Help me decide deckover or low pro

[GreatWhitehunter]

I need a little help deciding which trailer type to go with.
I had started a thread a little while back on deck over widths and thought I was set on the deckover.
I had planned to buy new and order it as I wanted but found a deal on what looked to be an ideal deckover. So last week I made a 4 hr journey to central NY to purchase the trailer. It was a 20' PJ deckover 16'+3' 14k 2006 model. The seller assured me it was in excellent condition although the pics were really poor but being that the seller seemed techo challenged I gave the benefit of the doubt. Upon arrival it was obvious the trailer was in poor shape. PC peeling off in sheets,deck and tires all used up. And then I come to the hitch channel. All mangled up to where I would be able to use it on the lowest holes as I need for a 1 ton.

So after telling him no thanks I began the trip back, I decided at that point I wasn't going mess with someone else's issues and I'd order a new trailer.
I really wasn't fond of how high the deck was and it seemed to me that my 110 TLB would be sorta top heavy on a deckover. The deckover's also seem to weigh more than low pro's and cost more. I had thought the deckover would make the trailer more versatile for uses other than tractor hauling, which is what pushed me towards the deckover in the first place.

Over the weekend I came across a new Cam Superline low pro split tilt that really caught my eye. Of course the trailer available isn't long enough so I sought quotes for a custom ordered unit. I was pleasantly surprised at the price today of just under 7K. That's for a 21' low pro with fork pockets 12k jack painted NH blue( matches the truck) 16k derated to 14k to stay under 26k combined 10 week lead time delivered. The width is 81" so the only attachment that I'd need to watch would be the 8' Woods rake. And best of all Cam doesn't use powder coat so touch up won't be an issue.

I'm thinking this trailer would really serve my purposes well as it'll easily hold palletized items as well as logs and other misc items it haven't thought of yet.
Cam does do some unusual stuff on the gvw, what I mean is they factor in the tongue weight to the gvw. So two 7k axles rate the trailer for 16k, two 6k axles get a gvw of 13800. This is the first manufacture I've noticed rate this way. With the 110 weighing in at 8k roughly and liking to take extra attachments I'm opting for the 14k gvw which they'd normally rate at 16k.

Anybody have any words of wisdom before I place the order?:confused3:
I've never struggled with this kind of purchase before but this one is really causing me headaches.

Matt

 

[RDrancher]

Since the majority of equipment trailers are deckover, I don't think you'd find your TLB to be a problem, although I feel that anything less than 20+5 is too small for a tractor with loader and something on the 3pt or a TLB. I haul my tractor, CTL and excavators all the time on a 20+5 SRW deckover GN and I've never found it to be a top heavy at all. That said, I've entertained switching to a lowpro type trailer, but I unload stuff with forks quite a bit and the fenders get in the way.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Sounds like you had a typical used trailer buying experience.

I think you have all the bases covered. I would strongly consider disc brakes and oil bath hubs though.

As for paint vs PC you see why so many hate PC.

Chris

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've had most of my trailers PC and not had peeling issues like this, I do dislike trying to spray paint PC stuff. I think the PPG paint job is going to be better overall. I've also been fortunate to find some trailer scores this just wasn't one of them.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger with the low pro.

Matt

 

[RedNeckRacin]

They make low profile deck over trailers as well so make sure you look into that. It typically lowers the height 3" or so. The low profile trailers generally limit your width of loads and can be really tough trying to load or unload bulky materials around the fenders.

 

[ovrszd]

They make low profile deck over trailers as well so make sure you look into that. It typically lowers the height 3" or so. The low profile trailers generally limit your width of loads and can be really tough trying to load or unload bulky materials around the fenders.

Ya beat me to it concerning low pro deckover.

I'd question a manufacturer that creates their own trailer weight capacity formula so their's sounds heavier.

 

[RDrancher]

Ya beat me to it concerning low pro deckover.

I'd question a manufacturer that creates their own trailer weight capacity formula so their's sounds heavier.

