Car Hauler Pros/Cons of Dove Tail vs Flat

[sprdv1]

Debating on flat or w/Dovetail for car hauler.

Bronco with 37s should load up easy enough on a flat car hauler. IF you ever had to load a car or something, then use the ramps.

OF course the dovetail would make it all around easier to load anything.


What's your experience...???

I am going with the 18' hauler BTW.

Thanks,

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Dave,

I looked at several trailers before I bought mine and it really came down to price for me. The dovetail trailers were nice and would have made loading a little easier, but heck, it doesn't take that long to attach the ramps. They wanted a lot more for the dovetailed versions. I have a 16 foot trailer and sometimes wish I had gone with an 18 footer so I could throw other things on there. I was told the 18 foot trailers tow better as well, but I do fine with mine. Good luck! Sucks throwing down that much cash for a trailer, huh?

Chuck

 

[backpain]

All about where you are going to use it and what you will pull it with . . and if you will ever really load cars on it . . . .

Example: For me, the dove tail is a total PITA to get in and out of many driveways (not all - but especially mine!). Even w/a 2WD Tahoe, I have to use a significant drop hitch to keep the rear adequately pitched for clearance and I still have to plan very well to avoid scraping in some situations (diagonal exit instead of straight in/out of incline/declines, etc). While the dove tail makes a one-man on/off loading easier, for the EB, I don't really need it. For most cars - the PITA would instead be getting the thing on the trailer without screwing up the front of the vehicle. Even with ramps, the dovetail eases the incline transition significantly over a flat hauler.

Stacking 2x lumber and extra ramps to get low trailers in/out of driveways and to get vehicles on/off high trailers all gets old really fast.

Best of both worlds is the tilt trailer - flatbed with motorized tilt, but even that is not always easy for low cars.

So I say, decide where you are going to use it the most and whether any "cars" will really ever be transported with it.

 

[sprdv1]

Dave,

I looked at several trailers before I bought mine and it really came down to price for me. The dovetail trailers were nice and would have made loading a little easier, but heck, it doesn't take that long to attach the ramps. They wanted a lot more for the dovetailed versions. I have a 16 foot trailer and sometimes wish I had gone with an 18 footer so I could throw other things on there. I was told the 18 foot trailers tow better as well, but I do fine with mine. Good luck! Sucks throwing down that much cash for a trailer, huh?

Chuck

yeah it does.... Won't be an issue for my Rig, Pulling right up on it, w/the 37s ya know..

Flat would give extra room for 4wheeler, etc, if ever needed..

 

[sprdv1]

All about where you are going to use it and what you will pull it with.
So I say, decide where you are going to use it the most ans whether any "cars" will really ever be transported with it.

The only time would be that instance a kid's car broke down and didn't want to pay the tow truck.. Mostly would be used for hauling the Bronco to events ya know..

I'm leaning towards the flat hauler...

 

[hmh800]

I vote flat. I've never had a dovetail, but several flat haulers. Currently have a 18' w/5000lb. axles. I use it for work (construction) more than car hauling, but with the ramps its no prob to get a car on there. Worst case, you've got to pick the spot to load, like back into a dip.

 

[sprdv1]

I vote flat. I've never had a dovetail, but several flat haulers. Currently have a 18' w/5000lb. axles. I use it for work (construction) more than car hauling, but with the ramps its no prob to get a car on there. Worst case, you've got to pick the spot to load, like back into a dip.

Yeah, kinda what I was thinking too....

 

[cracker]

Had both, love the my dove tail. It is no problem driving my EB on to it. Rarely use the ramps, unless to haul someone else's POS. I sits alot lower than my previous flat trailer and tows alot better. Previous trailer was a flat bed built using mobile home axles. Home built, but bullitt proof. So, probably not he best comparison, but I will stick w/ what I have now.

