Trailer question - skid steer

[700R]

Tilt-decks are neat for specific uses, but a deckover, or standard equipment trailer are more versatile IMO. Lighter, cheaper, less to maintain too. I have an 18-foot 10k PJ equipment trailer. I'm actually going to sell it to a friend and buy a 14k trailer this weekend. My skid steer is 8k, so at or just over the limit of my 10k trailer. But I also haul cars, trucks, logs, tractors, scrap, lumber, etc...

I'm still undecided on a deckover or a low-profile equipment trailer. At times, I hate the fenders on my trailers, and I could use the width of a deckover....but also, I don't like the height of a deckover and added weight. A 20' deckover is going to have a 15' flat deck (5' dove), whereas a 20' low-profile will have a 17-18' flat deck and a 2-3' dove...so there's that too.

 

[two_bit_score]

Do you find it difficult to see the tips of your forks at all? I bought a set (42") for my compact tractor, similar is size to yours but find I can't see squat until I get about 2' off the ground. I find myself not using them and always go get my Bobcat if I need forks.

View attachment 834171

@nisaacs ,. I took this picture from the seat with the forks slightly rolled back. The tips are slightly visible. With the forks flat and completely down I can’t see the tips.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Tilt-decks are neat for specific uses, but a deckover, or standard equipment trailer are more versatile IMO. Lighter, cheaper, less to maintain too. I have an 18-foot 10k PJ equipment trailer. I'm actually going to sell it to a friend and buy a 14k trailer this weekend. My skid steer is 8k, so at or just over the limit of my 10k trailer. But I also haul cars, trucks, logs, tractors, scrap, lumber, etc...

I'm still undecided on a deckover or a low-profile equipment trailer. At times, I hate the fenders on my trailers, and I could use the width of a deckover....but also, I don't like the height of a deckover and added weight. A 20' deckover is going to have a 15' flat deck (5' dove), whereas a 20' low-profile will have a 17-18' flat deck and a 2-3' dove...so there's that too.


View attachment 835504


View attachment 835505


View attachment 835506

Whatever you do if you go with an equipment trailer get one with the low profile mega ramps, they can be laid all the way down and used for extra deck length or stood up like conventional ramps, personally I went from an equipment trailer to a tilt deck to haul my skidsteer and can't ever see myself going back, I also have a 30' gooseneck deckover but I use the tilt deck 95% of the time as it's just to convienent.

 

[4570Man]

Whatever you do if you go with an equipment trailer get one with the low profile mega ramps, they can be laid all the way down and used for extra deck length or stood up like conventional ramps, personally I went from an equipment trailer to a tilt deck to haul my skidsteer and can't ever see myself going back, I also have a 30' gooseneck deckover but I use the tilt deck 95% of the time as it's just to convienent.

Mega ramps are nice but one downside is an excavator boom or bushhog tail wheel can stick off the back with the regular ramps. I’d never give up my tilt deck either. The only real downside is it’s harder to stack a bunch of implements on the trailer then drive the skid steer on but you really don’t have the weight capacity do that anyway with a 14k trailer.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Mega ramps are nice but one downside is an excavator boom or bushhog tail wheel can stick off the back with the regular ramps. I’d never give up my tilt deck either. The only real downside is it’s harder to stack a bunch of implements on the trailer then drive the skid steer on but you really don’t have the weight capacity do that anyway with a 14k trailer.

If the ramps are laid down flat anything can stick off the back if you needed it to, also I will never understand with the small difference in price why anyone who is hauling skidsteers, excavators, etc wouldn't go with the upgraded 8k axles and 17.5 tires when buying new, I would have went with 10k axles if they had offered them on the tilt deck I bought.

 

[700R]

Whatever you do if you go with an equipment trailer get one with the low profile mega ramps, they can be laid all the way down and used for extra deck length or stood up like conventional ramps, personally I went from an equipment trailer to a tilt deck to haul my skidsteer and can't ever see myself going back, I also have a 30' gooseneck deckover but I use the tilt deck 95% of the time as it's just to convienent.