And if the higher trailer rating is listed on the tag (in some cases) it could also put you in CDL territory.

 

[The Fred]

I bought a new Sure-Trac deckover last year and it is powder coated which I do not like.

Big disclaimer in the warranty section about the paint job......NO WARRANTY whatsoever.

Cam Superline sure does make a nice looking trailer. If I had time to order one it would have been a Cam for sure, Fred


THEN I had to screw with my CDL that I don't use for 20 years. Good thing I kept it up. They derated me somehow so I don't need a physical card because it's my equipment and only work for myself. What a PITA trying to get the state to figure that one out.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I bought a new Sure-Trac deckover last year and it is powder coated which I do not like.

Big disclaimer in the warranty section about the paint job......NO WARRANTY whatsoever.

Cam Superline sure does make a nice looking trailer. If I had time to order one it would have been a Cam for sure, Fred


THEN I had to screw with my CDL that I don't use for 20 years. Good thing I kept it up. They derated me somehow so I don't need a physical card because it's my equipment and only work for myself. What a PITA trying to get the state to figure that one out.

Fred, how has that Sure-trac held up? Concerns/problems? They seem like one of the better "budget" brands available arrond here.

 

[downslope]

Ya beat me to it concerning low pro deckover.

I'd question a manufacturer that creates their own trailer weight capacity formula so their's sounds heavier.

Actually including the hitch weight in GVWR is becoming more common, I've seen it on several brands. Nothing wrong with it as long as you understand what you're getting in terms of axles, wheels, tires, etc. And OP did say he was having the tag de-rated to stay below CDL with his truck.

I don't think the between-the-wheels trailers are generally referred to as low pro. They're just car haulers, equipment trailers or skid-steer haulers. It's implied that they're lower to the ground just because of what they are, between the wheels...

The OP should think long and hard before deciding if the narrow and shorter trailer will serve his needs, both current and future. If it will, then go for it.

The deckovers can be built lower profile via pierced frames. All the big manufacturers have them. Like RedNeck said, drops the deck about 3 inches.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

They make low profile deck over trailers as well so make sure you look into that. It typically lowers the height 3" or so. The low profile trailers generally limit your width of loads and can be really tough trying to load or unload bulky materials around the fenders.

3" isn't really enough to make it much better imho, I get the open deck vs fenders in the way part. The fenders on this trailer are set pretty far back so I'm not seeing where it'll be a huge issue. I'm sure the low pro deckovers are a pita to remove the wheels as they must be tucked up into the frame. Cam also makes deckovers but I really want to keep it to 96" and Cam only makes 102" deckovers. I really dislike the additional weight for the deckovers as well.

The only real upside I'm seeing it winching something onto the deck. A deckover full tilt will surely win that one hands down. I previously owned a 25' Pj GN deckoever a few years back but I have some space issues at my house and don't have the room for another GN deckover. I'm not too concerned about the way they rate there GVW. I'll have 7k axles and a GVW of 14k so I can't see an issue, truck is 11500 so under the 26k limit and I'm not for profit.

Matt

 

[ovrszd]

I totally understand Matt. You know what works for you better than us.

What do you have for a bed on your truck that makes it weigh 11500?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I totally understand Matt. You know what works for you better than us.

What do you have for a bed on your truck that makes it weigh 11500?

Standard pickup bed, gvw of the truck is 11500. DMV cops go by those weight not what you actually weigh.

So this would be the trailer 21' long.


It comes with a alum box and I've added fork pockets 12k jack and blue paint.
I do realize with the angle iron sides I'd need to place dunnage under a pallet to get the forks into the pallet.

This is the PJ I was leaning towards


Matt

 

[downslope]

I totally understand Matt. You know what works for you better than us.

What do you have for a bed on your truck that makes it weigh 11500?

