I really like that the tongue area is clear. There is a diamond plate box, low in the tongue for the battery, for emergency electric brakes and hydraulic pump unit. The hydraulic jack is behind the box and bolted to trailer frame, not the tongue. I can drop the truck tail gate with the trailer at any angle. There is diamond plate next to tool box, all of which is solid to walk on, including the box lid. The foot of the jack is mostly obscured, so I do a double check to make sure it is lifted, and tow with hydraulics in tailgate mode. This is because the cabled hydraulic controller does not have an on/off mode. In tailgate mode, the gate is locked down. If for some reason the unit was activated the hydraulics would run but not function a device.
A gas powered pump would have it's advantages and disadvantages. Certainly an advantage for heavy usage.
I've done fourteen deliveries is all, mostly one cord or less. A cord and a half load, two two-cord loads. So far some tight spots, rubbed a thousand miles off scuffing when backing. So far so good.
For over a cord and a half, a bumper pull is NOT the way to go. In my case, the pickup is personal use, with a roll up aluminum tonneau cover. If the truck was a dedicated delivery, then a gooseneck for sure, no question.
I did remove the rear tie-downs for firewood deliveries.
Tire scuff here is from two tries. There are front steps in the background to the left, and Lake MI across the street beyond the pines. The 12' flatbed truck was easier to get in these spots, but took almost two hours to unload by hand.
Two days later his neighbor, beyond the pines, called for a load, and another called to inquire and schedule when they're in town next.
Get this trailer paid off and then, hopefully next year, a processor.
