Your towing rigs and trailers

[4570Man]

Did you tilt your dump trailer a little when loading mini x?

I didn’t but it might be better. I’m probably just going to use my other trailer from now on unless I need the mini and the dump trailer at the same time.

 

[4570Man]

I also have a mini-ex, specifically a Yanmar Vio55. Steep ramps feel uncomfortable, but they load ok. I have tilted the trailer some to lessen the ramp angle when loading into a dump trailer. The problem I have had in a dump trailer or any short trailer is that I can't put the weight in the correct spot. Too much tongue weight, or too much rear bias. And you simply can't tow safely if you have too much weight rearward, it's a good way to get in a wreck. Come to think about it, I've never had this current excavator in a dump trailer, but have done some 7500 lb machines. That still wasn't ideal in a 14' trailer.

We sell trailers and everyone wants that one perfect trailer that is a dump trailer, an equipment trailer, and a car hauler. I do too, but it doesn't exist, or at least not without a bunch of compromises. You have a little more flexibility if you are pulling with an F450-F550 size as you can load the tongue up much heavier and get away with it.

As far back as the axels are on my dump trailer I don’t think you could load it too light on the hitch. It was definitely too heavy on the hitch. I started out with the blade all the way against the front and my 3500 DRW was really feeling the weight. I backed it off as far as I could and still rest the boom on the trailer and it was still too front heavy. A single rear wheel truck would never take it at least without severe sagging. I like to be able to spin my excavator on the trailer and the dump trailer prevents that.

 

[PapeCAT]

I considered a Deckover Dump for quite a while as a do-it-all trailer but the steep loading angle along with the empty/tare weight of the 16' trailer really puts too much of a compromise. Especially here in CA where you can't haul more than a 10K GVW trailer without a class A license.

 

[4570Man]

I considered a Deckover Dump for quite a while as a do-it-all trailer but the steep loading angle along with the empty/tare weight of the 16' trailer really puts too much of a compromise. Especially here in CA where you can't haul more than a 10K GVW trailer without a class A license.

My deck over trailer is already bad to load. You’d need 10’ ramps to reasonable load without a dovetail.

 

[2017JD1025r]

My deck over trailer is already bad to load. You’d need 10’ ramps to reasonable load without a dovetail. View attachment 685416

I got a lighter duty equipment trailer (14k) but it has roughly 55" ramps. Even with the dove tail my SCUT feels like I'm climbing Everest. I'm debating what to do. I want a minimum of 6' but I've looked at some 8'. I also need to figure out how to handle my narrow front end tractors.

 

[DavesTractor]

I got a lighter duty equipment trailer (14k) but it has roughly 55" ramps. Even with the dove tail my SCUT feels like I'm climbing Everest. I'm debating what to do. I want a minimum of 6' but I've looked at some 8'. I also need to figure out how to handle my narrow front end tractors.

I think it normally feels a lot worse than it really is. We went away from ramps a few years ago for our delivery trailers. We can justify multiple trailers as a business, I realize not everyone has this luxury. For our everyday deliveries of compact tractors, we use 14.9k GVWR tilt trailers. 6' fixed deck in front, 16' tilt portion. That allows a couple of implements to be set up on the fixed portion, and it gives us a fairly gentle ramp angle. And we aren't messing with ramps. We rarely approach the max GVWR, but it's just nice to have a bunch of margin when hauling daily. 17.5" tires, oil bath axles, hidden winch. For the heavier or bulkier loads, or doing multiple tractors we have a 32' hydraulic dove gooseneck. We use that much less and it is a chore to get into most driveways.

For times when we need a really shallow ramp angle, like hauling a car for a friend or something, we built some 4' long ramps that taper to nothing on one end are about 8" tall on the other. Made out of 2" thin wall tubing and angle iron cross pieces, so they aren't a chore to carry. They have a notch so that the tilt trailer (or hydraulic dove) can set down on them. That extends the ramp so to speak and makes a very gentle ramp angle.

 

[4570Man]

If you were delivering tractors everyday a tilt trailer would be a definite advantage. But the downside is they weigh more and cost twice as much and are more limited for loading stuff and then driving on.

 

[DavesTractor]

If you were delivering tractors everyday a tilt trailer would be a definite advantage. But the downside is they weigh more and cost twice as much and are more limited for loading stuff and then driving on. View attachment 685463

It's all a compromise. The 6' fixed front deck on our tilt trailers helps with some issues. Tilts aren't so good loading an excavator or Bobcat in slick conditions either, ramps work best for that. And your point on the tilt being heavier is very true. As mentioned, in California if your trailer is over 10k GVWR it requires a CDL. Trying to stay under that with a heavy-duty tilt doesn't let you carry much. I gave up long ago and got my CDL.

 

[two_bit_score]

It's all a compromise. The 6' fixed front deck on our tilt trailers helps with some issues. Tilts aren't so good loading an excavator or Bobcat in slick conditions either, ramps work best for that. And your point on the tilt being heavier is very true. As mentioned, in California if your trailer is over 10k GVWR it requires a CDL. Trying to stay under that with a heavy-duty tilt doesn't let you carry much. I gave up long ago and got my CDL.

That Blackwood flooring is expensive but seems to be popular because it gives more traction loading in damp conditions. For those who need/want it, and can afford it, Im glad they can get it.

 

[Snobdds]

The blackwood stuff wears off pretty quick, especially if your loading equipment a lot.

1/2 bar stock welded on the ramps every 10 inches is the best way to keep from sliding all over the place in rain and snow. Plus it lasts the longest.

I have to have 4 trailers for my uses as they all have a specific purpuse 1. Dump trailer - Never load any equipment on it. 2. 16 ft utility trailer, tandom axel and 3ft sides (non enclosed) - hauls building materials and misc. 3. 5x12 trailer with loading ramp for hauling the SxS. 4. 18ft car hauler with ramps for moving equipment. I have tried to consolidate, but get frustrated with compromising and not the right tool or too big for the job at hand.