Trailer questions

[ruffdog]

If they are 8" and the tread looks like these tires, the 6ply version is only good for 780 lbs each. That would be a total tractor/trailer of 3120lbs.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Loadstar-Wide-Profile-Tire-and-Wheel-Rim-Assembly-K399-215-60-8-Bias-Replaces-18-5x8-50-8/52094279?selected=true

EDIT...I see you have now said they are 10" wheels...what is the gross weight per tire?

 

[lilranch2001]

not necessarily something to be proud of!

 

[sd455dan]

The build is actually awesome .The frt/back ratios look OK to my eye.

Here are my thoughts.
The ramps being full plated might be the actual cause as they are more or less wind catchers.
I'd be very tempted to remove them (if easily done) and try another speed run.
My 2 cent guess is the problem lies there.
They act as wind anchors, so to speak.
Otherwise the ratios look good.

And, please let us know of the results.

"The ramps being full plated might be the actual cause as they are more or less wind catchers.
I'd be very tempted to remove them (if easily done) and try another speed run."

I like this idea... but would add that mounting them down on the front of the trailer or possibly placing them in the bed of the truck may make an improvement in the towing (quality) by also transferring the weight forward.

 

[ruffdog]

Okay...20.5x8x10 tires can be had in a E ply rating 1500+lbs each. With all the potholes around here, I would want bigger diameter tires....but....still a cool little trailer. I know of one skid steer trailer maker that recommends a slower speed when empty because of the sway issue. Their axles are more in the center of the trailer that makes the tongue weight light.

https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Loadstar-65-10-Trailer-White/dp/B00DC1WSSG/ref=pd_cp_293_2?pd_rd_w=XNdCk&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=6PE9CPV4GK27E744QKC7&pd_rd_r=656139bd-80bf-11e9-b06b-1967775fe31c&pd_rd_wg=OFBjp&pd_rd_i=B00DC1WSSG&psc=1&refRID=6PE9CPV4GK27E744QKC7

 

[aczlan]

Looking at your pictures, I would bet that if you took the grapple off and set it in the bed of the truck, then backed the tractor on, you would probably do much better with your weight distribution.
Granted, that might put you a little over the weight limit on your truck's rear axle, but I don't think there's much else that you're going to be able to do with that tractor and that trailer.
The center of gravity of that tractor with the grapple on the front and the backhoe on the back is probably right about at the front of the rear fender (or at the upright for the loader), so that needs to be past the front axle of the trailer if at all possible.

Aaron Z

 

[BAP]

With 10” tires, does the trailer have brakes? If not, that’s asking a lot of the Rangers small brakes to try and stop.

 

[Fallon]

I know of one skid steer trailer maker that recommends a slower speed when empty because of the sway issue. Their axles are more in the center of the trailer that makes the tongue weight light.

My 16' tilting deck was like that, although I got it used at an auction. Had a mild pucker inducing event on the freeway heading home with it from the auction. Slowly went the rest of the way to a friends. Shoveled a couple hundred lbs of snow on front & it pulled fine the rest of the way. 14k of axles under it, but my 3k of tractor barely fit (it wouldnt have without that long tongue).

 

[Fallon]

My 16' tilting deck was like that, although I got it used at an auction. Had a mild pucker inducing event on the freeway heading home with it from the auction. Slowly went the rest of the way to a friends. Shoveled a couple hundred lbs of snow on front & it pulled fine the rest of the way. 14k of axles under it, but my 3k of tractor barely fit (it wouldnt have without that long tongue).

Missed the photo & cant attach it when editing...

 

[ruffdog]

Notice the speed warning while empty on these gravity tilt equipment trailers:

Gravity Tilt Equipment Trailers for sale by Kaufman Trailers!

 

[JWR]

Notice the speed warning while empty on these gravity tilt equipment trailers:

Gravity Tilt Equipment Trailers for sale by Kaufman Trailers!

I read the Kaufman literature and nowhere do i see what is meant by a "gravity tilt." Aside from this thread and not related to the OP, what is a "gravity tilt" trailer ? First guess is that it means the trailer is jointed and can tilt back some & that plus the beavertail gets the rear lip to the ground ... but does it depend on being able to get the load up onto the lip slightly to provide "gravity tilt?"

 

[fried1765]

Yes, tires were worn down to nothing on the inside, all 4 tires, tires are very small, maybe 10 diam off the top of my head

Trailer is ..."very heavy commercial grade"

"tires are very small, maybe 10 diam off the top of my head"

NO trailer can fit BOTH of those parameters!

