New Trailer

[grassyfras]

Im thinking about getting a 5x8 trailer that costs 650. Im starting to get a few lawn jobs that I need a trailer to get to. Im setting my minumum cut at $25. How does that sound? Alot of people are use to paying $20 and im afraid that there going to have a problem paying $25. WHat do you all think? Also do you think this trailer will be able to haul a yard of mulch or more and how much lawn waste do you think it could hold? Where do you guys dump all your waste at? I would like to get a bigger trailer but space is a problem and my dad doesnt want me to get anything bigger hes jsut like that. Am I off to the right start?

[2 man crew]

Try to get the biggest trailer you can even if it's only a couple feet longer. Trailer space is always an isue.

They make different axle weight limits I think you can get a 3500 lbs limit axle but you should ask what the max is. I've seen limits as low as 750 lbs.

Your minimum ?

I dump at several different Compost sites and farms.

[Mykster]

2 man crew hit it right on. Get the biggest you can afford. You will not regret it. Always better to have extra space than not enough.

[MuskTurfKing]

I agree, go big, I think I'll need at least a 6x16 in later years.

Hank

[TJLC]

I started out with a 6x12 with a drop gate. I used it for about 2 1/2 yrs. before I outgrew it. Now I have a dual axle 6.5 x 16. I also agree, buy more trailer than you think you need, (I wish I had). I think my 6.5x16 was about $1200.00 and my 6x12 was about $800.00. My 6x12 weighed about 700#'s. My 6.5x16 weighs about 1600 #'s. If you go with a big trailer make sure you have a strong enough vehicle to pull it. This is one of the nice things about this site, you can learn from other people's mistakes and do it right the first time. Good luck.

[stslawncare]

i agree with what everyone else said and to answer ur one question about mulch i would think u could fit atleast 2 yards maybe 3 on the trailer, i believe a pickup can hold 2 and thats a 4x8 so u get a 5x8 and some nice sides i bet u could get 3.

[Brickman]

Every body is right. Go with as much trailer as you can afford. And have truck to pull it. It has been my experience with trailers that are 10 feet long and over, you will really like having a 3/4 ton truck to pull it. Almost a neccesity I found out. If you have hills, or any kind of wind to deal with, smaller than that just gets thrown around pretty bad. And that can and does get nerve wracking after a while. Trust me.

[HOMER]

I got a 24' enclosed i'll sell ya, wonder what Dad would think about that in his driveway?

It'll haul a lot of waste!

[mdb landscaping]

I wish i had found this site when i was starting out so people could tell me "the more you can afford, the better you will be". my first year i bought a 5 by 10 big tex and put trimmertraps. By the very next season, i needed a rider, so i went with an 8 by 14 enclosed trailer. Definately get as big of a trailer as you can afford, because the space fills up quickly.

[PRECISION LC]

i started out with a 5x8 and i grew into it fast. i could only fit a 48" toro and a trim mower on there with barely any room to put anything else. when i asked this same question i got the same response, get the biggest you can afford. i am happy that i did.

[grassyfras]

Hey thanks guys, Ill try to get a little bigger trailer if its possible. Ill probbly pick it up this week hopfully by saturday. Im not sure how big the truck is im pulling it with its a GMC Envoy SUV im sure it can haul alot of weight. What do you other guys do about your yard waster you want to get rid of and how much does it cost?

[stslawncare]

not familier with that exact suv but unless its of equal size and power of the chevy suburban or ford excursion id have to go away from it, especially for heavy loads of mulch and equipment. not only for the power reasons but also it would tear one of those up. as for yard waste, what yard waste? as for grass clippings, dont bag!!!!!!!!!! mulch them up, much much better for the lawn and much easier for the user, do the same for leaves, if for some reason u have to many (ya its possible sometimes) take it to the dump or leave for trash men

[grassyfras]

not grass clippings but like tree limbs and bush clippings stuff like that.

[stslawncare]

to the dump or if u can tie them up for the trashmen

[HazellLawnCare]

Hey I run a 24x8 enclosed trailer and plan to buy another 30x8 this summer. As for a tow vehicle I use a 93 Chevy 1 ton dually with a 454, and the clippings well it's got a 9 foot Omaha Standard dump bed that holds lots of clippings. Not to mention there is a new 2002 Chevy 1 ton chassis cab ordered with the new diesel and allison tranny. Can't wait to have these two rig rolling I'm swamped with the super crew I have.

[darryl gesner]

I just ordered a 6 x12 custom built in my home town. I was going to get a 5 x 10 Big Tex, but my local Exmark dealer said to go bigger so I can get a rider on it. I'm getting a 48 WB and was originally going to haul it in my 1985 3/4 ton Chevy, but I kept having night mares about having a ramp slip and dropping it off the truck. I sometimes rent a 16 low boy to haul my Deere tractor w/ loader and backhoe. I can't see hauling a 48 inch WB and 21 inch mower around on a 4 ton trailer though, so I'm looking at 2 trailers for my operation. My trailer dealer says he can put ramps on a dump trailer for me to haul my tractor on, but I'm concerned that the weight will be to high.

