Trailer for mini excavator?

[BoneDigger]

This is a cross post from the construction equipment forum. Mods please delete whichever needs to be deleted.

I need to buy a mini excavator for my business. Which type of trailer is considered best for these? Flatbed with ramps? Car hauler? Dump? Also, I'm assuming 20ft. Or is shorter better?

 

[4570Man]

They can be loaded on pretty much anything. Ramps are even optional. I prefer deck over trailers because they’re better for loading other things but for a dedicated job of hauling a mini excavator the lower deck of an equipment trailer would be better. A dump trailer is quite likely the worst option for hauling equipment but has the benefit of dumping so..
What size excavator are you looking at? I think shorter than 20’ would be better.

 

[Woody65]

I use a 16’ equipment trailer with fold up ramps for an 8,000 lb mini ex. Plenty of room if that’s all your hauling.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a KX121, its approx 9500 lbs. personally I like a low bed tilt trailer and my tilt is 20'... Which would be a decent length for that size machine, but I ended up getting a 24' 16k trailer with monster size ramps. ... The tilt is easier and lighter to work with.

 

[Billrog]

I have what Woody said for mine with 2- 7000# axles.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I have a 18' equipment traler for mine. Pulls great and easy to manuver around
Plenty of room plus room fore something else as well. Supplies, materials, Extra buckets, fuel tank etc. Also use it for my tractor with a loader and brush hog on the back. Wouldnt want it any shorter. If you get into a tight area you can use the excavator to manuver the trailer around.
The weight of the excavator plus the weight of the trailer = gvw weight needed for the trailer. Dont get anything less.

 

[BoneDigger]

Thanks everone! I'm leaning towards an equipment hauler right at the moment. Debating about length, but it sounds like 18ft would be enough.

 

[laurencen]

years gone by I used a 18 foot car trailer, hauled the 430 on it only issue was accessories like the breaker or auger had little room and the wheel fenders seemed to be in the way, now I use a equipment flat deck trailer, its 24feet with beaver tail, for me its perfect for job sites, no issues loading the E32 ex, lots of room for anything else

 

[hayden]

I'd suggest the longest trailer that won't exceed you weight limits and any other size constraints you might have. The extra length can be critical when it comes to locating the load for proper balance. The different in trailing my mini is HUGE when the weight is properly distributed on the trailer vs not. I'm hauling a Kubota KX121 on a 20' equipment trailer and would say it's just about the right size. There is room for extra buckets etc., and to still be able to get the weight distribution right.

 

[nyone]

Depends on what size machine you have.

My little 3500lb machine fits my 18ft car trailer just fine. It's got a dove tail. I haven't ever used the ramps to load it.