trailer woe's

[Soundguy]

Re: trailer woe\'s

A 18' car hauler.. 7000 gross sounds like what you need. Normally I'd say 16'.. but with fel.. you need the space. If you could find a 20.. go for that.

I've also seen some odd weight configs.. usually due to how they mount the springs/axles ( derated axles due to mounting ).. Lots of these car haulers are in the 1700-2000# area.. add a couple 3500# axles.. or a couple 5000# axles and you are good to go ..

Sounds like your dealer is really crummy..

Soundguy

 

[fishman]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Soundguy has it right. I don't know why LMTC says a 20' is too much for a half-ton. That's what I have with 2 3500 lb axles and it tows like a dream. The extra length allows you to balance just about any load. See the specs here: Load Trail trailers I'm not sure where you are in TX buy I bought mine at Guthrie trailer sales here in Waco for $1,395 two years back. With the increase in steel, they might be a couple hundred more now.

Only problem with the dovetail is if you go over uneven ground, it can drag. Otherwise, just about everything else on this trailer is good. I'd also suggest brakes on both axles.

I looked at several brands of trailers and this was the best by far. Better/thicker treated wood on the deck and stronger steel supports under the deck than any of the others. The lights were also recessed and protected which was a nice plus. And it was the same price as the others.

A 15000 lb cap. trailer is way, way overkill in this situation. Heck, I looked at 12,000 lb trailers and decided my truck would have trouble just pulling the trailer even without a load. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Take it back, get your money, and get the trailer you need.

 

[F100Panel]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Just a passing thought. Money is ALWAY$ a factor but if I was gonna tow in the weight ranges you reference with a half ton truck I'd be looking goosenck.. Hitch won't tie up the bed & is mounted on the frame about 6 inches in front of the rear axel. I was towing a little heavier with my 3/4 ton with rear class 4 bumper hitch & when heavy & pulling hard on steep grade front end got a little lite. Had to block the wheels all the time to keep the truck from taking off while loading as when all the weight was on the rear of the trailer the rear of the pickup would lift... Gooseneck putting the tongue weight to the center of the truck solved all that & a gooseneck/5th wheel is FAR more manuverable to the point that typically a bad day with a gooseneck is STILL better than a good day with a bumper pull...cost aside....

 

[tracdoc]

Re: trailer woe\'s

To keep your unladen trailer weight to a minimum, you might want to look around at some used all-aluminum open car haulers. These are generally dual axle @ 3500# per. A 17 footer aluminum will weigh in at around 1200#. That's a considerable weight savings over a comparable box iron unit. New, these units are pricey, but on the used market, they'll often go at at very good price. They will not rust out, either.

We have a Featherlite Featherlite Home Page towed by a stock V6 Toyota Tacoma. With our race car, gear, 3 people, travel junk, etc., we are still well under the max GVWR for truck+loaded trailer., and it tows like a dream.

Another quality unit is Trailex: Trailex Home Page

Depending on your location, you can look for used units in newspapers, racing rags, ebay, etc. Good luck...

 

[Tom_W]

Re: trailer woe\'s

I have a big tex ch60. 7000lb gvw 16' deck that I pull with my chevy 2500hd. I put the tooth bar all the way to the front and set the backhoe down on the deck swung off to the side a bit. It rides great. It has brakes on both axles. I had a 1/2 ton before but a v6 wasn't enough motor. Rode fine with that truck except for power. I think it was $1800. I know it's a bit high, but I live in the northeast where everything costs more.

 

[texastomtom]

Re: trailer woe\'s

well the rig they got me was over 3300

I got tired of waiting on them and have been using it now..
probaby has a few more scratches from hauling debris now than will allow returning it.

my own fault - but so be it...

On the good side,, it really is a nice trailer - heavy built and i like the jack mechanism, dual axel brakes, plenty wide for hauling off a large load of debris, rub rails, recessed lights etc.

It is heavy but I have been able to put the trailer over the wheels enough to make it balance fairly well. I probably just wont be able to carry the tractor with fel and shredder centered well due to the length of the shredder, I probably wont be hauling that particular implement as often as the rest though.

The extra weight of it all also makes the trailer/truck combo react much better when loading and unloading. What i'm talking about is when i unload it doesn't try to lift the rear of the truck off the ground.....

 

[Soundguy]

Re: trailer woe\'s

I carry a 1' block made of an 8x8 with me.. right before i load/unload, I but it right between the ramps at the base of the trailer.. the trailer support beam bottems out on that timber, and doesn't make the rear of the truck rise.

Gosh that's a heavy trailer... Mine weights 1800 or so..

Soundguy