Trailer questions

[kody632]

Been thinking of getting a trailer and have an opportunity to pick up 22' (18' flat) x 82" wide flat bed for a pretty good deal. It tandem axel 7,000 lbs, electric brakes, etc. My tow vehicle is an '02 Silverado 1500, 5.3, 3.73 gears. Likely the heaviest thing I would tow would be my B7800 w/ backhoe.

I have a couple questions.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of a flat bed vs. landscape?

I think this is all the trailer I will ever need, so I don't think I need heavy axles. Also think that if I get heavier axles and start towing anything much heavier than my tractor that it's probably going to push the limits of my truck first?

I just want to make sure I wont' have to upgrade after this initial purchase. Would love to hear some thoughts?

 

[Diamondpilot]

That trailer has to be pretty heavy. With only 2 3.5K axles I am guessing the max load rating is going to 4,000#. That is a long trailer to only have 7k worth of axles.

Chris

 

[powerstroke444e]

Sounds like a nice trailer if it has 2 7k axles which is how I read your post. Always nice to have more trailer than needed. If you don't fill it up with stuff you should have pleant of truck just keep the brakes working.

 

[dodge man]

I'm guessing the trailer has a 18' deck, which is pretty normal. I bet he means the overall length of the trailer is 24', including the tongue and all.

I think of landscapes having the rails around the edge, which can get in the way, or be handy for tieing things down. I have a trailer about like yours, but its 16' flat deck with a 2 foot beavertail. I like it, but I think they tend to be a little heavier than a landscape trailer.

I'm towing my trailer with a very similar truck, and it works fine.

 

[santa2u]

I have a 16" low boy (tandem axle) but wish I had an 18' so the mower didn't hang off so far. It is legal, but I still don't like it. I also wish I had gotten a tilt bed. My ramps are super heavy for this old man to be wrestling with.

 

[Robb71]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of a flat bed vs. landscape?

Also think that if I get heavier axles and start towing anything much heavier than my tractor that it's probably going to push the limits of my truck first?

The biggest disadvantages to a trailer with rails are side loading with forks and if you ever want to haul a car getting out and back in after you put it on the trailer might require climbing through the window. The advantage to the rail is as mentioned tying down the load and it does keep the load more secure should something come loose or you haul some loose material like trash, yard debris, shingles, etc.

The heavier axles (and I'll assume the trailer is also) actually work against what you can tow if your truck isn't up to the full capacity of the trailer.

 

[George2615]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of a flat bed vs. landscape?

Most landscape trailers are only 76" between the fenders. The one you are looking at is 82". Wider is better in my book in case you ever want to haul a full size vehicle on it. They won't fit on a landscape 76" wide. Depending on the trailer mfg. and how well its built I'd guess that trailer would weigh between 1800-2000 lb. leaving you 5K or so for the load.

 

[Raspy]

I can't determine if you mean the trailer has two 3500 lb axles or two 7000 lb axles. Two 3500 lb axles are pretty weak for the load you are describing. One of the differences between the axles ratings is the brake size. Heavier axles have much bigger and stronger brakes and any trailer of this type should have brakes on both axles. Many don't. Tires are also a big factor. Most 3500 lb axles have very weak tires in stock form.

I used to haul my Hew Holland on a trailer that weighed only 2200 lbs and had two 3500 lb axles. Finally, I decided it wasn't really safe. My tractor with water in the tires and the backhoe on probably weighs about 5000 lbs.

I went to a non-tilt flat bed with 6000 lb axles and load range E tires. It's WAY better. But the ramps are so steep that it's hard to get the tractor loaded without getting stuck as it drags the hoe or box scraper.

 

[Soundguy]

like DP said.. find out the weight. if it is 2 3.5k axles.. your trailer weight detracts from payload. I have a 16' wood deck trailer.. with ramps it is 1740# yours has to be in the 2500# weight I would thing.. or more probably.

that will for sure cut the payload. 2 5k axles would be nicer..

soundguy

 

[kody632]

This is a friend of a friend, and it sounds like a good deal, but I haven't talked to him direct yet. The info that I have is that it is 18' flat and 22' end to end. I'm not sure if that means the dovetail is included in the 18'? I would think the tongue is about 4' so maybe the trailer is 16'+2' dovetail? I'm struggling to validate the nomenclature here. I was thinking it had two 3,500 axles but it actually has two 7,500 lbs. Not sure what the actual trailer weight is at this point. Obviously I need to see this first, but it is an hour away so I thought I would drum up some info from the forum first. One downfall is that it only has brakes on one axle, not sure how big of a deal this is?

