OK...Deckover or Lowboy

hunterridgefarm · Nov 23, 2005

I am closer to buying a 20-24 foot gooseneck to replace my 16' bumper pull. (got to get CDL's first /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif)

I am comparing the lowboy with the deckover and would like to get a few opinions.

The Lowboy gooseneck is 83" wide between fenders which will be ok with my CUT. I plan on getting a Utility in spring of '06 and most of the minimum widths for Ag tires are around 69-73", still should be ok. The maximum widths are around 90" and would be to wide to go between fenders. However I will not go with maximum, most likely minimum or in between min and max.

So does anyone know what the middle width for say TN65, JD5325, Kubota M6800 is?

Does anyone use a Lowboy gooseneck with a utility tractor?

I don't think the lowboy wil be affected by implements since they will rest behind the fenders...?

I most likely will not set the tire width wider than a 6' hog even with the Utility tractor so is there any advantage or disadvantage to deckover or lowboy?

I like the Lowboy better than the deckover and it is about $1,000 cheaper but I don't want to buy the lowboy and then find out I should of bought the deckover. But that being said, if everyone here on TBN feels the deckover will be better that will sway my thinking.

One more question...the hinged dovetail, anyone have this and if so how do you like it?
You can raise the dovetail to make a full flat deck which my help in supporting a implement. Is it hard to raise the dovetail? I can see that I would have to keep the hog or disc raised until I raised the dovetail and then lower the implement which may be a hassile, may not. Anyone have experience with a hinged dovetail for lowboy or deckover?

5030 · Nov 23, 2005

I just happen to have a class a cdl for my day job, but, I really don't think you need a certified dummies license to pull a gooseneck behind your pickup truck.

Personally, I have a 26' Kaufman single drop tandem axle gooseneck. I haul my M9 on it and it's a bigger tractor than a 68. My Kaufman is rated at 17K and my M9 with loader is around 10, so allowing 7 for the trailer, I get my 17. My 350 Ford diesel is rated at 20 with a gooseneck and it handles the outfit just fine. I have hide away ramps but if I did it over again, I'd get the foldover beavertail. I opted for grease filled hubs over oil filled. Problem with oil filled is that if any time they start to leak, it's a job to replace the seal whereas the grease filled hubs are less maintenance overall. Whichever trailer you get, add a winch to the front. Make it at least a 10K with freespooling. On more than one ocassion I have had to use a come-along and wished I had a winch. Not all equipment that you may haul will load by itself. A winch is really handy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have my upper deck (the area over the gooseneck itself) planked and has rub rails and tie downs also. It's really handy for hauling round bales. The second layer of rounds stack even with the upper deck. Allows me to add an extra 2 rounds to my load. I also used to haul my snowmachines on it up north. 6 on the lower deck and 2 on the upper deck.

ScottAR · Nov 23, 2005

Since I used to work at a home center, Deckover hands down.

If you need to haul building materials a deckover allows you to load pallets or bundles with a forklift or tractor.

Even without pipe rails the fenders on a lowboy are always in exactly the wrong place for materials. So it all goes on by hand.

I'm no help on the dovetail Q...

Chuck_Lind · Nov 23, 2005

After owning an 18' tag-along with 83" width...I'd definately go for the deck over. Many times I wanted to haul my baler, a friend's John Deere 60, etc., but couldn't do it. I loaded round bales on my trailer and ended up bending the fenders.

If I ever had it to do over again...a deck-over would fit the bill.

The reason why I didn't get the gooseneck was for two reasons: if the truck broke down. someone with a tag-along hitch could haul the trailer; secondly, I can pull the tag-along with my TN65 when I load square bales.

Thorndike · Nov 23, 2005

I've got a 20', 14K, tandem, tagtrailer. When I load my TC, there isn't much room left betwixt the fenders for the rear tires if I have to load very far forward for weight distribution.
If I did it again, I'd go with a deckover, for the width reason, and hauling building materials. One thing with a deckover is the added angle of loading, and the center of gravity. You'd get used to it though, and really not have much if any problem.
Mine has the foldup ramps made out of 3" angle, with an extension on them, to keep the trailer from sagging when loading. The two foot dovetail further lowers your loading angle.
What ever one you decide, make sure you have enough Drings WELDED on to tie down your machine or whatever. Mine also has stakepockets along both sides, but for me, their just decoration. Along with the Drings, get some good Gr70 transport chain, and ratchet binders. Get "ONLY" US made. The imported crap doesn't have the metallurgical standards we do. In fact, I've seen binders from over the rainbow actually have less capacity than US made, size for size. I also ordered from AWDirect, Jhooks that attach to my front chains and hook around the front axle. A lot easier than looping your chain around it.
These are only my opinions, and we all know what opinions are like, and some of them stink!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BarryinMN · Nov 23, 2005

I concur with a deckover.

