Need help understanding split deck tilt trailers

[jeepcj7]

I must be way over thinking this because I have managed to confuse myself.

I am looking at purchasing a 22' - 24' gravity tilt deck trailer (which typically have a 4' - 6' stationary deck) to haul vehicles, a 70 hp tractor and any other stuff I normally haul. I was hoping to avoid a deck over axle trailer due to my age (getting to old to be jumping on and off trailers).

I like the idea of a split deck tilt trailer because the axles seem to be further back than a full tilt trailer but I am struggling to understand how a split deck trailer work if you are loading a tractor with an implement (or something with a long wheel base).

My assumption is once more weight is forward of the pivot point the deck will tilt forward due to gravity.

However if the tractor has a 6 ft cutter on the back and ballasted rear tires I would need to drive forward further before 1/2 the weight is in front of the pivot point.

It would seem that the front wheels will run out of tilt deck before the deck tilts. What am I failing to understand here? Thanks.

 

[George2615]

Check PJ Trailers. I have the TF model, 22' tilt bed but mine is power up and down and you want gravity. I've attached pics and have taken measurements showing the axles are placed back quite a ways. I believe the TH and T5 models are gravity tilt. Look at their brochures and give them a call for specifics on where the pivot points are and how they work. No, I don't work for PJ, I do like my PJ trailer though.

PJ Trailers | Goosenecks, Dumps, Utility, Equipment Trailers, Flatdecks

 

[two_bit_score]

Maybe the dealer would be willing to demo one for you to see how it works?

 

[jeepcj7]

thank you

 

[mopardude318]

I'm actually looking at a Diamond C gooseneck tilt deck 24 footer with 8k axles and 17.5 super singles. But the trailers with the 8k axles are 80" between the fenders and the 7k axles are 83" between the fenders. I think my M7060 might rub the fenders on the 80" width trailer.

 

[AllDodge]

purchasing a 22' - 24' gravity tilt deck trailer

70 hp tractor and any other stuff I normally haul. I was hoping to avoid a deck over axle trailer

Check the width of your tractor and stuff, the width of the rear wheels need to be less then 74 inches (6.1 FT).

struggling to understand how a split deck trailer work if you are loading a tractor with an implement (or something with a long wheel base).

My assumption is once more weight is forward of the pivot point the deck will tilt forward due to gravity.

However if the tractor has a 6 ft cutter on the back and ballasted rear tires I would need to drive forward further before 1/2 the weight is in front of the pivot point.

It would seem that the front wheels will run out of tilt deck before the deck tilts. What am I failing to understand here? Thanks.

In some cases might need to back in so the weight goes forward more, or get a full deck with hydraulic activation. The deck tilts at the Tongue

 

[wcampbell47]

I have a gravity tilt deck trailer with stationary front. I like that setup as I am able to take extra equipment with me to a job site. I have a bumper pull but wish I had gone with a goose neck. My L3901 Kubota loads fine with or without attachments. My skid steer loads even better. I can load something like a Honda Pilot with no issues but not a long wheel base truck or suburban. If you do have to go to a power up/down flat deck over wheels the quality trailers like PJ and Load Trail normally have a step for you to climb down without jumping. If you have the need to load the trailer with a fork lift often go with the deck over model. Otherwise a tilt deck is a great old man trailer. If you are going to haul any automobiles measure in between the fenders to make sure you have clearance. I think the goose neck trailers have tool boxes built in up front.

 

[jmc]

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My assumption is once more weight is forward of the pivot point the deck will tilt forward due to gravity.

However if the tractor has a 6 ft cutter on the back and ballasted rear tires I would need to drive forward further before 1/2 the weight is in front of the pivot point.

It would seem that the front wheels will run out of tilt deck before the deck tilts. What am I failing to understand here? Thanks.

It's not just the weight forward vs weight behind the pivot, it's also the center of gravity distance of weight forward vs weight behind from pivot. So the weight of your "way-forward" bucket, for example, is going to counterbalance more than its weight of the cutter/ballasted tire that's closer to the pivot.

 

[Fallon]

I'm actually looking at a Diamond C gooseneck tilt deck 24 footer with 8k axles and 17.5 super singles. But the trailers with the 8k axles are 80" between the fenders and the 7k axles are 83" between the fenders. I think my M7060 might rub the fenders on the 80" width trailer.

All trailers with fenders are going to have a deck that's 82" or so wide at most. How close that is to advertised specs can vary an inch or 2 depending on where precisely they measure from. I measured a few when shopping & there was some variation. Deckovers can go up to 102" wide legally. You can infer each tire & fender is 11" wide each.

I went with a 22' power tilt deckover Diamond C. It's harder to load & unload the tractor than my old gravity tilt due to height & tilted angle. My flail is wider than 80-82" & putting non-tractor stuff over the side without fenders in the way makes up for it though. I have slipped off once & it is further down. My shin was not happy, but I didnt re-sprain my ankle.

 

[3Lfarms]

I must be way over thinking this because I have managed to confuse myself.

I am looking at purchasing a 22' - 24' gravity tilt deck trailer (which typically have a 4' - 6' stationary deck) to haul vehicles, a 70 hp tractor and any other stuff I normally haul. I was hoping to avoid a deck over axle trailer due to my age (getting to old to be jumping on and off trailers).

