Help me decide deckover or low pro

[LD1]

Both a deckover and drop deck will haul the TLB just fine if thats the main goal.

I think you need to look long and hard at what "other" uses you have for the trailer.

Hauling pallets, or long material (beams, logs, culvert pipe, etc) the deck over is better IMO. When hauling something that is the length of the trailer, or a tad longer....like the 25' steel beams I bought to build my crane, They would have been hard to unload with the forks on a drop deck, as the fender would be right near the mid-point where I need to get in there.

A drop deck also limits you on pallet placement if you haul stuff on pallets. Makes it harder to get a good load balance with limited side access.

On the other hand, if the trailer is used alot to haul cars, especially lower profile ones, you will find it difficult at times getting them onto the higher deck of a deck-over trailer without bottoming out and rubbing .

 

[downslope]

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.

Does the trailer with "drive over fender" also become a full 96-102 inches for the entire length? That could be handy when loading pallets two across at the front.

Another thing I was wondering, is the only reason the low-boy trailers are lighter than deckover is that they are narrower, or is there something else in the design that reduces weight?

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Does the trailer with "drive over fender" also become a full 96-102 inches for the entire length? That could be handy when loading pallets two across at the front.

Another thing I was wondering, is the only reason the low-boy trailers are lighter than deckover is that they are narrower, or is there something else in the design that reduces weight?

I think it has more to do with the I beam construction of deckovers and there's obviously more steel in a wider deck though I'm sure not much.
It looks like the geometry of the hitch would make the deckover a rougher ride while being towed. I mostly will be hauling the tractor but there will be times I haul other stuff. I occasionally haul wood pellets by the ton but I should easily get 2 pallets on the low pro with out issue.
The other items I'd see myself hauling is the occasional logs in the 20' length. This would be rare as I have the 16' dump trailer to haul the bulk of them.

Matt

 

[The Fred]

My deckover pulls hard and when the tires hit bumps it sends you through the roof of my 07 Duramax with a dump body.

Air ride trailer would be the cat's meow for a ton truck, Fred

 

[farmer2009]

Does the trailer with "drive over fender" also become a full 96-102 inches for the entire length? That could be handy when loading pallets two across at the front.

Another thing I was wondering, is the only reason the low-boy trailers are lighter than deckover is that they are narrower, or is there something else in the design that reduces weight?

Some do, some don't. You'd have to check with manufacturer. I've seen them both ways.

I think your weight savings is in the construction of the trailer. Usually C channel instead of I beams. Deck might save a couple hundred pounds.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Yes the tail is included in the 21' length.



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

I just figured it was worth mentioning if you travel into other's property much. The adjustable tail is very awesome to have. Much more handy than the pop up tails. The CDL isn't as big of a deal as people make it out to be. I've had mine for right around 4 years or so now, and I think my license per year is about double the cost of a class c. The insurance doesn't go up, medical exams are good for two years and only cost $70 at walmart.

 

[George2615]

Congrats on the new trailer.
I have the PJ 22' TF model (Actual size 23'9" bed incl.tail) 14K full tilt but I know your not fond of PC trailers. 82" between the fenders.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I just figured it was worth mentioning if you travel into other's property much. The adjustable tail is very awesome to have. Much more handy than the pop up tails. The CDL isn't as big of a deal as people make it out to be. I've had mine for right around 4 years or so now, and I think my license per year is about double the cost of a class c. The insurance doesn't go up, medical exams are good for two years and only cost $70 at walmart.

Your point is well taken and you never really know where you'll end up with a trailer.

Congrats on the new trailer.
I have the PJ 22' TF model (Actual size 23'9" bed incl.tail) 14K full tilt but I know your not fond of PC trailers. 82" between the fenders.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate PC trailers. I've owned several PJ's a was close to buying another. What really got me thinking about going paint over was when I got the quote for the options on the PJ.

I wanted them to put the hydraulic pump in a box under the deck as they do with the GN version. Then I wanted to have an additional box on the opposite side of the trailer under the deck. That sent the cost up over 10k, so I mentioned I'd just add the boxes on my own later. Then I came to the realization that welding them to frame was going to be an issue with the PC.

Matt

 

[kevin37b]

Congrats on the new trailer.
I have the PJ 22' TF model (Actual size 23'9" bed incl.tail) 14K full tilt but I know your not fond of PC trailers. 82" between the fenders.

