Your towing rigs and trailers

[4570Man]

Did you tilt your dump trailer a little when loading mini x?

I didn’t but it might be better. I’m probably just going to use my other trailer from now on unless I need the mini and the dump trailer at the same time.

 

[4570Man]

I also have a mini-ex, specifically a Yanmar Vio55. Steep ramps feel uncomfortable, but they load ok. I have tilted the trailer some to lessen the ramp angle when loading into a dump trailer. The problem I have had in a dump trailer or any short trailer is that I can't put the weight in the correct spot. Too much tongue weight, or too much rear bias. And you simply can't tow safely if you have too much weight rearward, it's a good way to get in a wreck. Come to think about it, I've never had this current excavator in a dump trailer, but have done some 7500 lb machines. That still wasn't ideal in a 14' trailer.

We sell trailers and everyone wants that one perfect trailer that is a dump trailer, an equipment trailer, and a car hauler. I do too, but it doesn't exist, or at least not without a bunch of compromises. You have a little more flexibility if you are pulling with an F450-F550 size as you can load the tongue up much heavier and get away with it.

As far back as the axels are on my dump trailer I don’t think you could load it too light on the hitch. It was definitely too heavy on the hitch. I started out with the blade all the way against the front and my 3500 DRW was really feeling the weight. I backed it off as far as I could and still rest the boom on the trailer and it was still too front heavy. A single rear wheel truck would never take it at least without severe sagging. I like to be able to spin my excavator on the trailer and the dump trailer prevents that.

 

[PapeCAT]

I considered a Deckover Dump for quite a while as a do-it-all trailer but the steep loading angle along with the empty/tare weight of the 16' trailer really puts too much of a compromise. Especially here in CA where you can't haul more than a 10K GVW trailer without a class A license.

 

[4570Man]

I considered a Deckover Dump for quite a while as a do-it-all trailer but the steep loading angle along with the empty/tare weight of the 16' trailer really puts too much of a compromise. Especially here in CA where you can't haul more than a 10K GVW trailer without a class A license.

My deck over trailer is already bad to load. You’d need 10’ ramps to reasonable load without a dovetail.

 

[2017JD1025r]

My deck over trailer is already bad to load. You’d need 10’ ramps to reasonable load without a dovetail. View attachment 685416

I got a lighter duty equipment trailer (14k) but it has roughly 55" ramps. Even with the dove tail my SCUT feels like I'm climbing Everest. I'm debating what to do. I want a minimum of 6' but I've looked at some 8'. I also need to figure out how to handle my narrow front end tractors.

 

[DavesTractor]

I got a lighter duty equipment trailer (14k) but it has roughly 55" ramps. Even with the dove tail my SCUT feels like I'm climbing Everest. I'm debating what to do. I want a minimum of 6' but I've looked at some 8'. I also need to figure out how to handle my narrow front end tractors.

I think it normally feels a lot worse than it really is. We went away from ramps a few years ago for our delivery trailers. We can justify multiple trailers as a business, I realize not everyone has this luxury. For our everyday deliveries of compact tractors, we use 14.9k GVWR tilt trailers. 6' fixed deck in front, 16' tilt portion. That allows a couple of implements to be set up on the fixed portion, and it gives us a fairly gentle ramp angle. And we aren't messing with ramps. We rarely approach the max GVWR, but it's just nice to have a bunch of margin when hauling daily. 17.5" tires, oil bath axles, hidden winch. For the heavier or bulkier loads, or doing multiple tractors we have a 32' hydraulic dove gooseneck. We use that much less and it is a chore to get into most driveways.

For times when we need a really shallow ramp angle, like hauling a car for a friend or something, we built some 4' long ramps that taper to nothing on one end are about 8" tall on the other. Made out of 2" thin wall tubing and angle iron cross pieces, so they aren't a chore to carry. They have a notch so that the tilt trailer (or hydraulic dove) can set down on them. That extends the ramp so to speak and makes a very gentle ramp angle.

 

[4570Man]

If you were delivering tractors everyday a tilt trailer would be a definite advantage. But the downside is they weigh more and cost twice as much and are more limited for loading stuff and then driving on.

 

[DavesTractor]

If you were delivering tractors everyday a tilt trailer would be a definite advantage. But the downside is they weigh more and cost twice as much and are more limited for loading stuff and then driving on. View attachment 685463

It's all a compromise. The 6' fixed front deck on our tilt trailers helps with some issues. Tilts aren't so good loading an excavator or Bobcat in slick conditions either, ramps work best for that. And your point on the tilt being heavier is very true. As mentioned, in California if your trailer is over 10k GVWR it requires a CDL. Trying to stay under that with a heavy-duty tilt doesn't let you carry much. I gave up long ago and got my CDL.

 

[two_bit_score]

It's all a compromise. The 6' fixed front deck on our tilt trailers helps with some issues. Tilts aren't so good loading an excavator or Bobcat in slick conditions either, ramps work best for that. And your point on the tilt being heavier is very true. As mentioned, in California if your trailer is over 10k GVWR it requires a CDL. Trying to stay under that with a heavy-duty tilt doesn't let you carry much. I gave up long ago and got my CDL.

That Blackwood flooring is expensive but seems to be popular because it gives more traction loading in damp conditions. For those who need/want it, and can afford it, Im glad they can get it.

 

[Snobdds]

The blackwood stuff wears off pretty quick, especially if your loading equipment a lot.

