Help me with the right size trailer!

[Lance2622]

I am currently in the market for a new trailer. All we currently own are (2) 16 ft flatbeds and our equipment is outgrowing the trailers. I am looking for something longer and a gooseneck. My initial thought was a 27ft gooseneck with a 5 ft dove tail with tandem duals. This trailers capacity is currently larger than what I need right now but I am hoping to buy a new tractor in the spring so I will have a need for the bigger trailer. My other concern is I have a 3/4 Chevy with the 6.0 gas motor. I have future plans of upgrading to a new truck but that is still a year or more away. So I then begun to think that a trailer the same length but with single tires would be better and a easier pull. I would like to buy one trailer that will fit my needs for years to come rather then having to upgrade again in the future, but don't want to buy a trailer that is so big and heavy that I can't load anything on it.

So I was curious to see what yalls thought are. Additionally do not turn this into a CDL post, I won't need one in Texas because it will be ag use.

 

[Dewbie]

I'd go with the biggest trailer I think I'd need. That 6.0 gasser will get you by until you upgrade. You should be able to haul 12k+..im guessing without knowing what model you have. I've hauled more than that in my uncles 04 6.0 because the dmax was at another job site. I won't say how much more because the over weight **** folks will jump my case. If you're scared your gaser won't pull it then wait until you upgrade trucks otherwise you'll regret your small trailer later on

 

[bdog]

We pull a gooseneck that weighs 13-14k behind a ford 6.2 gasser 3/4 ton. It works but pulls so much better behind the diesel. I hauled this particular trailer from Texas to Kansas yesterday and it pulled great behind my f250 diesel.

Your truck will pull that tandem dual loaded light but if you load it heavy you are going to want a diesel dually.

Might also think about what you are going to haul and the length of the trailer. The longer the trailer the more it weighs and the less payload you have but you need to make sure it is long enough to fit everything you need.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a dual tandem trailer and 3 diesel trucks I pulled it with. Never cared for the tandems. The problem you will run into is just the empty weight. Mine was every bit of 6500# empty, about half of your 6.0 gas motors tow limit.

Chris

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Get a trailer big enough for what you need. That gas motor is going to feel anemic if you have many hills to climb. Most tandem. Duals come with 10k axles and alot of payload is eaten up by length. My next trailer is going to have 12k axles for this exact reason. They do make heavier GVWR trailers with singles that may suit your needs bUT they generally are not advertised as much as the bare bones trailers. Do you have an estimated payload that needs to be carried so we aren't guessing at numbers?

 

[Lance2622]

Payload with tractor and more will be just under 10k which is just above the gvwr of a single wheel tandem axle trailer. That is the weight of the tractor I am looking into buying with a 3k lbs bush hog. I also have a skid loader that is 7k lbs that I would haul every now and then. My truck is a 2011 with 3.73 gears.

Thanks for everyone replies and advice thus far.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Payload with tractor and more will be just under 10k which is just above the gvwr of a single wheel tandem axle trailer. That is the weight of the tractor I am looking into buying with a 3k lbs bush hog. I also have a skid loader that is 7k lbs that I would haul every now and then. My truck is a 2011 with 3.73 gears.

Thanks for everyone replies and advice thus far.

I haul my nearly 12k tractor on a 14.5k tandem single wheel gn with no problems. The tongue weight of that would likely be to much for a 3/4 ton regardless of the rear axle. You can take into account the tongue weight and not just the gvwr-tare of the trailer as long as it's not a cheap trailer.

 

[oliver1555]

Talk to your trailer dealer about getting 17.5 wheels and tires. You can get the capacity of duals with singles (up to 6005# per tire) @ 125psi. Lots of hotshot and oilfield trailers are running them. Cost per mile is lower than duals or three axles.
Rickson Wheel Manufacturing
17.5" Radial Tires

 

[WM75Guy]

I am looking at the same situation. I don't like a dovetail with ramps. I like the PJ 30' low-pro hydraulic dovetail tandem axle with duals. They also make it in three axle single tire. As I get older ramps are not that attractive and use up trailer space. I will have them downgrade the GVWR to 20,000# so I can pull it with a Texas Class C and farm tags. I plan to pull with either a F450 or F550.

PJ Trailers - Low-Pro with Hydraulic Dove (LY)

 

[ovrszd]

Man, this topic has opinions like butts, everyone has one.

I've blown a tire on a tandem, dual wheeled GN at 70 mph with 2 Jeep Buggies onboard while in the passing lane with solid traffic around me and a semi at my right side. Wonder what that would have been like on a single wheeled trailer?

My GN dual wheeled 28+4 trailer weighs 6850lbs. That pushes your tow vehicle's capacity. But you'll never worry about the trailer carrying it's share.

To date, I've never had a desire for a large GN with singles. Kinda freaks me out.

As I said above, lot's of opinions on this subject. Problem is you won't know what you prefer 'til you pull it awhile.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Most butt stink to except to the owner! A trailer seems to be pretty personal to everyone since they have a specific purpose in mind for it.

