14k vs 20k trailer?

[trook]

I currently have a 14k 22+2 low boy gooseneck trailer. However, I have increased my tractor size to a JD 5075E with a FEL and MX-8 8ft rotary cutter. The tractor/cutter combo is difficult to get onto the trailer to say the least because the fenders are in the way, and the cutter hangs way over the edge of the trailer making the rear tie downs very difficult to secure.

I am considering a deck over trailer. The question is do I go with a 20+5 14k deckover trailer with single wheel tandem axle's, or do I go ahead and get dual wheels on the axle's for a 20k trailer? I know I am pushing the 14k rating now, and I estimate the total weight of the tractor, loaded tires, fel, and mx8 to be approximately 11k. That leaves me about 3k worth of trailer weight to remain at/under the max load for a 14k trailer.

I am pulling this with a 2007 4x4 silverado 2500 with the duramax/allison. What do you think? Go with another 14k in a deckover or go with the much more expensive 20k dual wheel deckover?

This doesn't even consider the maximum pulling weight of the duramax. Hopefully, pulling roughly 16-17k (weight of tractor and larger trailer) will not be an issue.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I had a 20' equipment trailer and it was always a problem with the fenders and trying to get everything just so, so it would tow better and I finally went with a 25+5 Gatormade gooseneck deckover with a pierced frame and 2-10k axles with 17.5 super single tires because I didn't want tandem duals and I absolutely love it. You can pick them up at the factory in Kentucky for less than 8k. One more thing I pull mine with a 2015 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 6.0 gas motor, you will have no problem pulling it with the diesel.

 

[Deere Dude]

Just get a deck-over GN with a 16000# rating. That would give you 14k on the axles and the rest on the hitch. I have one like that and the trailer weighs around 6k by itself. I carry a 3720 with FEL, loaded tires, B-BOX, blade and box blade attachments like a shot with it.

Of course making a trailer change for an extra 2k capacity would take some thought.

 

[rustyshakelford]

For sure go with tandem duals. My 5055e cab with h240 loader and loaded tires was around 10-11k. Then you add in the mx8 and chains/binders. With the tandem duals you also have 4 more tires to spread the load over, larger brakes and suspension. I would recommend to go with a 25+5 though. Won't have to rest the bucket on the neck. Gives more options. If you can afford it, get the elec/hyd disc brakes. They are incredible.

I found a 35+5 with tandem 15k axles and elec/hyd brakes and I think I'm set. Won't be worrying about being to heavy. It's better to know you have more trailer than you need than be wishing you had bigger

Brett

 

[4570Man]

Get the duel tandem.

 

[Rustyiron]

I finally went with a 25+5 Gatormade gooseneck deckover with a pierced frame and 2-10k axles with 17.5 super single tires because I didn't want tandem duals and I absolutely love it.

Keeping track of 8 tires & wheels can be a pita. I like Lineman's set up/thinking!

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I have a slightly bigger tractor with a 5083e and a slightly bigger mower Mx10 on my moritz 14.5k 20+5 deck over gn. I used to pu it with a 3500 srw cummins and it sure felt like a heck of a load. Granted I usually had a 563 loader, bucket, loaded tires, and wheel weights on. I always had trouble getting the tractor positioned well to not get to much tongue weight (I had airbags as well) and also not to much of the weight on the axles. I never weighed that setup but I felt 100% better going with a bigger truck that didn't care where the tractor was placed.

Long story short, I think you need to get the bigger trailer. I'll also venture to guess that if you have many hills to tow on or if yiu tow often, you might be looking for a bigger truck soon too.

 

[trook]

I don't have many hills, and I will not tow often. Also, I don't drive very far. Never more than 25 miles, but normally about 10 miles. Do you think the Silverado 2500 Duramax/Allison can handle the load? We are talking about 16-18k depending on the weight of the trailer.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I don't have many hills, and I will not tow often. Also, I don't drive very far. Never more than 25 miles, but normally about 10 miles. Do you think the Silverado 2500 Duramax/Allison can handle the load? We are talking about 16-18k depending on the weight of the trailer.

I pulled my old tractor and trailer with a 13 f250 Powerstroke. It does great. Really try and find a trailer with the elec/hyd disc brakes though. Made the biggest difference in pulling trailers and more importantly stopping.

Brett

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I don't have many hills, and I will not tow often. Also, I don't drive very far. Never more than 25 miles, but normally about 10 miles. Do you think the Silverado 2500 Duramax/Allison can handle the load? We are talking about 16-18k depending on the weight of the trailer.

You are going to have to be the judge of that. There are some super truckers on this board that would tow a 747 with a half ton. I personally didn't like towing my tractor with my 1 ton pickup. I had several hills that 40mph was all she would do. Then coming down the back side was quite the experience when the rear end of your truck feels spongy. A gooseneck is the best choice for the job and the electric over hydraulic is a NICE upgrade. You may not be bothered by it but only you can decide. You could look up your towing ratings and see where you land.

 

[oliver1555]

The question is do I go with a 20+5 14k deckover trailer with single wheel tandem axle's, or do I go ahead and get dual wheels on the axle's for a 20k trailer?

