Is a Tilt Trailer the right way for me to go?

[dodge man]

No issues with the trailer not being wide enough for any of your loads?

No but almost. I’ve only hauled cars twice. It can be tough to get the door open. Removable fenders would help but it’s been over 10 years is used it to haul my Challenger. I don’t have rails either but the fenders and wheels are above the deck.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

8' is max width for a trailer so deck would be over the tires.

Actually, 102 inches is max, not 96.

And regarding the Challenger pictured above, my little 16-footer has removable fenders, but thankfully the Challenger's doors clear them.

Even a Porsche GT4 did, but loading and unloading that one with its minuscule approach angle was a different story.

 

[dodge man]

I had to put ramps under my ramps to get my Challenger on without it dragging. I didn’t want to because I could squeeze out the door but I could have folded down the rear seat and exited and entered through the trunk. The other car I hauled was an older Ford Taurus and it was quite a bit narrower.

 

[LouNY]

I finally broke down and bought a trailer this spring myself, got tired of borrowing trailers. I went with a fairly expensive trailer it is an Nordtek 14K aluminum 22 ft. deckover full power tilt, up and down.
I went aluminum as it takes away much less capacity from the truck, with an empty weight of 2900 pounds. Also the full tilt trailers have the axles further forward then ramp trailers, which I prefer as it's easier to center the loads over the axle.

 

[George2615]

Actually, 102 inches is max, not 96.

And regarding the Challenger pictured above, my little 16-footer has removable fenders, but thankfully the Challenger's doors clear them.

Even a Porsche GT4 did, but loading and unloading that one with its minuscule approach angle was a different story.

I stand corrected. Thanks

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Also the full tilt trailers have the axles further forward then ramp trailers, which I prefer as it's easier to center the loads over the axle.

Same with hydraulic dovetail trailers. It's very helpful for getting the loads over the axles.

Ordered a regular dovetail trailer (before getting sold on the hydraulic tails) and got that one with the axles 18 inches farther forward than standard.

 

[4570Man]

You certainly have the experience to give advice in this area. Although hydraulics would be nice, I’m trying to be cost conscious as this trailer will likely sit for months at a time.

Although I lack the experience you have, I can certainly see how not dealing with ramps in favor of the tilt trailer makes life easier.

Do you happen to know what the angle is that the trailer tilts back to? More or less 15°?

From the items you’ve loaded up, what’s your thoughts on the wisdom of an 8’ wide trailer rather than 7’ wide? I’m not convinced I need to go wider than 7’, but I don’t want regrets.

I love using my tilt trailer and not having to flip ramps. A deckover trailer is kinda overkill for anything less than a duel tandem IMO. There’s really nothing thats more than 7 ft wide yet light enough to go on a 14k trailer. It’s the same story for pallets. I can load 2 pallets in front of the fenders and one behind the fenders and that’s the weight capacity of the trailer. I’d much rather have the low loading angle of the fender trailer vs width of a deckover. And I do have a deckover GN but I barely use it compared to the tilt deck.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

A deckover trailer is kinda overkill for anything less than a duel tandem IMO. There’s really nothing thats more than 7 ft wide yet light enough to go on a 14k trailer.

Oh, there are indeed a few things that fits that description.

Sure, a 25K rated trailer is overkill for a 6,400 lb. load, but when it doesn't fit between the fenders...

 

[not2old]

When I bought my tilt deck I* chose a 7x20 and 14,000LB. GVW so I would be able to carry a crew cab dually diesel. I bought it with a hydraulic snubber so that I could hold the deck tilted with weight near the front if I wanted to add to the load. I also bought an electric winch and 12V hydraulic pump that I've not gotten around to installing because I haven't really needed them. The tilt was too steep for a couple of my cars. One was coaxed on with some ramps and blocks while a 1993 Cadillac STS fought me at both ends That's a heavy car to drag on with a two ton come-a-long. It comfortably carries my GC2610TLB with room for all my implements.

 

[4570Man]

Oh, there are indeed a few things that fits that description. View attachment 3885015

Sure, a 25K rated trailer is overkill for a 6,400 lb. load, but when it doesn't fit between the fenders...View attachment 3885014

This dude isn’t getting any overweight tickets.