If you run a skid steer for landscaping, land clearing, dirt work, or a rental fleet, the trailer you haul it on matters just as much as the machine itself. Undersize the trailer and you risk overloading axles or blowing a tire on the highway. Oversize it and you are paying for capacity and length you will never use. This 2026 guide breaks down exactly what Texas contractors and landowners need to know before buying an equipment trailer for a skid steer.
Start With Your Skid Steer’s Operating Weight
Skid steers range widely in weight. A compact machine like a Bobcat S70 or S450 can run under 4,000 lbs, while a full-size unit like a Cat 299D3 or Bobcat T870 can weigh 9,000-10,500 lbs operating weight. Add attachments (forks, buckets, brush cutters) and you can add another few hundred pounds. Trailer Place recommends buying trailer capacity for your heaviest attachment configuration, not just the bare machine, plus a comfortable safety margin.
- Compact skid steers (under 5,000 lbs): a 10,000 lb GVWR equipment trailer with a 16-18 ft deck is usually plenty
- Mid-size skid steers (5,000-8,000 lbs): step up to a 14,000 lb GVWR trailer with a 18-20 ft deck
- Large skid steers and compact track loaders (8,000-10,500 lbs): look at 18,000-25,000 lb GVWR gooseneck equipment trailers with a 20-24 ft deck
Bumper Pull or Gooseneck?
Most compact and mid-size skid steer setups do fine on a bumper pull equipment trailer, and it is the easier option if you are switching trailers between a half-ton truck and a dedicated work truck. Once you get into the 14,000+ lb GVWR range, a gooseneck hookup distributes weight better over the truck’s rear axle and tows noticeably more stable at highway speed loaded. If you are unsure which setup fits your truck and skid steer combo, our team walks through the math with you every day — call (979) 532-1486 and we will match a trailer to your machine.
Deck Features That Matter for Skid Steers
- Deck width: 82″ or 83″ between fenders is the standard, but if you run a wide-track skid steer or forestry package, check clearance before you buy
- Ramps: spring-assist stand-up ramps or a hydraulic dovetail make loading a skid steer with a bucket down much safer than a fixed ramp gate
- Deck surface: treated wood decking is standard and gentle on tires and tracks; steel deck options add durability for rocky sites
- D-rings: look for at least 4 recessed D-rings rated for the machine’s weight, positioned to give you a straight chain angle
Brands We Recommend for Skid Steer Work
Diamond C equipment trailers are a favorite among Texas rental yards and landscape crews for their heavier gauge steel frame and long service life under daily loading. Iron Bull DTB models offer strong GVWR-to-price value for contractors who need capacity without the premium price tag. Texas Pride equipment trailers are built right here in Texas and are a solid mid-range choice for landscapers running one or two skid steers between job sites.
Financing and Availability
Trailer Place stocks equipment trailers ready to match to your skid steer, with financing options available for contractors and landscaping businesses buying their first trailer or adding to a fleet. We also build the in-house STAR brand for customers who want a trailer spec’d to their exact site conditions. We are located at 2507 County Rd 231 in Wharton, TX (moving to Rosenberg, TX in mid-2026) and ship nationwide, with regular business across Texas and into Louisiana.
Not sure which GVWR fits your skid steer? Give us a call at (979) 532-1486 or browse our current equipment trailer inventory. You may also want to read our guide on how to choose the right GVWR trailer or compare gooseneck vs. bumper pull equipment trailers before you buy.