Personally, I do not like dual wheels because you are dealing with a lot of tires, but do like the capacity they offer. Another option is 17.5" tires. Great capacity and tough. We used these in the oilfield with good service. You can get a 10K axle with single tires and I think it beats the heck out of duals. Here is a link. I'm not advocating for PJ, but the video does a good job of explaining the tire. I also think a 20' deck is too short. I'd go longer.
PJ Trailers 17.5 in. Trailer Wheels and Tires

 

[HK45]

Trook,
I agree with RedneckRacin. I would stick with a 14k with your truck setup. Also do gooseneck. RedneckRacin probably one of the best on this forum when it comes to towing, laws, truck setup. He was the one that helped me decide to bump my truck up to a 1ton to be on the safer side of things and Im glad I did. Im still trying to figure out how so many guys tow with 3/4 truck with dual tandem axle trailers. Just the trailer weight alone are over 6-7k don't leave much to tow on them, But I still see guys pulling huge tractors on them. Im in Pa and you can't go over your trucks manufactory GCWR. You mite want to look at the Laws in your state. Also I think your years truck GCWR is around 22,000-24,000 Total. I have a Ford F350 with a 20+5 gooseneck deckover. Trailer scaled weight 5,300 pounds. With tractor, trailer,truck Im at 22500 scaled. Figure out your laws in your state and your truck factory rated capabilities and make a decision.

 

[ovrszd]

Not long after I bought my 28+4 20K dual tandem GN I was on an Interstate Hwy at 75mph with two Jeep Buggies onboard and blew a tire. Sure glad I didn't have singles.......

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I don't have many hills, and I will not tow often. Also, I don't drive very far. Never more than 25 miles, but normally about 10 miles. Do you think the Silverado 2500 Duramax/Allison can handle the load? We are talking about 16-18k depending on the weight of the trailer.

First off I am not trying to be a smart alleck but I don't think a lot of people realize how un-realistic it is to have to upgrade everything you have to virtually semi capacities just to pull you're tractor a few times a year close to home, I pull my trailer with a 3/4 ton truck and when I load it down with hay in the field to bring to the barn I am absolutely sure that I am overloaded by law but I am out in the country not pulling thru a school yard where kids could run out unexpected in front of me or anything like that, I don't pull for a living just now and then, but if I had to upgrade everything to do the little bit of pulling I do, I just as well get rid of it all because I couldn't afford it. It will come down to what you feel comfortable with. Good luck. Charlie.

 

[JimRB]

Hay guy was telling me he heard a bang Friday. Told his dad there was an accident they needed to investigate. Long story short was a F250 was towing a Bobcat and blew a tire. Swaying trailer disconnects and rolls. Truck left lane and hit car or two. One car in ditch upside down. 5 passengers in car. Some dinged up, some not and some not wearing seatbelts. One huge guy not wearing seatbelt had a heart cath the day before so on blood thinners with a bleeding head wound that would not slow down. Another bleeder in the car that did ok with a compress. Helicopter ride for the heart cath guy. Hay guy is big and overweight. He has no idea how he picked the heart cath guy out of the car. His dad asked him how he did it.

Anyhow just enough trailer does not leave much margin for tire failure. I need new tires on my trailer.

 

[ovrszd]

Anyhow just enough trailer does not leave much margin for tire failure. I need new tires on my trailer.

Yep. That's why I like duals. Right after my blowout I replaced all four tires on that axle. They had 50% or greater tread. Were 14ply Hankook F19s. Took no more chances on the other three.

 

[4570Man]

Not long after I bought my 28+4 20K dual tandem GN I was on an Interstate Hwy at 75mph with two Jeep Buggies onboard and blew a tire. Sure glad I didn't have singles.......

I had a blowout on my 10k trailer on the last trip with it. If I'd have pulled my 22k trailer with duels there'd have been no problem.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I'd rather overload the truck a little than the trailer. That said with tandem duals, they can take the weight much better than the 7k axles. Just pull wheels off of each and look at the construction. I would rather run my trailer at the higher end of its gvw daily than the trailer personally. My 450 is rated at 14k and can pull a 32,500 trailer. With my tractor and shredder on there it's close to 37k combined. The truck squats quite a bit but was no where near the bump stops. Just putting a little weight on the overloads. It didn't help the 600 lb compressor is on the neck too. Truck rode great, steered great and I was still 7500 lb under what I'm rated to pull. In the future, the shredder is backed on. Your topography will be a huge consideration. Redneck racing and I have gone back and forth over the years because of how I set up my equipment and the weight I like on the truck. I'm perfectly safe how I operate, where I operate. If I was in Pa with him I may very well need to make some adjustments. I.e. Getting a mdt like he did with air brakes and engine braking. For flatlanders, none of that is a huge concern if your brakes are good. We don't get brake fade anywhere near them. We don't have long grades that heat everything up.

I also would rather have a trailer to grow into than one that's maxed out the first time I load it.

Brett

 

[oliver1555]

I had a 20' equipment trailer and it was always a problem with the fenders and trying to get everything just so, so it would tow better and I finally went with a 25+5 Gatormade gooseneck deckover with a pierced frame and 2-10k axles with 17.5 super single tires because I didn't want tandem duals and I absolutely love it. You can pick them up at the factory in Kentucky for less than 8k. One more thing I pull mine with a 2015 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 6.0 gas motor, you will have no problem pulling it with the diesel.

I guess I was late coming to this party and didn't see your post about your trailer. I remember when you were shopping and trying to decide whether to go single or dual. 17.5" tires are in a class of their own. Much better than 16" tires. When we switched to them in the oil patch, blowouts were a thing of the past. I'd never go back to duals. I really like the looks of your trailer, by the way.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I guess I was late coming to this party and didn't see your post about your trailer. I remember when you were shopping and trying to decide whether to go single or dual. 17.5" tires are in a class of their own. Much better than 16" tires. When we switched to them in the oil patch, blowouts were a thing of the past. I'd never go back to duals. I really like the looks of your trailer, by the way.

You are the one that turned me on to the 17.5 super singles and man do I like them, thank's again for the first hand good information.