One man operations and trailer sizes?

[fivestarlawnken]

The wife gave me the okay for a new trailer next year.Just wondering on average size for the one man teams out there! I'm looking at 6X12,dual axle,single gate,pintle hitch set up. P.S. wife is C.E.O(heheheh);)

[Evan528]

What equipment are you currently using? what equqiqpment will you purchase in the short future? (1-3 years)

[kutnkru]

I would think that for a Solo operator a 6x12 would be sufficient.

I would rather have a 14' myself. This way you can haul a 60"wb/48"wb/ and a 36"wb. I would also make the investment for Trimmer/BP racks if you have not already done so.

However, you might seriously consider the 16' if you plan to haul tractors periodically with implements.

If you are not able to get the split-gates you would be wise to purchase a gatelift spring set-up to save your back! Eric ELM has a link at his sight on how he fabricated his own. ;)

Just my .02
Kris

[GreenQuest Lawn]

I am solo and run a 16' Tandem trailer. I haul a 60" Lazer & 52" Metro. It is still tight when I add the Trac-Vac on the Lazer.

Plus being solo I add small jobs in as I mow (Like a yd or two of mulch or shovels, Wheel barrels, Ect.) So I could actually use a bigger one.

You WILL find things to fill up the trailer so I would suggest buying a trailer Larger than you think you need.

[gogetter]

Obviously it's gonna totally depend on what kind of equipment you have now and what you think you might have in the next year or two.

Then once you have that size figured, then get the next size up!;)

I use a 5'x10' now, but would like to get a 6'x12' next year.

[dhicks]

Go bigger. You will be glad down the road as your company grows.

[Barkleymut]

I'm solo and have a 6 1/2' x 16' tandem trailer and wish I had a 18 or 20 footer. I agree with the see which one you want and buy the next bigger one. They only cost around $100 more for a couple more feet. The only consideration is if you have a small truck (under 1/2 ton).

[fivestarlawnken]

Quick info guys thanks.For next 2-4 years i plan on keeping small, i would love to get a pto tractor implents but thats a whole new beast.So the plan is keep my 48 wb,sulky,cage for the main floor space on my trailer.When i get the new trailer i will fabricate gate helpers(helped with one at work). The only thing I may purchase is good used 32 or 36 in the future.

[Mark]

Im solo and use a 16ft tandom,i haul a 62"Z master 52" Walkbehind, Billygoat vac, two 21s. I also have a 14ft for mulching,leafs,planting and fert. Seems like you always need a little extra room and the price range is not that much more for the bigger trailer. Marks Mowing Service

[geogunn]

the answer is clear. it's a 16 foot tandem axle with brakes.

in my area there is no difference in a tandem 12 foot and a tandem 16 fot trailer. or for that matter a 14 foot.

the reason is that the steel comes in 16 foot lengths. you get no rebate for them to have to cut the steel shorter.

a 16 foot tandem W/O brakes can be had here for $750, new.

add $100 for brakes.

GEO

[Lawn-Scapes]

I have a 6x12 enclosed and here's what's in it:

50" Gravely wb, 60" Lazer, 2 line trimmers, 1 stick edger, 1 bp blower, 1 handheld blower, 1 backpack sprayer, 1 handheld sprayer, 1 Lesco wb spreader, 1 (40") hedge trimmer, one chain saw, 1 craftsman 3 drawer toolbox, 1 velky, 2 fan rakes, 1 hard rake, 1 pick axe, 1 axe, 1 lopping shear, 2 hand pruners, a few bottles of oil, 1 spool of trimmer string, some spare belts, 4 bags of fertilizer and some other little stuff... Oh yeah 3 shovels and a pitch fork too.

It's a little tight but manageable :) I think I'm ready for a 7x14 maybe 16.

From what you just said a 6x12 will fill your needs. I recommend an enclosed...

[65hoss]

I run an 18'. Plenty of extra room for anything. I can also haul my race car or tractor.

