Trailer trading

peternap · April 22, 2009, 07:43:58 PM

A year ago I bought a new 6X12 trailer. I cheaped out and bought a single axle trailer rated at 3,000 lbs. It just isn't enough trailer for what I use it for. I can't haul the tractor on it and heavy loads like gravel, sand, logs Etc...are just too much for it.

Yesterday I was looking on Craigs list for another one. I saw an ad for a 6X11 tandem wheel trailer. I called the fellow and he said he just bought too heavy a rig and his little S10 Blazer couldn't pull it.

I beat feet over there and it is built like a tank. We traded even up.
I have to rewire the brakes since he unhooked them (To avoid inspection stickers) but other than buying a pintel hitch for my truck, all is ready.

StinkerBell · April 22, 2009, 08:10:49 PM

Sounds like a win win for both sides!

April 22, 2009, 08:27:58 PM

Picture would be nice Peter. Is it a flatbed or do the wheels come up past the bed. I hate them when you try to load from the side. More of a PIA when trying to load palletized things. I use one with 12" frame sides. I usually have a few extra pallets to bring it up level to the top then load. Nice find though for the extra weight.

peternap · April 22, 2009, 08:57:57 PM

The wheels come up John. It's an odd trailer in that the wheels are back 2/3 the way. I'll take a picture.
It looks to me that I can extend the frame and bed out to 16' and it would be better balanced.

MountainDon · April 22, 2009, 09:15:43 PM

Sounds like a great deal for all.

Perhaps the original owner/builder made it that way for a special purpose.

April 22, 2009, 10:30:08 PM

Sounds like you got a good deal. I think you'll like the way it pulls better if you keep the tires back. 2/3 back sounds about right to me.

Redoverfarm · April 22, 2009, 10:54:45 PM

Peter this is the trailer I was telling you about. I had a couple of extra oak logs that I put on the side rails from side to side to lay machine loaded lumber on by fork lift. Hand loading that amount is for the birds.

http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=3613.msg62376#msg62376

MountainDon · April 22, 2009, 11:13:44 PM

I know I'm nigglin' over inches, but my trailer design notes say a single axle should be a maximum of 60% set back from the leading edge of the bed; for tandem axles the center point between the two gets the 60% figure.

If I was designing or rebuilding a trailer what I'd really like to to have the axle(s) on a movable sliding sub assembly. That would give best safety under all conceivable load conditions.

southernsis · April 23, 2009, 07:29:09 AM

We have a 7 x 16 dual axle. Couldn't manage without it. Between the truck and trailer we can haul most anything we need to haul.

April 23, 2009, 08:39:14 AM

Talked to a friend on the phone this morning. He said it sounded like a very heavy Bobcat trailer.

peternap · April 26, 2009, 07:40:14 PM

Here's the picture John:

Redoverfarm · April 26, 2009, 08:46:38 PM

Yeah Peter it does look like it was specially built for some purpose. It would probably be ideal for the 4 wheeler. The sides don't look that high so it you ever need to load it from a fork lift just take along a couple extra pallets to lay in the bed to bring it up past the rails for easy loading and unloading.

I guess you went to the farm this weekend. What great weather. Hope you got alot accomplished.

peternap · April 26, 2009, 09:00:04 PM

The tractor is a perfect Fit John. The FEL does have to sit on the tongue, but not far enough to bother turning clearance.

I did find a problem wit one of the hubs today. A small crack. Turns out the hubs from mobile home axels are a perfect fit and only about $25.00.

I'm going to raise my hitch receiver tomorrow and weld in some reinforcement. It's hard to see in the picture, but the two rear tires are up because the hitch isn't high enouhj. I don't like or trust the adjustable hitches....so I get to do some welding.