trailer woe's

[texastomtom]

trailer woe\'s

Here I go again,

I got my tractor etc and a trailer as a package...

The trailer capacity they delivered 3500 gross.
The trailer weighs over 1000 lbs - leaving 2500ish for a 3700 lb tractor, add 900 lb tiller and fel I guess around 500-600.
You see the problem .......

Took it back,,, now they brought me a 15000 lb trailer - which actually would be fine although I was not wanting to pay that much. Problem now - the axels are to far toward the rear and it puts to much weight on the tounge of my p/u...

I dont think a hitch equalizer would be adequate.

Am I just lookin in the wrong place for a trailer - I cant seem to find something that matches my needs as far as the center of gravity....

All my trucks are 1/2 ton and really I hate to upgrade trucks for relatively small amount of hauling I will do.

The trailer I have right now - just needs the axels moved forward - but i'm not going there !!!!!!

Thanks

Any idea's and input is appreciates

tia

tom

I really thought the dealer would know what to get for me,,, so far it really hasn't worked out that way.....

This trailer is nice - perhaps a bit much for my needs...

 

[gray]

Re: trailer woe\'s

I will take a guess at this and like ly take some heat as well.

The dealer likely had a small trailer he thought he might get out of stock then when you said no way he may have had a too large one to off. There is not way I can believe he is not aware of the proper trailer range for both the tractor and your tow truck. I am guessing he is trying to off one or the other trailer he doesn't want around or someone he knows doesn't want around?????? As a complete newbie to tractors I was on top of the trailor needs for my tractor and I don't sell the things?

sorry to say it but he is not being straight with you or he feels he can dump unwanted stock?? Keep after it- you should get a proper trailer for your tractor.

Good luck.

 

[thcri]

Re: trailer woe\'s

I guess I would go back to the dealer with the trailer attached or have the dealer stop out at your place with the trailer attached along with the tractor and others on the trailer. Show the dealer he has messed up and if he can't make it right that he is to give you your money back so you can go and get a trailer someplace else. My experience with trailers especially with the weight your toten is they best be set up right or your an accident waiting to happen. I hope that during your negotiations he listed the trailer separate so he can only be honest with the money he has to give you back?

Murph

 

[texastomtom]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Actually, He had neither in stock, and called around to find trailers from a couple dealers he buys from regularly. Supposedly passing the trailer on to me at his cost.

Maybe since he isn't making anything on the trailer ????? he just doesn't want to spend the time to think it out. I don't really think this is the case either as I know him and the owner very well. Although I really cant come up with a reason why they are not tending to matter more thoughtfully.
The only reason I can think of really is that it is harvest season and they are really busy worrying about the 'big iron' that they sell. They do not do a lot of compact stuff...

Main thing is though it is beginning to look as though I need to just get the money for the trailer back and do it myself. That said I am lookin for advice on what to do....

 

[texastomtom]

Re: trailer woe\'s

When I say i'm looking for advice i mean does anyone here know a good brand trailer to buy.

I'd like 20' so I can get the tractor with loader and shredder on it, The tractor should in the configuration be weight centered appropriately.

The one they delivered now has a dove tail its really more like a 16' instead of 20 since the last 4 foot is the dovetail portion - although I guess I could let the shredder sag down and sit on that portion.

This is a flat trailer sits up over the wheels.

I'd kinda like something that carries the load lower, better center of gravity in my opinion.

He got this one so I could also carry the 87 inch wide tiller, however I dont necessarily have to have the whole trailer that wide... It can even hang over a bit and if i park it such that the tiller is behind the wheel wells that is no problem as far as I am concerned.

The first trailer was actually fine had it been heavier duty and a bit longer.

am I rambling yet ????

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Is there a manufacturer that builds something specifically for my needs ?

I havn't even been able to find a web site that had decent pics and such...

thanks again !
tom

I was lookin for a web site in the area - dont wanna drive 400 miles for a trailer and I dont think I should put a hitch on the plane - talk about cg problems !!!!
lol

 

[Lazy]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Hi
here is a place in texas that might give you some idea of what might be best for your needs.
web page

Charlie

 

[ronjhall]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Tom
I have a BIG TEX trailer.
You may need a little bigger trailer than I need.
I have a 70CH - 16'.
There should be a dealer around you.

 

[Egon]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Sounds like you are looking for a low boy trailer - 20 feet long - two axles @ 6000# each - brakes all around - ramps for loading - load equalizer hitch

Or a trailer of approximetly those specs. Have you considered a fith wheel as they will pull easier??

As to finding a trailer why not check into the place the dealer got his from. They may be able to order the one you need. Check the yellow pages for trailer dealers also.

Egon

 

[LMTC]

Re: trailer woe\'s

imho a 20' trailer is inherently too much for a half ton truck. We would typically supply a 16' tandem axle, one brake axle, 7,000# GVW trailer in your situation. And you need to make sure the brakes are wired...you will have far more difficulty stopping than starting.