[TJLC]

I'm solo and use a 6x12. My 36" and 48" w/b's fit comfortablely on it. Now if I purchase a ztr in the future, this may be a problem. Good advise on buying more trailer than what you think you will need.

[awm]

got 12 ft and it does me with one z and hand equipment.
thats all i need. i agree w geogun though about the 16.
not much differce in price.

[SpringValley]

I have a 6'10" wide by 16' long. I would go to a 20' in a heartbeat. Brakes on all four wheels is a must. The biggest question I have that no one seemed to pick up on is why are you using a pintle hitch? It will rattle and be very noisy not to mention pintle hitches are usually for the very large 7 ton capacity trailers and up. I would go with a ball hitch to quiet it down and be more "standard." If you are running tandem axles I would definitely go for a 16 footer. You can never have too much room.

Matt

:blob3: :blob4: :blob1:

[fivestarlawnken]

The pintle hitch is more for safety and comfort.The noise it makes does not bother me, it is a sense of security. One hundred bucks for the set up is well worth it. If you ever get to use one you never go back.:blob4:

[sunrise]

I would buy the 16 footer. You can grow into it,maybe put a side gate on it so you could load a mow without unlaoding the entire trailer. Just a thought

[jordanlawnsrvc]

I'm solo. 7x16 enclosed carmate. 60" lazer, +sometimes a 48" encore, trimmer racks, wall cabinets etc etc. Sometimes it's crowded. No less than 16' for me.
@R

[mdb landscaping]

i run solo, and use an 8 by 14 enclosed with a 60 inch lazer and a 48 inch scag inside, as well as a giant vac 8 hp blower. still have some room to expand. i think youll quickly grow out of a 6 by 12.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I have a 7x16 enclosed Haulmark trailer ... love it!

[jdwilliams1]

go as wide as you can, i have a 16' enclosed trailer w/ tandem axle. i love it. keeps my mower out of the weather, i just wish it was wider. 6' now wish it was 8'

[lawnboy82]

I have the pintle setup on my trailer because it is easy. You dont have to line it up just right on a ball, and then mess around with the tongue and whatever it is. With the pintle all you have to do is get it near there, drop it down, flip the lip on the hitch, put a pin in. I feel it is more secure like this. However it is also easier to move like this. Another reason i like the pintle is because, lets say the trailer got stuck in a hole for some reason, all i would have to do is put a rope to the ring, and i can pull it out. That is pretty hard to do with a ball mount.

[MOW ED]

I'm with Geogunn. I have a 14' tandem and could use the extra 2'. I also don't have trailer breaks and will be adding them this fall as I just replaced brakes AND rotors last week. Go big as there is always room to grow.

[jnjnlc]

I am solo and I use a 6'6" X 12'. I normally put a 33" craftsman WB and a Toro 44" ZTR. This fits comfortably. However, when it comes to fertilizing, aerating, leaf removal, etc I do not have enough room. I wish I had a 16' at least.

I think the ideal open trailer would be a 7 X 16 with a rear and side gate. A tool cage mounted on the side high enough to put things under it. Trimmer and blower racks on the sides as well. I like to have the front open so if I do have anything to long I can let if hang over the front if needed.

A 16’ enclosed trailer would be nice as well.

Oh well one can dream can’t he?

[cp]

I run solo with a 6 1/2 X 16 tandem and dual gates.

I have a 60" Z and 38" Metro and hand toys. There is room for one more Z. HEHE... Biggest thing about the 16 ft is that I can carry 8 cubic yards of mulch without putting up walls. I can pick up a skid steer if I need one. And I can add additional equipment when I need it, Aerator, tiller, bagger, etc,....

Go bigger.....Chris:blob3:

[fivestarlawnken]

I appreciate all of your efforts and opinions everyone.I'm glad to see the post on pintle hitches also. Maybe i will go bigger, who knows.

[GrassChopper]

I run solo with a 16' tandem axle. I also have a 12' single axle as a backup. I love the 16', never use the 12' anymore.

