Renting a trailer for a skid steer is one of the calls we get most from contractors and homeowners around the OKC metro. The machine looks small on a lot; it is not. A compact skid steer with a heavy bucket can weigh more than a full-size pickup, and the number that matters is not the trailer's length — it is what the axles and deck are rated to carry.
Start With the Machine's Operating Weight
Find the operating weight on the machine's data plate or spec sheet, not the shipping weight. Then add for anything bolted on:
- Attachments — a pallet fork set, a heavy-duty bucket, or an auger can add 300 to 800 lbs
- A full fuel tank and any ballast
- Mud, snow, and material stuck to tracks or tires after a day of work
As a rough guide, compact skid steers run about 5,000 to 7,500 lbs, mid-size units 7,500 to 9,500 lbs, and the largest compact track loaders push past 10,000 lbs. Mini excavators span roughly 2,000 lbs for a 1-ton unit up to about 9,000 lbs for a 4-ton machine. When in doubt, weigh it.
Match Weight to the Trailer, Not the Length
Our 20 ft equipment trailer is built for this work: an 11,000 lb load capacity on dual 7,000 lb axles, with a 13,000 lb winch and a 2-5/16" ball coupler. Most compact and mid-size skid steers, Bobcats, and mini excavators load well within that limit. The heaviest compact track loaders can get close to it — that is the point to call us and confirm your machine's real operating weight before you book.
If your load is right at the edge of that number, split the difference: haul the machine on one trip and the attachments on the next, or move the attachments in your truck bed.
Deck Type: Ramps or Tilt?
Both trailers in our fleet that handle equipment load differently:
- 20 ft equipment trailer — fold-down ramps plus the 13,000 lb winch. Best when the machine may not drive on under its own power, or when you want maximum capacity.
- 22 ft deckover tilt trailer — the hydraulic deck drops flat to the ground, so a low-clearance tracked machine drives straight on with no ramp break-over angle. Capacity is 8,820 lbs, so it trades some load rating for an easier, safer load.
Rule of thumb: heavy wheeled skid steer, take the equipment trailer. Low-slung mini excavator or a machine that scrapes on ramps, take the tilt.
Can Your Tow Vehicle Handle It?
Add the machine weight to the trailer's own weight — roughly 3,000 lbs for the equipment trailer, about 5,180 lbs for the deckover. A loaded equipment trailer with a mid-size skid steer is often 11,000 to 13,000 lbs behind the truck. That is three-quarter-ton and one-ton pickup territory, with a working electric brake controller and a 2-5/16" ball rated for the load. Check your truck's tongue-weight and payload numbers, not just the tow rating.
Loading and Tie-Down
- Load slowly and squarely; keep the heavy end (usually the rear of a skid steer, the boom end of an excavator) forward for correct tongue weight
- Lower the bucket, blade, or boom onto the deck once positioned
- Four-point tie-down with rated transport chains and binders — front and rear, pulling in opposite directions
- Chock the tracks or wheels; do not rely on the parking brake alone
- Straps are for light attachments, never the machine itself
Weigh the machine with the attachment you will actually carry. A set of pallet forks or a grapple can add 400 to 600 lbs you did not plan for — enough to matter when you are near the trailer's limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I haul a Bobcat with a rental trailer?
Yes. Most compact and mid-size skid steers, including Bobcat models in the 5,000 to 9,000 lb operating-weight range, load within the 11,000 lb capacity of our 20 ft equipment trailer. The largest compact track loaders can approach that limit, so check your machine's operating weight with attachments and call 405-925-2006 to confirm.
Do a skid steer and a mini excavator use the same trailer?
Usually yes. Compact skid steers and 1 to 4 ton mini excavators both fit the 20 ft equipment trailer within its 11,000 lb capacity. For a low-ground-clearance tracked machine, the 22 ft deckover tilt trailer can be easier to load because the deck drops flat to the ground with no ramp angle.
Should I use chains or straps to tie down equipment?
Use rated transport chains and binders at four points for equipment — front and rear, pulling in opposing directions. Ratchet straps are fine for light attachments but not for the machine itself. Lower the bucket or blade onto the deck and chock the tracks or wheels.
Which is better, the equipment trailer or the tilt trailer?
The 20 ft equipment trailer has the higher capacity (11,000 lbs) and a 13,000 lb winch for machines that will not drive on. The 22 ft deckover tilt (8,820 lb capacity) trades some capacity for a no-ramp, drive-on-flat load that suits low-clearance and tracked equipment.