here's a transport problem

ericlb

Well-known Member
a friend of mine has traded a new 18 foot trailer for a nice 800 something series ford tractor, he's meeting the guy halfway between the our 2 towns which means each has a one way 200 mile run, we were going to put my trailer on his, so when he got to the meet which is a one horse nothing spot in the road he could offload mine, turn over his to the new owner, and load the tractor on my trailer and come home, simple, but... after measuring, both trailers are the same size, neither is a deckover, and its just not possible to load either one on the other in such a way that they can be unloaded by simply using a truck and ramps, any ideas?
 
Can you hook them one behind the other? (Doubles style) may have to install a hitch and light plug on lead trailer.
 
Your friend could use the trailer to pickup the tractor and haul it home. The tractor seller could follow, hitch up the trailer after the tractor is unloaded, and then tow the new to him trailer to his home. Each would drive 200 miles.
 
pretty lax here depending on what cop you run across, the law here is doubles are allowed providing the 1st trailer is a fifth wheel, not goose neck, we may try to run them thru anyway, putting the hitch on my trailer so we dont put holes in the new one thats traded for
 
(quoted from post at 07:25:27 09/22/17) pretty lax here depending on what cop you run across, the law here is doubles are allowed providing the 1st trailer is a fifth wheel, not goose neck, we may try to run them thru anyway, putting the hitch on my trailer so we dont put holes in the new one thats traded for

We have 2 trailer manufacturers in this area. Several times I have seen dealers come to these factories and pick up what they will later sell. Many times I have seen them with a gooseneck flatbed, loaded with smaller trailers, and a bumper-hitch style trailer behind the gooseneck, also loaded with smaller trailers. I always question the legality of the whole thing, but they keep doing it. For what it's worth, I'm in southwest Iowa.
 
Maximum allowed width of a trailer is 102". Not sure what the new trailer weighs, but what about getting some 102" long lumber that is amply strong enough to hold the weight of that trailer. Can bolt the lumber to your trailer, then build wood ramps where the new trailer can be carefully pulled up onto the boards. Securely strap the wheels to the boards, chain the axle to the lower trailer, and screw chock blocks in both sides of all wheels of the trailer.

...Probably would have been more clear to name the trailers 'A' and 'B', but oh well.

Oh, as for the ramps, once the new trailer is loaded, either strap the ramps (as-is) to the lower trailer or load them in the truck. Can break them down if necessary, but would be more work that way. Also, IF you try this idea (and that's all it is....an "idea"), then PLEASE use heavy screws or 1/4" dia. lag bolts to attach the 102" boards to the lower trailer decking.

This is just the idea that popped into my head while reading, so make sure to think it through thoroughly beforehand.
 
Federal law requires all states to allow doubles up to 28ft each. 53ft single trailers also included in that law. States can restrict use on some state and county roads.
 
Heres the map for where you can and can't pull doubles with a pickup or RV.
a172680.jpg
 
Trailers are build almost everywhere, so they have a fairly consistent value regardless of location. With hauling costs close to $4 per loaded mile, he might be ahead to sell his trailer locally. If he wants the tractor, I would leave it up to him to haul it home, then sell his trailer after that.
 
mmfan55 You are confusing federal commercial truck laws with state recreational laws.

I have a CDL with a double/triple endorsement on it.
At work I can pull 2 trailers in all states and 3 trailers in some states.

But I have to watch where I go with my camper because the first trailer is not a 5th wheel and I am 66 feet long.

All states do not allow double trailers and some of those that do restrict the first trailer to a 5th wheel and have overall length laws as little as 65 feet long.
 
You might want to consider putting a weight of some kind on the nose of the front trailer. I could see where a lot of tongue weight on the 1st trailer could be lost by hooking 2 trailers together.
 
Duh! Attach skids under the axles(6x6 beams will do). Bevel the skids, a greased board on the ramps helps reduce friction. A foot long 2x4 lag screwed to the top of the skid makes a stop and point to wire the skid to the front axle. Get the trailer lined up and tongue up on the bottom trailer. As you winch the trailer up and the tires come off the ground remove them so they don't interfere with the bottom trailer fenders/tires.
 
Just back the second one onto the first one. That will then be able to be tied down. If there is a problem with the tail catching on the bottom trailer just extend the ramps with a block under it and a couple of planks then load the blocks and planks in after you finish loading. With a red flag on the tongue of the loaded trailer you should be fine. It will only stick back a few feet if that much. You will have to tie the jack handle with a rope tarp strap or the bottom might unscrew out of the jack.
 

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