[Strawbridge Lawn]

I am a 1 man operation and I can say now after my first 7 months, my 12 ft trailer is too small...
If you are serious you need to think bigger for several reasons. While a 52" Z-HP may not look big in the showroom, it becomes larger just by driving it on a trailer. THEN,, What about that Ultra-VAC... Suddenly all you have left
is room for a 21".. OK, not quite that bad, BUT, there are many things I need now, Aerators, Seeders, and a walk-Behind that will not fit on my 6.5X12 trailer. I would go 14-16 ft double axle if you are serious. A 12 ft is a good starter and will accomadate walk-behinds nicely, but when the big machine arrives, room becomes scarce.
Best to you
Gary
Strawbridge Lawn & Landscape

[TGCummings]

I'm solo and run a 12 x 6.5 flatbed to carry one 36" Exmark and two 21" Toro Recyclers. Around here things are condensed so I just don't have any use for anything bigger. I could've gotten by with something a little smaller, but I had the foresight to go one size up when I purchased it a year ago.

If you can, go a little bit bigger than what you 'need', as others have mentioned, and you can grow into it...

-TGC

[Devin]

I have a 6 1/2 foot wide by 16 foot long dual axle trail with a single drop gate in the rear. Tommorrow I am taking it to the shop to have drop gates installed on each side up at the front for my equipment to be able to unload from the side. I am getting tired of having to unload all the equipment to get to the machine in the front. The gates are 5 foot wide. Something you might want to think of.
Devin
Wilson's Lawn Service:D :D

[michael68]

i run 16ft tandem axle w/heavy duty gate in rear & side gate, box in front and all trimmers & edgers & fuel cans on side...plenty of room for me. 2-48" walk behind, 2 21" walkbehind, 1-48" rider, lesco spreader, misc shovels, rakes, trach cans, etc....love the extra room. moved up from a 12 ft single axle this past year.

[lawncare]

To bad your not in Bham we could've made a deal on the one i bought today i prime example for new people starting out in the biz spending money on all the new stuff and dont have the clients. i bought this 1 today from a guy for 150 didnt need it but for the price i figure if it don't sale i can rent it out or haul material if i have a big job. For 400 more i could've got the equip but i don't want no Craftsman.

[OBRYANMAINT]

i started w/ a 14 foot and was able to fineagle two mowers on(one ztr) , but now have a 16 and am content , i think a 16 is a very common size,

[HOMER]

You did real good Lawncare! Wish I could find deals like that.

I'm semi solo and pull a 8.5 x 24 Wells Cargo enclosed trailer. I haul a 72" Chopper, a 50" Chopper, a 48" Scag with the Trac-Vac unit, a 21" mower, trimmers, edgers, 3 blowers, ladders, 2 sets of hedge trimmers, fertilizer spreader, tarps, parts.................anything you could think to put in one I probably got in there.

Started with 5 x 10, moved to a 8 x 16, then to an 8 x 20.....all open trailers..........then got the enclosed. I've threatened to sell it many times but hey........it's raining out right now and everything is nice and cozy......................I sleep good at night knowing all my baby's have a roof over thier heads.:D

[walker-talker]

I am solo with a 6.5 X 16, dual axle, open trailer. I have a large garage 25X30 or so. Not a problem to drop the trailer in there for the night. I have never put much thought about an enclosed trailer. I imagine there are pros and cons, just like everthing else. I agree with the majority here, go with something larger than what you need. I would like to buy a 4X8 someday for when I am just aerating and dethatching. Good luck.

MATT

[rodney]

lawncare...whos yard is that trailer in ?

[BigJim]

Heres how we do it down hereC:\My Documents\Lawn Stuff\walker on trailer.jpg

[ohiolawnguy]

if you are interested at all there is a fellow on mogadore road(akron/mogaodre ohio), who custom builds trailers. he is kinda pricey, but he makes one heck of a trailer. i have a couple friends here in akron who are looking to get rid of trailers also.i know of a 16ft one that was built by the fellow on mogadore road for sale right now. if you are interested, or have any questions, feel free to e-mail me, or call me at (330)-608-0301. cant remember name of guy on mogadore road, but im sure i can find his number

[Barkleymut]

LOL Rodney, I was wondering what type of sweet bush/tree that was in front of the trailer. By the way you got a steal on that trailer for $150. I'd pay $100 for the rack you have on the tongue.

