Share Pics of People Hauling or Towing Something Wrong

[Too many Kubotas]

So, you’re saying a landscape trailer is a “semi trailer”?

Yes, it is.

It's not the size of the trailer that makes the difference, it's if part of the load is supported by the tow vehicle or not.

Simplest way to provide examples is probably to look at the commercial setups, even thought commercial or regular has nothing to do with it. The pictured tractor is pulling a white semi trailer, and it's obvious that the tow vehicle supports much of the load.

So what is the second (black) trailer then? It's also a semi trailer, but, it has effectively been converted to a pull trailer, using a so-called converter gear. Now it has an axle in each end handling the entire load. From a functional standpoint it's no longer a semi trailer.

As mentioned earlier, pull trailers are fairly rare. Semi trailers are the vast majority, and that includes landscape trailers. Put a permanently mounted smaller version of this con gear under the front of it and take the load off the tow vehicle, then it's no longer a semi trailer.

i can only hope that I didn't create even more confusion here, trying to explain that it's the front axle that makes all the difference. Without one it's a semi trailer.

 

[civilian]

So what do you call a converter gear (last picture) that has no trailer on it, but is hooked up to the bac of a trailer or a tractor. Jon

 

[Too many Kubotas]

So what do you call a converter gear (last picture) that has no trailer on it, but is hooked up to the bac of a trailer or a tractor. Jon

It's still legally a converter gear, or dolly, or whatever you want to call them, but technically it's a semi trailer even when by itself. Complete with its own license plate.

They have a very low tongue weight for being a semi trailer and is one of the few that you don't need to have the brakes hooked up on if there's no semi trailer attached to it.

PS. I was kinda prepared for that question.

 

[Lgim]

The term missing in this conversation is "Pony Trailer”

A Pony Trailer has one or more axles in one group, usually near the centre of the trailer. It can be pulled by just about anything equipped with a hitch.

A Full Trailer has two or more axles in two groups one at each end of the trailer. The front axle group has to have some kind of steering ability, normally a turn table above the axle. It also can be pulled by just about anything with a hitch but there is no way to transfer weight, so the towing unit must have substantial weight to do it safely.

A Semi Trailer has one or more axles grouped at the back end of the trailer. It must be pulled by a Semi Tractor, the weight at the front of the trailer is transferred to the tractor through the fifth wheel which also gives the Tractor/Trailer the ability to turn.

A converter can be used to convert a semi trailer to the equivalent a full trailer. The converter is technically a Pony Trailer but is normally called a Converter or Dolly.

A Semi Trailer can also have a hitch on the back of it to hook up a Full Trailer (or converter / semi trailer). Which makes the unit a “A” Train. It can also have a fifth wheel on the back to hook to another Semi Trailer to create a “B” Train. It can also have 2 hitches on the back to hook a “C” train converter to make a “C” Train.

I think when you translate to private vehicles, the term “pony trailer” is changed to just trailer or bumper pull trailer, goose necks and fifth wheels although are technically semi trailer are simply goose necks and fifth wheels – probably because they want to call the towing units Trucks rather than Tractors, and the full trailers become farm wagons.

G

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Yeah, I left out a few things in the interest of keeping it simple. Just including a con gear was a stretch, but it seemed like an easy way to show what a pull/full trailer is.

I have no photos of so-called Jeeps, for example, but most have probably seen them between tractors and semi trailers hauling very heavy stuff. Basically a really manly version of a con gear, with four or more axles.

But with those the idea isn't to make a pull trailer, rather to put the high weight (more than the tractor could handle) on a lot of tires to get the necessary load capacity.

 

[Yogi05]

Overthinking this IMO.
Haywagon - with a front axle, supporting weight, vs. a landscape trailer that needs something under the front to hold it up, and
direct it.
Haywagon - full trailer
Landscape trailer - semi trailer.
I wouldn't define a converter dolly as a trailer per se. It is just a dolly, and a way to tow multiple trailers, or other uses if need be.

Semi-trailer - Wikipedia

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I don't think overthinking has been a problem, rather people underthink and don't look at their typical trailers as semi trailers.

And speaking of "other uses" for con gears, after selling my Pete the only way I can easily move my two commercial style semi trailers is with the con gear.

Of course, it's easier yet using a Unimog since those have air and gladhands.
Anyway, I'll dig up the registration for the con gear. Bet it's registered as a trailer.

 

[Renze]

Looks like high tow ratings helps sales, so I fully understand why manufacturers want them as high as possible. Unfortunately, the consumer generally doesn't question those ratings.

Same thing here in Europe, a short wheelbase 3 door Nissan Patrol has 3.5 ton or 7700 pound tow rating, yet it isnt exactly safe. High sidewall offroad tires, smooth offroad suspension, and a short wheelbase, make it swerve all over the road. My V70 takes it better.

I always thought the name was applicable to any trailer in which nearly 50% of the trailer weight is sitting on the tow vehicle, by historical context.

Here in Europe, 10 ton 5th wheel weight and 27 ton on the tridem. Or 17 ton on the 5th wheel if it is a German construction tipper pulled by a 6x4 truck, or of it is a Dutch 50 ton GCW combination. We call them oplegger, which translates to lay-on. Its a functional term that avoids confusion with the lay(wo)man

 

[Renze]

I think he is saying “everyone has their own opinion.” Because I think he is nuts not wanting to tow anything with a 1/2 ton truck. But that is just my opinion.

If he compares his wifes grocery getter half ton without tow package nor suspension upgrades, to his 3/4 or 1 ton, he has a point. Standard half tons are equipped for comfort, but too soft in the suspension for heavy towing. But a suspension upgrade makes it a whole different animal.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

If he compares his wifes grocery getter half ton without tow package nor suspension upgrades, to his 3/4 or 1 ton, he has a point. Standard half tons are equipped for comfort, but too soft in the suspension for heavy towing. But a suspension upgrade makes it a whole different animal.

Well, in this case her grocery getter 1/2-ton is actually better at towing than a more basic Ram 1500 like the '14 I had. Not that she'll ever use the tow package it came with, but when I tried with mine I was surprised how well (everything is relative) the TRX did with its squishy suspension and tires too wide for the wheels.

For towing she has a Ram 3500 crew cab longbed, and I have my 3500 cab and chassis. And we both pull our gooseneck trailers, not bumper pulls.