</font><font color="blue" class="small">( </font><font color="blueclass=small">(Since you already own trailers, you have experiance and an idea how a trailer feels while you are towing it down the road.
Let's start on loading. If the trailer is wet, make sure it is level side to side. Your biggest problem is going to be the steel areas. Just take your time using a proper gear so you have good throttle control. You should be able to actually idle on.
But then, why even start with a wet deck? Save that for later once you have done some loading/unloading on a dry deck.
If the trailer ramps feel to steep, park the rig so it is going down hill slightly but be sure to block the trailer wheels and front wheels on the truck.
Under any conditions, enough machine weight on some trailers will cause the rear of the trailer to be pushed down and, all things being equal, the front of the trailer comes up picking up the rear truck wheels. Plenty of folks have gone for a short (or long) ride while doing this. You can put some blocks under either the trailer or the ramps depending on the makeup of the rig you eventually purchase. You will want to size the blocks so that as the trailer drops with the tractor weight, you can still remove them. The blocks would still prevent total removal of weight from the rear truck (and parking brake) axle.
There are some really well designed tilt deck trailers that eliminate ramps completely. You never have a lifting problem with them although with some designs, as the tractor goes over center, the deck will level and the first time may bother you. Most designs today use electric/hydraulics that soften that sometimes completely.
Depending on the length of trailer and machine, you may have deck room to play with. Start by having the trailer looking level with the machine on. When you drive down the road, you will find out if you need to adjust the tractor position in order to enhance handling. To much weight on the hitch can lighten the front truck axle to much causing sway. To far back, the weight comes off the rear and may cause sway.
It is a sad fact that the combination that you set up on occasion does not trailer well. You may end up using a weight distributing hitch. Cross that bridge when you get there.
If you are not well versed in tying down the tractor, I suggest checking out the threads on that subject. Basically though, you need to secure all four corners to prevent movement in any direction. If you have a rear mounted mower, etc. on then that must also be secured.
If you have proper tire inflation and your rig handles well in a straight line then curves should not present any problem.
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Thanks so much QRTRHRS!
I had about a 30 minute conversation last night with a friend who has an excavation business. Lots of equipment - dozers, excavators, backhoes, etc. Your reply sounds like you were listening in on his advice - just about item, by item!
I'm going tilt. I know they'll be a learning curve and some adrenelin moments, I'm sure, but we'll safely figure it out and get used to it. Took a few trips with the car in the trailer to find the "sweet spot". Now we don't even have to look to tell the car is not quite in the right spot. You can feel it from the driver's seat. This will be no different.
Thanks to all for taking the time to reply!
Andy
