TrackSteer w/ backhoe trailer

[ThomasD1]

Hoping someone else here has a similar setup. Have a Case TR270 and I'm buying a Cat backhoe for it. Wanting to get a combo equipment / dump trailer and looking for recommendations on what length to get. Having issues with GVWR and actual cargo load capacities. Most 14K trailers are limited to right at or under 10K cargo capacity and it is getting tougher to find any breathing room for attachments etc. Looking at "Midsota" trailers now and see that they list dual 7K axles but GVWR @ 15.6K. Any comments?

 

[RDrancher]

It sounds like the trailer manufacturer you're referring to is adding tongue weight into the carrying capacity. You may want to start looking for 16K trailers

I have a 14k GN, but acquired a 14k bumper pull in a deal when I purchased my TR320. I'd like to start using the BP to haul with after I convert it to a lunette / pintle hitch setup. Since I have a flatbed dually I plan on hauling any additional buckets or attachments on the bed to keep weight off of the trailer.

Just to let you know...I tried hauling a rental Kubota SVL75 in a BP dump trailer a few times. It sounds good in theory, but it's really hard to get the weight distribution right for comfortable hauling.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Not all 14k trailers are built the same. I would be hesistant to put 10k on an appalachian trailer for instance. I have hauled 12k on my moritz though and had no reservations about it. This might sound nuts but make a spreadsheet with your trailer specs so you can cut through the advertising B.S. Comparing frames and cross memebers will highlight the strength differences. Some companies give you the option to upgrade to 8k singles to get a bit more capacity in the same trailer. Sounds like you need to step up to a tri-axle or a tandem dual set-up to get more capacity.


Do you have your class a cdl?

 

[redprospector]

As stated, not all 14K trailers are created equal.
I bought a brand new Texas Pride 14K deckover dump trailer in 06. According to their spec's. I should have been able to carry a payload of 10,000 lbs. First load I hauled weighed a little over 9000 (don't remember the exact number but less than 9500), it bent both axles in the middle of the tube. I put a 6000 lb. bottle jack under the axle while loaded and was able to straighten the tube. :laughing: I called the company, and they wouldn't stand behind it. Said that I had obviously overloaded the trailer. I replied, evidently I must have, but I didn't exceed your rating.
The axles, suspension, drums, and everything else were made in China. So I bought a pair of Alko axles and springs and put them under it. I haven't had a problem since, but could have bought a quality trailer and had change left over by the time I was done.
This is about the time I was learning that you don't always get what you pay for, but you'll always pay for what you get.
What ever you decide on regardless of GVWR, make sure the trailer was built with quality components. Your life, and others depend on it.

 

[RDrancher]

As stated, not all 14K trailers are created equal.
I bought a brand new Texas Pride 14K deckover dump trailer in 06. According to their spec's. I should have been able to carry a payload of 10,000 lbs. First load I hauled weighed a little over 9000 (don't remember the exact number but less than 9500), it bent both axles in the middle of the tube. I put a 6000 lb. bottle jack under the axle while loaded and was able to straighten the tube. :laughing: I called the company, and they wouldn't stand behind it. Said that I had obviously overloaded the trailer. I replied, evidently I must have, but I didn't exceed your rating.
The axles, suspension, drums, and everything else were made in China. So I bought a pair of Alko axles and springs and put them under it. I haven't had a problem since, but could have bought a quality trailer and had change left over by the time I was done.
This is about the time I was learning that you don't always get what you pay for, but you'll always pay for what you get.
What ever you decide on regardless of GVWR, make sure the trailer was built with quality components. Your life, and others depend on it.

I can vouch for Big Tex trailers. My GN is a 1998 model 20+5 w/ Dexter axles. It had been used as an "on the ranch only" trailer until I bought it five years ago. The brakes had been scavenged for other trailers. I put on new brakes from the backing plate out from etrailer, rewired it and gave it a paint job...new tires of course. It's hauled over 11k on deck more than a few times with no problems.

 

[redprospector]

I can vouch for Big Tex trailers. My GN is a 1998 model 20+5 w/ Dexter axles. It had been used as an "on the ranch only" trailer until I bought it five years ago. The brakes had been scavenged for other trailers. I put on new brakes from the backing plate out from etrailer, rewired it and gave it a paint job...new tires of course. It's hauled over 11k on deck more than a few times with no problems.