1/2 bar stock welded on the ramps every 10 inches is the best way to keep from sliding all over the place in rain and snow. Plus it lasts the longest.

I have to have 4 trailers for my uses as they all have a specific purpuse 1. Dump trailer - Never load any equipment on it. 2. 16 ft utility trailer, tandom axel and 3ft sides (non enclosed) - hauls building materials and misc. 3. 5x12 trailer with loading ramp for hauling the SxS. 4. 18ft car hauler with ramps for moving equipment. I have tried to consolidate, but get frustrated with compromising and not the right tool or too big for the job at hand.

 

[two_bit_score]

The blackwood stuff wears off pretty quick, especially if your loading equipment a lot.

1/2 bar stock welded on the ramps every 10 inches is the best way to keep from sliding all over the place in rain and snow. Plus it lasts the longest.

I have to have 4 trailers for my uses as they all have a specific purpuse 1. Dump trailer - Never load any equipment on it. 2. 16 ft utility trailer, tandom axel and 3ft sides (non enclosed) - hauls building materials and misc. 3. 5x12 trailer with loading ramp for hauling the SxS. 4. 18ft car hauler with ramps for moving equipment. I have tried to consolidate, but get frustrated with compromising and not the right tool or too big for the job at hand.

I have always wondered about the durability of that Blackwood flooring. Dont know anyone with it personally.

Like someone said earlier, there is just no such thing as an 'all purpose' trailer. I have 3 now. Just bought a small 10' cargo trailer to haul the wife's stuff around in.

 

[4570Man]

I have 5 trailers a 20k, a 16k dump a 14k, a 7k, a covered trailer, and I wouldn’t care to have a 7x8 trailer.

 

[duramaxsky]

I have 4 trailers. A large camping trailer, A dump trailer. A tilt deck, and a deckover flat bed. With a dump trailer that has stake side there is no need for a utility trailer. It dose that job well. A tilt deck is the best way to go for equipment and low cars both. Mine has a fold down left fender so my Vette doors open on the trailer. I added hydraulic lift and a winch to my tilt deck. The hydraulic lift makes it so you can drive up and set something on the front and still drive off. Also if you load a pickup it won't tilt before the rear tires get to the deck. The one I use the lest is the deckover. But when you need to load from the side it is the only way to go. I keep all under cover. I store implements on them. The deckover is the easiest one to load and unload them from. It has stake holes and I have 2 foot high sides for it that are easy on and off. But for a bundle of lumber or some other large object it is the best way to go. Plus the deck is 8.5 feet wide. The tilt deck is 8.5 feet wide at the fenders but the deck is only 7 feet wide. Just enough for a pickup between the fenders. A friend gave me a 16 x 8 fiberglass green house. The deckover is the only trailer I have that was able to haul that safely as it has a 20 x 8.5 deck. It's the oldest. I built it myself in the 80s. The travel trailer is a 2001 I have had since new. The tilt deck and dump trailers are 2019 and 2020. I bought the tilt deck on my way to pick up my John Deere. I could get my old grey market tractor on the deckover but I was not comfortable driving a Larger TLB up those steep ramps. A trailer place had a sale on their trailers at the beginning of Covid and I have always wanted one. I was making a delivery there and saw the sale sign. So I clocked off for lunch and picked one out and paid for it. When I went back the following weekend to get it they had sold all of them. You never find them on sale so I grabbed one. I don't know how I got by without it for so long. Well I do, I shoveled stuff out of my truck. But I am getting too old for that now.
View attachment 685582View attachment 685583View attachment 685585

 

[two_bit_score]

^^^attachments wont open.

 

[duramaxsky]

^^^attachments wont open.

For some reason it won't let me edit it. Try again..
View attachment 685803

 

[gatorguy7]

I hauled my '99 dodge up to Georgia to get a new flatbed installed. While there, I picked up a used squeeze chute off of Craigslist. I had the trailer pretty well packed heading home. The trailer handled great and the load was at the limits. I don't think this load could have been any better positioned or any heavier without exceeding the limits (technically the trailer was 400 lbs over).



https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...823665-your-towing-rigs-trailers-img_2572-jpg

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...823741-your-towing-rigs-trailers-img_2601-jpg

 

[4570Man]

My ton dump scales at 7200 pounds. That trailer looks like 8,000 pound axels. How were you overweight?

 

[Hay Dude]

I hauled my '99 dodge up to Georgia to get a new flatbed installed. While there, I picked up a used squeeze chute off of Craigslist. I had the trailer pretty well packed heading home. The trailer handled great and the load was at the limits. I don't think this load could have been any better positioned or any heavier without exceeding the limits (technically the trailer was 400 lbs over).

View attachment 685849

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...823665-your-towing-rigs-trailers-img_2572-jpg

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...823741-your-towing-rigs-trailers-img_2601-jpg

Wish I could get that bumper you have on the greed Dodge for my 20 RAM

 

[two_bit_score]

For some reason it won't let me edit it. Try again..View attachment 685800View attachment 685801View attachment 685802
View attachment 685803

Very neat! Are those fenders hinged? I have removable fenders on my Diamond C but they they don’t tilt over like that.

 

[duramaxsky]

Very neat! Are those fenders hinged? I have removable fenders on my Diamond C but they they don’t tilt over like that.

Just the left one is hinged. The right is fixed. The other photo that didn't load is here.