 

[farmer2009]

I also have a 6.0 in an 06. Usual loads I pull are around 10k. 14k GN 16 +4. In saying that I've had a lot more on that combo. Had a load of logs and didn't realize how heavy I was till on the road. Never weighted but guessing 20+k with trailer. Don't plan on that again. Did fine on flat ground but hills killed me. 35 mph backroads so no runs. Next trailer will be a 20+5 20k. Duals for stability and tire safely.

In saying that I'd recommend the dual wheel trailer.

To bad your not closer. There's a 30'PJ 25k on Craigslist close by. Bought to large in January is what add says.

 

[bdog]

Payload with tractor and more will be just under 10k which is just above the gvwr of a single wheel tandem axle trailer. That is the weight of the tractor I am looking into buying with a 3k lbs bush hog. I also have a skid loader that is 7k lbs that I would haul every now and then. My truck is a 2011 with 3.73 gears.

Thanks for everyone replies and advice thus far.

If that is all you are going to haul you don't need a Tandem dual. They make tons of 14k rated single wheel tandem trailers. You should be able to find a trailer maybe a low pro so it is easier to load that weighs 4-5k with tandem axles that are 7k rated or even upgrade to 8k rated. Keep in mind with a gooseneck you have approximately 20% of the weight on the tongue so even if your trailer and load weighs a little bit over 14k you are not going to have that much load on the trailer axles.

I will also second the recommendation on 17.5's. I bought my wheels at southwest wheel and put them on my equipment trailer. The axles are rated for 7k but the tires are rated for close to 5k each so I have 20k worth of tires that never see over 14k of load so they last forever and blowout risks are greatly reduced.

When the DOT stops you they don't unhook your trailer and weigh it separately they weigh your truck and trailer axles. As long as you don't have over 14k on your tandem 7k axles you are good to go. The tongue weight isn't factored in on the trailer weight because it is counted with the truck.

Check out something like this:Gooseneck Carhauler 14,000 Lb w/Drop Axles & 6" Channel Frame Load Trail Trailer Manufacturing

Either the 24' or 28' should be able to handle 10k of cargo and not overload the axles as at least 1,500 lb or more of that weight is going to be on the tongue.

 

[wcampbell47]

I have seen both PJ and Load Trail units that are goose neck and tandem axles with single tires. GVWR is around 15680 lbs. If your truck and any future truck GVWR is 10, 000 or under you will not be classified as "commercial" according to Texas DOT. Load Trail has some monster single tires available. Really like my Load Trail dump trailer. I am running '01 F350 with the 6.8 v10. No issues on power so far but I'm a flat lander. My next trailer will be one of those with hydraulic tilt. At 68 ramps are just not fun. Just purchased a set of 5,000 lb aluminum ramps from Northern Tools. Both together are lighter than one of my steel ramps currently using.

 

[skipmarcy]

I really like my Load Max (Load Trail) 14K GN I bought last summer. If you go to 24' they go to 8" on the frame - mine is a 22' flat with 2' dove which qualifies. Mine is the equipment/carhauler style with 83" between the removeable fenders. The spring-assist ramps are double-hinged and have adjustable feet for safer loading. I plan to upgrade tires as well once I get a little use out of these - I don't haul my tractor around as much anymore. My trailer weighs 4210 lbs. and the few times I've hauled it with my F250 it has performed beautifully. I like that they left the neck high, I'm 6'4" and only have to slightly duck my head to walk under the neck when hooked to the F250 of stock height, saves some steps. Can't say how the powder coat will hold up but they covered it well top to bottom. The wiring harness is about the best I've seen on a production trailer and hopefully the LED lights will last a long time.

I shopped around for over a year before deciding on this trailer. PJ was going to be my next choice. I toured the Big Tex plant in Georgia passing thru there on I75 and wasn't just overly impressed, looked at several other lesser-known brands as well. So far I feel like I made the right choice.

 

[LD1]

Trailer is gonna push 7k. Your load of 10k combine for 17k being towed. That's more than I would want behind a SRW with 6.0/Gasser. Need to upgrade the truck first then trailer IMO

 

[ovrszd]

Trailer is gonna push 7k. Your load of 10k combine for 17k being towed. That's more than I would want behind a SRW with 6.0/Gasser. Need to upgrade the truck first then trailer IMO

Adding the weight of his truck, app. 6500 lbs, he's now moving 23,500 lbs with the 6.0L. To move that weight it will be turning 3500 rpms or above a LOT. It'll do it, but those around you in hilly traffic won't be happy.

 

[Lance2622]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, experience and advice. After a day of driving around and looking at trailers I decided to hold off and rethink my situation. I am not one to constantly be buying and selling. I want a trailer that will meety needs now and my needs in the future and my biggest set back was my truck. Therefore I went out and bought a new 2014 dodge drw 3500 with the 6.7 Cummins. My gooseneck is getting put in on Tuesday and then I will continue my pursuit of a trailer.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Let's see the pics of the new ride!

 

[LD1]

I think you made a good decision. And that truck shouldnt have any issues with whatever trailer you end up getting.