Looking to Buy a Trailer

[jgbanshee]

I am looking to buy a new trailer to haul cars and equipment. Not sure if I want a skid steer construction trailer or a car hauler type. The car hauler usually has dovetail, which causes a problem when exiting from my driveway and I am not a fan of the pullout type ramps. The skid steer trailer with a level deck and fold-up ramps I think but I am not sure will cause a problem when loading and unloading a low car. As for the decking material, I assume a diamond plate deck would be lighter than a wooden deck. Am I correct?

 

[George2615]

Since you are looking for a trailer to haul cars and equipment you don't want a skid steer / construction trailer. They are generally only 76" wide or less between the fenders. Many full size cars and or trucks will not fit on a 76" wide deck. You'll need a trailer with 82" between the fenders and a minimum of 16-20' in length. I use an H&H 20' tilt bed trailer for the same purposes as you. No beavertail, no ramps, just tilt and drive or winch the vehicle on. There are many brands that meet these requirements. I prefer a wood deck for use in winter. I think the metal deck would ice up. My trailer weighs about 2400 lb. I have hauled many a low car without any problem. So low in fact I had to jack up the car on the trailer just to hook up tie down chains. Approximate new tilt bed prices range from $3K and up depending if you get a gravity tilt, manual pump tilt, or an electric tilt unit.

 

[jgbanshee]

I have look at that brand trailer but was wondering if the trailer has to be disconnected from the tow vehicle when loading and unloading. The picture on the website shows the hitch coupler in a weird and low position with the deck tilted.

 

[George2615]

No it doesn't. I haul my tractor and many other vehicles and you don't have to unhook to unload. On mine, I unchain the load, pull the spring loaded pin on each side, hit the up lever on the hydraulic pump to tilt, and drive off the trailer. There is plenty of play movement at the ball hitch to allow tilt. There are some pics of mine in the members photo section under other brands, mahindra. Check around pages 5 and 6. If you use a weight distribution hitch with this trailer you must unhook you spring bars before tilting the trailer. This trailer can be loaded or unloaded whether it is hooked to a tow vehicle or not.