I bought a 18' 12K beavertail lo boy bumper pull 82" between fenders years ago before I knew any better.

My utility tractor 55 pto rear wheel width is 84" outside sidewall to sidewall 16.9x30 rears.

To trailer it I would have to r&r 1 or both wheels to fit. Have not needed to trailer this tractor so not an issue. I wanted the width wide on tractor to add stability on slopes & hills.

Number one reason to get a deckover is convenience & safety: I have loaded rocks, lumber, wide machinery, etc. that invariably crunches the fenders, which wrinkle in and slit the inside sidewall of the tires /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif It takes a few miles to blowout and is unrepairable /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

A moveable dovetail might be good if it gives you a longer slope to load. Electric powered boom trucks have less grade climbing ability than gas.

sweettractors · Nov 24, 2005

We haul equipment in our business and deckover is best by far. Fenders are always in your way.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Used 4x4 Ditchwitch R40 with backhoe attachment $6995*
sweet@scrtc.com

RedDog · Nov 24, 2005

I really don't think you need a certified dummies license to pull a gooseneck behind your pickup truck.


I agree. It looks like most of the people suggest going with the deckover, and I agree also. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

You'll find out having a trailer, you will be using it for more than what you originally had planned. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

RedDog

RayH · Nov 24, 2005

( I really don't think you need a certified dummies license to pull a gooseneck behind your pickup truck.


I agree. It looks like most of the people suggest going with the deckover, and I agree also.
)

Where were you guys when I was beating my head against the wall during a recent discussion on CDLs.

Farmwithjunk · Nov 24, 2005

For a few years, I had a lowboy style gooseneck. 3 years ago, I bought a deck-over (25+5) with hinged dovetail. I wouldn't trade it for love nor money! Like it has been mentioned, the fenders are always getting in the way. The lift up dovetail is a breeze to raise and lower. I haul a few loads of hay every summer, and the dovetail lets me load several more bales. It was included in the base price of my trailer, so why not? Glad I got it now.

DK_Farms · Nov 24, 2005

I have a 20' tandem axle with side rails. It suited my needs when I bought it 3 years ago. Not anymore. The rails and fenders get in the way and reduce the overall functionality of the trailer as an equipment and/or hay hauler. If I find a sucker to take it off my hands, I'm gonna a buy a 20' deckover so fast that all you guys will be able to hear the "sonic boom" caused by me running faster than the speed of sound to the trailer dealer. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

billfires · Nov 24, 2005

Do you ever plan to put a subframe mounted backhoe on your tractor? I ended up with a 10K 18 foot low boy and had to have 7 foot ramps on it to keep the backhoe from scraping. The tractor is a New Holland 1920 with an 8 1/2 foot backhoe (with turf tires). Just a consideration. Bill C

4x4dump · Nov 24, 2005

any trailer over 9,999 gvw you must have cdl

drzmatt · Nov 24, 2005

If you are towing the 9999+ trailer with a CDL C or B truck then you need a Class A CDL. If you are towing it with a 1 ton pickup you don't need a CDL.

RayH · Nov 24, 2005

( any trailer over 9,999 gvw you must have cdl )

Straight out of the Indiana drivers manual.

"COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) AND CDL LEARNER PERMIT
A CDL is required to operate a commercial motor vehicle as defined below. The CDL learner
permit allows an individual to learn to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A commercial motor
vehicle is defined as one of the following:
• A vehicle (or combination of vehicles operated together; e.g. a semi tractor-trailer) with a
declared gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds;
• A vehicle designed or used to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver; or
• A vehicle used and placarded to transport hazardous materials."

Doesnt matter how much the trailer weighs as long as you stay under 26000lbs.

5030 · Nov 24, 2005

Ray:

Don't bang your head any more......you'll get a hematoma for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

5030 · Nov 24, 2005

RedDog:

Hope you agree with the winch too. I need backup. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

RedDog · Nov 24, 2005

( RedDog:

Hope you agree with the winch too. I need backup. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )

Even though I have never had one on any of my trailers, I sure wouldn't turn it down!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Plenty of times I wish I did have a winch. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

RedDog

RayH · Nov 25, 2005

( Ray:

Don't bang your head any more......you'll get a hematoma for sure. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

)

Ive been told there's a higher likelyhood of breaking the wall than my head.