Towing/trailer excavator
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New User
Joined: May 2008
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Towing/trailer excavator
Hi new Ford F250 V-10 auto owner,4.10 axle, crew cab, short bed. I am going to be pulling a 7,000 mini excavator. Truck came with gooseneck & tag along hitches. Excavator transport length is about 16'. Any suggestions gn versus tagalong. Towing time will be split between transport on my farm(hilly, some roads, some pastures) and highway. Tilt versus ramps.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 195
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From: East Tennessee
We tow everything on tag trailer but then we have multiple trailers and multiple trucks in the F250-450 category. It can get pricey to outift every truck with GN hitch versus the fact that the truck most often comes with a pretty hefty tag setup from the factory. By everything I mean track loaders, excavators, large vibratory plows, pipe, etc. There are lots of large tag trailers with pintle hitches towing 10+ tons so they are reliable.
You however have both already.
GN tows better but I've never seen a tilt trailer that is a GN.
You can easily get a GN with ramps. Ramps can get torn off or damaged and you need to watch the fixed portion on a tilt, sometimes you can get shorted (no pun intended) by a manufacturer at certain price points on tilt trailers.
Finally, once you get a GN you will always need a truck that has a GN setup. There are far more trucks that again have the tag hitch setup from the factory. The point here is, if you ever need to have your GN trailer pulled b/c your truck is in for repair you need a pretty special friend.
I'd rather have a tilt than ramps if you are loading just one equipment item. Problem is we can get more than one piece on a trailer with ramps versus tilt.
You however have both already.
GN tows better but I've never seen a tilt trailer that is a GN.
You can easily get a GN with ramps. Ramps can get torn off or damaged and you need to watch the fixed portion on a tilt, sometimes you can get shorted (no pun intended) by a manufacturer at certain price points on tilt trailers.
Finally, once you get a GN you will always need a truck that has a GN setup. There are far more trucks that again have the tag hitch setup from the factory. The point here is, if you ever need to have your GN trailer pulled b/c your truck is in for repair you need a pretty special friend.
I'd rather have a tilt than ramps if you are loading just one equipment item. Problem is we can get more than one piece on a trailer with ramps versus tilt.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
that would depend on how muh you want to spend on a trailer
Both will work fine
Both will work fine
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
No need for a gooseneck!
Go with a bumper pull. It is more than adequate. I have both and use my bumper pull way more than either of our g/n's. I have a 22' w/ 6' stationary and 16' tilt. 14k gvw. I love it, it totes around our skidsteer great, which wieghs the same as your mini excavator.
Go with a bumper pull. It is more than adequate. I have both and use my bumper pull way more than either of our g/n's. I have a 22' w/ 6' stationary and 16' tilt. 14k gvw. I love it, it totes around our skidsteer great, which wieghs the same as your mini excavator.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
Yes, a tag trailer will have more tongue weight but properly loaded it is minimized and with a GN you can have just as much weight transferred to the truck and in some cases too much if not properly loaded. It all comes down to the loaded trailer. Either a GN or tag is just as damaging if not done right.
I use my trailer with 8-10,000 lbs. construction equipment on a 7T tag trailer. This puts the combined load in the 12,500-13,000 lbs. category. I do this quite a bit as do many others here on FTE.
I have said that a GN pulls better than a tag but you need to understand the trade-offs with the GN over a tag. Its not always simply the GN pulls better therefore you should use that.
I use my trailer with 8-10,000 lbs. construction equipment on a 7T tag trailer. This puts the combined load in the 12,500-13,000 lbs. category. I do this quite a bit as do many others here on FTE.
I have said that a GN pulls better than a tag but you need to understand the trade-offs with the GN over a tag. Its not always simply the GN pulls better therefore you should use that.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
The goosneck does pull better. With either type trailer, you have to know the limitations. Overall I'd take the gooseneck over the tag any day. Personal preference. Went from several tagalong camping trailers to a 5er and won't ever go back.......
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
BTW ramps are nice on a longer g/n due to the fact that you typically load several different items, but unless you are getting a trailer over 25 ft long I would go with split tilt. If you are moving the equipment regularly you will get sick of the ramps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
Likes: 4
From: Blairsville,Ga
I never was a fan of tilt tops,it can be a real thrill loading some equipment on them especially if the deck is wet
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
Yeuup. Get some clay on the tracks/tires combined with a wet deck on a tilt topper and-yeehaw! Can make for a interesting loadup.....
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 3
From: Windsor, Colorado
That is the only down side to a tilt, but it hasnt been the issue I thought it would be when I switched to a tilt 5 years ago. The only issue I have around here is winter, but toss a little sand on the deck and that issue goes away. We dont seem to get enough rain around here to have issues with wet decks!! LOL!