Trailer set-up

[csoldier]

Hi everyone. I currently have a hot water unit, 250 gal tank, 2 hose reels on a 6'x10' flat trailer. I would like to get a larger trailer to have more room for chems, tools, concrete cleaners, etc. What type of set-ups do some of you have and what specs should I look for when purchasing a trailer? Any advice? How about some pictures of some rigs if possible.
Thanks and God bless!!!!!!!!
Mark

 

[Mike Hughes]

Here is a picture of my rig. Same pic I keep posting

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1471628&a=11073115&p=45852259


It is a 16ft tandem axle trailer..........i have about 4 or 5 feet of open space on the front of the trailer..........its great........plenty of room for just about anything.........surface cleaner, etc.

It is rated for 7000 pounds.............3500 per axle. The biggest thing you want to investigate is the limitations of your tow vehicle. As I stated in another post, I trashed two rears on my old van before I upgraded to an F250.

I have picked up over 1000 pounds of Ready Seal/brightner at one time...........and they all fit on the front of the trailer. Of course, tounge weight was enourmous........but I only had to go a few miles. I have even moved furniture on it on occasion. Its nice to have the extra room. I keep meaning to install some sort of tool box........but never seem to. Oh well.

 

[rvagnoni]

Mark,

There was a article in Cleaner Times not too long ago about trailer. Maybe you can get a copy.

 

[HarQuin]

Mark,

We built our trailer about two years ago and if I had it to do over again (maybe someday) I would make a few changes for sure.

I pull a 6'10" x 16', steel decked, dual 3500 pound axle, bumper pull trailer. I thought I wanted the "extra" width but after pulling this for 70k plus miles, I think a narrower one would of worked.

I also put the hot water units on the rear of the trailer. Which will be moved to the front soon.

On top of the rails, we added 4' expanded metal sides with a double gate at the rear. These hold my ladders and have toolboxes accessible from outside of the trailer. When this was built I was on the road more and wanted the security ofthe "semi enclosed trailer" but without the wind resistance of an enclosed one.

Personally my next trailer will be a gooseneck but that would require a 4 door Powerstroke to pull it. I am doubtful my wife would fully appreciate why I would need a new truck. So...that one will have to wait.

Good Luck

Harlyn

 

[Jon]

Mr. Soldier,

You say your wife would not understand why you need a new truck, ask your wife why she needs so many new clothing all the time, that should end the questioning, then go buy your new truck.

Do you have a picture of your rig to post so we can see it?

 

[Aplus]

Jon,

I had to laugh at your comment! I couldn't see the connection between a few hundred bucks, or even a couple thousand for clothes, versus a 40 thousand dollar power stroke. And also, can we tell your wife you said that?

 

[rvagnoni]

Yeah Jon...how does that relate?

 

[HarQuin]

Jon

I don't think that would fly with my wife. She helps keep my feet on the ground. Besides, I like to sleep with BOTH eyes shut.

Actually she knows that I will trade the Beast before the 200k mark, its either that or listen to me complain about the repair bills.

I tried to post a picture but got something about the size being to big. I'll mess more with it later.

Harlyn

 

[oguard]

There are several factors to consider...not the least of which is climate: moderate or severe? Safe or less than?

Enclosed trailers are actually more aerodynamic than open trailers as they provide a smoother surface for the air to flow over versus all the exposed bits and pieces of an open trailer. If you work in an extreme climate then an enclosed trailer is both easier to keep warm to prevent freezing and secure to prevent theft. Open trailers allow for easier access to all components for service etcetera.

Local Highways Authorities will limit the amount of weight you can haul depending on the number of axles/wheels, spacing between them, width of the trailer, tongue weight and even materials stored. Check with them before you begin.

Remember that water weighs 8.4 pounds per US gallon (10 pounds per Imperial gallon or 1 kilogram per litre) so it is important that you factor in this mass when setting up your trailer. A 250 gallon tank probably weighs ~150 pounds empty, add 2100 pounds for a full load of water. The pressure washer will most likely weigh 700 pounds for a hot water skid and miscellaneous items could add that much again. You are already up to ~3700 pounds PLUS the mass of the trailer itself. This has to be distributed over the axles and tongue to meet the requirements of your vehicle, hitch rating and Highways Authorities. Also you may run with less water or equipment from time to time and this has to be accounted for.

No pilot takes off until they have done a "Weight and Balance" calculation for the aircraft including passenger placement and weight plus fuel load. It is critical that the numbers remain inside the 'envelope' to allow for a safe flight. The same applies to any trailer you get.

I would look carefully at all of the pieces parts you want to use, get their mass and find a local trailer shop (there should be one nearby) to build what is safe and efficient [in that order]. Your local professional pressure washer dealer or even the online retailers should be able to help as well.

Hope this helps? Cheers.

 

[Jon]

Ok Guys,

That was not meant to be a serious remark but to get a laugh, guess it bombed on me.

Splus,

you want to tell my wife, might as well just shoot and save her from doing it.

So all of you know something real here, I would never just go out and buy a new vehicle without discussing it with her first, even if was a truck for me and not a car for her.

 

[Aplus]

LOL!!!


I hear ya !

 

[HarQuin]

Trialer pic

 

[Steven Rowlett]

Mark , Carefully consider the tow vehicle and hitch combination. Before the trailer I have now I had a 16 Ft. tandem trailer (open). With all of your equiptment you could be pushing the Max. with two 3500 Lbs. axles. A 275 Lb. water tank full weighs 2294 Lbs. The trailer I have now broke the hitch on a Chevy 3500 dualleyI, the one that came with the truck. Even if you go with a 7000 Lb. trailer most hitches are only rated at 5000 Lb. I have since traded trucks for a Ford F350 dually and made them swap out the hitch for a 10,000 hitch/ 1,000 tongue weight. Go to my website and you can see my trailer. It hac two 5200 Lb. axles. DO NOT buy more than your tow vehicle will haul. You can NEVER be too safety minded!!
Steven Rowlett
www.rowlettpressure.com