He's not saying the truck weighs 11500, it's just that's the manufacturers GVW rating on the door sticker. In many states the DOT cops just add that to the tag on the trailer and you have to be under 26001 total or else you need the CDL, even if the trailer and truck beds are empty. Here in NY that's the first thing they look at before they even put you on the portable scales.

Edit: Sorry, I didn't see the OP was replying at the same time. Yeah, NY, CT, MA, that's what they go by, the mfr rating and/or the actual scale weight, whatever is higher. I heard Maine may not be as strict.

 

[ovrszd]

Wow. Glad we don't do that here.

I really like the looks of the Cam trailer. Usually tilt low trailers have the axles too far forward like the PJ.

 

[downslope]

...So this would be the trailer 21' long...
View attachment 463622Matt

Does the 21' include the sloped tail?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

3" isn't really enough to make it much better imho, I get the open deck vs fenders in the way part. The fenders on this trailer are set pretty far back so I'm not seeing where it'll be a huge issue. I'm sure the low pro deckovers are a pita to remove the wheels as they must be tucked up into the frame. Cam also makes deckovers but I really want to keep it to 96" and Cam only makes 102" deckovers. I really dislike the additional weight for the deckovers as well.

The only real upside I'm seeing it winching something onto the deck. A deckover full tilt will surely win that one hands down. I previously owned a 25' Pj GN deckoever a few years back but I have some space issues at my house and don't have the room for another GN deckover. I'm not too concerned about the way they rate there GVW. I'll have 7k axles and a GVW of 14k so I can't see an issue, truck is 11500 so under the 26k limit and I'm not for profit.

Matt

3" is a pretty big difference when you are going "over the top" loading. Something you may want to consider with the low pro trailers is getting them into locations. I can raise my deck over beavertail and go into places that fixed tail trailers would have to regrade to even think about attempting. That's why I always laugh at the Kauffman and Appalachian trailers that have "pop up tails" to get their flat decks. We have hay fields that would be impossible to get into without raising the tail on my trailer. Put another way, if you have a driveway with a steep approach, you will be missing any paint on the tail of the trailer.

I gave up on dealing with that 26k crap a long time ago. I got my class A cdl and don't worry about 1klbs making or breaking me.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Does the 21' include the sloped tail?

Yes the tail is included in the 21' length.

3" is a pretty big difference when you are going "over the top" loading. Something you may want to consider with the low pro trailers is getting them into locations. I can raise my deck over beavertail and go into places that fixed tail trailers would have to regrade to even think about attempting. That's why I always laugh at the Kauffman and Appalachian trailers that have "pop up tails" to get their flat decks. We have hay fields that would be impossible to get into without raising the tail on my trailer. Put another way, if you have a driveway with a steep approach, you will be missing any paint on the tail of the trailer.

I gave up on dealing with that 26k crap a long time ago. I got my class A cdl and don't worry about 1klbs making or breaking me.

I don't do any offroading with my trailer'sut the low deck height is a valid point. I have seen the adjustable beaver tail Mortiz offers and it's pretty slick, unfortunately there's no dealers in my area. I was interested in looking at Cornpro but the closest dealer only stocks the horse trailers. Bwise is another manufacture I was looking hard at but they PC their trailers and 102" for deckovers it what they offer. I've thought about the getting the CDL but that opens another can o worms with insurance, reg ,med exams. I very rarely do work for hire and even then it's a friend or acquaintance.

Matt

 

[farmer2009]

Have you checked into a "drive over fender"? They move the deck height up between the two trailers you're looking at. This way if you have something a little wide you don't have to worry about it fitting between them.

 

[The Fred]

Fred, how has that Sure-trac held up? Concerns/problems? They seem like one of the better "budget" brands available arrond here.

It's been great. I wouldn't call it a budget brand coming in at $9200 for a hydraulic tilt 17K deckover bumper pull. It has upgraded Oak decking and dual landing gear etc.

My other issue is that EVERY component besides the actual frame itself is Chinese right down to the brakes, tires, axles, landing gear.

Fred ....sorry to jack the thread