I like the idea of a split deck tilt trailer because the axles seem to be further back than a full tilt trailer but I am struggling to understand how a split deck trailer work if you are loading a tractor with an implement (or something with a long wheel base).

My assumption is once more weight is forward of the pivot point the deck will tilt forward due to gravity.

However if the tractor has a 6 ft cutter on the back and ballasted rear tires I would need to drive forward further before 1/2 the weight is in front of the pivot point.

It would seem that the front wheels will run out of tilt deck before the deck tilts. What am I failing to understand here? Thanks.

Dont be concerned about the deck not tilting before the front wheels run of the front. For that to happen, you would have to have so much weight on the three point that the tractor was practically pulling the front wheels off the ground. If you have a loader, I don’t think it would be possible to put so much weight on the back that the deck would not tilt at the proper time.
I have a 68 hp tractor with loader, backhoe, loaded rears, and I load it on a 22’ gravity tilt deck. The tilting deck is 16’ and the front deck is 8’. The rear ramp portion adds an extra 2’. Even when I have my 6’ Berti ditch bank mower (1200 lbs) hanging 4’ behind the three point arms, the deck tilts down about 2’ before getting to the end of the deck.
Just go slow and let it take its time tilting down. The deck on the front is nice to put a couple pallets of stuff before loading the tractor up.

 

[fried1765]

Check PJ Trailers. I have the TF model, 22' tilt bed but mine is power up and down and you want gravity. I've attached pics and have taken measurements showing the axles are placed back quite a ways. I believe the TH and T5 models are gravity tilt. Look at their brochures and give them a call for specifics on where the pivot points are and how they work. No, I don't work for PJ, I do like my PJ trailer though.

PJ Trailers | Goosenecks, Dumps, Utility, Equipment Trailers, Flatdecks

The OP is inquiring about a split deck tilt trailer.
Yours certainly does not look like a split deck trailer to me.

 

[mopardude318]

This might be a silly question but, for you split deck, gravity tilt trailer owners... if you have a 16 foot or even 18 foot tilt deck with a 4 to 6 foot stationary deck up front, where do they mount the winch if you need to pull up a dead/non running vehicle?

Or, is that the wrong sort of trailer to use for a non running vehicle?

 

[AllDodge]

Don't have one, but its not going to work unless mounted on the tilt deck, or can be positioned high enough to not put a load against the deck.

 

[jeepcj7]

This might be a silly question but, for you split deck, gravity tilt trailer owners... if you have a 16 foot or even 18 foot tilt deck with a 4 to 6 foot stationary deck up front, where do they mount the winch if you need to pull up a dead/non running vehicle?

Or, is that the wrong sort of trailer to use for a non running vehicle?

Thank you for asking that question - about every other year I have had the need to winch something onto my current trailer with a come along. Happens so infrequently I forgot all about it. That is a very good point - I believe you have just talked me into a full tilt trailer.

 

[TnFarm]

This might be a silly question but, for you split deck, gravity tilt trailer owners... if you have a 16 foot or even 18 foot tilt deck with a 4 to 6 foot stationary deck up front, where do they mount the winch if you need to pull up a dead/non running vehicle?

Or, is that the wrong sort of trailer to use for a non running vehicle?

Some brands offer the option to have a winch plate on the stationary deck and then a roller on the edge of the tilting deck to run the cable over for pulling.


https://www.pjtrailers.com/options/winch-plate-guide/

 

[jmc]

Some brands offer the option to have a winch plate on the stationary deck and then a roller on the edge of the tilting deck to run the cable over for pulling.


PJ Trailers Winch Plate Guide

That seems like a good solution but wouldn't it pull the front of the tilted bed down before the back of the vehicle was up on the bed? Maybe there's a lock to keep it tilted that can be slowly released under pressure?

 

[Fallon]

That seems like a good solution but wouldn't it pull the front of the tilted bed down before the back of the vehicle was up on the bed? Maybe there's a lock to keep it tilted that can be slowly released under pressure?

Most of the bigger gravity tilt trailers have a hydraulic damper on them. You can close the valve to lock the cylinder.

 

[jmc]

Most of the bigger gravity tilt trailers have a hydraulic damper on them. You can close the valve to lock the cylinder.

A perfect solution. Thanks.

 

[sean600classic]

I have a Pequa T200 tiltdeck: 18' deck w/ 4' flat floor, GVW 12,000 lbs. I haul a Kubota MX5200 w/ snowblower with no issues. The T200 is a straight axle trailer so the deck is higher off the ground than a CAM trailer that uses drop axles. It's a steeper incline but cost me over 1K less than a new Cam. My tractor has loaded tires and begins tilting about 2/3's up the ramp. There is no side lip so it's easy to forklift pallets; something I do a lot. From a cost/benefit standpoint, I felt this was the best value for what I do.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have a Pequa T200 tiltdeck: 18' deck w/ 4' flat floor, GVW 12,000 lbs. I haul a Kubota MX5200 w/ snowblower with no issues. The T200 is a straight axle trailer so the deck is higher off the ground than a CAM trailer that uses drop axles. It's a steeper incline but cost me over 1K less than a new Cam. My tractor has loaded tires and begins tilting about 2/3's up the ramp. There is no side lip so it's easy to forklift pallets; something I do a lot. From a cost/benefit standpoint, I felt this was the best value for what I do.

Never heard of a Pequa. Would be nice to see pics of your trailer. It sounds like a good one!