I am wondering if anybody would know if my race trailer (28') would be able to hold a forklift plus a hot tub on it(forklift would only be on it to load the hot tubs and thats it). I know they are build to handle cars but my forklift is about 5000 lbs. plus a 500- 900 lb. hot tub plus about a 200 lb. driver. The weight isn't distributed as much as a car because the wheelbase on the forklift is probably half as long and half as wide so I am not sure if it could handle the weight because all the weight is closer to one point.

That's what I was thinking, all that concentrated weight on a smaller footprint. I guess it depends on the structure below and the thickness of the floor...........I'd almost contact the manufacturer of the trailer to ask them, or one of their engineers. At least, that's what I would do..................good luck.

That's what I was thinking, all that concentrated weight on a smaller footprint. I guess it depends on the structure below and the thickness of the floor...........I'd almost contact the manufacturer of the trailer to ask them, or one of their engineers. At least, that's what I would do..................good luck.

Yah thats what I was thinking. I was going to call the place I bought it from and the company that made it.

My Trailer is rated at 10,000 lbs. You need to confirm axle ratings from the decal on the trailer. The only issue I would have is the one you mentioned. The forklift weight is not distributed like a car. Remember; the floor is plywood. I have seen guys put steel runners in the trailer to carry different equipment. That might help.

What are the axles? Twin 35's or twin 5000's? I wouldnt think any trailer would handle a problem with any load provided the rollers underneath are capable of the weight.

I am not worried about the actual weight because it has double 5400lb. axles but I am worried about the floor because the weight is closer to one point.

I think the floor might hold the weight. I would be more afraid of tearing up the ramp/rear door or hinges. If you could make some kind of steel ramp you might be okay. How many hot tubs are you loading? It might be worth renting one of those boom lift fork lifts. Then you wouldn't have to drive inside the trailer, you could just extend the forks from the rear of the trailer and set the hot tub down.

I think the floor might hold the weight. I would be more afraid of tearing up the ramp/rear door or hinges. If you could make some kind of steel ramp you might be okay. How many hot tubs are you loading? It might be worth renting one of those boom lift fork lifts. Then you wouldn't have to drive inside the trailer, you could just extend the forks from the rear of the trailer and set the hot tub down.

If I can do this I would be doing it pretty regularly so it wouldn't be worth it to rent one of those every time. That was my other fear about the rear door hinges.

If it's a well built trailer with 12 or 16" floor crossmembers and has a sturdy floor it shouldn't be a problem. Wouldn't hurt to put metal runners (or at least 2X8's) down as suggested
Edit* Since you're talking about doing this often, you could make a set of ramps with hooks that lay on the rear frame to distribute the weight and keep it off the door

Just set the hot tub in just inside the door. Put some heavy dollies under it then push it in the trailer as far as you want.

Speaking from 30 years in the trailer business, I would say this is a recipe for disaster.
Neither the ramp door or the floor will stand the concentration of weight. The floor could be strengthened with a little work, but the ramp door and the rear cross member could be quite a challenge. Also I've seen very few forklifts weighing only 5000 lbs.,but I would guess a 3000 lb. lift would weigh around 5000.

not too mention the clearance of the fork. rollin up the ramps, high centering it between the ramp and the trailer might be an issue.....

Just set the hot tub in just inside the door. Put some heavy dollies under it then push it in the trailer as far as you want.

Thats what the original plan was to do but I was trying to make it a bit easier but I think I'll just stick to the dollies.

I enjoyed reading this thread and all the answers, a lot of good answers to think about. I have a 32 foot enclosed with triple axles, and I think it would not be able to hold that load...

i put a forklift thru a 2x6 treated wood trailer floor before. i dont' like to drive a forklift on anything but concrete or metal. they are very heavy and don't have a very big footprint. you would need to do some serious reinforcement to the door and hinges.

Speaking from 30 years in the trailer business, I would say this is a recipe for disaster.
Neither the ramp door or the floor will stand the concentration of weight. The floor could be strengthened with a little work, but the ramp door and the rear cross member could be quite a challenge. Also I've seen very few forklifts weighing only 5000 lbs.,but I would guess a 3000 lb. lift would weigh around 5000.

I was thinking the same thing. He either has a small FLT or is looking at the capicity plate. The 3000# electric stand-up we had weighed 5000# without the 2000# battery.

Don't do it. Waay too much weight concentrated on 3 or 4 tiny points. If it even makes it up the ramp, when the trailer bounces going down the road with a forklift sitting on a 3/4" plywood floor.....boom. :eek:

The forklift wouldn't be on when I'm driving like I said, it would only be when I'm loading the hot tubs. I am going to stick to the dolly wheels though anyway.

Speaking from 30 years in the trailer business, I would say this is a recipe for disaster.
Neither the ramp door or the floor will stand the concentration of weight. The floor could be strengthened with a little work, but the ramp door and the rear cross member could be quite a challenge. Also I've seen very few forklifts weighing only 5000 lbs.,but I would guess a 3000 lb. lift would weigh around 5000.

Agreed, I would not try this at all. Can you put the hottub on its side, set it on the forks, and put it in the side door ?

The trailer is only as strong as the 3/4" plywood you're driving over. A car or truck has its weight distributed over a much larger distance, and therefor the flooring can handle it as you're putting weight over more supports underneath. The ramp door would not be able to handle it, as the size of a forklift would fit completely on the door whereas a car would always have 2 tires on the ground, or in the trailer, so the ramp door only has to hold 1/2 the weight of the vehicle at a given time.

I would not try it, if you care about the trailer as it is going to get damaged. If the forklift makes it in the trailer, and then goes through the floor, getting out of that predicament would certainly be interesting to see.

do not do it. i will not work.

What about a Pallet Jack?

They make a dolly specially designed for a hot tub. Looks to me like you could make a dolly for your application fairly easy.

They make a dolly specially designed for a hot tub. Looks to me like you could make a dolly for your application fairly easy.

Actually it's funny you mention that because I have the exact same dolly/trailer that you mentioned. It comes as a trailer and the dolly comes off the back of it. I thought of this but I don't think it would work because I would have to lift the hot tub even higher to get it out.

I am looking into getting one of those trailers in the last picture since I have the truck to pull it now and that would eliminate the whole enclosed trailer problem if I had that.