Back on trailer ? Which is safer ? Dealer says on his lot you back on

[MossRoad]

When I first hauled my new to me kubota BX2230 on a deck over trailer it was backed on by the dealer. Going down the steep ramps felt like I was standing on my nose. When I tried to reload it at home forward, it felt like I was looking for the sun in the sky. Switched to a utility trailer with the deck between the tires, felt much better even on the shorter ramps. Still back it on, mostly for balance but it has a cab. Like mentioned before, I would rather damage the back window instead of the front windshield. Also the door pivots in the rear, and backwards would keep it closed.

Jon

When I got my Power Trac PT425 I also got some loading ramps and very often I loaded it in the back of my pickup truck. I always backed in because the implements are on the front and I could hang them off the back. I removed the tailgate and welded pipes to the ramps and the rear bumper. I'd secure them with rebar so they couldn't go anywhere. It was quite steep on level ground, so I'd always try to find a berm to load off of to lessen the angle. But this machine is about impossible to flip over backwards or forwards. I'd be more concerned about falling off the ramps to the side. After a couple years of that, we bought a car hauler trailer. Very low to the ground and quite comfortable to drive onto forwards or backwards.

However, if I still had a conventional tractor, I'd back onto a trailer. Seems safer to me.

 

[k0ua]

There are some really good ones here

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah, I saw that one, too. OUCH!

 

[bdog]

I am **** when it comes to how things are loaded and how they are chained down. I have my CDL and several flatbed trailers. If I am hauling it then it gets loaded my way and secured my way and if you don't like it then it isn't going on my trailer. My employees love me. Just this past week we were loading the semi with our equipment which requires about 20 chains and binders. They were helping me and I had them redo a bunch of them because they were not the way I liked them even though it probably would have worked fine as it was. If I am hauling the load I am responsible for it and it is going to be done my way.

I can see a dealer recommending how to do something especially if the customer seemed unsure about it. Lots of new country people go buy small tractors and have never put anything like that on a trailer in their lives and don't have a clue how to do it. That being said if a dealer tried to force me to load MY tractor a certain way I would tell him to F off and cancel the purchase. If it was a tractor I was hauling for some else (I have operating authority and haul some for hire) and the dealer pulled that I would simply say no thanks and go find another load. I don't think I have ever backed anything on a trailer and I am not about to start.

 

[aczlan]

I am **** when it comes to how things are loaded and how they are chained down. I have my CDL and several flatbed trailers. If I am hauling it then it gets loaded my way and secured my way and if you don't like it then it isn't going on my trailer. My employees love me. Just this past week we were loading the semi with our equipment which requires about 20 chains and binders. They were helping me and I had them redo a bunch of them because they were not the way I liked them even though it probably would have worked fine as it was. If I am hauling the load I am responsible for it and it is going to be done my way.

I can see a dealer recommending how to do something especially if the customer seemed unsure about it. Lots of new country people go buy small tractors and have never put anything like that on a trailer in their lives and don't have a clue how to do it. That being said if a dealer tried to force me to load MY tractor a certain way I would tell him to F off and cancel the purchase. If it was a tractor I was hauling for some else (I have operating authority and haul some for hire) and the dealer pulled that I would simply say no thanks and go find another load. I don't think I have ever backed anything on a trailer and I am not about to start.

I agree. If there is a problem with how its loaded, I am the one who is getting the ticket, not the dealer.
As such, I will load it how I see fit and while I welcome their advice, my dealer isn't foolish enough to say "you must back on or load on the street where you can take your chances on getting hit by a car" because I would be complaining to Kubota and finding another dealer.

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

i work at a john deere dealer, we have the same insurance rules and here is what would happen.
1, my manager would explain to you the customer that a tech has to drive on or off the trailer per our insurance rules.
2. you as the customer can either accept these terms and life goes on or you can deny these terms for whatever reason personal preference, your insurance rules ect.
3. at this point you will be handed a paper, full of legalities saying that you release us of any liability in the event of an accident or damage to the tractor in any way, such as chains damaging paint, the tractor falling off the trailer ect.
4. you load the trailer and go off on your way, with everyone happy, nobody gets fussy over whose tractor and trailer it is or whose lot it is and everyone is satisfied and the problem is handled legally.

if you refuse to sign the paper releasing us of legalities then a tech simply drives your tractor off the lot, onto a public road a couple hundred yards away from the dealership, the tech walks back to the lot and the customer gets in his truck with the trailer they came with drives down the road to the tractor and loads the tractor on the trailer on the public road, where the dealership is no longer responsible for the tractor and its liabilities since it was not loaded on their property.

Are you saying not only do you have to load the trailer, but you take the customers chains and straps and tie it down for them as well?

I would have no issues signing a liability waiver. But I think the dealer loading the equipment has the potential to put MORE liability on the dealer, rather than just telling the customer "here is the tractor" and let them load it and drive off. We have all seen some of the pictures in the thread about people hauling/towing something wrong......What do you do if the customers trailer is too small? Rotten floor boards? Dont have proper number of chains/straps? Chains/straps too small? No safety chains on the trailer? I would think by letting the dealer load the tractor and letting the customer drive off with it, opens the dealer to some of the liability if something were to happen. :2cents:

Its easier to flip a tractor over backwards driving forward up a slope than backing up a slope. That's my guess.

With a loader on, not likely. Like I said, going forward down the ramps to unload, especially with a loader on, can be far more dangerous than going up the ramps with the loader on

 

[farm boy00]

Honestly If I bought from a dealer and he said that either they load and chain or I sign a slip. I'll let them and just help them out. I understand where you guys are coming from but like one person said. You just have to sign a liability waver so then it's your fault if anything happens

 

[Xfaxman]

I back it on to protect the windshield. The back glass is flat and less expensive.

Having a steerable rear axle helps.

 

[tman1020]

My manual states to always back on to trailer. It does not state why. Backing on is better for me with my cab doors on in case of one flying open. And same with hood. Without a loader on backing on makes way more sense. I have and do load forwards and backwards but feel backwards is best most times.

 

[blue9249]

Are you saying not only do you have to load the trailer, but you take the customers chains and straps and tie it down for them as well?

I would have no issues signing a liability waiver. But I think the dealer loading the equipment has the potential to put MORE liability on the dealer, rather than just telling the customer "here is the tractor" and let them load it and drive off. We have all seen some of the pictures in the thread about people hauling/towing something wrong......What do you do if the customers trailer is too small? Rotten floor boards? Dont have proper number of chains/straps? Chains/straps too small? No safety chains on the trailer? I would think by letting the dealer load the tractor and letting the customer drive off with it, opens the dealer to some of the liability if something were to happen. :2cents:



With a loader on, not likely. Like I said, going forward down the ramps to unload, especially with a loader on, can be far more dangerous than going up the ramps with the loader on

no we do not chain or strap it down, insurance liability does not allow that, the only way we chain or strap a load down as a tech is if we get sent out to a persons home or a place of business to pickup the tractor to bring it to the shop for service, then we usually also deliver it back as well, these are the only times we ever strap a load down, when the customer brings their own trailer in we just drive on the trailer and tell them to have a nice day. it is their liability if their equipment is not large enough or in operating condition. as for the question on paint scratching it is just another precaution as you never know what someone will say or accuse someone of to get some free money.