i want to add a dove tail to my 14 ft trailer

[streamin]

Does anyone think that adding only 12" -18" dovetail would be enough to worry about for the tongue weight? I have a 20ft trailer that I need a little more length to accommodate my brush hog .The trailer has 2/ 7000k and 16 tires so it sits a little higher than most trailers. With 5 ft ramps it is ok on the angle but sometimes I pull cars which I need a better angle for.

 

[bigdad]

Streamin,

I would think that the material used on the deck (on the dovetail) would make some weight difference too. I can't tell if your deck is wooden or steel? What kind of trailer is yours?

BD

 

[streamin]

the deck is wood, I don't know the brand.It is a small outfit who sells them.

 

[tommu56]

streamin

It looks like a big tex given your location too

Tandem axle 10PI

they have a couple different weight ratings in the pipe top rail ones.

tom

 

[DavesTractor]

Does anyone think that adding only 12" -18" dovetail would be enough to worry about for the tongue weight? I have a 20ft trailer that I need a little more length to accommodate my brush hog .The trailer has 2/ 7000k and 16 tires so it sits a little higher than most trailers. With 5 ft ramps it is ok on the angle but sometimes I pull cars which I need a better angle for.

It doesn't look like a 20' deck, looks to be closer to 16'. Are you measuring overall length? Oddly enough, RV trailers measure overall, utility trailers are usually measured by deck.

 

[streamin]

Tom, you could be right,looks like Big Tex but they may just be a middle man for them cause I ordered it that color and they have their business name on it(the Trailer Man).
Dave, you had me 2nd guessing so I went out and measured.20' ,deck only.
The additional weight should be minimal for the 18" but I also thought about ground clearance in driveways at angles.
I was avoiding a goose neck cause I like to have the bed space.A trade in for anything bigger in a hitch pull would be custom made and another $1000 with my trade loss. I think the dove tail idea would help me enough.

 

[2manyrocks]

BX24, how did you make those cuts? Plasma cutter?

Nice job. Also, looks like you made new ramps, too?

Streamin--wow, you've got a long load to haul.

 

[bx24]

2manyrocks

The cuts were made with a plasma cutter. That is the first job I used it on and I am very happy with the results. There are still some jobs I prefer to use the torch on, but precision cuts are a breeze if you clamp on a straight edge.

I had ramps with the trailer, but they were just ramps and had no legs. Using the other new toy (a Mig welder from HTP www.usaweld.com), all of the welding went smoothly. I have had a stick welder for years, but being able to weld thin stuff and not blow holes is a HUGE advantage.

Thanks for all of the complements.

One last thing in case I did not mention it before. When you put new boards on, slop on a couple of coats of deck sealer on all sides ESPECIALLY the ends - let those soak up as much as possible. You can always re-seal the top, but the bottom and the ends will be unaccessible until you replace the boards the next time.