Flatbed 5th Wheel Trailers?

Up North · #1 03/25/07, 12:51 PM

Looking at Flatbed 5th wheel trailers. Primary use would be for hauling big round bales of hay and big square bales of hay. Would also like to have capability to haul one 12,500 pound farm tractor at a time, or other miscellaneous farm machinery.
Pulling vehicle would be a 1998 Chev 1 ton 4X4 with Single Rear Wheels, 7.4L Gas engine, Auto, trailer tow equipped. Has Tekonsha electric brake controller
and hitch in bed allready.

Question is, would we be better off with trailer with two axles with duals on each, or with 3 - 7,000 pound axles with single tires. Looking at the trailers with beavertail ramps on back and center pop-up.
And how much trailer is too much trailer? Lots of guys are pulling 30' 3 axle trailers with pickups, but can they remain legal for interstate travel?
Also, what license weights would you recommend?
Any brand name trailers you recommend?.................TIA

moopups · #2 03/25/07, 12:59 PM

The two axel, 8 tired trailer is my choice, 3 axel models tend to drag the extra axel's tires too much during turns.

Ralph in N.E.Oh · #3 03/25/07, 01:28 PM

I agree with Moonpups. Mine is 24 foot 4 feet of which is beaver tail/ramps. I have an "overdeck" so the wheels are under the deck (no humps to work around) I can haul 11 4x5 round bales or 14 4x39" round bales. GVW is 14000, so do haul an ocasional tractor or farm equipment.

fordy · #4 03/25/07, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Up North

Looking at Flatbed 5th wheel trailers. Primary use would be for hauling big round bales of hay and big square bales of hay. Would also like to have capability to haul one 12,500 pound farm tractor at a time, or other miscellaneous farm machinery.
Pulling vehicle would be a 1998 Chev 1 ton 4X4 with Single Rear Wheels, 7.4L Gas engine, Auto, trailer tow equipped. Has Tekonsha electric brake controller
and hitch in bed allready.

Question is, would we be better off with trailer with two axles with duals on each, or with 3 - 7,000 pound axles with single tires. Looking at the trailers with beavertail ramps on back and center pop-up.
And how much trailer is too much trailer? Lots of guys are pulling 30' 3 axle trailers with pickups, but can they remain legal for interstate travel?
Also, what license weights would you recommend?
Any brand name trailers you recommend?.................TIA

.....................Whichever trailer you buy , I'd be sure and put Ag tags on it . In texas an ag tag has a max GVW of 34k per trailer which is alot more than most of these 2 or 3 axles can safely haul without tandom duels . I'd do alittle research on DOT laws applicable to your situation . fordy...

fantasymaker · #5 03/25/07, 03:22 PM

Do you mean A goose neck?The reason I ask Is you said the truck already has the hitch IN the bed already, A real flatbed like the semis use would be better. In any case I would prefer dual axle SINGLE tires. but the honest truth is I would probably by the cheepest trailer with the weight capacity and features I want.

agmantoo · #6 03/25/07, 06:22 PM

The design of the axles is extremely important particularly when going over fields. IMO, the ultimate design is a two axle setup, dual wheels and a Walking Beam axle. The WB axle design permits the weight to be distributed more evenly between the two axles at all times, even when crossing rough terrain.

fantasymaker · #7 03/25/07, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

The design of the axles is extremely important particularly when going over fields. IMO, the ultimate design is a two axle setup, dual wheels and a Walking Beam axle. The WB axle design permits the weight to be distributed more evenly between the two axles at all times, even when crossing rough terrain.

but duals invarably load one tire much more than the other and scrub each other on any but the flatest road surface

haypoint · #8 03/26/07, 08:42 AM

Last summer, I bought a 24' Gooseneck trailer from APPALACHIAN MANUFACTURING in Salem Ohio. I got the 7000 lb axles and a spare tire and a spare tire holder and because of the salt on Michigan roads, I had them give it a second coat of paint. They have a web site www.appalachianmfg.com. I paid a little under $4000. and have been real happy with it. I couldn't find anyone else that came close to that price. I had to wait for it to be built and picked it up at their factory. I think dual wheels on tandim axles is better when on soft ground than three axles with single wheels. There is some tire drag with the third axle, but on-the-road flat tire repairs are easier than with dual wheels. That might not be a concern for you. If you could get the load capacity you want with three axles, and that would cost less, that's the way to go. I think the duals cost more?

Jackpine Savage · #9 03/26/07, 08:57 AM

I've been thinking about the same purchase. Does anyone think that singles are easier to pull through the mud and snow than duals?

I have a '02 F350 SRW and the GCWR is 20,000, that only leaves about 12,000 or so for the trailer and load. I bet yours isn't much different. So legally we can't pull much of a trailer.

Up North · #10 03/26/07, 03:17 PM

Lots of good points to consider here. I do like the idea of the walking tandems. We have this design on hay and forage wagons. I want to get to where I can pull either livestock or Flatbed Trailers with same one-ton pickup with standard 2 5/16" Gooseneck ball hitch, and I want to stay with electric trailer brakes.
We used a neighbors 22' 14000 lb. 2 axle trailer with single wheels and it was a good fit for hay hauling, but a little under capacity for hauling a row crop tractor.
I will have to find out the Farm License restrictions for this type of trailers.
Does anyone know if any of the trailer mfgs offer greasable wheel bearings?
Or do any offer Oil-Bath axles on the dual wheel models?

JackPine - From our experience here, the single wheel trailers definately pull much easier in snow, and can be backed up to turn around on soft ground much easier than the dual wheel models. The trailer I am replacing is a triple axle with all duals(yes 12 tires) that is a real beast to move in snow or soft ground. Too big of a trailer for a 1 Ton Pickup.

agmantoo · #11 03/26/07, 03:20 PM

The oil bath is readily available

MWG · #12 03/26/07, 08:22 PM

I have one with two 7K axles, single tires. Love it. I load it to the max with my tractor and 4 pallets of lime and fertilizer... I don't have to go very far though.

Pulling with a 350 diesel dually.

fantasymaker · #13 03/27/07, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackpine Savage

I've been thinking about the same purchase. Does anyone think that singles are easier to pull through the mud and snow than duals?

I have a '02 F350 SRW and the GCWR is 20,000, that only leaves about 12,000 or so for the trailer and load. I bet yours isn't much different. So legally we can't pull much of a trailer.

The GCWR isnt usually leagally binding,its a warentty thing .

FOR GREASABLE BEARINGS just pick up a set of bearing buddies at wally world or a farm store about $15 a pair.

thedonkeyman · #14 03/27/07, 01:35 PM

IN Oregon you can get a one time license,(for a trailer) I would check it out in your area. Another thing that DMV will not tell you, is that if a vehicle is over 25 years and they do NOT make that make and model anymore you do not have to license it any more. EXAMPLE : the F-100 Ford pickup and older VW BUGS.