Looking for a New Trailer

Slynxwiler · May 24, 2015

Howdy gang!

I'm in the market for a new trailer for general purpose use. We currently have some 16' railed flatbeds. We also have a L5030 cab Kubota with loader. My dad is in his mid-70s, so I'm looking for something easier for him to deal with as far as loading the tractor goes.

So I'm down to a couple of different trailers. An 18' flatbed (no rails) with 2' dove and slide-in ramps OR a 20' partial tilt (16 tilt 4 stationary). Both would be 10k rated. It's hard to go wrong with the straight flatbed, but I'm thinking the tilt would be easier for him to use. My only concern is possibly springing it somehow while loading/unloading on our Southern Missouri hills. And the trailer will be pulled primarily with a 1/2 ton truck.

So I'm needing opinions and thoughts about your use with each. Thanks in advance!

GManBart · May 24, 2015

I think the 20' tilt makes a lot of sense...especially for someone in their 70s. The only real downsides are that they weigh more than fixed decks, so you lose some payload capacity, and they don't work well if you want to load two machines. With the fixed front portion you could still set an implement on it easily, then load the machine. I wouldn't be worried about springing anything on the hills.

George2615 · May 24, 2015

I have a 22' (actual bed length 23'9") PJ 14K full tilt bed. Just a matter of a few seconds to tilt, no ramps to mess with. Mainly tow with a 1/2T pickup but have a bigger truck to tow bigger loads. I also have a 16' dump trailer with heavy steel ramps. The PJ is much easier to use for loading the tractor and chaining down. Yes, a tilt bed costs and weighs more than a ramp trailer but once you pass 60 you look for easier ways to do things.

FatTire · May 24, 2015

Do you ever worry about the tractor rolling back while the trailer is tilted? Heard about, but did not see, a tractor that rolled back due to brake not tight enough. No damage and nobody hurt.

George2615 · May 24, 2015

FatTire said:
Do you ever worry about the tractor rolling back while the trailer is tilted? Heard about, but did not see, a tractor that rolled back due to brake not tight enough. No damage and nobody hurt.

There are a couple other threads where some LS (and other brand) tractors parking brakes do not hold when on an angle. The pic I posted of my tractor on the PJ shows the tractor parked and running in neutral with just the P/brake on holding it in place. I have no doubt if I parked mine in gear, loader down, brake on, that it would stay put. Some tilt trailers also come with a remote control so you could drive on then tilt the trailer level without leaving the tractor. I've been thinking of buying an aftermarket remote kit for mine.

Slynxwiler · May 25, 2015

I appreciate the responses so far. I've used a partial tilt like I'm looking for. I guess it would be considered a gravity tilt, but it had hydraulic assist to keep it from slamming down. But I've been wondering how a a tractor would stay on a power tilt trailer with just s parking brake. I'm not that brave!