New trailer, farm and on-road use

[PA452]

Alright, well I'm starting to feel a little more confident that the 3500# axle on a stock trailer might be fine for what I have in mind then.

 

[TimberXX]

awesome, take some photos and let us know how it worked out.

 

[wolfpack2]

So you are looking for something like this?

Sure-Trac | Tube Top ATV Utility Trailer Trailer | Sure-Trac

 

[PA452]

So you are looking for something like this?

Sure-Trac | Tube Top ATV Utility Trailer Trailer | Sure-Trac

Yeah, basically. Single axle version.

 

[aczlan]

If you can, find one where the tailgate will flip forward and lay flat on the bed, that will greatly improve your mileage when towing it unloaded.

Aaron Z

 

[PA452]

Waited too long. Called them today, wanted to take a trip down. Apparently it sold Saturday.

Trailers are in short supply right now in the lockdown age.

 

[PA452]

Pretty well zero'ed in on going with PJ again for this single axle. Having trouble finding one within a few hours.

Trying to decide between a regular open rail as you'd traditionally see on a landscape utility trailer, or the same but with the ATV ramps forming the rail up front. It's very unlikely that I would use the ramps to load an ATV on the front. If I did need to haul two ATVs I'm more likely to just use my bigger trailer. But, I do like the idea that I could quickly remove a ramp on either side to be able to set something on the trailer with forks. Not sure how often that would come in handy. The only problem with the version that has ATV ramps up front (other than being a little more expensive), is they then don't put stake pockets on the front half of the trailer which I would typically use for removal walls for firewood and such.

 

[Gem99ultra]

You might want to look at Karavan trailers, currently being sold at Sam's Club as well as other places. Inexpensive but seems to fit your requirements. All sides fold down if desired, and are removable, including ramp tailgate. Only two things I added was to change out the fixed leg jack stand for a flip up, and add 6 tie-down I-bolts.

I bought their smaller one, 12' to haul my mower and/or SxS. It's also used for numerous other chores like hauling logs and brush as needed. I think I paid a little over $1K for the 6'x12' size.

Now - its not a Kaufman or PJ for sure. But then, I already have a 20' PJ for heavy duty tractor hauling, etc.. Don't need two Cadillac trailers...

 

[LouNY]

If you can, find one where the tailgate will flip forward and lay flat on the bed, that will greatly improve your mileage when towing it unloaded.

Aaron Z

Also I'd make sure that it was easy to remove that rear ramp.
If someone is loading something with a fork lift from the rear they would crush that ramp and the load will still be to far to the rear.
I modified mine to be easily removed and a fork lift can set a pallet on the trailer then back up and push the pallet further on to balance the load.

 

[John_Mc]

2900 lbs may be accurate for a cord of dry softwood, but if you haul green hardwood expect a cord to weigh closer to 5000.

Exactly what I was thinking when reading some of the earlier estimates. Even a cord of White Pine weighs 3200# when green. Hard (Sugar) Maple, White Oak Red Oak, Black Locust, Hickory, American Beech all generally weigh over 5000# when green, some of those species can push close to 6000#. Even when dried down to below 20% moisture content (recommended for burning firewood), they still range from 3500# to over 4000# per cord.

If you want to haul a cord of firewood, go with the heavier axle.

 

[PA452]

Also I'd make sure that it was easy to remove that rear ramp.
If someone is loading something with a fork lift from the rear they would crush that ramp and the load will still be to far to the rear.
I modified mine to be easily removed and a fork lift can set a pallet on the trailer then back up and push the pallet further on to balance the load.

Yeah, I would like that as well. The PJ trailers (at least my dual axle trailer), has linch pins on the pivot pins for the rear gate. So I assume that gate is made for easy, quick removal or they wouldn't have used linch pins. But I've never had a significant reason to remove them yet, and I've been hesitant to try it just because of the spring assist. I'll have to look again and verify that the spring has no tension when all the way up or I imagine getting it back together would be a pain.

 

[PA452]

You might want to look at Karavan trailers, currently being sold at Sam's Club as well as other places. Inexpensive but seems to fit your requirements. All sides fold down if desired, and are removable, including ramp tailgate. Only two things I added was to change out the fixed leg jack stand for a flip up, and add 6 tie-down I-bolts.

I bought their smaller one, 12' to haul my mower and/or SxS. It's also used for numerous other chores like hauling logs and brush as needed. I think I paid a little over $1K for the 6'x12' size.

Now - its not a Kaufman or PJ for sure. But then, I already have a 20' PJ for heavy duty tractor hauling, etc.. Don't need two Cadillac trailers...

I think I saw some of those outside of a Home Depot. I think I'd rather spend a little more for something that seems built a little heavier. But you're right, those fold-down sides really appealed to me. Although IIRC there were no stake pockets. I like using stake pockets for quick-removable solid sides.

 

[civilian]

Sure Trac makes a single axle 5000# on a landscape/utility trailer. I think it could be up to 14ft long. It has been a while since looking at the website. Jon

 

[PA452]

Ended up going with another PJ with the ATV ramps up front. Happy with it so far, although one latch on the gate seems slightly misaligned which is a little disappointing, but it's functional. Pulls and rides very nice. I wasn't happy when I first saw the Demco coupler with that polymer latch, but admittedly it is kind of a nice to work with. No latching when hooking up the trailer, just drop the coupler onto the hitch ball and it latches itself. Just stick the locking pin in and you're set. I was a little worried the ATV ramps would be rattling a lot, but they don't at all. However there is nothing holding them in place. Thinking I might add something so I can lock them in at least.

My larger trailer is a PJ as well, so it's nice that anything I buy or make to use the Ready-Rail system can be used on both trailers.

 

[Peter 315]

Nice looking trailer.....:thumbsup: