trailer modification

[ROUSTABOUT]

Well, if I had your money$$$$. Spending $7-8000 on a new trailer aint worth it for something that hasnt been used in 2 years untill this week, and probably wouldnt be used more than a couple or three times a year in the future. But to be honest, I have already been looking for a bigger trailer, but then I would want a newer truck to pull it with. Then to pay for the new equipment, I would be looking for work to help pay for it, then I would need insurance and stuff. I can make do with what I have, but I dont like the mower tail wheel hanging off the back of the trailer.

Just tie a red shop rag on it and carry on. You can legally hang over 10 ft here. Just have to mark it.

 

[sandman2234]

On a 5x8 trailer I had, that I hauled a Ford 1100 with a bush hog behind it, most of the bush hog overhung the back of the trailer. To get the balance right, I took the easy way out and extended the tongue! It became a 5x9 and hauled a lot of stuff once I was done with it. My brother used it to haul scrap and when he passed, I ended up with it. Guess I should put it back to use...
David from jax

 

[bgr]

Could you turn the tractor around and have the mower wheel over the tongue? Or shorten the top link to raise wheel up so it does not drag? (I do that with mine)

 

[jaxs]

Could you turn the tractor around and have the mower wheel over the tongue? Or shorten the top link to raise wheel up so it does not drag? (I do that with mine)

Yea and stack concrete blocks on mower to balance weight. Better to have the tailwheel bash your truck bed in a turn than have some poor soul put it through their grill.

 

[TO_Bud]

You could add a 2 inch receiver to the rear cross member of the trailer. Fab up an arm of sorts to extend back or up to hold the tail wheel or mower deck. Elevate the arm enough so the wheel does not drag on turns. Could remove the arm like a normal trailer hitch when not needed.

 

[muddstopper]

Interesting concept. I need to think about that for a bit.

 

[LD1]

I hate modifying trailers. And hate the thought of advising anyone to do so. In this sue happy world we live in.....anything that goes down the road behind my truck was made by a manufacture with their stamp of approval on it. Not chance on it coming back on me if something goes wrong....that's cheap insurance and piece of mind.

 

[crashz]

I like the folding up of the tail wheel. Doesn't mess with what works and takes nearly no time. You'd have to move the mower about 500 times to equal the time you spent on the dovetail. No to mention, the mods you need to make when the dovetail drags too. Maybe replace the bolt on the tail wheel with a pin and keeper?

My tail wheel hangs off the brush cutter when I move it. But it doesn't hang past the ramp legs, so it's not an issue.

 

[muddstopper]

Blowed a tire on the trailer today, of course it ruint the fender. I have been thinking/leaning toward selling the trailer and buying one a little longer and heavier. I built this trailer several years ago and it has served me well, but I am just feeling my axles are a little light for the weight of the tractor. I could put heavier axles under it, but I would still be stuck with the short lenght. Getting to old to crawl around rebuilding things. Leaning toward a gooseneck if I can find a good one without buying new.

 

[shooterdon]

Can you adapt something like a trailer hitch for the tail wheel support member. Simple pin to remove it and put it back on.

 

[nyone]

Blowed a tire on the trailer today, of course it ruint the fender. I have been thinking/leaning toward selling the trailer and buying one a little longer and heavier. I built this trailer several years ago and it has served me well, but I am just feeling my axles are a little light for the weight of the tractor. I could put heavier axles under it, but I would still be stuck with the short lenght. Getting to old to crawl around rebuilding things. Leaning toward a gooseneck if I can find a good one without buying new.

What size are the axles and what weight do you have on the trailer?

 

[muddstopper]

The axles are 3500lb. 7000lb total/ Tractor weighs 3900lbs without ballast, both back tire are filled. Loader weighs 780 with out bucket so call it 1000lb. Not sure on the bushhog weight, guessing around 1000lbs. Around 6500-7000lbs total. The trailer is double framed and will handle a lot more weight than I am putting on it, but the axles are the weak link.

 

[nyone]

The axles are 3500lb. 7000lb total/ Tractor weighs 3900lbs without ballast, both back tire are filled. Loader weighs 780 with out bucket so call it 1000lb. Not sure on the bushhog weight, guessing around 1000lbs. Around 6500-7000lbs total. The trailer is double framed and will handle a lot more weight than I am putting on it, but the axles are the weak link.

Yup time to find a new trailer.

I was in the exact same situation 8 weeks ago but my tractor is about 6500lbs with one bucket, no grapple, no forks and no rear attachment. I looked at used ones, there all complete junk or want 95%+ of new. I ended up finding a trailer manufacturer in PA and OH that sells directly to customers. 20ft, 10klb equipment trailer for $5100, I'm making the drive tomorrow after waiting 5 weeks to get it built. Taking a 4hr drive is saving me $1500

 

[LD1]

Yup time to find a new trailer.

I was in the exact same situation 8 weeks ago but my tractor is about 6500lbs with one bucket, no grapple, no forks and no rear attachment. I looked at used ones, there all complete junk or want 95%+ of new. I ended up finding a trailer manufacturer in PA and OH that sells directly to customers. 20ft, 10klb equipment trailer for $5100, I'm making the drive tomorrow after waiting 5 weeks to get it built. Taking a 4hr drive is saving me $1500

Appalachian?

 

[nyone]

Appalachian?

Yes. Hear anything good or bad about them?
It is just a hunk of steel but I'm buying the cheap model. No led lights, non sealed wiring, no ramp springs. All that I can get later for cheaper.

 

[LD1]

Not heard much. See quite a few around though. I have window shopped them online. Bout all I know

 

[TO_Bud]

Yes. Hear anything good or bad about them?
It is just a hunk of steel but I'm buying the cheap model. No led lights, non sealed wiring, no ramp springs. All that I can get later for cheaper.

I bought a dump trailer from Appalachian, drove down and picked it up. Trailer is well built and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I also own a PJ brand car hauler with 5K axles. The Appalachian trailer is a step above the PJ.

 

[nyone]

Brought my Appalachian trailer home yesterday. Looks well build. I got the cheap one so it's got scotch locks on the wireing which I expected. No complaints so far but I only towed it 230mi home empty.

 

[Renze]

In some cases they want more than new.

I dont know what delivery times are on new trailers where you live, but immediate availability may sometimes be worth some, to some.

 

[Renze]

I hate modifying trailers. And hate the thought of advising anyone to do so. In this sue happy world we live in.....anything that goes down the road behind my truck was made by a manufacture with their stamp of approval on it. Not chance on it coming back on me if something goes wrong....that's cheap insurance and piece of mind.

That is the best advice for the majority of the TBN population; On the internet, everybody is an expert, but nobody is liable.

I worked in the light trailer business, also with type approvals with the DOT. I did modify my trailer, but i didnt need any advice. I am not eager to give advice either, because i hate to see people run into trouble because they totally misinterpret what i say, and off course, legislation is different in Europe than the US so my expert advice has very limited validity for the US.