Tilt trailer choice

[ericm979]

I'm going to be needing a trailer soon for hauling my stuff up to Oregon, and then for use there. Tractor, implements, UTV, splitter, etc. Also I plan to be needing a trailer there for hauling cars, tractors and implements, moving hay, and hauling long or unwieldy stuff like irrigation pipe. But mostly cars, tractors and implements. Some of the cars would be low sports cars so I'm thinking a tilt trailer. The breakover of a ramp trailer seems like it would be a problem for low cars.

A couple manufacturers make quick tilt trailers like the PJ TH series, which are power tilt with the pivot in front of the wheels. They seem pretty light for the capacity, about the weight of a ramp trailer, but have a listed 10k GWR. A 20' TH would get me just enough carrying capacity for my Branson with the backhoe mounted, which is about 7300 lbs. I don't plan on carrying anything heavier than that, and not carrying that often. I'm sure there will be more tractors and farm equipment in my future but I don't see getting anything over 7000 lbs.

I went to the local PJ dealer today and they didn't have a TH in stock. The sales guy said the front pivot seems sketchy to him but he admitted that he's sold some and none of them have come back. He also offered a 20' 14k gravity tilt equipment trailer he had on his lot for about the same price. He would derate it to 10k to get around California's weird regulations- if your truck has more than 10k GVW you need a CDL to tow a trailer over 10k. Oregon doesn't have that. The 14k trailer has a slightly steeper ramp than the TH. The power tilt seems like it would be convenient but not having owned one I don't know for sure. He might have been just pushing me towards a unit he had on his lot.

This turned into a novel but if anyone read the whole thing, what would you recommend?

 

[George2615]

I have the PJ TF 22' 14K full power tilt. Bought it new 11 years ago. Pivot point is behind the axles. No problems with it at all. I added a winch.

 

[Fallon]

I like my deck over power tilt Diamond C. The deck angle is a bit steep though. Some compliments drag loading & unloading. A SUV loads fine, but wouldn't recommend it for a car, much less sports car.

Not having fenders or sides interfering with loading stuff over the sides is super nice. Makes up for the steeper deck angle that makes loading the tractor marginally harder.View attachment 3169041

 

[Too many Kubotas]

A basic flatbed with a 2-3' beavertail and longer ramps (I much prefer aluminum over heavy steel ones) works well for me.

 

[dieselscout80]

A basic flatbed with a 2-3' beavertail and longer ramps (I much prefer aluminum over heavy steel ones) works well for me. View attachment 3169188

Nice setup!

How much does that trailer weigh and what are it’s specifications?

 

[ning]

I'd go with the 14k, register it in Oregon at the new place.

Is there any savings registering your truck in Oregon? I know my wife's car registration cost about 50% the CA rate, and it's for 2 years at a time, so it's really about a quarter the cost per year to register, but I don't know if Oregon registers things by weight and how much it runs, for pickups & trailers.

I was close to buying a trailer at one point but got hung up on the 10k+ CDL thing here... though everyone I've talked to who has an obviously heavier dump trailer says they've never been bothered by the police about CDL when stopped for other reasons. Still, I find it iffy...

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Nice setup!

How much does that trailer weigh and what are it’s specifications?

Thanks!

I'll have to look at the registration, can't remember the weight, but it's surprisingly light. With 5,200-lb. axles it holds enough load, yet lets the suspension work even with small cars or tractors.

The small size is handy in cramped locations, but I wish it was about two feet longer. And one of these years I'll probably add to it.

Overkill for the OP, but I really like my 35' with hydraulic tail. Dump the air suspension, lower the tail, and the approach angle is good enough for most cars. If the breakover angle is a problem, raise the tail once the rear tires are on it.

I'll post the weight later.

 

[dieselscout80]

Thanks!

I'll have to look at the registration, can't remember the weight, but it's surprisingly light. With 5,200-lb. axles it holds enough load, yet lets the suspension work even with small cars or tractors.

The small size is handy in cramped locations, but I wish it was about two feet longer. And one of these years I'll probably add to it.

Overkill for the OP, but I really like my 35' with hydraulic tail. Dump the air suspension, lower the tail, and the approach angle is good enough for most cars. If the breakover angle is a problem, raise the tail once the rear tires are on it.

I'll post the weight later.

How long is it too please.

 

[Redbug]

I have a 24 foot Diamond C tilt bed. I have had for a few years. 14K and lockable toolbox up front. Very happy with it.

 

[ericm979]

I'd go with the 14k, register it in Oregon at the new place.

I've thought about buying one there an registering it there. I went to the dealer here mostly to check out the construction on the brand in general.

There's an Oregon trailer maker Eagle who has some advertised for a good price but their knife edges are reverse cut, which makes them steeper. I think its so they can get some lights in them.

Is there any savings registering your truck in Oregon?

The reg on the truck is paid to September so I don't know the cost yet. I think it's about $550 in Oregon but that may be two years. The Tundra was more than that so the Silverado will be more.

I'd wanted to buy a truck in Oregon but the selection was very limited, and I found this low mile one at a good price in SoCal.

I know my wife's car registration cost about 50% the CA rate, and it's for 2 years at a time, so it's really about a quarter the cost per year to register, but I don't know if Oregon registers things by weight and how much it runs, for pickups & trailers.

They do by weight there too. Road wear is a function of vehicle weight to the fourth power so it really makes sense to charge heavier vehicles more.

They also charge a little more for high mpg cars, since they're paying less in gas tax.

I was close to buying a trailer at one point but got hung up on the 10k+ CDL thing here... though everyone I've talked to who has an obviously heavier dump trailer says they've never been bothered by the police about CDL when stopped for other reasons. Still, I find it iffy...

I figured that but I like to be legal to the letter of the law just in case. The dealer derating would fix that.