KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
I chronicled the purchase of my 7' x 20' 10,000# dovetail trailer a while ago. Generally speaking, I am pleased with the purchase. It is a Leonard. Unfortunately, the salesfolks were not as helpful or knowledgable as I'd have hoped (trailer was delivered un-inspected with at least one out of balance wheel...other places inspected their trailers and at least took the time to have the wheels balanced). But, the trailer fit the bill...I purchased for $2,500 brand new. Alternatives at other dealers were $2,200 for 7' x 16' 7,000# flatbed and $3,300 for 7' x 18' 10,000# dovetail.
I've noticed the 'normal' stuff like lack of paint on the underside, cheesy electrical connections, and a grouchy tongue jack. But figuring my alternatives, this was a good purchase. I only really needed a 7,000#, but hate leaving so much towing capacity on the table (truck is good for 9,400#). I view this trailer as having the added safety of heavier tires, brakes, and axles as I hope to never approach its true capacity. It's built pretty well...I can jump up and down on the fenders...something I can't say of other trailers I looked at. It shimmys and bucks a bit when empty (hopefully balanced tires will help), but rides like a DREAM ON CLOUDS GLIDING ON WHIPPED CREAM with my tractor secured onboard. Very nice tow when loaded. Very nice indeed.
This being my "all around" trailer, I needed to outfit it to carry mulch, stone, sand, timber, brush, and other such things without them spilling out the flat sides, so stakesides were in order. Given the size of the thing, my challenge was to make the sides light enough to manage, but constructed such that stuff didn't fall out of holes. The attached pictures demonstrate my solution. The frames are full lap-joint 2x4s, individually routed to fit. the front half can be left as a wind break should the back half be removed (note the 45 degree break in the middle), but most of the time, all panels will be in place. Each panel weighs about 25# at the most...quite manageable. Once buckled in with the barrel locks on the sides and the gate braces front and rear, it is quite stout and doesn't shake around much at all. The only problem so far has been a wicked glare in the morning sun...it all may end up painted before all is said.
With the stakesides mounted, I was forced to install some manner of tie-down within the limits of the bed sufficient to chain my tractor. Enter a series of 11,000# D-rings from TSC. 12 in all, I have 4 forward and 2 aft on both sides of the bed, all fastened to the cross-braces with Grade 8 bolts. I routed them into pockets in the bed so I could slide my bucket over them without getting snagged. I considered the E-Track system, but was concerned about getting stone and mulch choked up into the mounting track. Plus, that system would have added well over $400 to the project...as this is, each ring was $7 each. This system will greatly enhance the flexibilty in properly tying things to the deck.
As I have always found helpfulness in finding the fits and flaws in other's solutions to their own problems, I hope someone finds something helpful in this approach. Given the time invested in these additions (probably 20 or 25 often interrupted, broken hours in the hot sun, spanned over 3 weeks in 2 hour blocks, further softened to inefficiency by several cold beverages and, of course, my grilling duties), I hope they last several years at least.
I've noticed the 'normal' stuff like lack of paint on the underside, cheesy electrical connections, and a grouchy tongue jack. But figuring my alternatives, this was a good purchase. I only really needed a 7,000#, but hate leaving so much towing capacity on the table (truck is good for 9,400#). I view this trailer as having the added safety of heavier tires, brakes, and axles as I hope to never approach its true capacity. It's built pretty well...I can jump up and down on the fenders...something I can't say of other trailers I looked at. It shimmys and bucks a bit when empty (hopefully balanced tires will help), but rides like a DREAM ON CLOUDS GLIDING ON WHIPPED CREAM with my tractor secured onboard. Very nice tow when loaded. Very nice indeed.
This being my "all around" trailer, I needed to outfit it to carry mulch, stone, sand, timber, brush, and other such things without them spilling out the flat sides, so stakesides were in order. Given the size of the thing, my challenge was to make the sides light enough to manage, but constructed such that stuff didn't fall out of holes. The attached pictures demonstrate my solution. The frames are full lap-joint 2x4s, individually routed to fit. the front half can be left as a wind break should the back half be removed (note the 45 degree break in the middle), but most of the time, all panels will be in place. Each panel weighs about 25# at the most...quite manageable. Once buckled in with the barrel locks on the sides and the gate braces front and rear, it is quite stout and doesn't shake around much at all. The only problem so far has been a wicked glare in the morning sun...it all may end up painted before all is said.
With the stakesides mounted, I was forced to install some manner of tie-down within the limits of the bed sufficient to chain my tractor. Enter a series of 11,000# D-rings from TSC. 12 in all, I have 4 forward and 2 aft on both sides of the bed, all fastened to the cross-braces with Grade 8 bolts. I routed them into pockets in the bed so I could slide my bucket over them without getting snagged. I considered the E-Track system, but was concerned about getting stone and mulch choked up into the mounting track. Plus, that system would have added well over $400 to the project...as this is, each ring was $7 each. This system will greatly enhance the flexibilty in properly tying things to the deck.
As I have always found helpfulness in finding the fits and flaws in other's solutions to their own problems, I hope someone finds something helpful in this approach. Given the time invested in these additions (probably 20 or 25 often interrupted, broken hours in the hot sun, spanned over 3 weeks in 2 hour blocks, further softened to inefficiency by several cold beverages and, of course, my grilling duties), I hope they last several years at least.
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