Advice on Trailer Purchase
- Thread starter jedens
- Start date
- Views: 5986
Hi Chris,
I didn't realize that the weight specs were without tires. I suppose they do that since the different tire options all have different weights.
How do you like your L4610? I love mine. I've now got about 30 hours and I'm starting to look into what it is going to take to do the 50 hour service. I should hit the 50 hour mark sometime during the fall (if I get the seat time I am hoping for).
Joe
I didn't realize that the weight specs were without tires. I suppose they do that since the different tire options all have different weights.
How do you like your L4610? I love mine. I've now got about 30 hours and I'm starting to look into what it is going to take to do the 50 hour service. I should hit the 50 hour mark sometime during the fall (if I get the seat time I am hoping for).
Joe
jedens -
Any time. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Yea, there's a lot to choose from - that's for sure. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Thanks for the compliment on mine. Funny thing is that I got it originally for towing my Jeep to/from Colorado & not tractors - but it works well for that too. (see attached pic)
As far as price is concerned, it will vary considerably depending on features, construction materials, etc. For a "ballpark" range, I'd say for a 18' flat-bed, again, depending on features, etc., you'd be looking somewhere from $1200 - $1800, + or -. For example, if you go with a wood deck, you'll save some $. Add extra tie downs and you'll add to the price. Angle iron or pipe based trailers are generally cheaper than box frames. Again, all depends, but those are some "rules of thumb."
I had looked around quite a bit for a trailer and just couldn't find a "pre-fab" one I liked. I found a small company that made them to order and only used box frames, regardless of deck type. I toured their workshop and liked what I saw, and their prices were right in line with some of the other guys so I went with them.
I'm not sure where you live exactly, but if you can find 'em, I'd recommend you go to a few different places and see what they have to offer. Try your local "Quickie Mart" and see if they have a "Truck Trader" and/or "Equipment Trader" magazine - trailer places tend to advertise in there. (I think the magazine is better than <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.traderonline.com/>their web site</A> because of the adds.)
BE FOREWARNED! Trailer dealers can be worse than car dealers!!! You walk "on the lot" they don't want to let you go. Just one of those "necessary evils" you have to endure to see things up close I suppose. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif
Any time. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Yea, there's a lot to choose from - that's for sure. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Thanks for the compliment on mine. Funny thing is that I got it originally for towing my Jeep to/from Colorado & not tractors - but it works well for that too. (see attached pic)
As far as price is concerned, it will vary considerably depending on features, construction materials, etc. For a "ballpark" range, I'd say for a 18' flat-bed, again, depending on features, etc., you'd be looking somewhere from $1200 - $1800, + or -. For example, if you go with a wood deck, you'll save some $. Add extra tie downs and you'll add to the price. Angle iron or pipe based trailers are generally cheaper than box frames. Again, all depends, but those are some "rules of thumb."
I had looked around quite a bit for a trailer and just couldn't find a "pre-fab" one I liked. I found a small company that made them to order and only used box frames, regardless of deck type. I toured their workshop and liked what I saw, and their prices were right in line with some of the other guys so I went with them.
I'm not sure where you live exactly, but if you can find 'em, I'd recommend you go to a few different places and see what they have to offer. Try your local "Quickie Mart" and see if they have a "Truck Trader" and/or "Equipment Trader" magazine - trailer places tend to advertise in there. (I think the magazine is better than <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.traderonline.com/>their web site</A> because of the adds.)
BE FOREWARNED! Trailer dealers can be worse than car dealers!!! You walk "on the lot" they don't want to let you go. Just one of those "necessary evils" you have to endure to see things up close I suppose. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif
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Gary_in_Indiana
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2002
- Messages
- 3,373
- Location
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Tractor
- John Deere 4200 MFWD HST w/ JD 420 FEL w/ 61" loader bucket & toothbar & JD 37 BH w/ 12" bucket
You're quite welcome. I hope it helps. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I'm sorry that I don't have a single picture of my old girl. I've been asked about that a couple of times and just never think to take one of her. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif
I'm not ignoring her, though. In fact, tomorrow she's getting a brand new Bulldog drop leg jack. I'll be able to just pull one pin and instantly have my jack foot on the ground. I'll then just replace the pin while cranking away. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Right now she's just has an old 2,000 lb. farm skid jack. It's no fun on uneven ground and only stable enough to use when she's not loaded. I wanted to upgrade her to the bigger, square, fixed mount 7,000 lb. model. With the new jack I'll be able to park her with a full load with no problems whatsoever. There's no way I'd try that with the 2,000 lb. jack. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
While she's in the shop anyhow I'm giving her the full treatment. Along with a full brake service and new wiring to them and all the lights, she's also getting new LED brake/turn signal and side marker lights, too. I'm just trying to dress her up a little and make her stand out a bit more. I don't think you can ever be too safe. I'm also adding an outlet so I can plug in some towing lights that will mount magnetically to the second vehicle when I'm moving two. I still want to add a couple more D rings but doubt I'll get to that this weekend.
