Car Hauler or Equipment Trailer -- What is the difference please?

arnoldziffel · Mar 17, 2014

When it comes to tandem trailers I know nothing.

Maybe I'm ready to take the plunge. I've found two used trailers that have been well cared for. One is a 16' car hauler split 14' flat and 2' DOVE TAIL with fold down ladder ramps. The second unit is 16' FLAT with 5' SLIDE -Out ramps.

I'm going to be moving a small Bobcat CT230 about 4 times per year, 20 miles each way.

Neighborhood storage requirements dictate the trailer must be garaged and a 16' trailer plus tongue is all that will fit in the garage.

COMMENTS PLEASE: Will the 14'/2' dove tail unit work for a tractor or should I focus only on the full 16' flat trailer?

Thanks.

Diamondpilot · Mar 17, 2014

Personally I would go with the flat deck and slide in ramps. Many reasons but stand up ramps limit you to 16', no overhang, prevent rear fork lift loading, ect. Flat deck low trailers are the most versatile in my eyes. Easy to load, ect.

Chris

pmsmechanic · Mar 17, 2014

A car hauler usually has two 3500 lb axles and an equipment hauler usually has at least two 6000+ lb axles. This is just a generalization that I've noticed over the years.

arnoldziffel · Mar 17, 2014

I should have mentioned the axle ratings:

Car Hauler GVW 7000 lbs.

Equipment trailer GVW 8040 lbs.

My pick-up can pull 6500 lbs.

Will_C · Mar 17, 2014

I'll second Chris' recommendation for the car hauler. It has plenty of capacity for your tractor, and the flat deck and slide ramps will prove useful for many other uses. I have an 18' 7k trailer that has been for hauling building materials, ATVs, a UTV, and other uses besides moving my tractor.

Will

diesel lover · Mar 18, 2014

If the car hauler will haul your small bobcat no problem I would personally happily buy that. There are so many uses for a trailer that can haul cars and equipment. If all the sudden you needed to haul a car than could easily do it! Many equipment trailers cant haul cars very easily due to the ramps, and deck height etc. post pictures if you can, and good luck!

Diamondpilot · Mar 18, 2014

I had a 25' equipment trailer and now have a 18' car hauler. It has slide in ramps and of the dozen or so trailers I have had this one is by far the most versatile. It's low, only 14" deck to ground, wide (82"), and easy to pull.

Chris

Spindifferent · Mar 18, 2014

Car hauler.

Here's my 18' 7k trailer with my JD 3520.

LD1 · Mar 18, 2014

I guess it is hard to just go off a description. The terms "car hauler" and "equipment trailer" are so vague.

All we know now is that both trailers are rated heavier than you can tow. So do difference to you there. And one is a 16k flat and the other is a 14+2 dove.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

I have seen skid loader trailers listed as equipment trailers. The type that have just the two narrow channels for hauling nothing but a skid loader. THOSE arent very versitle.

I have also seen 7k landscape trailers listed as both car haulers and equipment trailers.

I dont think there is any real standard definition.

I would buy the one that suits your needs the best. Either one wont haul vehicles other than small cars very well. The slide in ramp trailer may be the way to go given it is short. But personally I like having a long enough trailer and fold up ramps.

Ken45101 · Mar 18, 2014

Are both the decks the same height above ground? Steep ramps can be difficult to negotiate with muddy tracks or tires.

Also, if the fold down ramps have supports underneath, that is vastly better than no support when loading heavy equipment. The weight on the rear will really lift the front of the trailer/ back of the truck. A lot of non normal stress on the hitch. Also, if you are parked on a hill and the weight is enough lighten the rear of the truck, it might start moving downhill on you!

Make sure that you have enough length to adjust where you load equipment so that you can adjust the balance on the trailer. If not, you will overload/underload the hitch, which causes dangerous handling. IOW, having enough room on the trailer to get the equipment loaded is not enough. You need enough room to adjust the balance properly (10-15% of the weight should be on the hitch.)