Comments on trailer please

[ning]

I drove past this equipment trailer earlier today, and called the seller.
It seems like a good deal - he's asking $2800... hoping to get some feedback.

My use: I have a Branson 3520h - measures about 5'6" on the outside of the back tires, and from front of bucket to back of tires is 14'. The tractor specs say just over 4000# base; I've got filled tires, backhoe and FEL, so I'm guessing it's somewhere between 6k-7k pounds with the TLB setup on it, and probably around 18-19' long.

I'd like to occasionally - probably 1-2x/year - use my tractor away from my land. Currently I have no ability to move the tractor other than by road or if I go rent a trailer.
I also help set up a camp which involves moving a lot of lumber and other things; the do-it-all guy who'd like to retire from the volunteer position I help out with keeps asking if I have a trailer that could be used instead of his when we do this.

The trailer: About 40 years old, no obvious manufacturer. 3 axles, 5 lug; I believe it's got brakes on all 3 axles. The electrical is all redone, rubber is all brand new (Power King Low Boy Trailer Bias Tire - 7-14.5LT load range F), trailer jack is new. It's been repainted... everywhere... - seller says he wire wheeled everything and there was a bit of surface rust but nothing major. He'll provide pictures of the process if I ask.
The deck is this metal stuff, somewhat wavy from weight being on it. Seller says he's welded all the deck panels together at the seams so that the weight is better supported.
Deck is 6' wide between the fenders (not a ton of clearance for my tractor, but it's enough) and 19'8" long. Ramps with support swing down.
Has 7-pin connector. Has very heavy tie-downs on the inside of the rails and hooks on the outside.

Concerns:
- I don't know how heavy the trailer is
- There's no manufacturer's plate giving GVWR
- All the new paint kinda makes me wonder if it's hiding something
- Overall it's pretty long. Does having a long bumper-pull trailer affect your turning radius much? My turnaround by my barn is very limited and I can just barely get my long bed crew cab around it, and I'd hate to get the trailer and not be able to drive it in and turn it around, it's a long back-up to get out...

Comments of all sorts would be appreciated (asking for it huh).

Pictures show: side view, view of deck across width, hitch, jack, view of axle through deck, view of springs & hub, inner-frame tie down, top view of hitch triangle.

 

[4570Man]

It looks homemade. I wouldn't like it because of the 3 axels. My tandem axel trailers scrub bad enough on tight turns. It looks heavily rusted under that fresh coat of paint. I'm generally not a fan of buying homemade things. They're almost always cobbled up because the price of doing a good job is usually more than just buying a new piece.

 

[Jstpssng]

It seems like overkill for what you want it for, plus you really don't know much about it. I did a quick search on Craigslist in your area; if you look around you can probably find something a little more suited for you needs or even a new one for not much more money. Trailers for Sale - Enclosed Cargo, Dump, Car, Utility Trailers - TrailersPlus.com

 

[Peter 315]

Pass:thumbdown:

 

[mopardude318]

yea. forget about that thing.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Reminds me of a Trailer house frame. I’d pass too

Brett

 

[fried1765]

It looks homemade. I wouldn't like it because of the 3 axels. My tandem axel trailers scrub bad enough on tight turns. I wouldn't pay a nickel over 2k for it and that's after the workmanship passed my inspection.

DITTO!
Scrubbing tires is bad enough with 2 axles, three would be terrible.
DON"T BUY IT !!
I can't even begin to imagine how the California Highway Patrol would roll their eyes.
No weight rating placard!
You can buy a new trailer for another $1600, and have something with resale value.
I bought a new 14K equipment trailer for $4400 in New England 2 years ago.
Trailers are expensive in New England, because most are made in the South or Midwest.
Shipping was probably $400+ of my trailer cost.
You will probably suffer from the same shipping cost issue in Northern California.
You might try Kaufman Trailers Equipment, Gooseneck, Car, & Utility Trailers.
They are a manufacturer, have a great reputation, and offer inexpensive shipping throughout the US.

 

[newbury]

<snip> It looks heavily rusted under that fresh coat of paint. <snip>

But you have to love the 3-D textured paint job!

 

[dieselcrawler]

For $800 I'd jump on it, and deal with any shortcomings. Maybe remove the front axle, if the remaining 2 are up to the weight you need, and re-do the fenders to match the missing axle... but I've got the skills, and the tools, for such metal fab. No way I'd spend $2800 on it. I gave $1600 for a 10k# deck-over, 20' OAL deck including dovetail, with heavy ramps on the tail. Needed a few deck boards replaced, and the pintle hitch for the truck was included.

You can find a better deal if you keep looking.

 

[ning]

Thanks all - I'll look for something else!

While I've got you here - the turn-around by my barn - basically a very tight cul-de-sac - is... tight. With a small enclosed cargo trailer I don't have a problem making it (if I time my turn just right) but I'm wondering how the geometry of a longer trailer affects turning radius - does the length of the trailer affect the turning radius at all (with a bumper pull - not gooseneck) or is it mostly the tongue length?

Sorry for the newb question.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Thanks all - I'll look for something else!

