New trailer discussion & ideas

milkie62 · Jul 5, 2015

I am in the market for a 12k trailer.First,my brush mower is 7 foot so I will need a deck over trailer.My tractor is a Kubota M6800 with FEL.The local builder is telling me an 18 foot with beaver tail is what I want.I may transport pickup trucks also.I want a tool box and winch on the front.Stake pockets so that I can have removable sides if needed for lawn equipment.Anybody buy a trailer and wish they had something different after they bought it ? Any thoughts or ideas appreciated. I am also looking to buy a 555-655 Ford backhoe down the road that I would need to transport no more than 10 miles.I may need to upgrade the axles.

PoorPlowboy · Jul 5, 2015

If you want the bucket strapped down to the deck, you will need every bit of 18ft just for the tractor. Add another 2 1/2 ft for a toolbox and winch. Ideally, and legally, you'll want the brush cutter tailwheel to rest on the deck. Add another 1 1/2 ft for that. You have to have a couple of feet of deck to get your weight distribution correct. The toolbox on the front is going to move your loaded weight further back on the deck, possibly making you light on the tongue.

If I were in your position, I would get a 22+5 or 24+5 14k gooseneck. Put the toolbox at the front of the deck, if you don't opt for underslung toolboxes. Drive close to the toolbox and sit the bucket down on top of the gooseneck and tie it down. Rest the brush cutter on the dovetail if required, but it should rest on the deck with only the tailwheel out over the dovetail.

George2615 · Jul 5, 2015

I agree with getting a minimum of 20' for a trailer and if you are considering a 555 / 655 later, a 12K trailer isn't going to carry the load. A 555 w/ BH is around 14K.
Buy or build a trailer bigger than you think you need.

franklin2 · Jul 5, 2015

What are you pulling this with? I agree, I don't know what your tractor weighs in at, but as soon as the word "backhoe" came up, I think you need a gooseneck also. Most full size backhoes are pulled around with goosenecks and large pickup trucks(usually dually's) or a dump truck with a pintle hitch. A regular ball hitch mounted on the frame has it's limitations.

I pulled a full size small backhoe with my f250 and a bumper pull trailer. I won't do that again.

jenkinsph · Jul 5, 2015

In most cases you can buy a name brand trailer cheaper than having one custom made. Make sure you compare the costs carefully. I agree you should be looking at larger trailers if a full size backhoe is in your plans and you may need a bigger truck too. A typical 12k bumper pull can handle a payload of 8,500 to 10,000 lbs. depending on the design. With a gooseneck you can put more hitch weight on the truck but the trailer itself weighs more too.

at any rate make sure the payload of whatever trailer you buy or build has room for growth and plan changes.

bdog · Jul 6, 2015

I have never bought a trailer and wished it was smaller or lighter duty. Get at least a 14k and strongly consider gooseneck. Deckovers are really tall and scary to load things on. I have a load trail gooseneck with a steel diamond plate floor and drive over fenders. The fenders are only 8" or so above the deck and flat on top. You can drive up on them with a truck and not hurt them. I really like it because it is low to the ground and you can fit anything on it.

milkie62 · Jul 6, 2015

Well I guess carrying a backhoe is out.I have a 2500 Chevy and do not want a 5th wheel hitch in my bed for the amt I would be needing to move a backhoe.Would probably remove the FEL whenever carrying tractor & brush hog.Thanks

franklin2 · Jul 6, 2015

I see the M6800 weighs about 6000lbs. You can carry that fairly comfortably with your truck and a bumper pull trailer. Add the FEL and the bush hog and you could still carry it, though you would have to be a little more careful with it.

It's not about if the truck or the trailer are going to break in half or something like that, it's about being able to comfortably drive the whole rig, stopping and changing lanes, going around turns and down steep hills. You can haul some pretty heavy stuff, but you need to drive slow and careful and plan ahead for stopping. Something you do not want to do on a regular basis if you will be hauling it all the time.