 

[Broncobowsher]

If you ever haul something lower, like a car. Or if you ever try and sell it to someone who will want to haul a car. dove tail makes loading lower ground clearance vehicles a lot easier. thus makes selling it for more money and less hassle in the future easier.

The Bronco won't care which trailer it rides on.

Flat deck I like is a tilt deck. Honestly that is the only flat deck version I would consider.

As for hauling other stuff (non-cars/trucks) the dove tail has never been an issue. 20' sticks can be hauld comfortably on an 18' dovetail.

This is all based on borrowing various trailers. No ownership bias (at this point)

 

[sprdv1]

Thanks guys....

 

[eb66to77]

Dave,
I had a 16' dovetail and will never get a flat deck after. With a dovetail, you never have to handle ramps. It should be close enough to the ground to get a bite on the trailing edge and drive up. I did with mine and 36's. My buddy did the same with his and 35's. I also carried SRL DOM ~20' on it by running it up the toungue. Two feet of the trailer's overall length is taken up by the dovetail, but it is still long enough for a Cherokee, Bronco, '57 Chevy, or three huge pine trees .

 

[Mountain Ram]

Had both trailers and I prefer the flat deck. I use it mostly for my non-EB rock crawler ans the dove tail trailer would get hung up every time I dragged it off the pavement. I run 44" tires on the crawler and 37" tires on my EB- I have ramps, but rarely use them.

The flat deck also allows me to place the load a little easier- my full size crawler hung on the dovetail and made for awkward positioning.

Overall- you really can't go wrong either way.

Todd

 

[Yeller]

SD, I've had both and never wished my dove trailer was flat, but sure wished the flat had a dove. And I'll load all the way out on the dove, doesn't hurt a thing. Yes the dove may drag at times, that's one of the many reasons for a 4x4 tow rig....

 

[GloNDark]

See I'm the opposite of the above poster, I had a dovetail and it was fine but always wished it was full flat.

Once I had my Big Bubba 18' full flat I never wanted anything else. It's just more useful for more things, and with my driveway it makes pulling it in and out A LOT easier.

To me, it's all about personal preference.

 

[sprdv1]

Very true on the dovetail, and while "me personally" I think it would be nice, I see the "flat" working out better for my use.

Appreciate everyone's input. Anyone has more experiences, feel free to post up.

 

[Skiddy]

i like flat and never use my ramps for the bronco, except two times when i had to winch it up on it:-[ i use the ramps on cars though. my trailer does sit pretty low though

 

[NGABronco]

Hey SD, do me and yourself a favor!!!! Use the ramps!!! And block the rear of the trailer!!!! When you drive a 4500lb EB onto the end of a 25' long fulcrum, attached to a ball & coupler at your truck, the force is awesome!!!

I know folks drive em' on all the time, it looks cool and it's quick, but it ain't safe!!!%)%)%)

 

[Skiddy]

Hey SD, do me and yourself a favor!!!! Use the ramps!!! And block the rear of the trailer!!!! When you drive a 4500lb EB onto the end of a 25' long fulcrum, attached to a ball & coupler at your truck, the force is awesome!!!

I know folks drive em' on all the time, it looks cool and it's quick, but it ain't safe!!!%)%)%)

lol we did the ole bow back on a trailer once loading round bails of hay with a tractor%)

 

[sprdv1]

Hey SD, do me and yourself a favor!!!! Use the ramps!!! And block the rear of the trailer!!!! When you drive a 4500lb EB onto the end of a 25' long fulcrum, attached to a ball & coupler at your truck, the force is awesome!!!
I know folks drive em' on all the time, it looks cool and it's quick, but it ain't safe!!!%)%)%)

Si Senor, I will definitely keep that in mind..!!!

 

[Broncobowsher]

Loading without ramps can be hazardous. I have seen the ass end of trucks lifted off the ground. Ball couplers are not designed to be loaded that severly in that direction. Damage, seperation (damage and later seperation while driving) are all possible.