Trailer for mini excavator?

BoneDigger · Nov 24, 2019

This is a cross post from the construction equipment forum. Mods please delete whichever needs to be deleted.

I need to buy a mini excavator for my business. Which type of trailer is considered best for these? Flatbed with ramps? Car hauler? Dump? Also, I'm assuming 20ft. Or is shorter better?

4570Man · Nov 24, 2019

They can be loaded on pretty much anything. Ramps are even optional. I prefer deck over trailers because they’re better for loading other things but for a dedicated job of hauling a mini excavator the lower deck of an equipment trailer would be better. A dump trailer is quite likely the worst option for hauling equipment but has the benefit of dumping so..
What size excavator are you looking at? I think shorter than 20’ would be better.

Woody65 · Nov 24, 2019

I use a 16’ equipment trailer with fold up ramps for an 8,000 lb mini ex. Plenty of room if that’s all your hauling.

Tomtint · Nov 24, 2019

I have a KX121, its approx 9500 lbs. personally I like a low bed tilt trailer and my tilt is 20'... Which would be a decent length for that size machine, but I ended up getting a 24' 16k trailer with monster size ramps. ... The tilt is easier and lighter to work with.

Billrog · Nov 24, 2019

I have what Woody said for mine with 2- 7000# axles.

Rebeldad1 · Nov 25, 2019

I have a 18' equipment traler for mine. Pulls great and easy to manuver around
Plenty of room plus room fore something else as well. Supplies, materials, Extra buckets, fuel tank etc. Also use it for my tractor with a loader and brush hog on the back. Wouldnt want it any shorter. If you get into a tight area you can use the excavator to manuver the trailer around.
The weight of the excavator plus the weight of the trailer = gvw weight needed for the trailer. Dont get anything less.

BoneDigger · Nov 26, 2019

Thanks everone! I'm leaning towards an equipment hauler right at the moment. Debating about length, but it sounds like 18ft would be enough.

laurencen · Nov 26, 2019

years gone by I used a 18 foot car trailer, hauled the 430 on it only issue was accessories like the breaker or auger had little room and the wheel fenders seemed to be in the way, now I use a equipment flat deck trailer, its 24feet with beaver tail, for me its perfect for job sites, no issues loading the E32 ex, lots of room for anything else

hayden · Nov 26, 2019

I'd suggest the longest trailer that won't exceed you weight limits and any other size constraints you might have. The extra length can be critical when it comes to locating the load for proper balance. The different in trailing my mini is HUGE when the weight is properly distributed on the trailer vs not. I'm hauling a Kubota KX121 on a 20' equipment trailer and would say it's just about the right size. There is room for extra buckets etc., and to still be able to get the weight distribution right.

nyone · Dec 4, 2019

Depends on what size machine you have.

My little 3500lb machine fits my 18ft car trailer just fine. It's got a dove tail. I haven't ever used the ramps to load it.

finn1 · Dec 5, 2019

Picked a Deere 26g partly because it was light enough to fit on my existing 16+2’ car trailer.

The next year I bought an 8800 lb CTL, so I had to upgrade the trailer anyway.

Found a lightly used 14k 16+2’ equipment trailer. It works ok, but a lower trailer would be easier to load, and a tilt deck probably would save some muscle work on my aging body.

Norm W · Dec 6, 2019

Get the biggest you can afford, without running afoul of DOT with your license. You can always haul small stuff on a big trailer, but it doesn't work the other way. You never know when you could come upon a good deal on a bigger tractor or other machine.

Redbug · Dec 6, 2019

What Norm W says makes the most sense. I have a 24 foot tilt 14K trailer. You never know when you may want to take extra stuff along with the excavator as well.

nyone · Dec 6, 2019

Norm W said:
Get the biggest you can afford, without running afoul of DOT with your license. You can always haul small stuff on a big trailer, but it doesn't work the other way. You never know when you could come upon a good deal on a bigger tractor or other machine.

It's not quite that simple. Way more trailer than you need means your towing around extra weight and this also takes away from your tow capacity of the vehicle.

Redbug. What's the curb weight of a 24ft tilt with a 14k few? It's got to be over 4 or 5k empty.

bitternut · Dec 6, 2019

I agree with Redbug and Norm W. I bought a 23' 15,000# tilt trailer. It's a very versatile trailer and not near as heavy as you would think. Bare trailer weighs only 3200#. My excavator weighs in at 6300# and has plenty of wiggle room left over for attachments. Loading/unloading is a breeze compared to ramps. Not a bit of pucker factor. Hauling my tractor with loader, bucket, brush hog and calcium filled rear tires fills the trailer up. Actually the brush hog tail wheel hangs beyond the rear of the trailer. It gets a flag attached so everything is kosher. Weight wise I am most likely close to being maxed out. My truck is a 2500HD with the 6 liter gasser engine. Much more weight or high altitude terrain I would be needing to purchase a new diesel powered truck.

Premium 15 GVWR Wood Floor Tilt Equipment Trailer

Rebeldad1 · Dec 8, 2019

Great pictures. What a lovely family

Redbug · Dec 9, 2019

nyone said:
It's not quite that simple. Way more trailer than you need means your towing around extra weight and this also takes away from your tow capacity of the vehicle.

Redbug. What's the curb weight of a 24ft tilt with a 14k few? It's got to be over 4 or 5k empty.

Nyone...Mine is around 3300lbs.