When I get her all dressed up I'll have to take a picture of her to post here for everyone to see. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
I'm sorry that I don't have a single picture of my old girl. I've been asked about that a couple of times and just never think to take one of her. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif
I'm not ignoring her, though. In fact, tomorrow she's getting a brand new Bulldog drop leg jack. I'll be able to just pull one pin and instantly have my jack foot on the ground. I'll then just replace the pin while cranking away. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Right now she's just has an old 2,000 lb. farm skid jack. It's no fun on uneven ground and only stable enough to use when she's not loaded. I wanted to upgrade her to the bigger, square, fixed mount 7,000 lb. model. With the new jack I'll be able to park her with a full load with no problems whatsoever. There's no way I'd try that with the 2,000 lb. jack. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
While she's in the shop anyhow I'm giving her the full treatment. Along with a full brake service and new wiring to them and all the lights, she's also getting new LED brake/turn signal and side marker lights, too. I'm just trying to dress her up a little and make her stand out a bit more. I don't think you can ever be too safe. I'm also adding an outlet so I can plug in some towing lights that will mount magnetically to the second vehicle when I'm moving two. I still want to add a couple more D rings but doubt I'll get to that this weekend.
When I get her all dressed up I'll have to take a picture of her to post here for everyone to see. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
cmsedore
Silver Member
Joe,
I thoroughly enjoy the L4610. It has done everything it could reasonably be expected to (and then some). It is a great crossover between being able to mow the lawn and also cut the fields, move stuff with the loader... (I could go on and on).
I'm following this thread with interest as I'm hoping to add a trailer in the not too distant future. I'd love to do a backhoe, too, so I want to have adequate capacity for that.
-Chris
I thoroughly enjoy the L4610. It has done everything it could reasonably be expected to (and then some). It is a great crossover between being able to mow the lawn and also cut the fields, move stuff with the loader... (I could go on and on).
I'm following this thread with interest as I'm hoping to add a trailer in the not too distant future. I'd love to do a backhoe, too, so I want to have adequate capacity for that.
-Chris
JoeReal
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2002
- Messages
- 78
- Location
- Maine
- Tractor
- International 3514 with Wain Roy Backhow JD 165 Hydro lawnmower
Don't forget to get a trailer with a beaver tail. It makes loading and unloading much easier and saver. I bought a Hudson Bros. 18' with beaver tail 2 5/16l" ball hitch (10,000 lb gross) last April to haul my JD 110.
Weight of tractor with hoe and loader and extras is about 8,000 lbs. It hauls great. I'm hauling it with a one ton Chevy 4x4 2-3 yard dump. I know I'm overloaded but I not travelling further than 5 miles. Don,t forget trailer brakes. Paid $2450. for trailer.
Weight of tractor with hoe and loader and extras is about 8,000 lbs. It hauls great. I'm hauling it with a one ton Chevy 4x4 2-3 yard dump. I know I'm overloaded but I not travelling further than 5 miles. Don,t forget trailer brakes. Paid $2450. for trailer.
Phred
Veteran Member
Joe,
Thats a tag along?
I have been debating about tag along versus gooseneck. My tow vehcile is a 3/4 diesel so I am leaning toward a 20' flatbed gooseneck with a fan tail. This would also be real handy for hauling hay. The bad news is that I would have no backup if the tow vehicle broke down, were as you can go down to Uhaul and rent a truck to replace the tow vechile on a tag along.
Since my tractor weights in around ~6K pounds without loader, any implements, and no loaded tires, I was thinking about a tandem axel trailer with duals. That would give a GVWR of ~20K. A bit over kill but if I fill the tires and want to carry the loader and a few implements the weight could easily rise to ~10K. Add the weight of the trailer and its a bit to close for the the ~12K GVWR. The 14K GVWR would work but I don't think the cost difference between the 20K and 14K is that great, and you have the extra set of tires for added safety on the 20K. Only problem is the weight penalty of the 20K GVWR. These trailers appear to go for around $4K.
