BH dragging butt

quadpa1911 · Oct 2, 2008

Just bought a new trailer after selling existing 18' dove tail car hauler (7,000GVW) and no problems loading or dragging the BH, I assumed a 14K 20' dove tail would be just the trick. Boy was I in for a surprise when I went to use it for my 50 hour service I found the BH dragging in the gravel after I had it loaded. These are some pictures I'm sending the manufacture I bought it direct and I hoping they will help me out in longer ramps or something. I just thought I share a little buyer be aware info.

P.S. Car trailer was lower profile, 15" tire size, 6' ramps and little to light

irwin · Oct 2, 2008

Not an uncommon problem, I used two 3 foot 2x6 and two 2 foot 2x6 boards, the 3 foot sections on ground the 2 foot sections on top of the 3 footers. Laid up against the ramps to raise the rear end when loading and unloading. Carried the boards in bed of pick-up.

My present tractor doesn't need help, but my first one did ..both with backhoes.

Ryan03 · Oct 2, 2008

Can you jack up the tongue using the tongue jack. Before I had my current trailer, I would have to do this to load our cars due to the fact that the old trailer had no dovetail, and the headers on the car hang low. I would leave it hooked up to the tow vehicle, and just crank it up until the suspension on the rear of the truck was lifted close to the max. You would be suprised what a huge difference in load angle doing this makes.

rimshot · Oct 2, 2008

irwin said:
Not an uncommon problem, I used two 3 foot 2x6 and two 2 foot 2x6 boards, the 3 foot sections on ground the 2 foot sections on top of the 3 footers. Laid up against the ramps to raise the rear end when loading and unloading. Carried the boards in bed of pick-up.

My present tractor doesn't need help, but my first one did ..both with backhoes.

======================

I did basically the same thing using a 3' - 2 X 10 for the bottom and then crossed it with a couple 2 X 6's where the bottom of the ramp rested 3" up from the pavement.

I had the same weakness to the ramp as the weight of the tractor passed so I made a couple of 2 X 6 stiff leg blocks with opposing side pieces that are cut at angle that mimics the angle of incline of the ramp. I place the blocks to allow for a 1/4 -1/2" flex (no more) to ramp which helps grip top and bottom ramp resting places and prevent any ramp teater taughter effect.That solution beat the heck out of adding any more weight to the ramps by adding more steel. I have to slide them out of storage pockets and manually set them in place.

Now,with the bottom of the ramp raised three inches on the double layer of 2 X stock the angle of ramp incline is significantly decreased. This allows for clearance for backhoe to clear ramps and trailer allowing for safe and unimpeded loading. The 2 x 6 stiff leg blocks are a welcome sight to prevent my 4000 lbs of Kioti CK20 including loader and backhoe to climb aboard the 16' double axle car carrier trailer. To prevent lifting the back end of towing vehicle when loading of course i place jack stands benaeath back of trailer when loading / unloading.

Good luck with your set up. Next time I load up I can take pictures and post if you would like me to.

rimshot

Diamondpilot · Oct 2, 2008

Have you tried to just back it on the trailer?

Chris

Reg · Oct 2, 2008

Diamondpilot said:
Have you tried to just back it on the trailer?

Chris

Seconded

art · Oct 2, 2008

Many makes of tractors or the backhoe design for a tractor have this problem. Longer planks will help most makes to overcome this problem.

You are not the first and certainly will not the last person to run into this problem!

It is important for a perspective owner to look at the ground clearence and overhang of the backhoe if they are going to trailer them to be sure they are not gouging the ground while loading and unloading.

wkpoor · Oct 2, 2008

Even though that is a dove trailer the ramps look very short. I would get some 6x6's and band saw about a foot long slope to put under the tire at the point you start to drag. Hopefully that will lift you when its needed and make a transition to the ramp.