[grassyfras]

So are you guys saying that this trailer might not be able to suppost the weight of my 36" mower or a yarsd or 2 of mulch?

[plow kid]

I hate to say this, but....... Take what Scott has to say with a grain of salt. my 5x10 goldstar trailer has a GVW of 3500#, the trailer weights 475# so I can "Legaly" carry 3000#, BUT I have had 6 yards of mulch on it and 3 tons of stone on it before.
I would ask what the axle rating is before you buy, if it is 2000# then it is worthless unless you are just hauling a dirtbike or garden tractor on it and nothing else. it will hold about 2 yards of mulch, depending on how much the trailer chassis weighs and how wet the mulch is. But for $650 I would want a 3500# axle.

Oh yea on the Envoy It is just like a Chevy Blazer, you will be fine with anything up to around 4500-5000# as long as you keep it OUT of overdrive.

~NaTe

[larrv45390]

Go big..............................

[summitgroundskeeping]

Hey, man we got a new Envoy SLT and man I wouldn't tow too much w/that unless use got that towing package as an option. Have you driven that Envoy, b/c if you have you'll realize it handles like a big ol' Buick w/a 6" lift kit. THat thing doesn't have the suspension to tow what it says it can tow.

[summitgroundskeeping]

and an Envoy aint anything like a Blazer, unless your talking about the new Trailblazer. Very different chassies. The Envoy has independent suspension, and is ment for people like my mom who want a $36,600 "truck" (I hate SUVs being called trucks) but want a car ride. It can tow, but I wouldn't tow too much w/it.
Be careful

[grassyfras]

The weight limit is 2000 on one and 3000 on another so i guesss i will go with the 3000 one. How much does a yard of mulch or rock weigh.

[samk]

get yourself a truck that envoy has a very soft ride and will be bouncing all around . as for the trailer get what you can afford can always sell when you want to upgrade.

[GLS]

I think the envoys are like the chevy trailblazers, correct? If so, you shouldn't have a problem with the engine. I'm not saying that just because it has a strong engine it can tow a hole lot, but that thing has an in-line 6 cyl. that's supposedly comparable to a V-8.

[David Gretzmier]

the absolute minimum I'd go is 16x6.5 w/ 3500 lb axles, brakes on both. you can get that around here for 600-800 used, or 1100 new w/ new tires. a 1/2 ton truck should pull it and stop it nicely w/ brake controller. I ran this rig into my serious start up years before going 20x8.5 w/ 7500lb axles, and 4 ft sides w/ toolboxes and racks galore. this 'll carry you until that isuzu super lawn truck or dovetail starts looking pretty nice... Dave g

[columbiaplower]

what you have to ask yourself is "how serious are you about this job?" depending on if you plan to make this a full time job or just a side money maker. If your talking full time go big get the big trailer, BUT if this is a part time thing take a look into this http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=465468&prmenbr=6970

this is what i started with at 16, could do everything i needed it to, light hauling and could fit two walkbehinds on it, ANd oh yea with sides, two yards of mulch. for two hundred bucks thats not a bad deal.

just a thought
-Nick

[Tony Harrell]

All trailers are not created equal. Some are balanced perfectly and some are tongue heavy. Some build the tongue out of angle iron and some use channel. Pick the tongue up from a resting position and see if it's balanced. If not, it will put more weight on your tow vehicle. If it's angle iron, it's even worse for you. And a yard of mulch is 3x3x3. How much it weighs depends on the moisture content, but don't underestimate it. That's a lot of mulch. If you do decide to get an unbalanced, angle tongue trailer, just know the limits.

[Cut 2 Please]

The most important thing to consider when buying a trailer is not wheather your truck can pull it or not. It is wheather your truck can stop it. Think about if you were to get in a bind and need to stop in a hurry. The Envoy is not going to stop much weight unless you get a trailer w/electric brakes and a good brake controller.

[Mid Rivers]

Avesco Trailer 618-532-1425. Near Mt. Vernon Illinois

[GLS]

Sorry if i'm getting a little bit off subject, but speaking of that foldable trailer that Northern Tool sells, I have the same one, only from Menards (cheaper). The only reason I bought this is because I have nowhere to store a trailer. I have to fold it up and put it in the garage (only takes up about 1.5').

My question, is it legal to park trailers in the road? It would be a 6x12 open landscape trailer. In the winter months when not in use, I will probably have a place to store it (grandpa's farm-30 min. away). The crappy foldable one I have now is a pain...tilting the bed, folding it up...the new one would have a nice 4' gate and a much, much heavier duty design.

Thanks,
Ryan

[columbiaplower]

your asking for problems if you park on the street, especialy if its a high traffic area, if someone hits it its ur butt.