2014 Kraftsman 12 Ton Tag-A-Long Trailer Specs and Buyer Notes

The 2014 Kraftsman 12 ton tag-a-long trailer is a heavy equipment trailer rated for 12 tons, or 24,000 lbs, built to run behind a dump truck or tandem tractor and haul skid steers, compact machines, and attachments to and from the job. On a trailer, model year tells you less than condition and options do, so a 2014 unit is best judged on its deck, running gear, brakes, and paperwork rather than the year alone.

The most widely documented configuration in this class pairs a 24 foot flat deck with a 6 foot dovetail, 8 foot hydraulic ramps, and electric brakes, the setup shown on Ironmart's used Kraftsman 12 ton tag-a-long listing. For equipment owners, fleet managers, contractors, dealers, and construction or agricultural companies comparing a used unit, the key questions are capacity, deck and ramp layout, frame and running gear condition, and whether the trailer matches the machines you need to move safely and efficiently.

This overview stays focused on the details that affect a buying or inspection decision: specs, load fit, used-trailer inspection points, pricing context, and where this trailer sits in the Kraftsman lineup. That combination gives you a long, low loading surface without the cost and complexity of a lowboy, but as with any used trailer, confirm the exact year, options, and ratings on the unit's data plate before you commit.

See 2014 Kraftsman 12 Ton Tag-A-Long Trailer.

What the 12 Ton Rating Means on a Tag-A-Long Trailer

The 12 ton figure describes the trailer's rated carrying capacity, not its total weight. A comparable 12 ton tag trailer in this class, the Load King LK-12-T, is rated at 24,000 lbs of capacity, which is the 12 ton figure converted to pounds. Kraftsman uses the same tonnage shorthand across its tag trailer and paver special lines.

That ceiling is the number you compare against the operating weight of your machine plus attachments, buckets, and material riding along. A 24,000 lb rating is generous for compact equipment, but it goes fast once you add a heavy breaker or a second attachment chained to the deck.

Two other ratings matter just as much and are easy to confuse with capacity. GVWR is the maximum the trailer and its cargo together are rated to weigh, and GAWR is the rating for a single axle. Both appear on the trailer's data plate and should be checked against the truck you plan to pull with.

2014 Kraftsman 12 Ton Flat Deck Tag-A-Long Trailer Specs at a Glance

The table collects the details that show up most often on documented Kraftsman 12 ton tag-a-long listings and on comparable 12 ton tag trailers. Year to year changes on trailers are usually small, so treat these as a class baseline and verify the rest on the individual unit.

Feature	Typical configuration
Rated capacity	12 tons (24,000 lbs)
Deck length	24 ft flat deck
Dovetail	6 ft
Ramps	8 ft hydraulic ramps; spring-assist ramps appear on other 12 ton tags
Total length	38 ft on the 24 ft deck configuration
Brakes	Electric brakes
Deck width	8 ft on comparable 12 ton tags; 102 in. on Kraftsman's wide deck models
Deck height	27 to 34 in. on low profile designs in this class
Frame	12 in. I-beam on low profile catalog models
Axles	7k Dexter axles on the light low profile deckover tag; 8k Dexter axles on paver special models
Wheels and rails	16 in. wheels and 12 in. side rails on catalog low profile models

Deck width, deck height, and mainframe figures come from comparable 12 ton tag trailers and from Kraftsman catalog models rather than from a single 2014 build sheet, so confirm those numbers on the trailer you are looking at.

Deck Layout, Dovetail, and Ramp Setup

A 24 foot flat deck with a 6 foot dovetail gives you a 30 foot loading surface that angles down at the rear, which softens the ramp angle and makes it easier to walk a skid steer onto the deck. Add the 8 foot ramps and the trailer measures 38 feet overall. That overall length matters when you figure out where the trailer sits in the yard and how much room you have for turning.

Ramps are the part buyers ask about most. Hydraulic ramps on a 12 ton tag are raised and lowered with the trailer's hydraulics, which saves an operator from wrestling heavy steel by hand. Spring-assist ramps, the setup used on the Load King LK-12-T, use spring pressure to help with the lift instead. Both styles work. Hydraulic is more convenient, spring-assist has fewer hydraulic components to maintain.

Dovetail and beavertail are used almost interchangeably in trailer listings, and both describe that sloped rear section. When a beavertail appears on a 12 ton tag trailer, expect the same idea: a drop at the back of the deck to ease the loading angle.

Running Gear, Frame, Brakes, and Locking Chain Box Quantity

Kraftsman's trailer catalog describes a light low profile deckover tag built with 7k Dexter axles, a 12 inch I-beam frame, 12 inch side rails, and 16 inch wheels. Heavier Kraftsman models step up from there, built for heavy-duty performance, with the paver special trailers running three 8k Dexter axles under a 102 inch wide deck with a 27 inch deck height.

In this trailer class, frame construction is where good trailers separate from average ones. The Load King LK-12-T uses a pierced mainbeam design with one-piece interlocking crossmembers and a mainbeam of W12 by 16 lb per foot beam stock, features designed for rugged job site conditions. That construction resists the twisting that comes from loading heavy iron off center, and it is the detail worth crawling under a used trailer to inspect.

Electric brakes on the documented 12 ton Kraftsman tag-a-long listing provide reliable stopping power when towing heavy loads and cover the trailer's wheels. Brakes are also the most common source of trouble on a trailer that has sat, so plan on pulling drums and checking shoes, magnets, and wiring before the first loaded trip.