The IronBull trailer I'm looking at has them...but I'm not really sold on them judging by videos and such I've watched. I do like that they fold up to make a flat deck the whole length, and I like that they are wide enough to cover the center section....good for loading a row crop/tricycle tractor and such.
From the one's I've seen, they are shorter in height than the leg on a traditional ramp, so they transfer more weight to the tail of the trailer before they touch ground and take the weight off the rear of the trailer (puts more stress on the trailer (and truck hitch)). I'm afraid they could get bent when loading on uneven ground since they are so wide. I also like how easy a traditional ramp can be removed and used elsewhere...and many have an adjustable leg. They are also longer, which gives a shallower angle when loading.

I don't know....it's not a deal breaker either way. Many tens of thousands of people use both kinds every day and get the job done. I'm sure I can live with them just fine if I go that way.

I have found two really good deals on trailers so far, and both have traditional stand-up ramps...so the mega ramps aren't even in the picture as of now.

 

[Fallon]

I've got all 22' Diamond C deckover power tilt these days.

Deckover means no fenders & an easier time loading stiff without wheels. It's also got great ground clearance.

Power tilt on a deckover means a rather steep deck angle & impliments dragging near the tail. Power means working about maintaining a battery, pump & hydraulics. Costs more than other options.

My previous trailer was a 16' gravity tilt. Way to short, but otherwise worked well. Low to the ground so trivial to drive on. But fenders & a 4" rim sucked for loading pallets or other stuff over. Low ground clearance, which could drag.

Both work well but have their drawbacks. If I replace the power tilt deckover it likely wouldn't be with a power tilt. Likely a deckover with ramps or a gravity tilt. But replacing is not likely for years & likely to be driven by moving to a gooseneck more than anything.

Everything has drawbacks & compromises, especially depending on the work you do.

 

[4570Man]

If the ramps are laid down flat anything can stick off the back if you needed it to, also I will never understand with the small difference in price why anyone who is hauling skidsteers, excavators, etc wouldn't go with the upgraded 8k axles and 17.5 tires when buying new, I would have went with 10k axles if they had offered them on the tilt deck I bought.

You have to have the deck cleared to lay them down flat though. For an excavator boom you can probably swing it off to the side then fold the ramps but for non swinging equipment that’s more of a problem.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Sounds like the standard stand up ramps might be right up your alley, personally I'm glad I don't have to fight them anymore, good luck on whatever you buy.

The IronBull trailer I'm looking at has them...but I'm not really sold on them judging by videos and such I've watched. I do like that they fold up to make a flat deck the whole length, and I like that they are wide enough to cover the center section....good for loading a row crop/tricycle tractor and such.
From the one's I've seen, they are shorter in height than the leg on a traditional ramp, so they transfer more weight to the tail of the trailer before they touch ground and take the weight off the rear of the trailer (puts more stress on the trailer (and truck hitch)). I'm afraid they could get bent when loading on uneven ground since they are so wide. I also like how easy a traditional ramp can be removed and used elsewhere...and many have an adjustable leg. They are also longer, which gives a shallower angle when loading.

I don't know....it's not a deal breaker either way. Many tens of thousands of people use both kinds every day and get the job done. I'm sure I can live with them just fine if I go that way.

I have found two really good deals on trailers so far, and both have traditional stand-up ramps...so the mega ramps aren't even in the picture as of now.

 

[4570Man]

Sounds like the standard stand up ramps might be right up your alley, personally I'm glad I don't have to fight them anymore, good luck on whatever you buy.

If I was a homeowner and only moving a machine a few times a year I’d probably just buy the basic ramp setup especially for a tractor. A skid steer can be sketchy on regular ramps especially for a amateur operator. If you’re moving machines frequently a tilt deck is well worth the money for the convenience and safety that it offers. Another big plus for the tilt deck is when you’re loading all of the weight is transferred directly down onto the ground. It doesn’t lift up on the hitch at all so your truck won’t go sliding down a hill.

 

[Alan W.]

I bought a 14000 lb Gatormade this year.
Hauls my skid steer and tractor fine.
They are built about 30 miles from where I live so I went to the factory and bought mine.

