Skid steers are heavy. A compact Bobcat S70 weighs about 2,800 lbs. A Bobcat S850 weighs over 9,500 lbs. The trailer you need depends on the specific machine, the attachments you carry, and how the trailer rides loaded. Picking the wrong trailer means a machine that won\’t fit, a trailer that bottoms out on driveways, or a tow vehicle that can\’t legally pull the combined weight.
This guide gives you the GVWR, deck length, and trailer class for every common skid steer on the market.
Common Skid Steer Weights by Manufacturer
Bobcat (S-Series)
- Bobcat S70: 2,795 lbs operating weight, 36-inch wide
- Bobcat S100: 4,464 lbs, 48-inch wide
- Bobcat S450: 5,560 lbs, 60-inch wide
- Bobcat S550: 6,318 lbs, 66-inch wide
- Bobcat S650: 8,151 lbs, 68-inch wide
- Bobcat S770: 9,167 lbs, 72-inch wide
- Bobcat S850: 9,580 lbs, 72-inch wide
CAT (Caterpillar)
- CAT 226D3: 5,995 lbs operating weight
- CAT 232D3: 6,500 lbs
- CAT 242D3: 7,650 lbs
- CAT 262D3: 8,440 lbs
- CAT 272D3: 10,495 lbs
John Deere
- John Deere 318G: 6,925 lbs
- John Deere 320G: 7,790 lbs
- John Deere 324G: 8,950 lbs
- John Deere 330G: 9,520 lbs
Kubota
- Kubota SSV65: 6,945 lbs
- Kubota SSV75: 7,955 lbs
Add 200 to 800 lbs for attachments (bucket, forks, sweeper, auger, hammer). A 6,500 lb skid steer with a heavy bucket and a hydraulic auger attachment can hit 7,500+ lbs total cargo weight.
Match Trailer GVWR to Skid Steer Weight
Rule of thumb: trailer GVWR should be 1.5 to 2 times the skid steer\’s operating weight to handle attachments, fuel, and the trailer\’s own curb weight.
Compact skid steer (Bobcat S70, S100): 5,000 to 7,000 lb GVWR trailer
Trailer length: 14 to 16 feet. Tow vehicle: well-equipped half-ton or 3/4 ton truck with trailer brakes.
Mid-size skid steer (Bobcat S450 to S550, CAT 226D3 to 232D3): 10,000 lb GVWR trailer
Trailer length: 16 to 18 feet. Tow vehicle: 3/4 ton or 1 ton pickup with HD tow package and weight-distribution hitch.
Full-size skid steer (Bobcat S650 to S770, CAT 242D3 to 262D3, John Deere 318G to 324G): 14,000 lb GVWR trailer
Trailer length: 18 to 22 feet. Tow vehicle: 1 ton single rear wheel or dually pickup with HD tow package.
Heavy skid steer (Bobcat S850, CAT 272D3, JD 330G): 16,000+ lb GVWR trailer or gooseneck
Trailer length: 20 to 24 feet. Tow vehicle: 1 ton dually with gooseneck or HD bumper-pull setup.
Deck Length Requirements
Skid steers are 9 to 13 feet long including bucket and attachments. Plus you need 2 to 3 feet of deck space behind the machine for ramp clearance and tie-down. Total deck requirement: 12 to 16 feet for compact and mid-size machines, 16 to 22 feet for full-size machines.
Trailer length includes the dovetail and ramps. A 16-foot equipment trailer typically has a 14-foot flat deck plus a 2-foot dovetail or 4-foot fold-up ramps. Match deck space to your machine\’s overall length, not just the trailer\’s nominal length.
Bumper-Pull vs Gooseneck for Skid Steers
Bumper-pull works up to 14,000 lb GVWR. Most compact and mid-size skid steers fit comfortably on bumper-pull equipment trailers. Easier to operate, no truck modifications required, fits in standard parking spaces, lower cost.
