Dove tail option help

Slippy · Jan 13, 2009

At the risk of being yelled at, how bout a tri-axle trailer?

I would only intend to use in on over the road hauls.

drivadesl · Jan 13, 2009

I've got a very similar trailer set up, but its a gooseneck with 5' BT, and 22' deck. First off, if youre loading to the max, consider the gooseneck its a world of difference to pull vs. a bumper hitch. A dream really, no sway, and much more control. Though I don't load hay, I would think the center lift, would give you more flat usable space vs. a normal beavertail. I agree with Wallace though, get a 5' BT with the deckover, its quite an angle as it is. Finally, I move equipment and this setup worked just right for me, I can pull my tractor forward, while raising the bucket to give clearance in the back to raise the center deck, flip up the ramps flat, and back up dropping down my bushog right on top of the beavertail. So get as much trailer deck as you can afford, you will end up using it. And the flip up deck works for me.

wkpoor · Jan 14, 2009

Here my take on it. I have a 20+4 tag with ramps that can lay down or stand up. I haul a variety of stuff and never have a problem with center of gravity or tongue load issues. Helps if you have a ton truck. You can leave partial load on the dove if need be. Cars can still be loaded. Simply raise the nose a little with the jack and most will roll right on. For those that don't a few handy blocks is all it takes. Tractors of any type shouldn't an issue at all. The 5' doves are nice but will drag coming in or our of parking lots and the such.

Slippy · Jan 14, 2009

That looks like it works real nice. What is the GVW for that trailer? Is that a 3/4 ton van? If so, I would say you have a class IV hitch. I have a class IV hitch plus on my truck. Although it is a 1/2 ton it is a Toyota Tundra and if you go to their web site, it shows how intigrated it is to the frame and how the springs are longated in front to help control sway.

Back to the question though, I am now leaning toward the 20 + 5 pop up. I am going to stick with the bumper pull. That way I don't have to modify my truck and if I do have a heavy load, I can always pull it with my dump truck. But, I think I really like the idea of the 5ft dove with the ramps that I can either fold up on the tail flat or secure in the verticle position.

wkpoor · Jan 14, 2009

That looks like it works real nice. What is the GVW for that trailer? Is that a 3/4 ton van? If so, I would say you have a class IV hitch. I have a class IV hitch plus on my truck. Although it is a 1/2 ton it is a Toyota Tundra and if you go to their web site, it shows how intigrated it is to the frame and how the springs are longated in front to help control sway.

That is a 1 ton van. The trailer is 14K. I bought a titan hitch with 2 1/2 " receiver to put on but its not on yet. Plus I use a 14K/2K ball mount and 17K ball. IMO if you are pulling a bumper pull trailer the Chev van is much better than PU's. They are short from rear frame to axle and the engine sets further back over the front axle giving the van a better balance. If I need to I can pull that tractor almost clear forward on the trailer and not squat the truck too bad. The vans also have full box frames and the hitches are held on by 8 bolts crimped to the frame. The best part is they cost about 1/2 that of a PU. Sway has never been an issue for me.

Harold_J · Jan 15, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
Remember you will not be able to use the 5' of dove tail for equipment hauling in most cases so if the trailer is 20' overall you really only have 15' of deck. That is the main reason I don't care for a dove tail trailer and prefer flat deck trailers. But to each their own, that's why they make them both ways.
Chris

wallace said:
...Pop up beaver tail...some like em so don't...

I have a couple of questions. Diamondpilot, how do you load equipment without the dovetail, what kind of ramps? Wallace is saying even a 4' tail is very dangerous but you are able to get by without.

Wallace, what do you think are some of the things people don't like about pop-up tails? I would think they could be a potential weak point if not designed right and could be heavy to pop-up if not equipped with proper springs, but I don't really know. Sure would eliminate the tail dragging when loaded and also give another 5' of nice flat space for lengthy items.

Slippy · Jan 15, 2009

If you look at the link to the web site in this thread, you will see there are three versions to the dove tail. First is fixed. Second is the pop up, which means the frame of the dove tail remains fixed, but when you fold the ramps on to the dove tail, they are designed in a wedge shape to provide a flat extention of the flat bed. Then, in between the two ramps, the metal floor pops up, not the frame of the dove. It then provide a flat surface level with the ramps and the flat bed. It is referrend to in the link as a "Center Lift Dovetail". The third option provides for the entire dove tail to be lifted up, a pin put in, and you have a flat bed for the entire length of the trailer. This is referred to as the "Adjustable Dovetail".
I don't think I would care for the adjustable type as you would be lifting that tail and lowering it. More than what I would want to mess with.

At this point I am leaning toward the pop up. It provides 5ft of dove and 5ft of ramp, which should be good for loading. If I want full 25ft of bed, I have it simply by folding up the ramps and pop up the center. That also alows for additional room should I need to back up the load on the dove to get it just right for balance.

Diamondpilot · Jan 15, 2009

Harold_J said:
I have a couple of questions. Diamondpilot, how do you load equipment without the dovetail, what kind of ramps? Wallace is saying even a 4' tail is very dangerous but you are able to get by without.

My trailer only sits about 16" off the ground and I have 2 5' long ramps. My dad deals in Corvettes as a hobby and I have hauled 4 or 5 of them for him. I had no problems loading and they are as low to the ground as any car on the market.

Chris

Slippy · Jan 15, 2009

Is it a deckover trailer?

powerstroke444e · Jan 15, 2009

I have a 25' deck over with a 5' dove that is adjustable to flat with 6' ramps that I have to store under the trailer which works good as we are always over length or hauling something odd shaped and with a 33" deck height I rarely have anything I can't get on the trailer, and I would not trade that kind of dove for anything as its very handy.