 

[patrailer]

I had to put off my trailer purchase for a few months, but am ready to pull the trigger. So much great info on this thread, thanks for everyone.

I am pretty new to to hauling equipment, so be gentle!

Many people on here are recommending a tilt trailer, which I can see the benefits of. I have my choice boiled down to either a tilt trailer or a mega ramp trailer. 14k, leaning on 20'. I am using this mostly for my own use, I maintain a few acres at my property. I have a skid steer and would like to transport it occasionally. 80% of the trailers use will probably be going to the rental store to rent skid steer attachments. Occasionally a zero turn mower, and very occasionally a car.

A couple questions:

• With the mega ramp setup (see picture), is getting a zero turn up there going to be difficult due to the gaps in the ramp? It seems with the spacing of the grates the smaller front tires on a zero turn would get stuck? I suppose backing it up may be easier? The tilt trailer obviously would be better for this
• If I primary use is renting attachments from my local rental store, is a mega ramp going to better than a tilt trailer? I'm new to this - when they load the attachments at the rental store I am guessing they are using a skid steer to load them? If I want to rent two or three attachments at a time, I am envisioning having a tough time doing that with a tilt trailer? Am I looking at that correctly? How would I load two attachments (or maybe three?)

 

[dieselscout80]

I have laid plywood down to wheel a hand truck up and down from my trailer.

 

[4570Man]

I had to put off my trailer purchase for a few months, but am ready to pull the trigger. So much great info on this thread, thanks for everyone.

I am pretty new to to hauling equipment, so be gentle!

Many people on here are recommending a tilt trailer, which I can see the benefits of. I have my choice boiled down to either a tilt trailer or a mega ramp trailer. 14k, leaning on 20'. I am using this mostly for my own use, I maintain a few acres at my property. I have a skid steer and would like to transport it occasionally. 80% of the trailers use will probably be going to the rental store to rent skid steer attachments. Occasionally a zero turn mower, and very occasionally a car.

A couple questions:

• With the mega ramp setup (see picture), is getting a zero turn up there going to be difficult due to the gaps in the ramp? It seems with the spacing of the grates the smaller front tires on a zero turn would get stuck? I suppose backing it up may be easier? The tilt trailer obviously would be better for this
• If I primary use is renting attachments from my local rental store, is a mega ramp going to better than a tilt trailer? I'm new to this - when they load the attachments at the rental store I am guessing they are using a skid steer to load them? If I want to rent two or three attachments at a time, I am envisioning having a tough time doing that with a tilt trailer? Am I looking at that correctly? How would I load two attachments (or maybe three?)

I can load 3 attachments on my tilt trailer maybe 4 depending on which ones. If you’re renting them it would be even less of a problem. Just load them sideways and set them off with your machine at home. I can stack my pallet forks or grapple or my stump bucket inside the regular bucket and set that on the front non tilting part of the trailer. Then drive on again leaving the 3rd attachment on the skid steer. I also drive a flatbed truck which reduces the issue. That’s basically adding another 8 ft of deck space. My zero turn would go up the trailer you pictured no problem. I had another equipment trailer in the past that didn’t have a dovetail and my zero turn couldn’t go up it. It would get stuck at the top. I can load my zero turn on my tilt deck no problem. The annoying thing is when my brother comes along to help with his zero turn. Maybe you could drive both mowers up at the same time without the deck going down. I’ve never actually tried that idea. Even if it did work it would still be annoying because both mowers don’t get parked at the same time. We have a car trailer with ramps that we use when we’re bringing 2 mowers. I could load a car on my tilt deck no problem. At least I think I could, I don’t have a car. Loading a 4 door pickup causes problems. My tilt deck doesn’t lock up and it starts to go down before the back wheels hit the deck. If you drive on fast the damper cylinder will hold it up enough get the back axel on. If I absolutely had to solve that problem I could hold the deck up with a floor jack until the vehicle was loaded. I’m not in the business of hauling vehicles so that’s not proved to be a problem. A hydraulic tilt deck would solve most of those problems but my trailer is gravity. I actually like the gravity better. It’s a lot faster for routine loading of equipment and doesn’t require maintenance.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Since your in Pennsylvania... We have Appalachian available to us. They are build per order, no dealer network. You go to the factory and pick them up. I have a couple.