Gooseneck makes sense above 14,000 lbs combined load. Better stability with heavy machines. Easier to back into tight job sites because of the more forward pivot point. Required for heavy 9,000+ lb skid steers when combined with attachments and fuel. Adds $400 to $1,200 hitch installation cost plus the requirement for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton pickup with bed-mount capability.
Ramp Types and Loading Angle
Loading angle affects whether your skid steer can climb the ramps without bottoming out (high-clearance machines like Bobcat S70 are easy; low-clearance attachments and tracked machines are harder).
Spring-loaded ramps (most common): Hinge at the trailer rear, fold up vertically when not in use. Loading angle is 14 to 18 degrees. Handles most wheeled skid steers without issue. Tracked skid steers may need a flatter angle.
Stand-up ramps with extensions: Some manufacturers offer ramp extensions that reduce loading angle to 10 to 12 degrees. Worth the upgrade if you haul tracked machines or low-clearance attachments.
Dovetail with detachable ramps: The trailer has a 2 to 3 foot angled dovetail, plus removable steel ramps that store under the deck. Loading angle is shallowest of any configuration. Standard on most heavy equipment trailers above 10,000 lb GVWR.
Tie-Down Requirements
Federal regulation (FMCSA) requires four tie-downs on commercial equipment hauls. Each tie-down\’s working load limit must be at least 1/2 the cargo weight. For a 8,000 lb skid steer, that means four tie-downs each rated for 4,000 lbs minimum (Grade 70 or better chain with 1/2-inch links is the minimum).
Anchor points: tie down through D-rings or stake pockets at the four corners of the cargo area. Cross-pattern (front-left to rear-right, front-right to rear-left) for best load security at highway speeds.
For non-commercial (homeowner, occasional hauling): the same tie-down logic applies for safety, even when DOT compliance isn\’t required. The skid steer doesn\’t care whether you\’re a contractor or homeowner; if it shifts at highway speed, the trailer goes with it.
Skid Steer Trailer Sizing Questions
What size trailer for a Bobcat S570?
A 16 to 18 foot trailer with 10,000 lb GVWR. The S570 weighs 6,318 lbs operating; with bucket and fuel, you\’re hauling about 7,000 lbs. The 10K GVWR class gives you the cargo headroom and the deck length for the machine plus tie-down clearance.
Can I haul a Bobcat S650 on a bumper-pull?
Yes, with a 14,000 lb GVWR equipment trailer (typically 18 to 20 feet long). The S650 weighs 8,151 lbs; with attachments and fuel, plan for 9,000 lbs cargo. Tow vehicle needs to be 3/4 ton or larger with HD tow package and weight-distribution hitch.
Do I need a gooseneck for a skid steer?
Not for most compact and mid-size skid steers (under 8,000 lbs operating weight). Bumper-pull equipment trailers up to 14,000 lb GVWR handle these comfortably. For full-size skid steers above 9,000 lbs, gooseneck offers better stability and easier maneuvering on job sites.
How long should the trailer be for my skid steer?
Plan for the skid steer\’s overall length (with bucket and attachments) plus 2 to 3 feet of clearance behind for ramp angle and tie-down space. Compact machines: 14 to 16 ft trailer. Mid-size: 16 to 18 ft. Full-size: 18 to 22 ft. Heavy machines: 20 to 24 ft.
What ramp type is best for tracked skid steers?
Tracked skid steers (compact track loaders) need shallower loading angles than wheeled machines. Look for trailers with detachable steel ramps that lay flat to the ground (loading angle under 12 degrees) or trailers with extended dovetails plus pin-on ramp extensions.
How many tie-downs do I need for a skid steer?
Federal DOT regulations require four tie-downs for commercial hauls of equipment over 5 tons. Each tie-down\’s working load limit must equal at least half the cargo weight. For an 8,000 lb skid steer: four 4,000 lb-rated tie-downs minimum, cross-pattern for best stability.
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