sandspider Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Hi allJust wondering if anyone can recommend me a trailer. Mainly for dump runs, logs, collecting big bits of furniture etc. No commercial use, will probably only be used a handful of times a year. Looking for a metal trailer (galvanised so nothing rusts). Probably 6x4 or thereabouts (as I've not done much trailer pulling and don't want anything too big, too heavy or difficult to manoeuvre). The thing is, I want to have removable sides on it, so I can tie down big things when it's in flatbed mode, or fit the sides and fill it with logs, soil or whatever when necessary. Does such a trailer exist? I've had a Google, but can only find bigger flat bed trailers (7x5' ish) with removable sides.I'd be looking second hand, budget probably a few hundred quid. Will I just have to get a bigger trailer and get used to towing it? I've only got a standard car licence, so think I'm limited to 750KG gross weight. So a lighter trailer would be better, but I imagine that comes at a cost.Oh, one final advantage - would be great if it could be towed behind a compact tractor too. Standard towball on the car, don't own the tractor yet!Discuss?! Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I have a 6x4 trailer i nick from work time to time it is by far the most difficult thing in the world to reverse as they just disappear and by time you see it in your mirrors its too late...I know what i am doing with trailers and that thing has beaten me on more than one occasion. Bit wider means you can see it sooner in your mirrors and reverse it easier. If you worried about manhandling there wont be that much difference weight wise just dont fill it to the top. Also you can never have too big a trailer. There will always be a job you want it that bit bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Interesting. I assumed that smaller would be easier to reverse / manoeuvre, especially in narrow roads etc. True, I suppose you can always put smaller things in a big trailer, but not vice versa! What make and model is the one you use? And would you recommend it other than the size?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Smaller trailers are always more difficult to reverse. However, they are usually light enough to unhitch and push backwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I've got an old trelgo trailer probably from the 90's that is going strong. It's fully galvanised, about 5ft by 4ft and a pain to maneuver when reversing. That said, I have no problems removing it and taking it down the drive even when fully loaded with logs. Just think of it as a big wheelbarrow ;-). I made some taller sides for it out of wood and a ladder rack out of old steel bar. Does all that I need and is easy to store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 (edited) As tom medic and marki have said, small trailers are hell to reverse. We've got a 6*4 single-axle trailer and a Ivor Wms 12*6 double-axle trailer, and the larger trailer is stupidly easy to move maneuver in reverse, whereas the little one will jack-knife on you in an instant. Regards it being useful on a tractor too, the big issue is that a road-tyred trailer (for use on the car) will be a pain in the backside on the back of the tractor if you're on muddy fields, tending to just fill up the tyre grooves with mud and then slip sideways on the slightest slope. Edited October 29, 2015 by robbiep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thanks gents. Ok then, what size trailer would people recommend as most useful and practical?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 To be honest for your budget and what you want it for no point looking for a particular manufacturer just buy on overall condition more than anything. Best thing is just to keep an eye on ebay and gumtree for something that looks suitable and is not million miles away. If you only want something for dump runs and logs 6x4 will be fine, 7x5 better. When you start getting up much bigger than that storing it may be an issue. Going behind a compact tractor, anything strong enough to be towed safely at 60 down motorway will be fine behind the tractor. The mud filling the tyres is a problem when its particularly bad, but by time you get to that stage you will be tearing the place up anwyay. All our tractor trailers are running old lorry tyres and so they turn into slicks quite quickly in very muddy fields but your going so slowly with tractor they seem to keep in check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Thanks Tom, useful thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TR1 Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 If you are going to council tips be careful of size limit before you need a license. Some council site operators are real picky over such things just to be difficult Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Hmm, I might well be. Good thinking. What size do they start getting picky about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I'm thinking a flatbed car transporting trailer would be ideal if you modified it for scaffold plank sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 (edited) Hmm, I might well be. Good thinking. What size do they start getting picky about? It varies from council to council. Where we are, for example, a double-axle trailer is viewed as needing a licence to use the tip Edited October 29, 2015 by robbiep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Cheers all. Will see what crops up locally within my budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) I have a 6x4 trailer i nick from work time to time it is by far the most difficult thing in the world to reverse as they just disappear and by time you see it in your mirrors its too late...I know what i am doing with trailers and that thing has beaten me on more than one occasion. Bit wider means you can see it sooner in your mirrors and reverse it easier. If you worried about manhandling there wont be that much difference weight wise just dont fill it to the top. Also you can never have too big a trailer. There will always be a job you want it that bit bigger. Screw a few arm reflectors on it, or some uprights if you can see through the rear of your vehicle! http://m.aliexpress.com/item/1331697025.html?productId=1331697025&productId=1331697025&productSubject=Free-shiping-TWO-2-AMBER-LED-Stalk-Side-Marker-Lamp-Trailer-Truck-Lorry-Outline-Position-Light&productSubject=Free-shiping-TWO-2-AMBER-LED-Stalk-Side-Marker-Lamp-Trailer-Truck-Lorry-Outline-Position-Light&tracelog=wwwdetail2mobilesitedetail Edited October 30, 2015 by Lord Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Useful ads for sexy push up bras on that site! Just what I need to go with my trailer arm reflectors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.