DK40SE HST Trailer Selection

OneDutchKnick · Apr 26, 2011

Waiting for delivery on my new DK40 and looking @ trailers...

I like this PJ tilt w/ axle and wheel upgrades to get to 10,000 lb GVWR

PJ Trailers - 83" Quick Tilt (TM)

But wondering if the frame is sufficient for the load.

My machine in waiting includes the FEL & BH and I think the combined weight is close to 6,000 lbs.

My truck is a half ton rated to tow 10,000.

I don't intend to do much long hauling but do plan to hire out some to help defray the costs of the new machine.

What do you all think? Is this enough trailer? Will the tilt work with the TLB?

grsthegreat · Apr 26, 2011

er..... most bumper pull hitches are only rated for 5,000#. some can handle 10,000 if a weight distributing hitch is used (they have to be marked as such).

personally, id go for a gooseneck trailer if you want the 10,000# rating.

My old PJ trailer is too small for my new tractor, so ill be in the market to upgrade to a 20' gooseneck in the near future. too bad too, cause i just got finished upgrading my old trailer with a new hitch storage box that i built and 2 rear swivel jacks to help with loading heavy tractor. also added a spare tire.

i sure hate to have to sell old PJ.

whistlepig · Apr 26, 2011

This would be plenty of trailer. I wouldn't do the Quick Tilt thing. Riding 6,000 pounds down a moving bed would not be for those with weak heart. Also more moving parts to maintain. I would go with a beaver tail. They are easy to load.

csholler · May 1, 2011

I think the tilt trailer is an excellent soution for what you are needing. I have a gooseneck w/dove tail and it is really the best option for hauling but the tilt deck is extremely handy and if you are pulling it with at least a 3/4 ton you will really enjoy it. A 1/2 ton will be loaded to its max but is capable of handling the load. Weight distribution is going to be the key. My neighbor has a tilt deck gooseneck that I borrow every now and then and loading is very easy with the slow drop hyd cylinder. I pull a 16' bumper pull dump trailer with hyd brakes w/5-6 yds of caliche in it all the time with no distribution hitch and have never had a problem in 6 years now. I would buy the bumper pull tilt deck for your application. Hyd brakes are more money but there are always breaks when you need them.

gkh7890 · May 1, 2011

1DK,

I have a 10,000 GVW rated, 18' trailer w/ a 2' dovetail. I pull it with a 1/2 ton pickup and believe it or not, the 1/2 ton does a fairly good job. I'd love to have a 3/4 ton to pull it with but that's not an option, at least for now. Just make sure you have a good braker controller and good brake pads (on your truck)!!!

I have a DK40SE HST w/ a K401 FEL. It fits on the trailer just fine but I wish I had longer trailer (bought the trailer 5 yrs B4 I got my tractor). The extra length would be nice when I have my 6ft Woods Brushbull on w/ the FEL. I have to put the bucket over the front rail of the trailer. I don't have pics of this but you can see below the DK & FEL looks like on my trailer by itself. If you plan to trailer alot then the length is something I'd take a serious look at to make sure your equipment is not hanging over/off the end of the trailer.

I can not speak to the tilt option but I naturally question it since it is another wear/tear/maintenance item and a potential breaking point VS a solid frame? If anyone has a video of loading/unloading a tilt trailer, especially with attachments, that would be really cool! Point of view angle would be pretty cool as well as off to the side. Hint, hint to any of you tilt trailer owners.

:thumbsup:

Gittyup · May 1, 2011

I have a 20', 10,000 lb dovetail, bumper pull. I've had it loaded full and heavy and it tows fine without a weight distributing hitch. As long as you don't have too much tongue weight, you don't need a weight distributor. The key is to have enough trailer to get a good weight balance. And my bumper hitch is rated to 10K too. But, it is something to pay attention to when you select receivers and hitch balls. The 20' footer is a beast, but it's just right for towing my CK25 TLB plus another implement. I wouldn't want anything shorter with the backhoe.

I don't see any big advantages to the tilt deck trailers.

Gl33kl · May 3, 2011

Just looked at a used tractor an individual farmer had up for sale, and I'm also looking at trailers. Seller is also a car buff and does a lot of hauling. He recommended I check out a rollback for frequent use. He has a 10K metal deck rollback about 10 yrs old and said he would never use anything else. It was obvious the trailer has seen a lot of use, but still in good condition. Haven't checked prices yet, but thought I would share the link - Rollback Trailers Kwikload Trailer Roll Back Trailers Kwik Load Trailer - another option you may want to consider. According to seller, comes std with D rings & a nice below deck tool/strap storage area. Good luck in your search.

<<Edit - forgot to mention it's a 22' bumper pull>>

Highbeam · May 3, 2011

I own a 10k rated PJ trailer, 18' with 2' dovetail. It is a stout trailer that is built much much better than their standard 7000GVWR car haulers. The 10k model gets 6" channel and it is a very well made trailer.

Here is the key info that you didn't ask for but that you MUST know for your itnended use. The empty trailer weighs 2500# and is exactly 250 on the tongue with 2250 on the axles. Thus, you can calculate that your 6000# cargo weight is well within the limits of the trailer. Further, you can calculate that your poor half ton will be towing 8500# with more than 850lbs on the ball.

I towed the pictured load with my half ton chevy and it did really well. My trailer cargo was only about 4500# though and my engine was 350 cubes.

I now use a diesel F350 as shown in the photo. It is a nicer tow but that half ton chevy was actually pretty good. I would still have the half ton except I wanted a crew cab.

The only thing I would change about my PJ is that I would get a few more feet in length. At least 2 maybe, 4. The mower hangs off the back too much. The only time I wished for a tilt bed is when I am having to lift out and place the ramps. Ramps for a 10k trailer are pretty heavy after a long day.

On edit: Notice the WD hitch system. Anybody that has actually read their owner's manuals will use one. They work great even when you have a big huge burly diesel.