Put a trailer on a trailer

[WantedWolf]

Ive seen it done with forklifts but does anyone actually back a trailer onto another trailer?

I cant afford to buy a decent horse trailer right now and a friend has offered to lend me her 2 horse trailer, so I can get them to greener pastures. To save running empty and making an extra trip, I would love to return her trailer on my flatdeck when I come to get another load.
It would also save about 1400kms on her trailer.

Mine is a 30ft flatdeck dovetail and the horse trailer is about 15-20ft and quite low. So ramp extensions may be needed.

Anyone sucessfully attempted this. or should I clear it from my mind

 

[Duffster]

I would clear it from your mind

 

[WantedWolf]

thats what I didnt want to hear, but probably for the best

 

[RobertN]

thats what I didnt want to hear, but probably for the best

Is the dovetail trailer a flat deck(above fenders)? If so, you should be able to back it on. Easiest would be to use a tractor to maneuver it.

If the big trailer has fenders, then a forklift at pick up and delivery.

Extended ramps may help...

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would use a winch on the trailer and one of those $50 trailer dollys to steer it. Something like this one from Harbor Freight. I have hauled stacks of 4 trailers with the tires off and we used 2 tractors with 2 chains to the FEL on each. Lift it, then drive the trailer out from under it. Once out, lower it and put the tires on.

Chris

 

[WantedWolf]

yeah big trailer is a flatdeck at 34" of ground. No fenders.

The current ramps are quite steep,

I wont have a tractor on that end to guide it.

I will be at her place with my trailer this week, I might experiment in a controled enviroment while I have a chance. It wouldnt be easy.

I will try this with the welding trailer, when it comes time to move it.
Its only 8ft tip to tail and has very good approach.
I should get a video camera on that one, theres no room for over correction with that stubby little trailer

 

[WantedWolf]

I would use a winch on the trailer and one of those $50 trailer dollys to steer it. Something like this one from Harbor Freight. I have hauled stacks of 4 trailers with the tires off and we used 2 tractors with 2 chains to the FEL on each. Lift it, then drive the trailer out from under it. Once out, lower it and put the tires on.

Chris

LoL as I ended that last post I thought there is a winch on the trailer.
then I thought forget it. Now look what you bring up.

Are those dollys only $50, Think theyd really hold up.

What might a trailer like hers weigh, Im guessing its tandem 3500#'s

Not as new and shiny, but it looks about like this (below)

 

[WantedWolf]

Guess i should post the pic....

 

[Diamondpilot]

If its a 7K trailer it will weigh about 2,500# or less in 99% of all cases. Most 7K trailers, horse trailers are aluminum and have around 5,500# load capacity so that puts the empty weight closer to 5,000#. Yes they are currently $49 at HF. I bought one about a year ago.

I would not winch from the dolly. I would pull from the trailers frame and steer with the dolly.



Chris

 

[QRTRHRS]

The steep incline issue can be easily solved with some blocking and some planks. Just figure out where the horse trailer tires are going to track and lay down a couple of 2x8's with blocking underneath to stabilize the planks.

I don't see doing this as being any big deal. You may want to run it by your friend first.

 

[MikeD74T]

I have a bolt on bracket on the front of my car trailer that holds a trailer ball specifically to stack another trailer. I pull the second trailer on with a winch or comalong, lock the coupler onto the ball, & use a strap to hold the back of the top trailer in place. One of my coworkers runs a towing business on the side & did the same thing with his ramp truck after seeing my trailer. Also real handy for securing a woodsplitter, etc.
Just put a plank under the horse trailer hitch & pull it up slowly. It will come straight up, just don't have the bottom trailer headed downhill as the top trailer will free wheel when it clears the ramps. Better to have the trailer slightly uphill all the way. Similarly it will roll off under winch or comalong control. It's smooth as glass with the ramp truck. MikeD74T

 

[crashz]

I might not know the whole story, but it doesn't sound like you need to do that. Why not do the following:

- pull your empty flatbed trailer to your friends place
- pick up her horse trailer
- move your horses
- return her trailer
- and pick up your (loaded) flatbed.

Either way, for the first two legs, you are running emtpy. But this way will allow you to avoid stacking trailers and the off chance that you damage your friends horse trailer while loading or unloading.

 

[WantedWolf]

I might not know the whole story, but it doesn't sound like you need to do that. Why not do the following:

- pull your empty flatbed trailer to your friends place
- pick up her horse trailer
- move your horses
- return her trailer
- and pick up your (loaded) flatbed.

Either way, for the first two legs, you are running emtpy. But this way will allow you to avoid stacking trailers and the off chance that you damage your friends horse trailer while loading or unloading.

Hurting her horse trailer is my #1 concern, And it is looking like my best option regardless of the way I return it. But the travel distance is a very close 2nd concern, as one way is 1400km, 2 provences away.

If I could leave my flatdeck in MB, Run the P/U back to AB Alone.
Borrow her horse trailer, deliver the ponys to MB, load her trailer on mine + still have room to carry the 2 fuel tanks I need refinished. Head back to AB to return her trailer and pick up my last load to home.

That would save me 2 trips and at least 4 days

 

[Renze]

If the trailer is fitted with a polyester rooftop, and a canvas sheet above the tailgate like most European horse trailers are, you better put it with the front end facing forward, not back it up there:
The wind will build pressure into this opening and might rip off the polyester rooftop. We had that once on a truck with air spoiler, transported in reverse on another truck.

 

[WantedWolf]

If the trailer is fitted with a polyester rooftop, and a canvas sheet above the tailgate like most European horse trailers are, you better put it with the front end facing forward, not back it up there:
The wind will build pressure into this opening and might rip off the polyester rooftop. We had that once on a truck with air spoiler, transported in reverse on another truck.

Hi Renze, Its a tin top trailer for sure but there are plastic windows that might be a concern if there not solid. I hadnt really considered that yet.
Thanks Ill keep it in mind while planning.

 

[zukota]

I did it.

A 5x10 (ish) cargo trailer backed on a 16' car hauler. No pics My brother in law backed up the little cargo trailer (hard little bastid to back up) and got it on the second try... We loaded it using a slight hill to remove any angle issues. Unloading was obviously easier - but still required 2 trucks.

Edit: It was a TIGHT fit between the car hauler's fenders.. check your widths.


Edit v2: I would try to load it w/ a front receiver on either a truck or tractor.

 

[Bedlam]

Here is the dolly page

Harbor Freight Tools

 

[WantedWolf]

Here is the dolly page

Harbor Freight Tools

I can see them working on pavement with small boat or ut trailers but they look pretty chezzy for a steel horse trailer at 2500+#. Up Hill

 

[Diamondpilot]

I can see them working on pavement with small boat or ut trailers but they look pretty chezzy for a steel horse trailer at 2500+#. Up Hill

I did not mean pull from the dolly. I meant pull with a winch from the trailer and use the dolly to steer.

Chris

 

[WantedWolf]

I did not mean pull from the dolly. I meant pull with a winch from the trailer and use the dolly to steer.

Chris

I know, would you suggest the H.Trailer hitch to face forward or backward on the flatdeck?
does the dolly really steer that well under such a load. The ramps are a traditional pair , the tires would load fine then what would happen when the dolly reaches the center with no ramp?