Nice trailer . Where do they hinge the bed ? Curious .

 

[George2615]

Nice trailer . Where do they hinge the bed ? Curious .

Bed is hinged just behind the rear axle. Trailer sits fairly low to the ground. Tows great.

 

[jamescottr7]

I love my low tilt trailer for hauling my tractor and heavier loads. I also have a deck over I haul my side by side, 4 wheelers and fire wood on. On the deck over I have walls and ramp made. I have hauled my smaller tractor on the deck over a Kubota b3030 but I prefer the tilt trailer

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've been reading all the comments and weighing the pro's and cons of the advise given.
This is the most I've ever agonized over an equipment purchase but I'm glad I'm taking the time to sort it all out.
If I had a dealer close to me I'd be looking hard at a Moritz International with the adjustable tail but there isn't a dealer within 100 miles and the one dealer I reached out two had zero interest in selling me a trailer. I'm going to place the order for the low pro Cam Superline on Monday. The trailer will do everything I need it to and I won't loose the load capacity of the other trailers I've looked hard at. Corn Pro was another manufacture I looked hard at but the closest dealer was just under 100 miles and specialized in horse trailers. They were also trying to pass off a 2014 trailer as new so that was a bit of a red flag for me.

I was able to stop by my wood pellet supplier who has several low pro tilt Cams and he was extremely satisfied with them overall, his trailers are well used and looked great except for paint. These are all 8+ old and use for 15-30 k miles per and worked hard. He loads pallets on them with a fork lift and offloads at customers with a powered pallet jack.

If a Gooseneck was an option I'd likely got with 20+5 with adjustable dovetail but I just can't get the GN in my current place. Cam's seem to hold their value so I'm sure it'll be a good investment. Thanks for all your advise!

Matt

 

[RedNeckRacin]

We need pics or it never happened!!:thumbsup:

Oh, btw, could I borrow your trailer this friday? I need to haul some broken concrete chunks home. . Figured I'd be thefirst one to ask.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Lol, it's a 10 week build time from order so mid June I'll be sure to post pics.
You can borrow the dump trailer if I can borrow the Moritz?

Matt

 

[Professor Marvel]

I have also been looking at about a 20-22ft tilt trailer. I keep being drawn back to a Kauffman but their cost is so much lower I think there must be something wrong with them. I would love the CamSuperline but cant justify the cost yet. I think you will love it. ENJOY

 

[fried1765]

I have also been looking at about a 20-22ft tilt trailer. I keep being drawn back to a Kauffman but their cost is so much lower I think there must be something wrong with them. I would love the CamSuperline but cant justify the cost yet. I think you will love it. ENJOY

I considered a Kaufman (14K - equipment trailer - 18'+2' beavertail), but bought a trailer (not a tilt) by "Quality Steel & Aluminum" instead, from a dealer 150 miles from me.
My primary reason for NOT buying the Kaufman was that I could not find a local business to unload it for me. (Kaufman states that the buyer must provide unloading)
I later found an unloading source/location, and would now likely choose Kaufman, if I were looking to buy a trailer.
I know that CamSuperlines are nice trailers, but the prices are way too high in my opinion.
I bought my 14K trailer for $4400,...... a similar CamSuperline was nearly $1500 more!
I have since mounted a 9500# Superwinch.
I will use my trailer less than 8 times each year, but when you need a 20' equipment trailer, you NEED a 20' equipment trailer!
I kinda wish I had gone for a 20'+2' beavertail trailer instead, but indoor trailer storage space was also a consideration.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I have a deckover, am now looking into buying a low tilt, as loading the deckover is a pain

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I have a deckover, am now looking into buying a low tilt, as loading the deckover is a pain

Can you elaborate on your statement? I placed the order for the low pro last week and still second guessing myself:duh:

Matt

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah, I'd be interested in that explanation as well. I never consider loading on my deckover as difficult.

 

[civilian]

I have a deckover, am now looking into buying a low tilt, as loading the deckover is a pain

My custom built 12ftdeck over is about 34" tall. It was built to haul firewood, which it does great. However, with 8ft arched ramps, loading my Kubota BX2230, was "fun" (not). The angle was too steep, that backing up the ramps, I had to wear my seatbelt just to stay in the seat. I had to load it backwards to balance the load on the trailer. Plus I would rather look forward going down the ramps for unloading. I have since purchased a Sure Track, 16ft utility trailer to haul the BX2230.