Can Bulldog Powered Drive Kit for Landing Gear be Used on Gooseneck Trailer with 8,000 Pounds On It

Question:

I am wanting to install an electric motor on a gooseneck of mine. the trailer is a 40foot dual tandem dovetail. the trailer weighs roughly 8500 lbs. If I install one motor on my trailer with tandem jacks, will it raise my trailer off the truck if I have materials or equipment on it? for instance and 8000 lb tractor.

asked by: Matt

Expert Reply:

The weight on a trailer near the front is going to be less than the gross weight of the trailer or the weight above the axle(s). It is possible that using one motor on the landing gear could lift the weight but the motors themselves have a specific capacity. Bulldog Powered-Drive Kit # BD1824200100 for example has a maximum capacity of 7,500 pounds, even when used with a 12,000 pound jack.

You would need to take the loaded trailer to a truck scale and place only the landing gear part of the trailer on the scale to see how much weight is being applied to the landing gear. If you are within the capabilities of the motor then you could use it.

expert reply by: Michael H