While I've got you here - the turn-around by my barn - basically a very tight cul-de-sac - is... tight. With a small enclosed cargo trailer I don't have a problem making it (if I time my turn just right) but I'm wondering how the geometry of a longer trailer affects turning radius - does the length of the trailer affect the turning radius at all (with a bumper pull - not gooseneck) or is it mostly the tongue length?

Sorry for the newb question.

It's all geometry. If the tow vehicle can make the 'U-turn' without backing up, the trailer will likely follow... if the trailer doesn't jackknife into the tow vehicle bumper when turning that tight. The other issue, though typically to a lesser extent, it 'tail swing', if the trailer has a large portion of length behind the axles. At my previous job, we had a 30' gooseneck with hydraulic dove tail, there was about 10' of tail behind the rear tires, and it would swing wide and was something to be aware of...

A shorter tow vehicle makes it easier to turn the longer trailer. My extended cab short bed truck is a breeze to tow with, compared to FIL's extended cab long bed... or his brother's crew cab long bed... be it towing my bumper pull or their 24' goosenecks .

 

[4570Man]

Longer trailers track wider but in the given instance I'm not sure how much difference it makes as long as the trailer isn't so long that it's possible to jack knife while going forward. It's not a problem with leaf spring front end Fords, but it is possible to get a GN trailer into the cab of short bed truck with a coil spring front end while traveling forward. And I disagree with the common statement of longer trailers being easier to back. Maybe in a straight line but not much else. As long as as I can see the trailer I have a much easier time backing a short trailer down the driveway and into the road without driving in the grass. It's impossible to do that with my 25 foot GN and I have an easier time doing it with my 8 foot trailer vs my 12 foot trailer

 

[bcp]

Frame certainly looks like ex-mobile home, likely axles, too.

Floor is old aircraft landing mat, maybe WWII surplus. Made to support weight only when on the ground.

These Portable Runways Helped Win the War in the Pacific
|
Photos | Air & Space Magazine

Marston landing mat - Google Search

Bruce

 

[Jstpssng]

Longer trailers track wider but in the given instance I'm not sure how much difference it makes as long as the trailer isn't so long that it's possible to jack knife while going forward. It's not a problem with leaf spring front end Fords, but it is possible to get a GN trailer into the cab of short bed truck with a coil spring front end while traveling forward. And I disagree with the common statement of longer trailers being easier to back. Maybe in a straight line but not much else. As long as as I can see the trailer I have a much easier time backing a short trailer down the driveway and into the road without driving in the grass. It's impossible to do that with my 25 foot GN and I have an easier time doing it with my 8 foot trailer vs my 12 foot trailer

A gooseneck is different than a bumper pull, and opinions can vary. I find a longer trailer easier to back simply because it doesn't start to jackknife as quickly; I often would back my tandem axle down my curved 300 foot driveway. The worst was the mulcher I used to pull behind a hay truck with a 23' rack body; you couldn't see the darned thing behind the load and had to do it by feel.

 

[4570Man]

Backing in a straight line id rather have the long trailer any time. Backing around curves I'd probably rather have my 12 foot trailer over the 8 footer. For my most common trailer use of mowing residential yards I prefer the 8 foot trailer because it's easier to get backed out of the driveway onto the street without hitting mailboxes on the other side of the road. I used to have a shorter GN and it tracked better going forward and was more controllable going backwards. It was only 5 foot shorter. I contribute most of the difference being added friction to overcome on the duel tandem wanting to go straight.

 

[hturner12]

Thanks all - I'll look for something else!

While I've got you here - the turn-around by my barn - basically a very tight cul-de-sac - is... tight. With a small enclosed cargo trailer I don't have a problem making it (if I time my turn just right) but I'm wondering how the geometry of a longer trailer affects turning radius - does the length of the trailer affect the turning radius at all (with a bumper pull - not gooseneck) or is it mostly the tongue length?

Sorry for the newb question.

I have a 90 f250 extended cab and a 20 ft trailer. Backing is a pain in the butt. The truck is 23 ft long. Here at the house to get the back yard it tricky cause it "S" turns. Now if I bring the trailer home I unhook in the front yard and use the jeep to back it in.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Guy here near Portland OR makes a 10000# trailer for $2500. He does a nice job. MS trailer. Would be a much better buy even with the trip to get it.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Thanks all - I'll look for something else!

While I've got you here - the turn-around by my barn - basically a very tight cul-de-sac - is... tight. With a small enclosed cargo trailer I don't have a problem making it (if I time my turn just right) but I'm wondering how the geometry of a longer trailer affects turning radius - does the length of the trailer affect the turning radius at all (with a bumper pull - not gooseneck) or is it mostly the tongue length?

Sorry for the newb question.

What you appear to be concerned about is getting around turns. That is off tracking. In general the distance from the ball to the center of the axles will determine how much it will off track. So if that is longer than the trailer you have it will off track more plus any additional width.

 

[bcp]

Off-track calculator:

Idaho Transportation Department

Offtrack trailer turn calculator

Bruce