Trailer Shopping Advice - Mini Excavator & Car Hauling

[cloves]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice on what I should be looking for trailer wise. I have JCB 8018 mini excavator (Weights about 4,017 lb) I want to be able to haul around in addition to a few project cars including an suv (Weights a bit more then the mini 4,689) and some lighter weight cars. I am towing with durango R/T (1st generation) which has 7200 towing ability. I am not going to be towing regularly, more occasionally unless of course I can start making some $$ digging for people I currently have a utility trailer that I use to haul around materials for construction which is probably something I do more then vehicle towing. I would want to either have metal bars on the side or the ability to add wood for short walls when hauling materials, which I think can be done easily with brackets.

Pretty sure the trailer has to have electric brakes (I have a controller already). I was thinking metal floor would probably be better then wood. Looking at buying used initially. Any thoughts on things that I should have and/or thoughts on what to avoid especially if buying used?

Thanks

 

[Peter 315]

Hi something like this might work REP Enterprises

 

[cloves]

Thanks for the link Peter looks interesting. The trailer says 2,085 Curb-weight, 4,915 Payload, assume that means the trailer is 2,085 and it can carry 4,915 for a total of 7000 rating? Wondering if most 16' trailers weight 2k.

 

[Peter 315]

I don't know you would have to check that trailer is 16' foot deck plus 2' beaver tail for a total of 18' ,Your right 4,915 payload . Your tow vehicle capacity is not that high . My buddy has a rice trailer not a bad trailer they are a lighter duty trailer based on price it depends on your budget .....

 

[Jstpssng]

Thanks for the link Peter looks interesting. The trailer says 2,085 Curb-weight, 4,915 Payload, assume that means the trailer is 2,085 and it can carry 4,915 for a total of 7000 rating? Wondering if most 16' trailers weight 2k.

They all are going to be in that ballpark. You are going to be pushing the limits of your Durango, and need to make sure that it's set up properly. My Ranger is rated for a 7000 lb trailer yet I would never attempt it- partly though, because the frame isn't as solid as it was back in 2004.
Here's another similar trailer for les money; 218 Sure-Trac 7x16 Powder Coated 7K Wood Deck Car Hauler J1229219 | Scott's Recreation
I don't know where you are located but there are SureTrac dealers all over the country.
Personally I would go with the wood deck just because they are less slippery than metal. That's just my preference though.

 

[Fallon]

After towing my L3200 (lasts day 3,000lbs with a light back blade, probably a bit more) on my old 16' tilting deck trailer with my Toyota Tacoma I got a beater F250. The Tacoma is rated to pull 6,500lbs & guessing that the trailer was around 3,000lbs it was about at capacity. It was getting a bit squirmy (suspension maxed), had to flog it to get moderate acceleration (engine maxed) & braking distance was higher than I liked. The bearer F250 pulls things a LOT better. Acceleration isn't much better but everything else is.

Personally I wouldn't try to cut things that close. I don't like wearing out & abusing my trucks. And if your trailer weighs more than 2k lbs you are going to be overloaded. If your trailer only weighs 2k lbs it might be a bit light duty to haul around 5k lbs or more of equipment.

 

[nikdfish]

Aluminum car haulers give you a bit more payload while staying at 7K. Our 18' 7k Aluma weighs in at about 1200 lb. so a potential max payload of 5800 lb. It has a dovetail, pull out ramps & a full perimeter rail. They are a bit pricey, though ...


Nick

 

[arrow]

I have had both 1st and second generation Durangos. The first (2003) had the 360 and the second (2006) has a hemi. My current tractor is 1000 its heavier than my first one. I pull a 16' 10 ton rated trailer . The 1st generation Durango had no problem yanking and stopping with the 6500 lb load. The second Durango has no problem with the over 7500 lb load.

 

[George2615]

I have had both 1st and second generation Durangos. The first (2003) had the 360 and the second (2006) has a hemi. My current tractor is 1000 its heavier than my first one. I pull a 16' 10 ton rated trailer . The 1st generation Durango had no problem yanking and stopping with the 6500 lb load. The second Durango has no problem with the over 7500 lb load.

If you are pulling a 10 ton rated trailer it probably weighs over 6500 lbs by itself with nothing on it. That's waiting for an accident to happen.

 

[arrow]

If you are pulling a 10 ton rated trailer it probably weighs over 6500 lbs by itself with nothing on it. That's waiting for an accident to happen.

Don't know what the weight is as it is a home built. All I do know is it pulls and stops fine with the hemi Durango.