Anyone running one of these?
Fred
Thats a tag along?
I have been debating about tag along versus gooseneck. My tow vehcile is a 3/4 diesel so I am leaning toward a 20' flatbed gooseneck with a fan tail. This would also be real handy for hauling hay. The bad news is that I would have no backup if the tow vehicle broke down, were as you can go down to Uhaul and rent a truck to replace the tow vechile on a tag along.
Since my tractor weights in around ~6K pounds without loader, any implements, and no loaded tires, I was thinking about a tandem axel trailer with duals. That would give a GVWR of ~20K. A bit over kill but if I fill the tires and want to carry the loader and a few implements the weight could easily rise to ~10K. Add the weight of the trailer and its a bit to close for the the ~12K GVWR. The 14K GVWR would work but I don't think the cost difference between the 20K and 14K is that great, and you have the extra set of tires for added safety on the 20K. Only problem is the weight penalty of the 20K GVWR. These trailers appear to go for around $4K.
Anyone running one of these?
Fred
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
<font color=blue>These trailers appear to go for around $4K.</font color=blue>
Here in north tejas you're looking at the cheapest dual tandems with a dove tail for hauling equipment starting about $4995.00
Something you have to keep in mind is the combination weight of your tow vehicle and the trailer. You have a three quarter ton diesel. So chances are your GVW is 8200 to 9000. When you add a twenty thousand pound GVW trailer you've just crossed over the magic 26,000 pound number. The one that demands you have a commercial driver's license just like the one's long haul truckers have. Medical physical, special driving test, etc.
Another thing to think about when considering the bigger trailers is the amount of use you're going to give it. You see they're generally oil bath axles. That's a good thing.
Unless of course you're going to do like I do and sometimes run a month where I won't use it. That's a bad thing. There's moisture in the hubs. And over time the oil will drain off the bearings, the water will initiate rust and pitting, and you will no longer have a good thing.
On my trailer I have the oil bath axles but I use grease on the bearings. BTW my trailer has two eight thousand pound axles. The difference between the eights and the sevens is almost double. But to avoid the penalty of the CDL I have the trailer registered as ten five which along with my truck, fifteen thousand, keeps me just under the twenty six thousand.
Here in north tejas you're looking at the cheapest dual tandems with a dove tail for hauling equipment starting about $4995.00
Something you have to keep in mind is the combination weight of your tow vehicle and the trailer. You have a three quarter ton diesel. So chances are your GVW is 8200 to 9000. When you add a twenty thousand pound GVW trailer you've just crossed over the magic 26,000 pound number. The one that demands you have a commercial driver's license just like the one's long haul truckers have. Medical physical, special driving test, etc.
Another thing to think about when considering the bigger trailers is the amount of use you're going to give it. You see they're generally oil bath axles. That's a good thing.
Unless of course you're going to do like I do and sometimes run a month where I won't use it. That's a bad thing. There's moisture in the hubs. And over time the oil will drain off the bearings, the water will initiate rust and pitting, and you will no longer have a good thing.
On my trailer I have the oil bath axles but I use grease on the bearings. BTW my trailer has two eight thousand pound axles. The difference between the eights and the sevens is almost double. But to avoid the penalty of the CDL I have the trailer registered as ten five which along with my truck, fifteen thousand, keeps me just under the twenty six thousand.
Phred
Veteran Member
harv,
Good point. I forgot about the cdl issue. Don't want to go there....
I see guys around here hauling some very long 20 GVWR trailers with 1 tons. I guess they must have CDLs.
Sounds like I should stick with the 14K GVWR. Particluary since I want to upgrade to a 1 ton in the next few years which would just squeak under the 26K # with a 14K GVWR trailer.
Your running a F450 or equivalent? Ride like a log wagon?
How did you register a 16K GVWR trailer at 10.5K?
Thanks for the advice.
Fred
Good point. I forgot about the cdl issue. Don't want to go there....
I see guys around here hauling some very long 20 GVWR trailers with 1 tons. I guess they must have CDLs.
Sounds like I should stick with the 14K GVWR. Particluary since I want to upgrade to a 1 ton in the next few years which would just squeak under the 26K # with a 14K GVWR trailer.
Your running a F450 or equivalent? Ride like a log wagon?
How did you register a 16K GVWR trailer at 10.5K?
Thanks for the advice.
Fred