trailer styles

[gunner4green]

between the "dove tail" trailers, and the regualar style trailers, is there a big difference between the two when you're loading or unloading?? or is it just a matter of preference...be safe...

[GraZHopA]

There is a difference when loading and unloading. The dove tail puts the ramp lower to the ground. This lessens the angle of the incline and makes it easier to load and unload the mower. Anyway, that the way it works for us. I hope it helps.

[XLS]

for most standard dovetails there is no actual difference as far as the angle because the gate is also shorter overall . in fact most trailers effectively puts 2' of the gate into making the dovetail . the main benifits would be a lower gate so it is less drag going down the road and the weght of the gate is about 1/2 of a regular gate .

[GraZHopA]

The standard ramp length, for both trailer types, is four (4') feet. The angle is less with standard leaf spring suspension. If you are using a trailer with the torque flex axles then the tailer is already lower to the ground and there is no need for the dove tail.

[gunner4green]

You guys out there that have enclosed trailers, do the ramps have some kind of assist when you have to lift and close?? Like for example, how hard would it be for a lil 5'5 lil woman having to raise the ramp/door herself if need be?? ,,, be safe

[mowerbrad]

For the dove tail question....you will notice a difference. Since both stardard size gates are 4', there will be less of an angle. So loading and unloading are a little easier with the dovetails, since there isn't such a steep incline.

For the enclosed trailer quesiton...most enclosed trailers that I know of have some type of assist on the rear ramps. If you look at one you should see two wires that come out from the trailer with the ramp. The wires are attached at both top corners of the ramp and are used as an assist for the ramp.

[GraZHopA]

MowerBrad is telling you correctly. I agree with everything he said. The enclosed trailer ramp assist is similar to the garage door assist; in that it uses a rod and coil spring to assist in the raising and lowering the door or ramp, whichever the case may be.

[Kutz Lawns]

You guys out there that have enclosed trailers, do the ramps have some kind of assist when you have to lift and close?? Like for example, how hard would it be for a lil 5'5 lil woman having to raise the ramp/door herself if need be?? ,,, be safe

I know mine has a built in counter weight that helps the closing of the ramp, real helpful too!

[XLS]

well i will apoligize to you all and on monday i will go see the trailer store they fuc**d me out of 2 foot of gate , i will post these pics if you guys think i am crazy i think it goes to 30" tops as far as hight goes. sorry for my pollution.

[michaelee2]

All the dovetail trailers I see around here have gates that are between 27 and 36" tall. I have a 6.4x12 trailer with dovetail and the gate on it is 27". Gate is lighter weight and doesn't catch near as much wind as a 4 foot gate. I would see no reason to need such a tall gate on a dovetail. :confused:

[XLS]

Thank you michaellee2 you just saved my dealer a arse kicking monday .
i knew my gate looked finished hehe.

[ProTouch Groundscapes]

just remember that when you go to buy, most dimensions for a trailer include the dovetail.

so an 18' x 6.5' trailer might have 16' of actual flat deck and 2' of dovetail, sometimes, depends on the angle of the dovetail, you can still use that space, other times you cant.

im looking at getting an equipment trailer and need to get a 24' to get 20' of deck and the rest is 4' of dovetail.

[michaelee2]

Yes like he said my 6.4x12 is 10 foot with a 2 foot dove. I use the dove on mine but depending on what you are going to haul you may be better with a trailer without a dove. I like my dove because with the short gate you don't get as much wind hold back. :)

[gunner4green]

Thanks fellas..One of the things I was thinking about was theft...Having an enclosed trailer lowers the chances of someone stealing things I hope..however...with an open trailer, you can access things better, no?? Some of the horror stories I read on here about theft is kind of nerve racking...not to sound lazy, but leaving things in the enclosed trailer beats unloading things every night, no?? thanks again fellas... be safe...

[GraZHopA]

I must be the one that got screwed on his trailer! They stuck a four (4') feet gate on my 16' dovetail highside landscape trailer. I stand corrected. I have never noticed the shorter gates on the dovetail trailers. This question is for those guys with the shorter gates that are on dovetails. Is the angle, of your ramp, about the same as those trailers with the 4' gate and no dovetail?

[michaelee2]

Angle is about the same depending on how much of a angle they have on a dove. Most drop about 4-5 inches I think

[GraZHopA]

Thanks fellas..One of the things I was thinking about was theft...Having an enclosed trailer lowers the chances of someone stealing things I hope..however...with an open trailer, you can access things better, no?? Some of the horror stories I read on here about theft is kind of nerve racking...not to sound lazy, but leaving things in the enclosed trailer beats unloading things every night, no?? thanks again fellas... be safe...

Both have their merits. Most use open trailers because they are less expensive. Enclosed trailers are more secure, but open trailers can be made secure also. With both trailers, you really can't stop a thief, we are just trying to slow them down. Good luck with whichever you decide.

[XLS]

most doves are designed so that when sitting level the gate and dove are about as straight as a regular 4 ' gates but if your truck sits higher and the trailer is higher in the front then the angle is very low .

[LoneToySoldier]

I thought hard about dovetailing my trailer and using a set of ramps that I already had. I didn't because where I park my trailer is a little rough and I need the clearance because of a low spot on my property where the back of will drag. I also use my trailer to haul my atv's and have back in the woods during hunting season and didn't want to lose ground clearance. So, I just made my ramps 6.5 ft and put them on one long piece of round stock. I can slide my ramps back and forth this way. I have no problem loading/unloading my zero turn on any slope yard and can get small cars on my trailer without worrying about tearing off the exhaust (I fix up small cars in the winter for something to do). Really happy with this setup so far.