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Cargo Trailers

wanderer03

wanderer03

Well-Known Member
Anyone out there a subject matter expert on cargo trailers? I am looking for a large-sized, enclosed trailer that could be used for car hauling or house-hold goods hauling. There is a lot out there and I am just not familiar enough. I need something that is very sturdy and capable of carrying heavy weight.
 
wanderer03 said:
Anyone out there a subject matter expert on cargo trailers? I am looking for a large-sized, enclosed trailer that could be used for car hauling or house-hold goods hauling. There is a lot out there and I am just not familiar enough. I need something that is very sturdy and capable of carrying heavy weight.
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Well, you will need a trailer with two axels at least. Try to get something that is well balanced so that your tongue weight isn't to much. I like a 60/40 front to rear ratio. It sounds like you plan on working this trailer hard, so do not skimp on the quality. It will pay off later. If you can get one that the back door is a ramp, you will like that. A man door on one side is nice too. You might want to try a fifth wheel style trailer, you lose most of your truck bed but it will pull a lot better. Otherwise, you will need a good weight distributing receiver on your truck. For this size trailer you will need at least a 3/4 ton truck, bigger would be better. Oh, if you use a receiver, do not leave your hitch in it when not in use. It will get your shins sooner or later. It sounds like you are getting closer to being self-employed. Good luck.
 
wanderer03 said:
Anyone out there a subject matter expert on cargo trailers? I am looking for a large-sized, enclosed trailer that could be used for car hauling or house-hold goods hauling. There is a lot out there and I am just not familiar enough. I need something that is very sturdy and capable of carrying heavy weight.
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You might also consider a triple axle trailer. They very common around here in Texas especially for cattle trailers.
 
clg113 said:
Well, you will need a trailer with two axels at least. Try to get something that is well balanced so that your tongue weight isn't to much. I like a 60/40 front to rear ratio. It sounds like you plan on working this trailer hard, so do not skimp on the quality. It will pay off later. If you can get one that the back door is a ramp, you will like that. A man door on one side is nice too. You might want to try a fifth wheel style trailer, you lose most of your truck bed but it will pull a lot better. Otherwise, you will need a good weight distributing receiver on your truck. For this size trailer you will need at least a 3/4 ton truck, bigger would be better. Oh, if you use a receiver, do not leave your hitch in it when not in use. It will get your shins sooner or later. It sounds like you are getting closer to being self-employed. Good luck.
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Okay, so I want to go fifth wheel then. How do you couple a fifth wheel in the pickup truck world? I've done it easily enough with tractor trailers.

Got my eyes on an F450 dually. [emoji1] That should be a good power unit.
 
Ive seen cattle trailers carry up to 10 heads of cattles plus other things like tools, ranching supples, etc. all in one load. Oh and remember your trailer/truck is only as good only as good as its tires.
 
Rayner said:
Ive seen cattle trailers carry up to 10 heads of cattles plus other things like tools, ranching supples, etc. all in one load. Oh and remember your trailer/truck is only as good only as good as its tires.
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10 heads of cattle!? Holy cow lol! Solid advice. I don't plan on skimping on tires either. I'd like to do everything possible to mitigate breakdowns.
 
clg113 said:
Well, you will need a trailer with two axels at least. Try to get something that is well balanced so that your tongue weight isn't to much. I like a 60/40 front to rear ratio. It sounds like you plan on working this trailer hard, so do not skimp on the quality. It will pay off later. If you can get one that the back door is a ramp, you will like that. A man door on one side is nice too. You might want to try a fifth wheel style trailer, you lose most of your truck bed but it will pull a lot better. Otherwise, you will need a good weight distributing receiver on your truck. For this size trailer you will need at least a 3/4 ton truck, bigger would be better. Oh, if you use a receiver, do not leave your hitch in it when not in use. It will get your shins sooner or later. It sounds like you are getting closer to being self-employed. Good luck.
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What about braking systems?
 
