Gooseneck trailer?

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Hey fellas, just curious as to weather any of you have built a gooseneck flatdeck trailer? Brother and myself are in the market for one and are trying to decide if its a project we want to take on or just buy one. We have skid steers, do alot of log cutting, and it would just be dam handy to have at our acreages. More or less just trying to justify to myself if the money savings in building ourselves would out weigh the work involved. Atleast if we built it ourselves id know it was done properly. Looking in the 25 to 30' deck space and likely two 7000lb axlesLast edited by Pressure_Welder; 10-22-2012 at 11:57 AM.
Reply:Trailers are simple to build, but do require some time.Building a trailer is a simple exercise in cost benefit. To properly address this from a purely fiscal sense you first need to obtain a set of plans and establish a BOM and parts list. Once you have all of that you can fairly accurately calculate your materials cost.I hope you sit down when you do that because trailers can get pretty pricey...Then once you have your cost you have to calculate the time needed to build the trailer. I would say about 60 Hours ±10-15 Hours depending on skill. Then plug in your hourly rate and you have your answer.Now from my experience it has always been cheaper to build because I was getting suspension/axle/tire (including brakes and all hardware) kits for tandem 7K for $500 - had a great connection, and the cost would even out (i also had nothing to do). Recently those combo's have gotten as expensive as 2 grand depending on the outlet.IMHO - go buy a well used trailer for 4-5K and refurbish it - I picked up a 40' 30K capacity for $4250 and spent $800 fixing it up. Full retail was around 10-12K new.I break things for a living...
Reply:I have built them from scratch at my previous employer before I went self employed.  Honestly unless you want something really oddball its just not worth it.  I buy my trailers, building just isn't worth it when you figure EVERYTHING up including getting tags.  Free labor helps but I only have so many "free" hours in a week, the rest need to be making money.
Reply:ya were taking a look at some used units, that need some deck repair. Might be our most cost effective option. Ya your right dude, they definatly go for alot of money new. Not to sound cheap, but the amount we'd use it, it'd just be hard to justify brand new, especially to the wife!
Reply:Getting tags and vin number will be a problem for you if you are going to use it on the highway. I would go the route of used and rebuild deck if needed. Insurance is going to also be an issue, although in TN the pull vehicle has to have the coverage for the trailer. If homebuilt and failed I would think insurance would be a problem collecting from. You are talking a lot of weight with a couple of skid steers as they can weigh 10,000 lbs each plus attachments. I would look on C-list in the 200 mile range around you to see what is available.
Reply:Typically cheaper to buy used and repair then to build yourself. though some people have managed to save money building new. Personally I like the whole buying used and repairing. A goose neck is not something that you can just wing it on. If you're going to build buy plans that have the engineering already done for you. and abide by the plan specifications.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:ya building it wouldnt be an issue at all, ive made pleanty of trailers and thats why i was so skeptical as to wanting to build one versus price. Definatly going to just put the money into a new deck, OR just find one thats ready to rock that needs a paint job.
Reply:I don't know if this will be helpful but the only pictures I have seen on the internet of a gooseneck trailer being constructed come from these two threads on Pirate4x4.  They are making trailers to support RV Camper shells, but the I-beam construction is probably similar.http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/tow-r...ler-build.htmlhttp://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/tow-r...least-one.html
Reply:go to the auction and pick one up... cant go wrong.Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:out here a 24.gooseneck, dove tail, with tandem duallys and spring loaded ramps can be purchased new for 7,400 I dont see how you could build one for that unless you found the axles used and your time had no value.Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Reply:Dont know about your specific area but around here the price difference between new and used wasn't enough to even venture into the unknown variables.   the best price difference i could find was about a grand off a new one.  Wasn't worth it.     Top that off with the fact that the price of steel was 2/3rds the price of new trailer it simply wasn't worth it to me.   And trust me NO ONE buys steel cheaper than me, im a cheep SOB and theres 8+ competitors in this area waiting to cut each others throats on beam and structurals.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I converted a tag along trailer back to a gooseneck.  It was a job in itself.  The best part is the trailer was a gooseneck originally so fitting up the gooseneck was pretty easy.I started with this:Copied this one:Ended up with this final product:I don't think I would build one from scratch without some plans.  Used ones are very plentiful.IMHO "G"ConductorX - The Volkswright Shophttp://volkswright.blogspot.com/http://bugwerks.blogspot.com/Miller DVI w/Spoolgun - Miller Plasma Cutter
Reply:If your going to build/buy one the only advise I can give the to check the swing clearance on the bed rails of your truck if it has a pick up body on it. I have some friends that have them and one is a PJ and the clearance isnt real good on his. He has some dents where its hit the bed turning, like swinginging it when on unven ground. He uses his to haul their small equipment, skid steers mini excovators to small jobs. Another friend has one that sits higher on his truck and it dosnt hit and he can turn tighter with out it hitting. All 3 of us are friends and Ive seen the 2 guys swap trailers from time to time, and its been a topic of dicussion many a time.. I dont know what brand the higher one is. Now they are both running 550's with flat beds on them so it dosnt really mater to them now.Learning one rod at a time
Reply:Originally Posted by Vince_oIf your going to build/buy one the only advise I can give the to check the swing clearance on the bed rails of your truck if it has a pick up body on it. I have some friends that have them and one is a PJ and the clearance isnt real good on his. He has some dents where its hit the bed turning, like swinginging it when on unven ground. He uses his to haul their small equipment, skid steers mini excovators to small jobs. Another friend has one that sits higher on his truck and it dosnt hit and he can turn tighter with out it hitting. All 3 of us are friends and Ive seen the 2 guys swap trailers from time to time, and its been a topic of dicussion many a time.. I dont know what brand the higher one is. Now they are both running 550's with flat beds on them so it dosnt really mater to them now.