New Big Tex Trailer?

I've used a midsota one of those a few tines, works nice as long as it works right, a real pain in the butt if the battery for the hydraulic pump is dead though.

 

Hydraulic dovetail is good for drive-on but the tail can't support a lot of weight.

 

8k lbs lift capacity, or hauling capacity?
Not sure on the Tex, but some others are only supposed to carry weight on the first half of the tail length. So your 40' deck becomes 35' of actual useable deck space. That'd be one of my biggest concerns with a hydraulic tail trailer. On a 40' hotshot you need all of it sometimes..

 

Another option is a 'tilt bed' trailer, 2 companies make this kind LoneStar trailer and Kerr Bilt with this trailer you can run empty container for ground delivery, pay very well.

 

You can get 14 ply 17.5s, not sure if you can get anything heavier than 10 ply for 16s.

 

At the absolute MINIMUM get 14ply load range G for the 16" wheels. My trailer ate them garbage 16" 10plys for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, & dinner. 98% of the 10plys are only speed rated for 65mph, & on top of that didn't even live up to it. I've got Samson gl285T 235/80r16 14ply 75mph rubber & have been tire issue free since.. (about 19 months) There is a much better selection in the 235/85 series rubber but they stand about an inch taller. If ordering a new hotshot I'd get the 215/75R17.5 duals in 16ply for 12-15k axles and make sure they are speed rated at least L..(75mph) Worth the money IMHO. Also I don't have anything against the big tex trailers, I'm just not a big fan of the 22GN. 12" 16lb per foot main beams, with no frame bridging is ok for about the 32' & shorter trailers, but to thin for anything longer. It looks to me it leaves the 40'ers a pretty floppy ride. If buying a big tex I'd get the 25GN. It has a bit heavier 19lb per foot main beam..