Flat vs dovetail trailer

[Timmer92]

Hi all,

Trailers are hard to come by in my neck of the woods, and to add insult to injury prices have gone up quite a bit. I was looking for a dovetail car or equipment hauler, but am now wondering if I should just go with a flat hauler. Will I have any problems getting my L3901 up the ramps or do I really need the dovetail? I was thinking it might stop me from loading my tractor with my brush hog connected, but I could always just load that first and haul it disconnected. Any other considerations?

Thanks!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

a 'car hauler' should be fairly low to the ground and if you have long ramps(mine were 8'), you'll not have any problems loading/unloading. The ramps slid underneath the deck,so EASY to pull out,'fall' onto support, simple PTO/lynch pins kept them secure.30 seconds to setup.

 

[Creature Meadow]

I last used a 16' flat trailer to haul my L4600, with the loader on I could not get the rear wheels over the axles. I removed the loader and with the bush hog attached could make it work!

After that I ordered a 20' dove tail trailer which I'm still waiting delivery on.

Loading on the flat trailer is not ideal, I had to place 6x6's under the rear to keep it from picking up my truck.

I used a 18' dove tail for 3 years to haul it and that worked fine, with the loader on the brush hog did hang off the back couple of feet.

I determined for my rig with either my brush hog or disk on would be the perfect fit.

Last I checked I'm # 7 on the waiting list.

Your 3901 should be very similar to mine so I would think the above would aplly to you as well or very similar.

Good luck.

Jay

 

[B737]

I think its just personal preference, I have owned both. A 16' with dovetail that was woefully inadequate, and now a 20' which can swallow pretty much anything I throw at it. The 20' has short ramps and no dovetail. Loading and unloading can be negotiated for whatever is needed and is drama free, attention must be given in some cases. However, loading on the dove tail with the long ramp was very comfortable, I really liked it there was nothing to it. Next trailer, I will prob go 22' with tilt bed or long ramps w dove tail.

I think the most important thing is to have rear stabilizers.

 

[NCL4701]

I have a 16’ flat deck 14K. Works, safe, not ideal. Tractor (L4701) barely fits lengthwise with loader and box scrape. Bush hog would hang off the back if loader on; can haul with a red flag on rear of load in daytime. Would be OK if loader off. Use jack stands under back of trailer to make sure back of truck doesn’t lift. Ramps are short so it’s either back on or tilt the bush hog up with the top link if going on forward.

Once it’s loaded, it’s stable, safe, and well under the trailer’s capacity. Loading and unloading less than ideal. I might trailer the tractor once or twice a year and I only have $750 in the trailer (got it for free and took $750 of tires and various parts to get it roadworthy with agreement prior owner can still use it once in a while) so I don’t much care. If I was using it routinely I’d be looking for a 20’ with a duck tail or tilt.

 

[nbryan]

My 18' beavertail PJ hauler is just right for backing my rig on with the BH77 attached. Just about 2" clearance from the BH bucket hitting the trailer frame, and without the beavertail I would have to raise the dipper to clear it, for sure.

 

[greg86z28]

Go 20’ with a dovetail. This is what we use for my b2601 TLB and my dads L3901. When you add a brush cutter the length gets long and having 20’ is helpful.

Edit: the dovetail is also nice because in my opinion it makes loading stuff easier (like cars or whatever other random stuff)

 

[ranger danger]

I have a 14k 20' dove tail and carry my M6060 with FEL, filled tires and 3 point chipper with no problems. I also made it easy to load and unload at the 3 locations I take it to (my place, brothers place and father in laws place). I built a loading dock at each location. I got 3 12x12 timbers 10' long each. I dug the first one into the ground and then stacked the other 2 on top. Then I drilled them in 4 places and staked them with 3/4" pipe to hold them in place. Then I pushed dirt up against one side to create a ramp. I did this at each of the locations. Haven't had to pulled a ramp since.

 

[NHSleddog]

Both?

 

[NCL4701]

Both?
View attachment 62229

Worked for a cable laying company many years ago where we used tilt beds very similar. Nothing beats a tilt top for moving anything with wheels or tracks IMO.

 

[NHSleddog]

Worked for a cable laying company many years ago where we used tilt beds very similar. Nothing beats a tilt top for moving anything with wheels or tracks IMO.

If I had known how nice and fast it was, I would have had one years ago.

 

[Timmer92]

Thanks all for the advice! Yesterday I pulled the trigger on a 20' dovetail with 5200lb axles. It was a bit more than I wanted to spend but I figured I'd better do it right.

 

[Bmyers]

Thanks all for the advice! Yesterday I pulled the trigger on a 20' dovetail with 5200lb axles. It was a bit more than I wanted to spend but I figured I'd better do it right.

Congrats on your new trailer. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

 

[B737]

that is going to be a sweet set up! also looking forward to pictures

 

[Lakebuster]

I like the dove tail trailers for easier loading and unloading. I am kicking myself as pre-Covid I sold my 22’ Big -Tex Utility trailer with 14k axles like new for $3500 dollars. I did keep my 12’ Aluma trailer for ATV and SxS’s. Fast forward 2 years and I could use a 22-24’ trailer but now they have jumped to around 9k I was shocked…Dealer said I could get a 20’ Falcon trailer for $4700