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wanderer03 said:
What about breaking systems?
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Good question, I guess I forgot about that. I prefer a surge brake over electric brakes. They are very smooth and you do not have to have a actuator installed on you truck. If they are set up right, they will not brake when you back up. It is very handy to have a brake actuator on your truck, so that you can pull ether kind of trailer. Most rental trailers that I have rented have electric brakes, which work well if your set up for them. You do need brakes of some kind, it is a very unsettling feeling to have a heavy trailer pushing you down the road.
 
clg113 said:
Good question, I guess I forgot about that. I prefer a surge brake over electric brakes. They are very smooth and you do not have to have a actuator installed on you truck. If they are set up right, they will not brake when you back up. It is very handy to have a brake actuator on your truck, so that you can pull ether kind of trailer. Most rental trailers that I have rented have electric brakes, which work well if your set up for them. You do need brakes of some kind, it is a very unsettling feeling to have a heavy trailer pushing you down the road.
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I guess I should plan to get setup for electric brakes then. Yeah, I really don't want to go barreling downhill out of control. That would be a a bad thing, a very bad thing. I wish I could get a pickup truck equipped with air brakes. Those things stop vehicles very quickly.
 
wanderer03 said:
Okay, so I want to go fifth wheel then. How do you couple a fifth wheel in the pickup truck world? I've done it easily enough with tractor trailers.

Got my eyes on an F450 dually. [emoji1] That should be a good power unit.
Click to expand...

The Ford F450 is a very good choice, get a diesel if you can. A good trailer dealer can set you up with a fifth wheel hitch. It involves cutting a hole in the middle of your bed and some welding to your frame. I have seen them mounted in such a way that you can put a cover on the hole when you not pulling. If you have a pick-up bed instead of a flat bed, you may need to get a special tailgate or remove you tailgate when pulling.
 
Could I go then with an F550 and a flat bed body? I don't understand pickups all that much?? I would definitely go diesel for torque and fuel efficiency. A gasoline motor would be quite expensive to run.
 
wanderer03 said:
Could I go then with an F550 and a flat bed body? I don't understand pickups all that much?? I would definitely go diesel for torque and fuel efficiency. A gasoline motor would be quite expensive to run.
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You are right about that. My truck has a big gas V8 and gets about 7 to 8 MPG when working hard. If you are going to make a living with it, that could be killer. F450s and up are usually sold new with just a cab & chassis so that the customer can put on any kind of bed they want. Used trucks like that usually have a flat bed in this area. Just make sure that what ever bed you use does not get in the way while turning(like a service bed). The Ford diesel uses a International engine which is very good.
 
wanderer03 said:
Okay, so I want to go fifth wheel then. How do you couple a fifth wheel in the pickup truck world? I've done it easily enough with tractor trailers.

Got my eyes on an F450 dually. [emoji1] That should be a good power unit.
Click to expand...
You bolt or weld the hitch to the frame of the bed of the truck. I'm not a tractor trailer guy,but I believe the concept is the same. Oh be sure to grease the couples so they don't squeak.
 
clg113 said:
You are right about that. My truck has a big gas V8 and gets about 7 to 8 MPG when working hard. If you are going to make a living with it, that could be killer. F450s and up are usually sold new with just a cab & chassis so that the customer can put on any kind of bed they want. Used trucks like that usually have a flat bed in this area. Just make sure that what ever bed you use does not get in the way while turning(like a service bed). The Ford diesel uses a International engine which is very good.
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My truck always gets 7 to 8 MPG, I'm not sure if I'm working it that hard all the time or the age and size of motor explains my gas mileage or really lack there of. o_O
 
Rayner said:
My truck always gets 7 to 8 MPG, I'm not sure if I'm working it that hard all the time or the age and size of motor explains my gas mileage or really lack there of. o_O
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Driving down the freeway, in overdrive, no load, I can get 14 MPG. Stop and go city driving, about 10. Which is kind of hard to deal with when we have a car that gets 30 MPG in town and 40 MPG on the freeway.
 
clg113 said:
Driving down the freeway, in overdrive, no load, I can get 14 MPG. Stop and go city driving, about 10. Which is kind of hard to deal with when we have a car that gets 30 MPG in town and 40 MPG on the freeway.
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What kinda of car do y'all have that get kinda gas mileage?
 
Rayner said:
I'm not a trailer exper by any stretch. I would recommend heavy duty ones, perhaps painted red for good measure. :D
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Well, I was just going to apply dot tape to the bottom. I need clearance and marker lights added in orded to be legal. But, yes, heavy duty is the way to go.
 
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