What Fits on a 12 Ton Tag-A-Long Trailer

Kraftsman markets 12 ton equipment trailers for skid steers, and the 24,000 lb capacity ceiling leaves room for more than that. Compact excavators, mini loaders, trenchers, lighter dozers, pallets of attachments, and pipe or material loads all fit within the rating as long as the total stays under the limit.

Two practical checks before you load. Weigh the machine and its attachments rather than trusting a spec sheet, because buckets, thumbs, and cabs change the number. Then confirm your truck's towing and hitch ratings line up with the loaded weight, since a 12 ton tag can put a serious load behind a single axle truck.

Inspecting a Used 2014 Model Before You Buy

Used Kraftsman 12 ton equipment trailers with ramps show up at auction with clean titles and VINs published right on the listing, which is a good reminder to match the VIN on the frame to the one on the paperwork before money changes hands. Beyond the title, work the trailer from front to back.

• Frame and mainbeam: look for cracks, previous welds, and deep rust along the beam, especially where crossmembers meet the main rails.

• Ramps and dovetail: check hinge pins, hydraulic cylinders and hoses, and the dovetail transition for bends.

• Axles and suspension: inspect springs, hangers, equalizers, and U-bolts for cracks or missing hardware.

• Brakes and wiring: test the breakaway system, check the plug, and confirm every wheel brakes.

• Deck and rails: check for rot in wood decks, bent rails, and worn stake pockets.

• Tires and wheels: uneven wear usually points to an axle alignment or bearing problem.

• Data plate: confirm capacity, GVWR, and GAWR match what the seller advertises.

Add a loaded test pull if you can. Nothing reveals a bad bearing, a dragging brake, or a bent axle like ten minutes on the road with weight on the deck.

What a Used Kraftsman Trailer Costs

Kraftsman truck and trailer listings on Truck Paper showed 26 new and used units with prices ranging from $11,037 to $45,781. That spread covers different trailer types, ages, and conditions, so treat it as market context rather than a price for any one 12 ton tag.

A like-new Kraftsman 12 ton tag-a-long with the 24 foot deck, 6 foot dovetail, and 8 foot hydraulic ramps is listed on Ironmart's inventory with an asking price of $19,900. Condition, options, and location all move the number, and asking prices on used equipment shift with the market, so check current listings for the up to date figure.

Where the 12 Ton Kraftsman Sits in the Lineup

Kraftsman builds a broad range of trailers, with a catalog that runs through paver special, heavy equipment, lowboy equipment, gooseneck, flatbed, tilt, and fender equipment models. The paving and asphalt trailer line alone spans 12 ton tagalong trailers up to 100,000+ GVWR lowboys.

Above the 12 ton tag, Kraftsman also builds larger tags such as a 30 foot, 30 ton air ride tag trailer with hydraulic ramps. Within the 12 ton range, the E8-25 Super-Wide fender equipment model stands out with a 102 inch wide overall deck and ranks among the company's most popular fender equipment designs. Kraftsman Trailers is based in Albemarle, North Carolina, and publishes a trailer catalog with specs for each model, and Kraftsman trailers are also available on TractorHouse, listed for sale on IronMartOnline, and found on the official Kraftsman Trailers site. TractorHouse features 35 Kraftsman flatbed/tag trailers listings. Buyers can explore financing through multiple platforms, including TractorHouse, where financing options may include loans and payment plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tag-a-long trailer?

A tag-a-long trailer hitches to the rear of the tow vehicle at a tag hitch rather than over the truck bed, which is what separates it from a gooseneck or fifth wheel trailer. The design keeps the deck low and easy to load, and it works well behind dump trucks, tandems, and other trucks with a rated rear hitch. Tag trailers are common in the 12 ton and larger equipment classes.

How much can a Kraftsman 12 ton tag-a-long trailer carry?

The 12 ton rating equals 24,000 lbs of carrying capacity, the same capacity figure published for comparable 12 ton tag trailers in this class. That limit covers the machine plus attachments, buckets, and material on the deck. Weigh your load rather than relying on a spec sheet, and confirm the rating on the trailer's own data plate before hauling.

Are Kraftsman trailers any good?

Kraftsman builds trailers across a wide range, from 12 ton tagalongs to 100,000+ GVWR lowboys, and uses components such as Dexter axles on catalog models. The brand appears regularly on resale and auction sites, and that used market presence usually indicates trailers are holding up and staying in service. Judge any specific unit on its own condition rather than the brand name alone.

Who makes Kraftsman trailers?

Kraftsman Trailers manufactures the brand and operates out of Albemarle, North Carolina. The company catalog covers paver special, heavy equipment, lowboy equipment, gooseneck, flatbed, tilt, and fender equipment trailers, along with paving and asphalt trailers ranging from 12 ton tagalongs to lowboys rated above 100,000 GVWR. Spec sheets for individual models are published in the Kraftsman trailer catalog.

Where can I find the GVWR on a Kraftsman trailer?

GVWR is stamped on the trailer's data plate, usually mounted on the tongue or the front of the frame, and it lists the maximum weight of the trailer plus its cargo. The same plate typically shows the GAWR for each axle along with tire pressures. If the plate is missing or unreadable, ask the seller for the paperwork or contact the manufacturer before you tow.