lo-boy versus over-the-wheel flatbed gooseneck?

[texasjohn]

I'm worrying over which kind of flatbed to get.

It will be a gooseneck... and it will be 20 feet.

I already have a 18 foot tongue pull lowboy and a 6 round bale trailer so, I can haul hay over the road and pull equipment and stuff on the flatbed.

Problem is, existing flatbed does not have electric brakes, is elderly, and is somewhat overloaded and barely long enough to carry my tractor and shredder.

I need a gooseneck for safety, electric brakes for safety, and a longer trailer to carry tractor and equipment properly balanced.

Sometimes, I think what I need is a low-boy with pipe rails/sides, ramps, etc for loading tractor and equipment easily... but understand that the width is limited for that VERY OCCASIONAL time when I want to load something wider than usual. A low trailer bed is soooo handy for putting stuff into by hand on the ranch, too.

An over the wheel flatbed with no rails/sides solves that problem, but is higher for loading equipment and more difficult to tie down a load.

Y'all can't make the decision for me...but perhaps you know advantages/disadvantages I have not considered.

It WILL be a Craig's list local cash purchase, not new. But I will make sure it is fully operational, etc... so, price isn't a big deal. I am in no hurry, can wait for the right trailer to show up...

What considerations will get me off this fence, besides price? This is an occasional use trailer... maybe 12 times a year for its full capabilities.

 

[flusher]

I'm worrying over which kind of flatbed to get.

It will be a gooseneck... and it will be 20 feet.

I already have a 18 foot tongue pull lowboy and a 6 round bale trailer so, I can haul hay over the road and pull equipment and stuff on the flatbed.

Problem is, existing flatbed does not have electric brakes, is elderly, and is somewhat overloaded and barely long enough to carry my tractor and shredder.

I need a gooseneck for safety, electric brakes for safety, and a longer trailer to carry tractor and equipment properly balanced.

Sometimes, I think what I need is a low-boy with pipe rails/sides, ramps, etc for loading tractor and equipment easily... but understand that the width is limited for that VERY OCCASIONAL time when I want to load something wider than usual. A low trailer bed is soooo handy for putting stuff into by hand on the ranch, too.

An over the wheel flatbed with no rails/sides solves that problem, but is higher for loading equipment and more difficult to tie down a load.

Y'all can't make the decision for me...but perhaps you know advantages/disadvantages I have not considered.

It WILL be a Craig's list local cash purchase, not new. But I will make sure it is fully operational, etc... so, price isn't a big deal. I am in no hurry, can wait for the right trailer to show up...

What considerations will get me off this fence, besides price? This is an occasional use trailer... maybe 12 times a year for its full capabilities.

I looked at those alternatives recently while checking out GN flatbeds to haul my parade tractors (heaviest is about 4700 lb), less than 10 outings per year.

I'm leaning toward an 18-ft tiltbed by PJ Trailers (lowboy, 7K dual axles with brakes and derated to 9990 lb GVWR so I won't need a CDL). My concerns are nearly the same as yours (low CG on the trailer/load for safety, ease of loading/unloading and tie-down). I'm going with the tilt bed since I expect to eventually get one or more old tractors with tricycle or narrow front axle setups. Also, with ramps like you use for over-the-wheel GNs, I have nightmares of me messing up. falling off the ramp with the tractor landing on my head.

The PJ has 83" width between the fenders--just wide enough to handle the 82" outside tire track on my 1964 MF-135 diesel tractor. All my other old tractors have narrower track widths.

I'll have enough D-rings welded to the tiltbed so there will be sufficient tiedown points.

 

[wkpoor]

I had a drop deck as my fisrt tandem. My secong was a deck over. At some point you will wish you had a deck over like I did. Since I have a deck over I have never wished I had a drop deck. It simply covers all bases. Deck height has never been an issue.

 

[Big Bri]

i went back and forth on this one also. i went with the deck over. It is a little different driving a tractor up and down those tall ramps but i'm getting use to it. the deck over makes it easy for the guys at the lumber yard to load with a fork lift.
good luck

 

[Diamondpilot]

For your needs it sounds like a GN Deck Over is what you need. I would go longer then 20' though, get at least a 25.

Chris

 

[Big Bri]

For your needs it sounds like a GN Deck Over is what you need. I would go longer then 20' though, get at least a 25.

Chris

yes 25' is a must exp if you get the fold up ramps

 

[Raw Dodge]

I looked at those alternatives recently while checking out GN flatbeds to haul my parade tractors (heaviest is about 4700 lb), less than 10 outings per year.

I'm leaning toward an 18-ft tiltbed by PJ Trailers (lowboy, 7K dual axles with brakes and derated to 9990 lb GVWR so I won't need a CDL). My concerns are nearly the same as yours (low CG on the trailer/load for safety, ease of loading/unloading and tie-down). I'm going with the tilt bed since I expect to eventually get one or more old tractors with tricycle or narrow front axle setups. Also, with ramps like you use for over-the-wheel GNs, I have nightmares of me messing up. falling off the ramp with the tractor landing on my head.

The PJ has 83" width between the fenders--just wide enough to handle the 82" outside tire track on my 1964 MF-135 diesel tractor. All my other old tractors have narrower track widths.

I'll have enough D-rings welded to the tiltbed so there will be sufficient tiedown points.

Be careful with "derated" trailers.Just because the tag is 9900,doesnt mean you dont need a cdl.If your stopped and weighed and the actual weight is over 9900,you will be out of class,no different than a higher gvwr trailer,in fact worse,because now your getting an overweight ticket,and an out of class because the trailer is underegistered.Also check on the legalitys,if its for personal use,I dont think you need a CDL,even if its over 9900.

 

[salopez]

in most states you need a cdl if your trailer is over 10k lbs no matter if its personal or commercial...

if the manufacturer derates the trailer you are fine...you simpley loose out on capacity due to the heavier trailer.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I have several non deck overs a 2 deck overs & would never give up the deck over's. Dont go less than 25' & if you find one go with 30' to 32' it will handle a tractor and several bales or leave room to move load on the trailer. Rarely will you find a spot a 30' wont ft that a 20' will. At least in TX you dont have rust.

 

[Duffster]

in most states you need a cdl if your trailer is over 10k lbs no matter if its personal or commercial.

That is incorrect.

CA is the only state that requires a CDL solely based on a trailer being over 10k