Flatbed Gooseneck Questions

[ProMac1K]

Looking into purchasing a flatbed gooseneck for hauling tractors, equipment, etc. I'm looking at the PJ brand from down in TX, that's all we have around here. The salesmen seem to recommend the center popup ramp, as that model comes with a flat-backed ramp on the outer two ramps. I was wondering if they are a hinderance when you're loading narrow front tractors? Can anyone list some advantages and disadvantages? Or what you prefer or use?



Thanks

 

[MMeier]

I haven't tried loading any narrow fronts on mine yet, I do load cars and trucks on a regular basis though . Mine is a 35'+ 5' pop up with dual tandems underneath it. I do carry some boards and stuff with me to help load cars, keep the back from dragging , prevent high centering, etc. Really love the way it tows behind my '03. Use it to haul ocean containers out of the L. A. harbor to whereever, this week i have one to take from L. A. to Tucson Az.

 

[coyote75]

I like the three flip over ramps. When all three ramps are flipped up back on the trailer it gives you a flat surface level with the deck of the trailer. The center ramp is really nice for narrow-front end tractors or different types of equpment. I don't know if this option is available on the trailers you're looking at, but i like the three ramps for tractors and equipment.

 

[ProMac1K]

Thanks



The 3-ramp is actually the cheaper kind, and is available, so probably in my best interest. I was just told that the models with a popup had a flat bottom ramp so when they flip onto the trailer, they are all flat. My other question is, how do you use the space on the dovetail? Do the ramps just push on whatever you've got loaded on? I've been told that I can have tractors sticking over the end. But where would the ramps go?

 

[GWBourne]

i have a tri axle 32 footer from Kaufman trailers out of kaufman texas. LOVE it. it is the pop up center with fold flat ramps giving me 32 feet of flat deck when i want it. i hauled a back hoe a few months ago and didnt take off my 10 foot shiping container. with the pop up center i was able to place the back bucket right in the middle a little lower to give me a shorter height.



the only problem with the pop up center is the that the over hang in the back is a little lower thanith the ramps. the weight is about the same though.



check out www.kaufmantrailers.com to see if they are in your price range. the only regret i have is the fact that i didnt get electric jacks.....





when im hauling something that is driven onto the trailer every now and then i have to pull it foreward flip the ramps over then pull whatever back a bit. that is something you will have to do with anything that has fold flat ramps. the dove tail is just to aid in ramp length/ease of loading. i can get a lowrider on my trailer because the ramps end up being about 14 feet long and the brake over angle isnt that bad.



Grant

 

[ProMac1K]

Thanks!



So basically it's either use a loading dock, or you can't use the length of the dovetail unless you have enough room to pull forward then drive back? Maybe a bad question, but can you load on/off of the side of the trailer with a dock? Maybe back the tractor onto the ramps?



I think i'll do a little more debating and pick one up by the weekend. Do you recommend just getting the longest one that you can afford, or the one for the most value? Also, three ramps, or center popup? I'm looking at 20+5's, 23+5's, 25+5's, and "maybe" 27+5's. Also any certain accessories that you think are necessary?

 

[GWBourne]

my trailer is 32 foot long, the only time i have had an issue with lack of length is when i have my conex box on it and then i do the moving so i can get the ramps up. you could use a loading dock on it as well, but not to many people have them... mine is 27+5 and can be too large from time to time. honestly i would love to sell it and buy a 40 footer and then buy a 16 footer as well. that way i can use one for around town and one for for long haul.



i have never had any issues with lack of length, but some times it would be nice to have more for comfort and ease of loading. never a major problem.



if you are worried about having to do the ramp shuffle then dont get fold flat ramps. get standard pin lock ramps in a 10 or 12 foot length for ease of loading. they just lock in the up position. they look silly, but make it so you can load faster in most cases.



in my situation my trailer is used for my conex box and blazer 99% of the time. once the blazer is driving again i will literaly be able to drive up the back of the trailer ramps folded up. ;-)



if you are going to be hauling tractors then i would think srtongly about dual 10k axles, BUT if you want to be towing in the snow the tripple axle will tow easier. i think where you live it will be a 50-50 toss up... .

i dont get snow, and i dont take the 2wd tow rig into mud. hard pack dirt is the only place the trailer goes.

 

[Jrissler]

Man I got to get going here , but I just saw this post and quick ran down over it.



Man stick with the PJ idea. That is the trailer.



I have a 35' with the dove tail and three ramps and I think that will be your best bet for what you are doing.



It is the toughest trailer out there I think. I'll shoot you pix of mine sometime I have a chance.



Think PJ!!!!!!!

 

[Jrissler]

You can see a pix of my trailer under reader rigs. Not real clear tho.

 

[ProMac1K]

Thank you! If you don't mind me asking, what did that trailer run you for price, and when did you purchase it?

 

[DavidBurt]

The two guys I know with PJ trailers has no complaints, good quality trailers. As soon as I can afford one that is what I am getting. For hauling machinery go with the 3 foldover ramps, that way you can get a narrow front end tractor or a small skid steer on your trailer.

Dave

 

[Big MAK]

Just purchased a 26' (deck+dovetail; not counting gooseneck) and very happy with it. Pulled it to IRP and back. I think I may trade on an even longer one so I can have some space for a small vehicle plus the sled puller. The three foldover ramps to make a flat bed are great when I need to crawl under the back of the truck.