 

[aczlan]

I read the Kaufman literature and nowhere do i see what is meant by a "gravity tilt." Aside from this thread and not related to the OP, what is a "gravity tilt" trailer ? First guess is that it means the trailer is jointed and can tilt back some & that plus the beavertail gets the rear lip to the ground ... but does it depend on being able to get the load up onto the lip slightly to provide "gravity tilt?"

The tongue goes under the trailer a ways back (to the axle?) and it has a hinge back there. There is a latch at the front of the trailer deck to let it come up, then it is probbaly neutrally balanced, so you just stand on the back and down it goes.

Aaron Z

 

[JWR]

The tongue goes under the trailer a ways back (to the axle?) and it has a hinge back there. There is a latch at the front of the trailer deck to let it come up, then it is probbaly neutrally balanced, so you just stand on the back and down it goes.

Aaron Z

You are probably correct. I actually had one (18 ft, steel frame wooden deck, 2 axles) custom made back in the 90's with exactly that feature as you described it. Did not know about the gravity tilt name. Traded it in a few years back on a commercial non-tilt Pequea deck over.

 

[FTG-05]

It appears to me that the axles are too far forward. They look like they're almost in the middle of the trailer.

Also, your ramps are ridiculously overbuilt. Not only are they good "wind catchers" but all that weight at the very back is exactly like the red weight on the back of the blue Mustang trailer.

You bought a POS trailer. Sorry.

 

[dieselscout80]

Lots of steel could be removed from that trailer to lighten it: ramps, chains holding the ramps up and the fenders just to name a few.

That said it was built to haul a specific load and now he is using it a general purpose trailer with varying loads.

 

[Scrambler82]

Quote
Originally Posted by Hersheyfarm "Worn on the inside could mean the trailer was ran overloaded. Possible bent axles".
End Quote


I didn't read all of the Postings, six pages, but as usual I will jump in and ask a question.

Based on the first sentence in this post OP = Hersheyfarm, Have you checked the axles ? The worn on the inside wheels could mean bent axle but also, if home made, could mean just the alignment wasn't checked.

IMHO... could be the reason for the Wiggle !

Would be interesting to check it out and see; maybe just jack up the side and see if there is run out on the wheel.

Nice Trailer, hope you get the tire thing straightened out !

 

[downsizingnow48]

So does it have brakes? That was a good question.

 

[4570Man]

It looks like a 4 pin plug so I’m betting no brakes. But who needs brakes with that heavy hauling ranger?

 

[1930]

Yes it was originally equipped with brakes. Never messed with any of that. Trailer rarely gets used. Sits on my property 2 hrs away. Just need it occasionally

 

[JWR]

It appears to me that the axles are too far forward. They look like they're almost in the middle of the trailer.

Also, your ramps are ridiculously overbuilt. Not only are they good "wind catchers" but all that weight at the very back is exactly like the red weight on the back of the blue Mustang trailer.

You bought a POS trailer. Sorry.

I have to agree... this is a kind of a stumbling thing in every which direction. The little short trailer may not be a POS as FTG said but at best it is the WRONG TOOL for what you are trying to do. You said in the other thread regarding the "ethics" of your dealer where you bought the Kubota and backhoe that the dealer was close by, yet you had no way to haul it to him. Thankfully the dealer now says he'll come to you and make it right. GOOD (in the other thread but very related to this one.)

1) The trailer might even be solid with need of some maintenance but it looks like just a misfit. The axles are in the middle because it was made very short for specific kind of loads and there is not much of it except FOR the middle ! You bought a rather specialized skid-steer or small excavator trailer and are trying to make a more gen purpose one out of it (or get-by as-is.)
2) You do not sound like you have any intent to use the brakes on the trailer. You need the brakes with that "heavy hauling Ranger" truck especially, [so aptly named by 4570!] and should have them regardless. I don't want to be on the highway where ever you are.
3) You never did say why you must pull with the Ranger, having also said you have larger trucks around like Dodge pickups AND that your intent is not very frequent hauling. This just isn't a logical scenario...
4) I don't know how great a deal you got on the WRONG TOOL but you need to re-sell it and go get the right tool for what you want to do. Us peanut gallery people on TBN can offer 40 or 50 pages more advice but you really ought to sidle up to a a friend or knowledgeable equipment person you see often and get on-site guidance on your soon-to-be purchase of the RIGHT TOOL.

Who knows, if you got a great deal on the trailer we've been discussing, you might make a little cash on it while you go find a better fit for your tasks.