Which trailer for a skid steer?
Most skid steers and compact track loaders fit the T-12-UT. Here's where the bigger machines move up, by operating weight.
The short answer
A skid steer weighs 2,800 to 10,500 lbs depending on frame size, and compact track loaders run heavier than the same frame on wheels. The T-12-UT carries 13,100 lbs on its 16 ft full tilt deck, which puts every skid steer and most track loaders at or under 80% of its rating.
Large frame track loaders over 10,500 lbs, and any machine you run with a mulcher head, breaker, or planer, move up to the T-16-UT or T-20-UT. All 3 share the same 16 ft deck, so the only thing that changes is capacity.
Why a tilt deck for a skid steer
The deck tilts to the ground and the machine drives on, so there are no ramps to set, and nothing to carry on the job site. A cushion cylinder with internal metered flow controls the deck on the way up and down, so it settles instead of slamming when the machine crosses the pivot.
Which TrailMax carries your skid steer
Operating weight is the number on the machine's spec plate with a standard bucket. Add the weight of any attachment you haul on the same trip.
| Machine | Operating weight | Examples | TrailMax to order | Load on the trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small frame skid steer | under 6,000 lbs | Bobcat S70 (about 2,800 lbs) | T-12-UT 16 ft full tilt deck, rated 13,100 lbs | under 46% |
| Medium frame skid steer | 6,000 to 8,000 lbs | Bobcat S66 (7,150), Cat 246D (7,400) | T-12-UT 16 ft full tilt deck, rated 13,100 lbs | 46 to 61% |
| Large frame skid steer or track loader | 8,000 to 10,500 lbs | Bobcat S76 (8,600), Kubota SVL75 (9,000), Deere 332G (10,000), Bobcat S850 (10,200) | T-12-UT 16 ft full tilt deck, rated 13,100 lbs | 61 to 80% |
| Large compact track loader | 10,500 to 12,500 lbs | Cat 299D (over 11,000), Gehl V420 (11,700) | T-16-UT 16 ft full tilt deck, rated 14,780 lbs | 71 to 85% |
| Track loader with a heavy attachment | 12,500 to 16,000 lbs | Large track loader plus a mulcher head or breaker | T-20-UT 16 ft full tilt deck, rated 18,900 lbs | 66 to 85% |
Picks keep the machine under 85% of the trailer's distributed capacity on the shortest deck that fits its length, with TrailMax's guidance to average 75 to 80% of rated capacity in mind. Operating weights are manufacturer figures rounded to the nearest 100 lbs, and they change with attachments, tracks, and options. Weigh your machine or read its spec plate before you order.
3 things to check before you order
Attachments ride too
A bucket is in the operating weight. A mulcher head, breaker, or cold planer is not, and can add 1,000 to 2,500 lbs. A 4+16 deck gives you a 4 ft stationary section up front to carry a second attachment without tying it down on the tilt.
Tie-down points
The T-12-UT has 12 D-rings, 6 per side, and 8 stake pockets on the full tilt deck. The T-16-UT and T-20-UT use 1 inch D-rings. Federal rules call for 4 tie-downs on any machine over 10,000 lbs, and 2 on lighter machines, so there is a ring where you need one.
Your truck
All 3 Utility Tilts tow on a 2-5/16 inch ball coupler with electric brakes, so the truck needs a brake controller and a hitch rated for the loaded trailer. A loaded T-12-UT can weigh 16,100 lbs, which is more than many half ton trucks are rated to pull.
Skid steer trailer questions
What size trailer do I need for a skid steer?
A trailer rated for more than the machine's operating weight plus any attachments, with a deck longer than the machine. Skid steers run 9 to 13 ft long and 2,800 to 10,500 lbs, so the TrailMax T-12-UT, with a 16 ft deck and 13,100 lbs of distributed capacity, covers nearly all of them. Large compact track loaders over 10,500 lbs move up to the T-16-UT.
Can I haul a skid steer on a 16 ft tilt trailer?
Yes. A 16 ft full tilt deck is longer than any skid steer or compact track loader. Order the 4+16 deck if you want a stationary section up front for attachments.
Do I need a CDL to haul a skid steer?
In most states a Class A CDL is required when the truck and trailer together are rated over 26,001 lbs and the trailer is rated over 10,000 lbs. Every TrailMax is rated over 10,000 lbs, so it depends on your truck's rating. Check with your state before you buy.
Does a compact track loader need a bigger trailer than a skid steer?
Often. Tracks add weight, so a track loader runs 1,000 to 2,000 lbs heavier than the same frame on wheels, and the largest track loaders pass 11,000 lbs. Those move from the T-12-UT to the T-16-UT.
Where can I buy a TrailMax skid steer trailer?
Through an authorized TrailMax dealer. Use the dealer finder, or request a quote and TrailMax sales will set you up with the dealer nearest you.
Ready to price a trailer for your skid steer? Tell TrailMax sales the machine and the deck layout you want.