96" or 102" deckover?

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've been hauling the 110tlb around a bit more than usual. My Load Trail 16' dump has been performing well but it really limits mobility with attachments.
With the new 3500 I was thinking of going back to a GN for the extra length and ride but most of my travel is local which really doesn't make the GN a good option( my driveway is steep so the GN gets parked elsewhere). I'm partial to tilt trailers and I was seriously looking at a Cam Superline 20' split tilt(very nice but way over priced by the way) but I'm now leaning away from the low profile and towards a deck over.

I'm pretty happy with the Load Trail and my dealer is very competitive especially for the North East, but LT only offers the full tilt deckover in the 102" version. I really didn't find the 102" to be better for my needs as it's usually length and not the width that hinders me. The LT also weights over 5300lbs (22'x102"), which got me looking at the PJ version which is available in either a 96" or 102". The 22'x96" weighs in just over 4300lbs. Since this is going to be a bp trailer I'm thinking the extra 1k for the LT is going to be a detractor big time. The justification for the deck over is that I really want a more versatile trailer for hauling other things not just the tractor. I can see myself loading pallets on the deckover and other bulk stuff with out the worry of fenders getting in the way. I realize that the LT uses a larger I beam frame and also a scissor hoist compared to the dual cylinders of the PJ. Which ever one I chose will have the 3 way hydraulic option so the tilt still works with a dead battery.

I'm a little gun shy about the deck over after having a friend flip his deckover dump(poor weigh distribution) from a stability standpoint and overall width. Is that a realistic concern?

Here's the PJ :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYTb65OVnu8

And the LT :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGK-VbACQSI

Matt

 

[RedNeckRacin]

You can get a low profile deck over in a GN or a BP. I think they sit around 31" off the ground. It doesn't sound like its alot lower but any reduction in height makes loading less hairy. If you don't have to special order it or are limited by the width's I'd make my decision after I looked at both trailer in person and compared apples to apples. Make sure the wiring harness doesn't have scotch locks or youwill drive yourself crazy with the winter roads trying to find your electrical problems. Also, check the tire brands!

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

You can get a low profile deck over in a GN or a BP. I think they sit around 31" off the ground. It doesn't sound like its alot lower but any reduction in height makes loading less hairy. If you don't have to special order it or are limited by the width's I'd make my decision after I looked at both trailer in person and compared apples to apples. Make sure the wiring harness doesn't have scotch locks or youwill drive yourself crazy with the winter roads trying to find your electrical problems. Also, check the tire brands!

The low profile has the issue of the fenders restricting access. That's why the deckover appears to me.

Matt

 

[RedNeckRacin]

The low profile has the issue of the fenders restricting access. That's why the deckover appears to me.

Matt

ok, but be careful with that, deck-over has a low profile option as well as a normal height option. My deck-over GN is low profile for example.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I was referring to a low profile non deck over for clarification. Like the units I linked to.

This was the Cam I mentioned in the first post : Tilt Trailer - Full Tilt (5, 6, 7, & 8 Ton Models)

Matt

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Anyone else have an input on this one?

 

[bcp]

Will a 102" have any highway/road restrictions because of the width, anywhere you may ever want to use it?

Some states restrict that width to certain size roads.

About halfway down this page there is some information on 102" regulations in different states.

Is Your RV Too Wide To Legally Be On The Road Without An Oversized Load Permit? | Fun Times Guide to RVing

And a trailer discussion here:

Anyone over 102 wide? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Bruce

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Will a 102" have any highway/road restrictions because of the width, anywhere you may ever want to use it?

Some states restrict that width to certain size roads.

About halfway down this page there is some information on 102" regulations in different states.


That's an excellant point that I was unaware of. I know CT limits certain roads(parkways) by gvw. I can't say for sure that I'll never travel through one of the states listed. So besides the added weight the width could cost me a ticket.

Matt

 

[scoutcub]

I've hauled my 30' gooseneck (x102") all over the country and never had an issue. As the article said, I think overwidth tickets are 99.99% for over 102".

I believe most (if not all ) tractor trailer's are 102 wide.

I like the extra 6".....perhaps even a bit more stable.

 

[George2615]

I have the PJ 22' BP full tilt rated at 14K. Weighs about 3800 lb. empty.
They have tilt decks in BP and goose neck with stationary section in front and are available with 3 - 7K axles. Also available are deck over tilts.
My 14K dump trailer is also 16' made by Cross Country Trailer.

 

[bdog]

Will a 102" have any highway/road restrictions because of the width, anywhere you may ever want to use it?

Some states restrict that width to certain size roads.

About halfway down this page there is some information on 102" regulations in different states.

Is Your RV Too Wide To Legally Be On The Road Without An Oversized Load Permit? | Fun Times Guide to RVing

And a trailer discussion here:

Anyone over 102 wide? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Bruce

102" is the max legal width pretty much everywhere. You will not have any issues being 102". I have several 102" trailers and have been all over the U.S.

You mentioned a buddy flipping a deckover. That extra width will add to stability. Also if you ever haul any palletized things you could put two 4' pallets side by side with a couple inches between them and not stick over the edges of the trailer.