Yep, Big Tex is good, PJ's a decent trailer too.
I've got a home made 14k trailer that's a good one too. Mostly because it has Dexter axles, and a Bulldog hitch (I'm going to have to do something about the jack though). I've still got the Texas Pride, and it's not too bad now, since I put $1800 in parts to replace the Chinese stuff.

 

[ThomasD1]

Appreciate the feed back. Currently looking at 14-16K trailers now. Was intending on just a bumper pull, but don't feel quite comfortable with a possible 16K load on a bumper pull. Didn't want to have to remove my work boxes and rack in my pickup to accommodate a Goose neck hitch. But may have to now. Anyone out there with a 16K bumper pull? I've got an F-350 short bed so I'm rated just not sure if I'll be pulling the trailer or it will be pulling me. Also, any good ideas on a work box w/rack set up for a goose neck hitch? Thanks again.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Appreciate the feed back. Currently looking at 14-16K trailers now. Was intending on just a bumper pull, but don't feel quite comfortable with a possible 16K load on a bumper pull. Didn't want to have to remove my work boxes and rack in my pickup to accommodate a Goose neck hitch. But may have to now. Anyone out there with a 16K bumper pull? I've got an F-350 short bed so I'm rated just not sure if I'll be pulling the trailer or it will be pulling me. Also, any good ideas on a work box w/rack set up for a goose neck hitch? Thanks again.

I am in the minority I know but I pull my 18,000# BP trailer all over and can't ever see going back to a GN. It is 32' long and has 3 6k axles under it. Pulls great behind my 2006 F350 short bed 4x4 extended cab diesel. Usually have the trailer right at 15,600# and the truck is 7,600#. No way I will go back to a GN and lose my bed space. I did upgrade the hitch to a 2.5" unit rated at 18,000#. Chris

 

[ThomasD1]

I am in the minority I know but I pull my 18,000# BP trailer all over and can't ever see going back to a GN. It is 32' long and has 3 6k axles under it. Pulls great behind my 2006 F350 short bed 4x4 extended cab diesel. Usually have the trailer right at 15,600# and the truck is 7,600#. No way I will go back to a GN and lose my bed space. I did upgrade the hitch to a 2.5" unit rated at 18,000#. Chris

Interesting. Thought 16k up trailers came with Pintle hitches. Did you have to change the trailer hitch for the 2.5" ball?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Interesting. Thought 16k up trailers came with Pintle hitches. Did you have to change the trailer hitch for the 2.5" ball?

No, it's a 2 5/16 hitch ball. The hitch itself on the truck is a 2.5" unit vs the standard 2" unit that everyone has.

Many of the newest diesel trucks come with the 2.5" hitches to take advantage of the capacity these trucks have. First was Ford then GM. Not sure if Dodge is using them yet.

I don't care for pintle. Too much slop for my liking. I have one that I must use at work but it seems hard or the trucks drive line bucking around like it does.

Chris

 

[redprospector]

Appreciate the feed back. Currently looking at 14-16K trailers now. Was intending on just a bumper pull, but don't feel quite comfortable with a possible 16K load on a bumper pull. Didn't want to have to remove my work boxes and rack in my pickup to accommodate a Goose neck hitch. But may have to now. Anyone out there with a 16K bumper pull? I've got an F-350 short bed so I'm rated just not sure if I'll be pulling the trailer or it will be pulling me. Also, any good ideas on a work box w/rack set up for a goose neck hitch? Thanks again.

I can see where bed space would be at a premium with a short bed. I usually have a flat bed on my work trucks, there is an amazing amount of floor space lost with a pickup bed.
I had an F-250 (with a flat bed) that had 2 under body boxes, and top boxes down each side. Lots of storage space for tools you want to keep locked up. It had a rack that fit into the back standards (stake pockets) when needed, and had 2 rails that tied it into the headache rack behind the cab. When pulling a gooseneck the rack went to the front of the bed and was pinned to the headache rack that was permanently mounted, the 2 rails slid under the bed and pinned in place. It was a pretty neat setup, but I pull trailers often, so it wasn't utilized like it should have been.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I have a Kaufman 15K equipment trailer and it has 7,000lbs axles. The added capacity over the 14K model comes from additional tongue weight. The trailer is built plenty stout to handle a few thousand pounds of tongue weight. When loaded heavy I use a pintle hitch and tow it with one of our 2-ton dump trucks, lighter loads I use the 2 5/16" ball coupler and tow it with my 3/4 ton pickup. Load capacity is 11,700lbs, but that takes a big truck capable of handling a lot of tongue weight.