What trailer brands should I be looking for??

[skipmarcy]

My wife and I purchased a 6+ acre horse place this fall. We moved out of a townhouse so I'm in the position of needing to buy just about every thing new.

I'm looking for some advise on a trailer. I've been thinking a 14 ft, 7000 GVW, tandem axle trailer, drop deck and 2 ft duck tail would fit my needs
.
The trailer will be used for hay (square bales not rounds), pulling my JD 2305 w/ FEL, snow blower and 54"mmm deck, fencing, gates etc. I also want the ability to but a car on it (small BMW sedan, about 3400lbs). I don't envision needing to trailer more then a 4 to 6 times a year.

The John Deere dealer I purchased my tractor thru carries Felling Trailers out of Sauk Center, MN.

Does anyone have any experence with Felling trailers? What other brands should I be looking at?

The trailer I'm thinking about is a 14 ft, drop deck trailer w/ 2 ft duck tail. Does this configuration make sense given my plans?

I currently have a 2000 1/2 ton Chevy w/ 5.3l engine, but I'm planning on purchasing a new truck in 2009. I'll either get another 1/2 ton like I have now or something like a 1/2 ton chev w/ the MAX trailer package.

Any thought would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I shopped around 3 years ago for a dump trailer and compared several different brands, I bought the Anderson and have been extremely happy with it. I would assume their deck trailers are of equal quality. My trailer has more metal in critical areas, excellent wiring with a good junction box, grease fittings where others didn't have etc. I have towed this trailer well over 15k miles (7k in one month!), many times overloaded slightly and all has been OK with it, even the Chinese tires that came on it. I had my doubts about those tires but I guess I've just been lucky with them.

As everyone else here states - go longer than you think you need with a deck trailer, you will need it without a doubt just to balance different loads.

 

[jeffster]

Matt, yep it is a 3520 and it is a 12' x 6.5' Load-Trail dump trailer. I probably could fit the loader in if I rolled the bucket under and rubbed the 3 point up against the doors. That picture was taken the day I brought it home, so I didn't experiment too much as the dealer loaded it for me. I am moving the tractor from my grandparents down to my place in a couple of weeks so I'll try it out.

Thanks!
-Jeff

 

[rimshot]

As everyone else here states - go longer than you think you need with a deck trailer, you will need it without a doubt just to balance different loads.

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I agree with that but beware of your weight ratings. GVWR includes the weight of the trailer as well as the payload (combined weight of what is loaded aboard).

In my case, I drive an 07 F-150 with 4WD 17" tires 3.55 axle rating and small v8 engine. I may not pull anything with a GVWR of over 7700lbs.

For all practical purposes, you should consider a 3/4 ton truck for the next vehicle especially when you start exceeding 16 ' in length. Refer to your owners manual for your specs YMMV

If my memory is correct, a 16' equipment trailer is almost 2000 lbs. There could be more involved here than just your state's Motor Vehicle code and safety. It would'nt hurt to check with your insurer.




rim

 

[montanaman]

thanks for all the reply guys. Based on what I'm hearing I think something like a 10,000 gvw 18 ft or 20ft will make more sense. The tool box and spare tire are good ideas as well.

ALMike - re your more horses then planned comment. Amen to that! My wife is already got her eye on a few new pony's.....

The 10,000lb is the way to go! Build weight won't be that much more and it should cost the same to register, but you are getting better parts even if you don't ever go above 7,000lbs. I think ALL ST trailer tires now are made in China and subject to random explosions, so why not just have more to start with?? I've owned two 7,000lb trailers and thought they were nice because I had a 14,000lb gooseneck but there were still cases that I needed to go over 7,000lbs but didn't want to tow the gooseneck because there was no room for it where I was going!

Price of 10,000lb vs 7,000lb shouldn't be that much different.

 

[MrJimi]

I have a Crosley and I love it 25' deck over 14K

 

[jeffster]

Matt, yep it is a 3520 and it is a 12' x 6.5' Load-Trail dump trailer. I probably could fit the loader in if I rolled the bucket under and rubbed the 3 point up against the doors. That picture was taken the day I brought it home, so I didn't experiment too much as the dealer loaded it for me. I am moving the tractor from my grandparents down to my place in a couple of weeks so I'll try it out.

Thanks!
-Jeff

BTW, I moved the tractor down to my place this weekend and indeed it does fit just fine with the bucket rolled under. Still though, 12' is way too short as the 3pt only has a few inches between the arms and the rear gate. I am picking up my iMatch and box blade tomorrow and I won't be able to load it with any implements attached.