[rodney]

yes i liked that cage on the tonge also neet gas can storage .
makes the trailer look stronger and nicer .

[fivestarlawnken]

I want to thank everyone for your help.It's great to see all the replies.About 2 weeks ago I traded my old trailer(5x8 tilt) ,for a 6X10 with gate brand new. So I should be set for a while.(I hope).I'm just happy to get rid of the tilt!!!!!!!:)

[thelandscaper27]

Hi guys. I am a solo operator myself.
I have one Emark 52" WB
1 Echo BP blower
1 Shindiawa weed eater
And a 6x18' Trailer

[HOMER]

Good price.

Slipped that one in!:D

[Mowin4cash]

Originally posted by HOMER
You did real good Lawncare! Wish I could find deals like that.

I'm semi solo and pull a 8.5 x 24 Wells Cargo enclosed trailer. I haul a 72" Chopper, a 50" Chopper, a 48" Scag with the Trac-Vac unit, a 21" mower, trimmers, edgers, 3 blowers, ladders, 2 sets of hedge trimmers, fertilizer spreader, tarps, parts.................anything you could think to put in one I probably got in there.

Started with 5 x 10, moved to a 8 x 16, then to an 8 x 20.....all open trailers..........then got the enclosed. I've threatened to sell it many times but hey........it's raining out right now and everything is nice and cozy......................I sleep good at night knowing all my baby's have a roof over thier heads.:D


Homer, your rig seems to be just what I'm trying to achieve. Do you think a 3/4 ton Chevy w/ 350 will pull that ok? Also, do you have a pic?

Mike

[RB]

Solo, 5x10. 36" wb w/grass gobbler, 21"lawn boy, trimmer rack and blower rack. I mow about 40 lawns - all in my neighborhood. If I need extra equipment I'm only about 2 minutes away at any time. It great at lunch time!

I would like a 6x12.

[thegrasscatchers]

Mike--> last year I used a Chevy 20 series 2WD pickup to pull around a 21' enclosed trailer. It worked great. Did find that the brakes would overheat if the trailer brakes werent up to shape though.





Originally posted by Mowin4cash



Homer, your rig seems to be just what I'm trying to achieve. Do you think a 3/4 ton Chevy w/ 350 will pull that ok? Also, do you have a pic?

Mike

[BufalinoLand]

I have a 6x12 and will enter my 4th year, i run a Z and WB and im out of room. its time to get a bigger one. probably an 18 tandem when i can get a good price

[thelandscaper27]

Bufalinoland..,

I believe I can help you there...

Email me at thelandscaper27@hotmail.com

[TJLC]

I just got my new 16' dual axle trailer today. Traded my 3 yr old 12' in on it. I wish I would have bought the 16' originally, live and learn I guess. Unfortunately, I didn't have the benifit of this site when I first started.

[BufalinoLand]

TJLC,

what did they give you for your trailor and how much was your 16 footer.

[sheppard]

I run a 6x10. Have a Snapper 36" WB. Rack for trimmer/edger and an extra space. Put my plower on the trailer floor. All the other tools( shovel, Ax, rakes, chain saw I put in the bed of my F-150 or the tool box). Very soon I'm going to get a Wright Stander 52"& 36". Will trade the Snapper in for them.

Cordially,
Sheppard

Oh, I'll have to get at least a 12 foot trailer too.

[TFL]

i have a 14ft gooseneeck landscape dump from dimond C . it is perfect tool boxes up front side ramp and rear ramp the double as dump gate :D :D

[Sooners]

I just had a trailer custom made. It's 6-1/2' x 12'. I had a 48" side gate installed on the right front as well as a gate on the back. That way I can park a 42" mower sideways and a 60" mower longways. This saves 2'. I also had electric brakes added for $100