Size the trailer to your total load, not to the machine. That's where people go wrong.
Add Everything Up
- Machine operating weight
- Attachments — thumb, extra buckets, breaker
- Trailer empty weight
- Fuel, chains, ramps, tools
Then confirm you're under all four:
- Trailer GVWR
- Trailer axle and tire ratings
- Tow vehicle towing capacity
- Tow vehicle payload capacity — tongue weight lands on the rear axle
Payload is the limit people miss. A truck rated to tow 12,000 lb frequently doesn't have the payload capacity for the tongue weight of a 12,000 lb trailer plus passengers and gear.
Trailer Sizing by Machine Class
Approximate. Verify against your specific machine and attachments.
| Machine | Machine weight | Suggested trailer GVWR | Typical setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ton | ~2,000–2,600 lb | 7,000 lb+ | Tandem axle, bumper pull |
| 2 ton | ~4,400–5,000 lb | 10,000 lb+ | Tandem axle, bumper pull |
| 3 ton | ~6,600–7,700 lb | 14,000 lb+ | Heavy tandem, bumper pull or gooseneck |
| 5 ton | ~11,000–12,100 lb | 20,000 lb+ | Gooseneck |
| 8 ton | ~17,600–19,800 lb | 25,000 lb+ | Gooseneck or dedicated hauling |
Ramps Matter More Than You'd Think
This is where loading accidents happen, and it's the most commonly under-specified part of a trailer.
Rated for the weight, not just physically capable of holding it.
Long enough for a shallow angle. Steep ramps are dangerous with a tracked machine, and the transition from ramp to deck is where a machine can high-center — tracks bridging the break with nothing under the middle.
Wide enough for the tracks with margin.
Beavertail or dovetail decks reduce the approach angle significantly and are worth the money for anything above the smallest machines.
Tilt decks eliminate ramps entirely — a genuinely good option for equipment.
Deck and Construction
Length. Machine plus attachments plus working space. Track length on ground plus room to position.
Width. Confirm against machine width with tracks extended if the undercarriage is variable.
Deck type. Wood or steel both work. Steel is slick when wet.
Brakes. Required above certain weights in every state, and essential at these loads. Electric brakes on both axles for anything substantial.
Tie-downs. Enough rated points for four-corner securement, plus separate points for attachments.
Bumper Pull vs. Gooseneck
Bumper pull — simpler, cheaper, works fine up to roughly 10,000–14,000 lb depending on the truck.
Gooseneck — puts weight over the truck's rear axle rather than behind it, which improves stability substantially and increases usable capacity. Above about 12,000 lb, worth serious consideration. Requires a bed-mounted hitch.
Loading an Excavator
Different from loading a loader, and worth getting right.
Level ground, truck attached, trailer chocked.
Track on nose-first, boom forward and low.
Go slow on the ramps and be aware of the high-center risk at the transition.
Position for weight distribution — roughly 60% of the load ahead of the axle centerline, tongue weight around 10–15%.
Boom down and tucked on the deck, bucket resting.
Engage the slew lock so the house doesn't rotate in transit. Easy to forget and it matters.
Four-point securement with rated chains. Attachments secured separately — an unsecured bucket is a projectile.
Check after a few miles.
CDL Considerations
Thresholds are based on rated weights, not actual load. A combination with GCWR over 26,000 lb where the trailer is rated over 10,000 lb generally triggers Class A CDL requirements.
A one-ton truck at 14,000 lb GVWR with a 14,000 lb trailer is a 28,000 lb combination — over the line regardless of what's on it.
Commercial use may add DOT registration, medical certification, and hours-of-service obligations. Check your configuration and your state's rules.
FAQ
What GVWR do I need?
Total load plus margin. Don't size to the machine alone.
Can I use a car hauler?
For the smallest machines with adequate rating, sometimes. Equipment trailers are built for point loading and have proper ramps.
Do I need a gooseneck?
Not for lighter machines. Above roughly 12,000 lb total, it's the better answer.
How long should ramps be?
Long enough for a shallow angle. Short steep ramps are the main loading hazard.
Do I need brakes?
Required above certain weights everywhere, and essential regardless at these loads.
Can I haul the machine and attachments together?
If the total is within all four ratings.
What about a tilt trailer?
Good option — no ramps, lower approach angle.
Should I just have it delivered?
Frequently, especially if you'd otherwise buy a truck and trailer for occasional moves.