

 

[rustyshakelford]

If your wanting a 32' with 10k axles I found one brand new for 11k. Let me know if you want the info. I'd be all over it but need the 12k axles and Get a little extra length

Brett

 

[bdog]

I looked at them but I think they add too much weight. I bought a PJ 32' (27+5) with 15k axles and electric over hydraulic brakes. The trailer has a 30k GVWR. I really like it. Flipping the ramps over is not hard at all. I am looking forward to loading it up and pulling it with my 450. It is too much for my GMC 3500.

 

[ovrszd]

I see both sides of the hydraulic dove versus flip over ramps. If I can get by the cost, I prefer the hydraulic dove.

I find myself loading stuff on the my dovetail too much for flip over ramps.

 

[bdog]

My ramps are stout. I have loaded 20k machines on them. They are spring loaded and I can flip them over with one arm. While it requires effort I bet it is quicker than digging out the controller for the hydraulics, undoing the lock, and waiting for it to move. Don't get me wrong the hydraulics are slick but flipping ramps is no big deal. Me personally I prefer the extra 1,000 lb payload capacity with ramps due to a lighter trailer.

 

[ovrszd]

My ramps are stout. I have loaded 20k machines on them. They are spring loaded and I can flip them over with one arm. While it requires effort I bet it is quicker than digging out the controller for the hydraulics, undoing the lock, and waiting for it to move. Don't get me wrong the hydraulics are slick but flipping ramps is no big deal. Me personally I prefer the extra 1,000 lb payload capacity with ramps due to a lighter trailer.

No flame here. The flipping part doesn't concern me. My comments are pointed at useable trailer space. What would you do with your ramps in this situation?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Y'all are going back and forth about exactly what I've been thinking about. One big perk for me is that I can pull up and shut the tractor down. Raise the dovetail and then get everything secured. Currently I have to pull way up. Park the tractor, flip the ramps up, back up and lower the mower on the ramps, then secure the tractor and load. I could even get a remote for the dove and do it from the cab. The spring have broke on my trailer and the ramps are heavy. That's prolly my biggest annoyance. With my new tractor and batwing, I'll have to park the batwing on the ramps which makes me do exactly what I'm currently. Not to sound lazy but after many years I'm tired of it. I used to love hauling equipment but at this point it's just a necessity and I don't look forward to it.

Shoot. With the new truck and if I add a remote to the hyd landing gear it'll make hooking up a breeze. Click the button in the cab to lower the tailgate, back up, remote the landing gear up and then all I have to do is lock the couple, chains and wiring. Also, the batwing is only 4500 lbs so it'll be perfect to set on the dove.

I bet those 15k axles are nice! Good buy

Brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

No flame here. The flipping part doesn't concern me. My comments are pointed at useable trailer space. What would you do with your ramps in this situation?

What I was going to have to due because of the construction of my ramps was to weld on a pin on the trailer and ramp, cut some strap iron with some holes so I could stand the ramps straight up. Not ideal but would work. Now I've just about convinced myself to bite the bullet and get a new trailer of some sort. I'm tired of working on things because I'm cheap. My wife has convinced me to spend a little more and get something that doesn't have to be messed with all the time.

She's a keeper

Brett