 

[tulenutn2o]

Flatbed definately better way to go. If 7k axles, jump on it. Heck if it was cheap enough even the other way would still be a deal.

 

[Raspy]

Good to know it has the heavier axles.

If it has electric brakes, the backing plates and drums can be had for relatively cheap and they bolt right on to flanges already present on most axles I converted a surge brake, tandem axle trailer to electric and it wasn't a big deal. Now I have brand new brakes on both axles. Having both axles brake is a must for me.

Since yours has the bigger axles it must be a heavy duty trailer and will work well for your B7800. Be sure you get a good brake controller so the tail doesn't wag the dog. Nothing like a mid corner hard stop, or a patch of black ice to get your attention!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Flatbed definately better way to go. If 7.5k axles, jump on it. Heck if it was cheap enough even the other way would still be a deal.

I have been in the trailer business for 20 plus years and have never seen 7,500# axles. They may be out there but I have not seen them.

The common sizes are:

1,200#, 1,500#, 2,000# These can be 4 or 5 lug.

3,500# These are 5 lug.

5,200# and 6,000# These are 6 lug

7,000# These are 8 lug

My guess is since it has brakes on one axle only its 2 3,500# axles. They are commonly sold with one axle only. 5,200# and up axles almost always come from the axle manufacture with brakes installed from the factory before they even get to the trailer manufacture. No brakes is usually not even a option.

The big issue I still see is your tow vehicle if you go with a HD trailer. 8,000# is about the limit with the 5.3L but if you tell me what bed length, 4x4 or not, and cab style like extended cab I have a book that list all that.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

I bet it has two 3500lb axles. One set of brakes isn't that big of a deal if you are towing less then 5000lbs. If you are towing close to 7000lbs, you might wish you had two sets of brakes.

 

[wallace]

I bet it has two 3500lb axles. One set of brakes isn't that big of a deal if you are towing less then 5000lbs. If you are towing close to 7000lbs, you might wish you had two sets of brakes.

Unless your state requires brakes on all axles for inspection.

 

[Soundguy]

I bet it has two 3500lb axles. One set of brakes isn't that big of a deal if you are towing less then 5000lbs. If you are towing close to 7000lbs, you might wish you had two sets of brakes.

yep.. my old 7k trailer has 1 brake axle.. and many times I wish it had 2

 

[tulenutn2o]

I have been in the trailer business for 20 plus years and have never seen 7,500# axles. They may be out there but I have not seen them.

The common sizes are:

1,200#, 1,500#, 2,000# These can be 4 or 5 lug.

3,500# These are 5 lug.

5,200# and 6,000# These are 6 lug

7,000# These are 8 lug

My guess is since it has brakes on one axle only its 2 3,500# axles. They are commonly sold with one axle only. 5,200# and up axles almost always come from the axle manufacture with brakes installed from the factory before they even get to the trailer manufacture. No brakes is usually not even a option.

The big issue I still see is your tow vehicle if you go with a HD trailer. 8,000# is about the limit with the 5.3L but if you tell me what bed length, 4x4 or not, and cab style like extended cab I have a book that list all that.

Chris

Would 7200lbs make you happy?300lbs not a big deal at that weight, unless an inspector is standing there. Without a manufacture plate, who knows what the trailer is in the first place? Could look at tires for a clue, lugs, measure axle tubes etc.

 

[dodge man]

Keep in mind what the OP said he would put on it. His tractor can't weigh much more than 3000-3500 lbs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Would 7200lbs make you happy?300lbs not a big deal at that weight, unless an inspector is standing there. Without a manufacture plate, who knows what the trailer is in the first place? Could look at tires for a clue, lugs, measure axle tubes etc.

I have never seen 7,200# axles either. May be out there but never seen them, just 7,000# axles in that weight range.

Chris

 

[tulenutn2o]

I have never seen 7,200# axles either. May be out there but never seen them, just 7,000# axles in that weight range.

Chris

Dexter Axle