 

[BB_TX]

Re: trailer woe\'s

If you are near N TX, you might slip over the river. I bought a 16' extra wide pipe rail flat bed utility trailer from <font color="blue"> Oklahoma Trailer Sales </font> for $895. It's 83" inside the fenders. Most I found were about 76". That price did not include brakes. They were an available option, but did not have one on the lot at the time with brakes. They are about 20 miles north of Denison on 75. After comparing prices at several places, they seem to have the best I could find.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: trailer woe\'s

A 18' car hauler.. 7000 gross sounds like what you need. Normally I'd say 16'.. but with fel.. you need the space. If you could find a 20.. go for that.

I've also seen some odd weight configs.. usually due to how they mount the springs/axles ( derated axles due to mounting ).. Lots of these car haulers are in the 1700-2000# area.. add a couple 3500# axles.. or a couple 5000# axles and you are good to go ..

Sounds like your dealer is really crummy..

Soundguy

 

[fishman]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Soundguy has it right. I don't know why LMTC says a 20' is too much for a half-ton. That's what I have with 2 3500 lb axles and it tows like a dream. The extra length allows you to balance just about any load. See the specs here: Load Trail trailers I'm not sure where you are in TX buy I bought mine at Guthrie trailer sales here in Waco for $1,395 two years back. With the increase in steel, they might be a couple hundred more now.

Only problem with the dovetail is if you go over uneven ground, it can drag. Otherwise, just about everything else on this trailer is good. I'd also suggest brakes on both axles.

I looked at several brands of trailers and this was the best by far. Better/thicker treated wood on the deck and stronger steel supports under the deck than any of the others. The lights were also recessed and protected which was a nice plus. And it was the same price as the others.

A 15000 lb cap. trailer is way, way overkill in this situation. Heck, I looked at 12,000 lb trailers and decided my truck would have trouble just pulling the trailer even without a load. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Take it back, get your money, and get the trailer you need.

 

[F100Panel]

Re: trailer woe\'s

Just a passing thought. Money is ALWAY$ a factor but if I was gonna tow in the weight ranges you reference with a half ton truck I'd be looking goosenck.. Hitch won't tie up the bed & is mounted on the frame about 6 inches in front of the rear axel. I was towing a little heavier with my 3/4 ton with rear class 4 bumper hitch & when heavy & pulling hard on steep grade front end got a little lite. Had to block the wheels all the time to keep the truck from taking off while loading as when all the weight was on the rear of the trailer the rear of the pickup would lift... Gooseneck putting the tongue weight to the center of the truck solved all that & a gooseneck/5th wheel is FAR more manuverable to the point that typically a bad day with a gooseneck is STILL better than a good day with a bumper pull...cost aside....

 

[tracdoc]

Re: trailer woe\'s

To keep your unladen trailer weight to a minimum, you might want to look around at some used all-aluminum open car haulers. These are generally dual axle @ 3500# per. A 17 footer aluminum will weigh in at around 1200#. That's a considerable weight savings over a comparable box iron unit. New, these units are pricey, but on the used market, they'll often go at at very good price. They will not rust out, either.

We have a Featherlite Featherlite Home Page towed by a stock V6 Toyota Tacoma. With our race car, gear, 3 people, travel junk, etc., we are still well under the max GVWR for truck+loaded trailer., and it tows like a dream.

Another quality unit is Trailex: Trailex Home Page

Depending on your location, you can look for used units in newspapers, racing rags, ebay, etc. Good luck...

 

[Tom_W]

Re: trailer woe\'s

I have a big tex ch60. 7000lb gvw 16' deck that I pull with my chevy 2500hd. I put the tooth bar all the way to the front and set the backhoe down on the deck swung off to the side a bit. It rides great. It has brakes on both axles. I had a 1/2 ton before but a v6 wasn't enough motor. Rode fine with that truck except for power. I think it was $1800. I know it's a bit high, but I live in the northeast where everything costs more.

 

[texastomtom]

Re: trailer woe\'s

well the rig they got me was over 3300

I got tired of waiting on them and have been using it now..
probaby has a few more scratches from hauling debris now than will allow returning it.

my own fault - but so be it...

On the good side,, it really is a nice trailer - heavy built and i like the jack mechanism, dual axel brakes, plenty wide for hauling off a large load of debris, rub rails, recessed lights etc.

It is heavy but I have been able to put the trailer over the wheels enough to make it balance fairly well. I probably just wont be able to carry the tractor with fel and shredder centered well due to the length of the shredder, I probably wont be hauling that particular implement as often as the rest though.

The extra weight of it all also makes the trailer/truck combo react much better when loading and unloading. What i'm talking about is when i unload it doesn't try to lift the rear of the truck off the ground.....

 

[Soundguy]

Re: trailer woe\'s

I carry a 1' block made of an 8x8 with me.. right before i load/unload, I but it right between the ramps at the base of the trailer.. the trailer support beam bottems out on that timber, and doesn't make the rear of the truck rise.

Gosh that's a heavy trailer... Mine weights 1800 or so..

Soundguy