New Trailer questions

TheKid · Nov 14, 2005

( Since the "cranker" is in the middle of the tongue, I can't hardly mount a toolbox on the tongue. Can I change this? Or bad idea )

Won't hurt a thing to move it so you can mount a tool box.

cisco · Nov 14, 2005

You need to get blocks under your ramps, or jacks on the back of the trailer --- or in the near future your ball hitch will be toast.
I've a 20' with tilt-up ramps with blocks, and a heavy duty jack on the tongue. My pick-up is not connected to the trailer when I drive the tractor on - doesn't need to be - trailer is rock stable.
Now, as to a tool box, I assume you've loaded your tractor with all possible implements attached onto your trailer, then assessed the weight distribution and what, if anything, needs to hang out over the back or tongue to get the trailer semi-centered so your hitch and the back end of your pick-up are reasonably stable. If so, fine, but if not do NOT put on a tool box or whatever until you've done the above. With my tractor plus FEL and 72' brush cutter, I need to hang something over the tongue and if there were a tool box there -------.
Trailers can be very versatile. I constructed 2X4" post and 1X6" stringer sides to my open trailer, and can use it for hauling branches or whatever.

Highbeam · Nov 14, 2005

I don't use blocks under my ramp trailer and the rear end of the truck certainly gets light, never leaves the ground though. Why do you think that this will make my ball hitch toast? Is the ball not able to handle lift?

mudcat · Nov 14, 2005

There are a lot of great ideas here for you to consider. The tongue jack on my trailer is also located in the center. I thought about relocating it but, liked the fact that I can drop the tailgate with the trailer hooked up.

browns40 · Nov 14, 2005

Hi rcrcomputing,

I have an 18 ft trailer with the fold-up ramps, and like mentioned earlier there are "pads" that touch the ground when the fold-ups are down that prevent you from levering the front up... jacks sound good too, but then you have 3 cranks to crank up every time you use it...

If you are new to using trailers, one important thing to remember is TONGUE WEIGHT! Too much & your truck springs get compressed to the axles (not good), too little and you have a chance at a MAJOR catastrophe. Be sure that if your trailer & machine start bouncing, the rear end of your truck does not follow suit & put you in a fishtail situation, for your sake & other drivers.

There are no "short trips" so be SURE every time you load it.

Happy Tractoring!

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

rcrcomputing · Nov 14, 2005

(
Now, as to a tool box, I assume you've loaded your tractor with all possible implements attached onto your trailer, then assessed the weight distribution and what, if anything, needs to hang out over the back or tongue to get the trailer semi-centered so your hitch and the back end of your pick-up are reasonably stable. If so, fine, but if not do NOT put on a tool box or whatever until you've done the above. With my tractor plus FEL and 72' brush cutter, I need to hang something over the tongue and if there were a tool box there -------.
)

Lord, ya'll are blowin my mind.. ha

Ok, sooooo, how do I know when the load is level on the trailor? Is there a "rule of thumb"?

keeney · Nov 14, 2005

Rule of thumb for tongue weight:

If the hitch is higher when loaded than when empty, you have negative tongue weight - very bad!

If the hitch is lower when loaded than when empty, you have positive tongue weight - good!

Next level of refinement is to calibrate how much tongue weight. Find something that weighs about 15% of what you plan to put on your trailer. Bags of sack-crete, feed, sand, whatever, adding up to the 1000 to 1500 lbs you will need. Put it on the trailer tongue or the folded-down tailgate of your truck. Measure how far your truck springs dip with this much weight on the tongue. Remember this distance and match it when you load the trailer.

- Rick

Highbeam · Nov 15, 2005

"Put it on the trailer tongue or the folded-down tailgate of your truck." Note that the trailer must be hooked up for this to work. Otherwise you weill need to find 10-15% of the total weight of both trailer and load.

You could also go to a scale and actually weigh it. I have gotten to the point where I check by giving a tug on the tongue by the ball to see how easy it is to lift. Shouldn't be easy but not too hard either.

Thorndike · Nov 16, 2005

[

. I have gotten to the point where I check by giving a tug on the tongue by the ball to see how easy it is to lift. Shouldn't be easy but not too hard either. )

My 14K, derated to 12K, because of the tires on it, weighs 3300# unloaded. It would be pretty difficult to pick uo the end of the trailer without a lot of help!
What I do is, hookup to the truck, load machine, and watch the springs on rear of truck. Once the springs are compressed to the point of the aux springs almost making the stops, I stop. Have used this method for many years. Once you get where you want to be, paint a mark on the trailer deck you can see from tractor seat, and run up to that mark when you load. Note on this, it will only be good for that particular load. With different impliments, you may have to run your machine forward or back from the line to get your balance. But I think you see what I'm saying. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

As far as seeing if it's level, just stand back and take a look. Or if your one of the **** types, you could always put a bubble level on it!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Highbeam · Nov 16, 2005

By pick it up I mean lift it a bit. Even your fully loaded 12k trailer can be hoisted a few inches up or down by hand. You are working within the spring assistance since at rest the springs are carrying all the weight so you only need to lift a little weight to allow the springs to extend a little. Just go give it a tug when you take a break while on the road.

Good idea to make a mark. I marked the center of the trailer deck to center pallets and other objects with a known COG.