steel or aluminum?

Give me a couple days, I know of a guy that has a trailer that is designed just for round bales. Might be an option for you. I'll try to get pics and mfg info.

 

Pretty much all we haul is hay with occasional tractor mixed in. I wish we would have gone with a combo at the least. This 53' (was 48' before i added the dovetail) steel and w900b weighs in at 34k with a 3/4 tank of diesel. And it's frustrating not being able to load all the way up on 4x3s for fear of being over weight. With the dovetail on it now I can squeeze 4 more round bales if they're not on the heavy side. But if they are the least bit heavy I go to 36-39k on the spread.

 

My thinking on steel vs. combo vs. aluminum is:

Aluminum is superior because:

a) it does not rust, very little maintenance.

b) is quite a bit lighter and will give you an extra margin when loading a full load. This alone is worth it on every load.

c) if you can get light enough there is always a chance for a partial if you have the deck space. But you'll need a light tractor too.

I doubt very much that the 1500# weight savings will ever- measurably- help fuel economy and is the last reason I would buy an aluminum trailer. The guys I work with are often struggling to put loads in while I come out 2-3000# lighter with room for LTL. They drive large cars and I drive a big truck. Whatever works for you.

 

I will never buy another combo trailer again. Aluminum is strong but lighter, combos have issues with corrison with the steel and aluminum joints, aluminum is easier to rearch if you do wear it out.....And you could not give me any transcraft trailer not even a brand new one....just saying

 

I would stay away from the transcraft. The one I pull has too much flex in it which makes it really hard to keep the bales on straight when you have to go through ditches and other obstacles to leave the fields. Its also hard to keep the straps tight as its also flexing working things loose. The company just bought a new Doonan and its 10x the trailer the transcraft is. Looks better, more rigid, and lighter.