Trailer Project...Worth the effort?

kopeck

Member
So...

I have a chance to buy a 20', 14k GVWR deck over trailer. It's older but still in very nice shape with good tires.

I'm 99% sure this is the trailer I'm looking at:

http://www.loadtrail.com/detail.cfm...e Hook Deck Over 14,000 Lb w/6" Channel Frame

The issue is the trailer is ramp less. As you can see it also doesn't have a beaver tail. Since I'm looking it use it as a tractor hauler this is a bit of an issue.

Has anyone ever tried to turn a trailer like this into a beaver tail? From what I hear the price would be quite fair for the trailer, I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth the effort. I would have to hire the work out since I'm not welder and even if I was there's some serious weight to deal with here.

Thanks,

K
 
Since your not a welder have you ever talked to factory and see what it takes and price? They do this everyday so they know what their doing. Is that trailer a I beam or channel iron frame ? I looked at a lot of used thailer and if I found a nice one with just about every I wanted on it it was very close to a new one.It was the same way if I found a good trailer and added what I wanted. I ended up buying A new trailer. PJ Low Profile 14,000 lb. 102" wide and 21 ft deck,3 ft beaver and 3 ramps. The only thing I should have got was two jack stands instead of the one.
a179131.jpg
 
I guess I could talk to the factory, they're off in Texas though, I'm in Maine so it would be nothing more then talk.

That's what I'm finding too. Any trailer I consider decent is nearly the cost of a new one and to be honest if I'm going the pay that much I'll go new and know I'm starting out with good tires and brakes.

This trailer however is very reasonable. It hasn't been used in 5 years but where it was parked the sun didn't really get to the tires. It's more trailer then I really need, I was looking for something it the 10 - 12,000 range.

K
 
I don't know what your paying for trailer and what all has to be done but Johnson Trailers out of Wisc. Has 96"x18ft with 4 ft. beaver with foldup ramps in a 5 ton for around $4,000.00 and a 6 ton for about $4,400.00. Kaufman and PJ have simular stailer at about the same price. These trailers are all 8" I beam not channel iron. The cross beams under floor are on 16" centers ( can have them set closer or farther apart if you want). That PJ trailer in picture was ordered out from factory with a heavier jack stand and thrid ramp. The trailer as it sets I have $6,000.00 ( mid year 2012).
 
Those prices are similar to what I'm seeing up here in Maine.

I usually don't mention prices but the fellow threw out $1800 but told me to do some research and see what it would take to make it into something I could use.

Reading between the lines I suspect that means there might be a bit more wiggle room but I'm thinking probably a few hundred at most. For what the trailer is, that's not a bad price. The problem is I don't want to end up putting so much into it I would have been better off buying one the way I wanted it in the first place with out all the aggravation attached.

K
 
I know it took me over a year before I got tired of looking around and just bought a new one. Good luck with what ever you deside to do.
 
One thing you may want to consider is that putting a beaver tail and ramps on the rear of the trailer may cause sway problems unless you move the axles back too.

You generally don't load anything on the beaver tail, but just the structure itself is a lot of weight behind the axles.
 
(quoted from post at 08:31:47 01/13/15) One thing you may want to consider is that putting a beaver tail and ramps on the rear of the trailer may cause sway problems unless you move the axles back too.

You generally don't load anything on the beaver tail, but just the structure itself is a lot of weight behind the axles.

If I did it I would modify the trailer as is (keep it 20') so that shouldn't effect the axles. 20' is plenty of trailer for what I do, if I went new I could get away with '18 pretty easily.

K
 
I would think adding ramps would be all you would need.
I bought a Load Trail dump trailer. It's a very well made trailer.
I've had good luck with it. I think they are a good brand.
DWF
 
The trailer you linked to comes with 8' ramps.
Why not just contact the mfg. and buy the ramps,
or have them made locally and not worry about
adding a beavertail? As long as you're not
loading cars or anything else with limited ground
clearance, you'll be fine.
 
I would be concerned about the deck framing behind the rear axle--it looks like the deck was made for a somewhat uniform load ---so the concentrated loads of a machines wheels may put and added stress on the frame rails.
I bought an excellent Thomas ProTuff tilt trailer out of Novia Scotia a few years ago--new 5 ton for $3000
 
Those 8' ramps are hevier than all get out .A Beaver tail with flip up ramps are easier to handle and you can get them with spring assist( a 10 year old kid can pick them up).
 
Load Trail also holds their value very good. I bought a 10,000gvw Skidsteer model ,20' (4' beavertail) w/5'spring loaded ramps , 83" between fenders,led lights,radials etc. Bought in 2010 for $3800 , sold it in 2014 for $3200 2nd day advertised.I'm pretty sure you can get new 16-18' deck-over in 10,000 w/ramps for $3800-$4200 if you shop.
 
Offer him $1500 for it, youd get more than that on trade trading it in for one with a beaver tail and ramps. I've found through the years of owning trailers that though it may not look like it the trailers with the ramps standing straight up pull harder then the ones that fold flat or are stored under the trailer. I had a landscape/ lawn service one with a 5 foot mesh ramp, that sucker pulled just as hard empty as it did loaded. My next one will be a 20 footer that the back 2/3rds tilts.
 
Turns out there's paperwork issues with the trailer.

I suspect that's the reason for the decent price.

After talking to the guys at the state about it it's looking like a dead end.

K
 
The first thing that comes to mind is the truck and trailer going going gone if you don't block the rear end up with something that will hold the load while driving on even with a dock. I Have seen fifth wheel trailer with the flip down ramps go rolling when the weight got wrong on them. If you don't think so look on Youtube.
 

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