George2615 · Jul 6, 2015

Your truck and any 10,12,or 14K bumper pull trailer (preferably at least 20') will haul your M6800 with FEL.
A 555 or 655 would be too much. You would need a 20K trailer for that.

jwmorris · Jul 8, 2015

In most cases you can buy a name brand trailer cheaper than having one custom made. Make sure you compare the costs carefully.

Being a builder of custom trailers I agree with this. I will also add that one can generally buy a used trailer for less money than just the steel would cost to build it.

Xfaxman · Jul 8, 2015

milkie62 said:
Well I guess carrying a backhoe is out.I have a 2500 Chevy and do not want a 5th wheel hitch in my bed for the amt I would be needing to move a backhoe.Would probably remove the FEL whenever carrying tractor & brush hog.Thanks

It would not be a 5th wheel hitch, it would be a gooseneck hitch.

This goes under the bed, bolts to existing holes in the frame.

When not using it, this is the ball turned over, giving full access to the bed. you can slide a sheet of plywood right over it.

Deere Dude · Jul 8, 2015

The only advice I have is make it long enough.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMQf2MIHKnxVhFYqf1wm7J0yw-nrS9-LQWS_t3t

jenkinsph · Jul 12, 2015

Deere Dude said:
The only advice I have is make it long enough.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMQf2MIHKnxVhFYqf1wm7J0yw-nrS9-LQWS_t3t

And that is good advice too ^^^, I have a 20 ft trailer for my backhoe and often wish I had another 4 ft to fit another implement.

boggen · Jul 12, 2015

a ford 555 or 655 and you want to trailer it 10 miles down the road. huh? those tractors are made to run down the road. they have a road gear. there is a good amount of tractors that have a road gear. in US max speed is 25 mph for ag equipment. make sure your brake / tail lights work along with a turn single, and toss a triangle / slow motion unit on it and driver down the road.

milkie62 · Jul 12, 2015

I guess I was trying to get by with 1 trailer to do it all,but I guess it can't happen.My truck is not heavy enough to tow full size hoe.Plus I do not need a 14-16k trailer to haul a zero turn mower.

woody · Jul 12, 2015

jwmorris said:
Being a builder of custom trailers I agree with this. I will also add that one can generally buy a used trailer for less money than just the steel would cost to build it.

since you are a builder of custom trailers maybe you could give me some input on an idea I have. I would like a trailer with a roll back like is on a wrecker, as a matter of fact have looked at buying a rollback bed and mounting it on a trailer whats your thoughts? and the title did say New trailer discussion and ideas.

CDN Farm Boy · Jul 12, 2015

woody said:
since you are a builder of custom trailers maybe you could give me some input on an idea I have. I would like a trailer with a roll back like is on a wrecker, as a matter of fact have looked at buying a rollback bed and mounting it on a trailer whats your thoughts? and the title did say New trailer discussion and ideas.

Weberlane makes them already. Get one of their roll-off trailers and the flatbed to go with it

Weberlane.com

jwmorris · Jul 13, 2015

woody said:
since you are a builder of custom trailers maybe you could give me some input on an idea I have. I would like a trailer with a roll back like is on a wrecker, as a matter of fact have looked at buying a rollback bed and mounting it on a trailer whats your thoughts? and the title did say New trailer discussion and ideas.

Here are two others that make rollback trailers ready to go.

Easy Loading Trailers

Rollback Trailers, Tilt Trailers & Heavy Car Haulers in Texas | Kwik Load Trailers

There are also some that make drop decks so the deck lowers to the ground for flat loading, then there is also gravity tilt and various dumps. The ones I linked to above are for cars and light equipment.

tman1020 · Jul 13, 2015

Here is what I use. It's a 10 k 20' that weighs about 2300#. Each Axel is good for 5200# so I should be good for a little over 8000# of payload if properly loaded & hitched. As long as truck is capable. And the tongue tool box is very handy.

franklin2 · Jul 13, 2015

I have personally seen one of these used. It was pretty neat.

Rollback Trailers, Tilt Trailers & Heavy Car Haulers in Texas | Kwik Load Trailers

It has a hand brake that you lock down to hold the trailer wheels in place, pull some pins out in various places, and then back the tow vehicle up.