Trailer Ramps

BUDD

Is the trailer able to accept a dovetail?

Would you install a dovetail if you could?

Depending on where your axles are positioned can answer the question of how much dovetail you can have. ASSUMING (you know what that means) you have tandem trailer the center of the axles should be at or around 70% of the length of the trailer. Example; 20' of overall length - not deck length, total length (coupler to tail end), the center equalizer hanger should be at or approx. 14' from front of trailer coupler. Front and rear hangers spaced as required by spring style. Say you have a overall length of 20' and a coupler to center hanger dimension of 16'(on your exisisting trailer), you could if you wanted install 2.5' of dovetail to give you the 70 - 30 % specification. Dovetail's on trailers I sell, have anywhere from a 6 to 11 degree load angle. 6 degree is more for paving equipment and 11 is more for backhoes, crawler loaders, dozers, etc.

2.5' of dovetail is not a great amount but WILL cut your load angle down. With that increase you could go to 6' ramps and flip them up on a piece a pipe or sold rod and attach the ramps accordingly. You will still have more than an 11 degree load angle dimension for your ramps but will be much less than the load angle you are working with at the moment.

OR the less feasible thing to do is buy a new trailer.

Any questions just e-mail. I have a digital camera and can send pictures of the trailers we sell if you tell me the GVWR you require. Most of our trailers are Deckover 16' plus 4' dovetail and 6' Ramps - from 10000 GVWR to 14000 GVWR in stock. Available in gooseneck or drawbar pull and of course different lengths.

Tony630

~That is a long ramp to fold up in one piece. You might want to look at bi- folding ramps, or building a short beaver tail on the back to lower the attachment point & shorten the ramp length.

~On a 30" high trailer with a 3/1 ramp ratio you will still have problems with low center, or long cars & will have to raise the trailer front or put the trailer wheels in a ditch to load a car.

~Rear pull out ramps would work, but to handle 10,000 lb+ tractors they will have to be heavy & will still be a pain to pull out.

~I used to have a tag trailer with a 26" high deck & just slid the ramps up on the deck between the rear tractor tires as those ramps weighed about 125 lbs each..... ..