Gooseneck trailer remodel

jeff77indy · Oct 2, 2013

Hope this is the correct forum.
I bought a 12' + 4" dovetail deck over trailer for a good price and have since decided it would be more useful if it was a straight 16' flat deck or 16' + 4' dovetail.
So my options are to cut the dovetail and raise it to flatten the deck or add 4 ft. I am thinking before the front axle and retain the dovetail.
Has anyone done either of these two options? If so which one and what should I watch for when doing the rebuild?

Thanks

dieselcrawler · Oct 2, 2013

After reading shield arc's posts in the thread by dclynch about ~building a gooseneck trailer~ in this same sub-forum I plan to build a goose adaptor for my 16'+4' deckover bumper pull. His idea will add 4'-5' to the front, and if yours is already a gooseneck (you didnt specify) then youre that much closer. Check out that thread... good read good ideas.

jeff77indy · Oct 2, 2013

Yes, it is already a gooseneck and thanks for the info on the other post.

LD1 · Oct 2, 2013

Hard to say without taking measurements to see where the axles sit.

IF you just want to make it 16' flat, thats easy. IF you want to lengthen it, thats where axle placement is more important.

But my gut feeling is, with the trailer only 12' long on the flat now, I think you wouldnt want to add the 4' on the back. I think that would put the axles too far forward on the trailer. SO I think lengthening it by adding to the front is the way to go. But depending on how heavy the trailer is and how its built, you may be better off and money ahead to sell the trailer as is and get one that is already 20' long??

Do you got any pics of the trailer as it sits now??

Renze · Oct 2, 2013

dieselcrawler said:
After reading shield arc's posts in the thread by dclynch about ~building a gooseneck trailer~ in this same sub-forum I plan to build a goose adaptor for my 16'+4' deckover bumper pull. His idea will add 4'-5' to the front, and if yours is already a gooseneck (you didnt specify) then youre that much closer. Check out that thread... good read good ideas.

You guys are lucky you still can, without violating the DOT approval... America is all upset about Obamacare (which i would vote against, given the little return i get on my tax Euro in similar programs) but enjoy your freedom while you can

jeff77indy · Oct 2, 2013

The axles are set with the back rear tire just in front of the the dovetail break over. I measured to the center pivot of the springs but do not have that distance here at work, but it was very close to the 1" per foot of bed length from the bed front thumb rule.
This is a 14,000 pound trailer so it is a fairly heavy built trailer.
I believe that the axle placement would be fine if 4 ft were added in front of the axles. I just need to decide if I need to keep the dovetail or just make it a straight flat bed.