 

[MMeier]

TMaas, make sure you get one with the storage box up front, even though I believe on a PJ they are standard.

 

[MMiller]

I have slide in ramps, that way I can load 2 trucks on my 32' trailer, and then slide the ramps in. When loading equipment I have to put down stands on the rear to keep the trailer from going to the ground. The slide in ramps are heavy, but it always allows me 32' of trailer. Mine also has a flip up beaver tail, so I can have 32' flat, or 32' with beavertail down. The only bad thing with my trailer is I can't use the ramps with the beavertail up, so I have to load off a dock. Not really bad, as I only run the beavertail up when hauling hay, iron, or lumber. Pics are here of my B&B from Iowa. #ad




#ad




I like it ok, but would probably not buy another. Had a bad experiance picking it up at the factory. I also only have 2 slide in ramps, never have hauled a narrow front tractor on this trailer.



Michael

 

[ndurbin]

When you spec out the trailer one thing I think is important is too get one that can handle the load you want to pull and then some. That way you have adequate braking and load carring abilites and not running at the max limit all the time.



Dual front jacks are always nice incase you have to unhook when loaded. Toolbox is a must, long with a spare tire carrier if you can get one.

 

[MMiller]

When you spec out the trailer one thing I think is important is too get one that can handle the load you want to pull and then some. That way you have adequate braking and load carring abilites and not running at the max limit all the time.



Dual front jacks are always nice incase you have to unhook when loaded. Toolbox is a must, long with a spare tire carrier if you can get one.

Listen to this guy, he's knows what is going on. I cheeped on the jacks, and ended up cutting off the single and welding on the dual jacks. You can see one of my tool boxes, but I need to be careful as they can drag, they hang a little too low. I've not needed a spare yet, but ordered one with the trailer, and the company forgot to install it. One of the few things that disgusted me with the trailer maker.



Michael

 

[Sled Dog]

Looking into purchasing a flatbed gooseneck for hauling tractors, equipment, etc. I'm looking at the PJ brand from down in TX, that's all we have around here. The salesmen seem to recommend the center popup ramp, as that model comes with a flat-backed ramp on the outer two ramps. I was wondering if they are a hinderance when you're loading narrow front tractors? Can anyone list some advantages and disadvantages? Or what you prefer or use?



Thanks

Check out www.brutetrailers.com What you need, they got

Talk to Mike, he's the owner or Brenda his boss. :-laf

 

[TX Gooseneck]

PJ trailers have been very good for our business as of late. Some of the corners they are cutting now, that they weren't several years ago are key factors in this. Foreign steel, low grade axles, and so on. My AirGas rep told me after a plant tour he wouldn't take one of their trailers for free due to manufacturing practices.



I'll be in the office tomorrow (installing my FASS) but shoot me an email and I'll get you a quote -- email address removed --



Rick, I let Mike think he's the boss otherwise he pouts

 

[Jrissler]

I have slide in ramps, that way I can load 2 trucks on my 32' trailer, and then slide the ramps in. When loading equipment I have to put down stands on the rear to keep the trailer from going to the ground. The slide in ramps are heavy, but it always allows me 32' of trailer. Mine also has a flip up beaver tail, so I can have 32' flat, or 32' with beavertail down. The only bad thing with my trailer is I can't use the ramps with the beavertail up, so I have to load off a dock. Not really bad, as I only run the beavertail up when hauling hay, iron, or lumber. Pics are here of my B&B from Iowa. #ad




#ad




I like it ok, but would probably not buy another. Had a bad experiance picking it up at the factory. I also only have 2 slide in ramps, never have hauled a narrow front tractor on this trailer.



Michael

Man that is some good looking loads there!!!



Did I miss seeing it somewhere?? Just wondering what brand of trailer that is???



My trailer I bought about 2 months ago and it was around $8500 I think, but I got family discount on it too so that helped me, Ain't finished with it yet though. If you llok close you will see the front tire is off the ground, I'm in the process of making a lift axel on it, so far so good.

 

[MMiller]

Man that is some good looking loads there!!!



Did I miss seeing it somewhere?? Just wondering what brand of trailer that is???



My trailer I bought about 2 months ago and it was around $8500 I think, but I got family discount on it too so that helped me, Ain't finished with it yet though. If you llok close you will see the front tire is off the ground, I'm in the process of making a lift axel on it, so far so good.

Its a B&B trailer made in Farley Iowa. I can get more info on it if you want. It pulls nice, its about 7500# empty. But there are some things I don't like about it. The flip up beavertail is one large piece of deck. It is all I can do, to lift it and set it myself. Not very nice. The approach angle is pretty steep up the ramps onto the beavertail when its down. If loading my dad's backhoe, we have to put ramps on top of the ramps or else the hoe will hit and stop the tractor. My brother's H&H trailer we dont have to do that. On my trailer, there is some slack in the hitch, were the adjustment tube slides into the tube on the gooseneck. I think eventually we are going to have to cut the tube off the trailer and re-design it.



But like I said, it pulls nice. It handles loads very well. I've pulled trailers before that pulled hard empty, and this is not one of them. It was $7200 new, but that was back in 2000 when I bought it, before steel, diesel fuel, and everything else got real expensive.



Thanks for the kind comments.



Michael