utility trailer question

[Sigarms]

Looking at getting a 6'x12' untility trailer for around the house.

Any big advantage to getting a 4 wheel model compared to a 2 wheel model?

One I'm looking at is rated for 3500 lbs. Will be using it for moving wood, plants, cut trees, rocks and some equipment here and there. Will be running around the pasture and back yard with it as well.

Anything to look out for or stay away from?

Thks

 

[MLinOleMiss]

Load placement and balance are the major issues in the single axle vs. tandem axle question.

 

[GaryM]

With four tires on the ground instead of two you should make shallower ruts in soft ground. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[KentT]

A related question for those who have 4-wheel utility trailers...

Is it realistic to think that I could use a tongue jack to hold the trailer while I load it with the FEL, then connect to the trailer to haul it to where I want to dump the load?

This doesn't really work for a 2 wheel trailer, since tongue weight/load balance are so tricky... or at least I haven't figured out a reasonable way to do it.

If I could do that, I'd consider buying a bigger, dual-axle utility trailer. Right now, I use my little trailer attached to my garden tractor, and that's slow going, though still faster than hauling one FEL load at a time...

 

[EddieWalker]

When you say "4 wheel model" are you talking about two axles or a wagon design?

The reason I ask is that I think a large wagon would be a huge advantage over a normal trailer. Just unhook and leave it when your done. No tongue weight issues and easy to hook up yourself.

It would be stable and easy to pull with your tractor, or even an ATV. TSC and Northern Tool have models that would work great and don't cost too much. Especially since it's just for around the farm.

Eddie

 

[KentT]

Eddie,

I'm thinking one of the small off-road trailers with wide, high flotation tires, something like this one:

It it really practical to load one of these, then hitch it up and move it?

 

[Highbeam]

You can certainly load a single or tandem axle trailer with the FEL. Just be sure you start loading near the tongue to prevent the teeter totter effect. Another risk is bumping into it or in some other way sideloading the tongue jack and bending it.

For 3500 lbs or more I would look at a tandem axle with brakes. For 1000 lbs or so I use a 4x8' single axle.

These utility trailers are the ones most often overloaded with things like bricks and a little gravel on the way home.

 

[Sigarms]

www.texasbraggtrailers.com/Single%20Axle%20Intro..htm

This is what the trailer looks like. The one I'm looking at has the top bar about 4 feet (about twice as high from the one in the pciture) over the base with wire mesh going around the entire trailer. Figure with the mesh it would be great for mulch and such that it wouldn't fly out of the "box".

Tubular steel design is "beefy" (sp?), seems like a rock.

Buddy gave me a call, knew I was looking for a used one.

Need to get rid of some debris this weekend and this may save a lot of wear and tear on my truck bed, plus can haul more with it.

This was last years model, color is the same as my truck for what thats worth /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Single axle, brain flatuation on that one on the first post.

Guy told me it was rated to 3.5k lbs. Looks very sturdy, but...if I'm looking, once in a while a dual axel will come up from a customer.

Price on the new one is around $1200 for a 6x12, this is a "new" price, not a "used" price, "twin" gate in the rear that comes up 5'.

NEVER had a trailer before and just wondering the pros and cons to this single axle.

Thks

 

[KentT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( These utility trailers are the ones most often overloaded with things like bricks and a little gravel on the way home. )</font>
I'd be looking to use it ONLY at home. I don't need anything over 3,000 lb capacity.

I have a dual-axle 7,000 lb utility trailer with brakes for on the road use. Basically I'm looking at moving a lot of topsoil and such around the place...

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Be sure to chock the wheels if you plan to load it unhooked. A trailer that sits peacefully on a slight incline will take off like a rabbit when a scoop or two of dirt is added.