The low profile deckovers I have seen have just a 1/4" or so steel plate flush with the top of the rest of the deck over where the tires are. You don't have the 1.5" of wood or the cross members which are usually 4" above the tires. This allows the deck to be 5" or so lower than a traditional deckover which makes a lot of difference especially when loading equipment on the trailer. I HATE loading things like skid steers on tall trailers it is scary.

 

[crashz]

We used to transport dozers, loaders and backhoes on a 20 ton deck over tag trailer. Its a little scary loading at first, but it becomes second nature after a while. The only time I got really nervous was when I loaded one of the payloaders (Hough 65). Being that high up, its a bit freaky. Wet conditions also need special attention. I slipped a dozer off in the rain once, but only off of the dovetail, so I backed up and tried again.

One thing that always caught me by surprise is that when a backhoe is driven on, the unloading is a little hairy. Backing down the ramps, the tractor will take off down the ramps. Hitting the brakes will cause the back to hit the ground and front tires to catch some air.

I've been thinking of a 10K pound deck over for the wide deck for a replacement of our small low-pro. Let us know what you choose.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'm not too worried about loading the tractor, my dump trailer I a low profile but my last dumper was standard height. The break over point takes getting used to but not to big a deal. I'm really leaning towards the PJ as I can't see an upside to the extra weight of the load trail.


Matt

 

[FatTire]

I am close to ordering a 26 ft GN tilt. Looked at the Load Trail but ran into the same issue with the weight, just can't give up that much payload.. The PJ T8 is a 14k BP but is rated at 15680 as a GN with same axles. We will label it at 14695 for use with a 1 ton truck with 11300 gvwr. (no cdl.) For our particular use, 102" is a no brainer since we want to also haul an 8 ft wide snowcat. Biggest problem is finding a good dealer for PJ that isn't too far from us. Feels like nobody cares about making a sale, the dealer with lowest verbal price can't even get it together to email a formal quote.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I am close to ordering a 26 ft GN tilt. Looked at the Load Trail but ran into the same issue with the weight, just can't give up that much payload.. The PJ T8 is a 14k BP but is rated at 15680 as a GN with same axles. We will label it at 14695 for use with a 1 ton truck with 11300 gvwr. (no cdl.) For our particular use, 102" is a no brainer since we want to also haul an 8 ft wide snowcat. Biggest problem is finding a good dealer for PJ that isn't too far from us. Feels like nobody cares about making a sale, the dealer with lowest verbal price can't even get it together to email a formal quote.

I'm trying to dodge the cdl issue as well since my truck is 11500 gvwr, I've had the same issue with PJ dealers in my area. When I ordered my 25' PJ GN the dealer changed the pricing once the trailer arrived and I didn't catch it until after the fact. I had financed the trailer and forgot that I gave him cash up front on the deal. If I end up with the PJ this time I'm not going local and will likely deal with Fayette Trailer in PA. My load trail dealer was excellent and priced as low as any dealer I could find nationally without any haggling. I'm going to contact him to inquire if load trail will build me a trailer like the PJ. I know they will custom build as they did some custom stuff on my dump trailer.

Matt

 

[FatTire]

I could write an article about my experience trying to buy this trailer. One dealer knew considerably less about PJ weight ratings than I do and his quote was apparently higher than list price, another wanted me to drive 240 miles "to stop by for a quote", and a third hasn't been able to get me a complete written quote even though I've been calling them for about 3 weeks. During that time they've never once called me back, I've always called them when they fail to get back to me. Thinking I'll start looking for a good dealer in adjacent states.

 

[Sterff]

My PJ is 96"x20'. I'm happy with the 96" and so far haven't come upon a situation where the extra width would have helped. My 574 does take up nearly all the deck width though (tractor is set as wide as possible).

 

[Colahawk]

I have a 103 x 20 dlow profile dec over with a 12V battery operated deck lift. Haul 8000 pound tractor on it. Love it

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

My PJ is 96"x20'. I'm happy with the 96" and so far haven't come upon a situation where the extra width would have helped. My 574 does take up nearly all the deck width though (tractor is set as wide as possible).

I was hoping you'd chime in on this thread with thoughts on your's. I know you use yours for other things besides a straight tractor hauler. Any regrets not getting a tilt or different ramp option?

I have a 103 x 20 dlow profile dec over with a 12V battery operated deck lift. Haul 8000 pound tractor on it. Love it

Welcome to TBN Colahawk, my 110 is in close in weight to yours. Care to share pics of your setup? What brand is your's? I'm thinking of going with the 24' version over the 22' after taking some measurements of the tractor and attachments.

Matt

 

[Sterff]

I was hoping you'd chime in on this thread with thoughts on your's. I know you use yours for other things besides a straight tractor hauler. Any regrets not getting a tilt or different ramp option?

I was set on getting a tiltdeck like you but, for the wide variety of things I haul (mostly firewood though) I opted for the straight deck. Also mine with the spare tire, toolbox, etc. was around $1900 cheaper than the tilt deck and I didn't want to mess with a battery or pump. I paid $5K out the door for mine. If I could do it all over though, I would buy at least a 22' deck and add some rear loading stabilizers, which I still could. I think mine weighs around 3700 or so if I remember correctly. If you need any pictures of anything specific just let me know. I have never had problems with the ramps either. I have loaded mowers, tractors, skidloaders, mini hoes, etc.