Buying a new GN trailer: tilt or deckover?

[econometrics]

I have had several trailers over the last 30 years. Started with bumper pull. Switched to gooseneck as my equipment got heavier. There is no way that I would go back to bumper pull.

This is my 14K trailer, 18' steel deck, plus a 4' pop-up dovetail and receiver hitch. I picked it up at the factory in September of 2006.
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That's about the exact size of a trailer I am looking for there, Xfaxman. Nice set up!

I am hauling mine right now on a 16 foot bumper pull. Not ideal by any means. Barely under weight limits of axles and had to build a support to set the loader bucket over the tongue. But it pull good and no trouble stopping. As soon as cash allows I will go back to a gooseneck. They pull so much nicer. Plus I need more length for attachments.

Yeah, exactly. I really just like the way they pull over a conventional trailering set up.

At 9.5k + implement, with the weight of a GN, won't u need more than 7k axles?

9500 is the max load that I would put on the trailer with the equipment I have. 5500# tractor, 1500# MX6, 1500# 553 FEL, 1000# rear tires filled.

My next heaviest attachment that I would trailer would be my Wallenstein BX62 - which is 1000 pounds.

The trailer(s) I am looking at have a GVWR of 15000+. Both have two 7K axles, yes. But with a GN, I can transfer some of the weight (if needed) to my F250. (I have overload springs on her, so she can take it! )

The PJ deckover 20+5 I am looking at has a GVWR of 15,680 with a curb weight of 5,340. So I can slap 10,430 on that baby. With my maximum equipment weight of 9500#, I am at 14,840# towing. With a truck that is rated for 14500, ha!

All of my tows are less than 20 miles round trip, so I'm not overly concerned with being over the tow ratings a little.

The PJ tilt is a little different... it's a 24' with a GVWR of 15,680 too. BUT it has a curb weight of only 4,640.

So fully loaded with my equipment on the tilt, I come out with a towing weight of 14,140 - which gets me under the 14500 tow rating for the F250 - AND gives a little more leeway for extra weight (chains, binders, etc).

One thing I haven't mentioned is that if I am trailering to mow, I can leave the bucket at home (save 400-500 pounds), OR just take the 553 off and save the entire 1500#.

As you can see, the trailer isn't going to be the main limiting factor for me, the truck is. But that's okay because I think my math shows that I should be okay either way. Just a matter of how much weight flexibility I want.

 

[Xfaxman]

econometrics, My trailer weighs 5,000 pounds, with 4,000 on the axles. I went with a 4' dovetail, because a 5, dovetail will drag the ground offroad, as in farmland.

Pictures from before we moved, showing the pop-up dovetail and ramps chained in the up position.

 

[econometrics]

econometrics, My trailer weighs 5,000 pounds, with 4,000 on the axles. I went with a 4' dovetail, because a 5, dovetail will drag the ground offroad, as in farmland.

Pictures from before we moved, showing the pop-up dovetail and ramps chained in the up position.
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Good food for thought on the height of the dovetail! And I like how you can get all four bales on your trailer there with the ramps chained in the up position!

That's one of the things I've been thinking about in wanting a 20+5 vs. a 25+5... giving up that extra 5 feet. I can't see myself needing that 5' right now, but it could be nice to have.

Only problem is that the trailer wouldn't fit in my shop, then. I'd like to keep it inside to keep it in better condition for now, so I'm willing to sacrifice that 5' to do it.

 

[Xfaxman]

Good food for thought on the height of the dovetail! And I like how you can get all four bales on your trailer there with the ramps chained in the up position!

That's one of the things I've been thinking about in wanting a 20+5 vs. a 25+5... giving up that extra 5 feet. I can't see myself needing that 5' right now, but it could be nice to have.
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Look closer, it is two rows of four, 5x6 bales, or eight total. Then I put six more on a 16' deckover hooked to the receiver hitch on the back of the gooseneck. Pulled them down the road from the hay field to the barn, about a mile.

 

[econometrics]

Look closer, it is two rows of four, 5x6 bales, or eight total. Then I put six more on a 16' deckover hooked to the receiver hitch on the back of the gooseneck. Pulled them down the road from the hay field to the barn, about a mile.

That's actually what I meant... that you could get four lined up in a row. 8 total. Just need to stack there more on top!

 

[Xfaxman]

That's actually what I meant... that you could get four lined up in a row. 8 total. Just need to stack three more on top!

I have with lighter bales, but these were about 1500 each!

 

[davrow]

There's a 20,000# GN trailer available on Craigslist here now - $6,500 - not mine, I don't know enough about these to know if it matches anyone's needs here, just thought you might like to see it: Trailer

 

[7879fordman]

Ya you need to watch Craigslist there are deals on it .

I bought my 2012 40'pj gooseneck on it for $5000 it was 6 months old . Person just wanted to get out from under . He had seen he couldn't make money hotshot'n . The trailer was a $10000 new trailer at half price .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

 

[davrow]

I meant to add, I'll deliver it anywhere in the country (even Canada) - if you buy me a truck strong enough to haul it! :thumbsup:

 

[econometrics]

Ya you need to watch Craigslist there are deals on it . I bought my 2012 40'pj gooseneck on it for $5000 it was 6 months old . Person just wanted to get out from under . He had seen he couldn't make money hotshot'n . The trailer was a $10000 new trailer at half price . Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

Wow, that's a smoking deal.

Most of the used trailers for sale around me that would fit my needs are still too expensive for the amount of life that's been taken out of them. It makes better sense to just buy new from what I've been seeing.

That's not to say a killer deal ain't out there, but I just haven't seen it yet.