Trailer question - skid steer

 

[D&D]

My tilt deck doesn’t lock up and it starts to go down before the back wheels hit the deck. If you drive on fast the damper cylinder will hold it up enough get the back axel on. If I absolutely had to solve that problem I could hold the deck up with a floor jack until the vehicle was loaded. I’m not in the business of hauling vehicles so that’s not proved to be a problem. A hydraulic tilt deck would solve most of those problems but my trailer is gravity. I actually like the gravity better. It’s a lot faster for routine loading of equipment and doesn’t require maintenance.

My tilt deck is gravity and has an inline valve to control down speed or hold deck up.

 

[4570Man]

My tilt deck is gravity and has an inline valve to control down speed or hold deck up.

I’ve used one in the past that was like that but mine doesn’t have a valve on it. It probably wouldn’t be a hard modification if that was an important detail.

 

[dieselscout80]

I can load 3 attachments on my tilt trailer maybe 4 depending on which ones. If you’re renting them it would be even less of a problem. Just load them sideways and set them off with your machine at home. I can stack my pallet forks or grapple or my stump bucket inside the regular bucket and set that on the front non tilting part of the trailer. Then drive on again leaving the 3rd attachment on the skid steer. I also drive a flatbed truck which reduces the issue. That’s basically adding another 8 ft of deck space. My zero turn would go up the trailer you pictured no problem. I had another equipment trailer in the past that didn’t have a dovetail and my zero turn couldn’t go up it. It would get stuck at the top. I can load my zero turn on my tilt deck no problem. The annoying thing is when my brother comes along to help with his zero turn. Maybe you could drive both mowers up at the same time without the deck going down. I’ve never actually tried that idea. Even if it did work it would still be annoying because both mowers don’t get parked at the same time. We have a car trailer with ramps that we use when we’re bringing 2 mowers. I could load a car on my tilt deck no problem. At least I think I could, I don’t have a car. Loading a 4 door pickup causes problems. My tilt deck doesn’t lock up and it starts to go down before the back wheels hit the deck. If you drive on fast the damper cylinder will hold it up enough get the back axel on. If I absolutely had to solve that problem I could hold the deck up with a floor jack until the vehicle was loaded. I’m not in the business of hauling vehicles so that’s not proved to be a problem. A hydraulic tilt deck would solve most of those problems but my trailer is gravity. I actually like the gravity better. It’s a lot faster for routine loading of equipment and doesn’t require maintenance. View attachment 854801

Nice setup.

How long is your trailer?

 

[4570Man]

Nice setup.

How long is your trailer?

I think the tilt is 18ft and the flat is 6ft. I could probably get away with moving the toolbox to the neck with my current tow vehicle but my dump truck had a 2ft bed overhang and that wasn’t an option.

 

[patrailer]

I think I am going to go with a kaufman trailer. Got it down to these two:

15000 GVWR Deluxe Wood Floor Tilt Equipment Trailer

15000 GVWR Deluxe Wood Floor Tilt Equipment Trailer. Fixed front deck. Rear tilting deck. Load your equipment with no ramps. Call today!

www.kaufmantrailers.com

17000 GVWR Deluxe Wood Floor Tilt Equipment Trailer

17000 GVWR Deluxe Wood Floor Tilt Equipment Trailer. Fixed front deck. Rear tilting deck. Load your equipment with no ramps. Call today!

www.kaufmantrailers.com

The extra 2k of weight is about $1200 extra. I am pulling it with a 3500, so I don't think that matters. However may downgrade to a 2500 someday.

I have a bobcat T595 that weighs about 8100 lbs.

Why can't I find the empty weight on these trailers to figure out the payload?

Also, any thoughts on slightly upgraded trailer... worth the extra cost even though I don't really need it?

Thanks