Car Trailer

[PatrickMarshall]

In my view I think Big Tex has better paint then PJ trailers but this could have changed in the last couple years.

PJ trailers are all powder coated.

 

[jclark5810]

That was going to be my only other question. The powder coating on the PJ's almost seals the deal in itself. The paint on a trailer usually lasts how long? I'd have to beleive the powder coating would last much longer right?

 

[EGroeneveld]

Well not sure when PJ started powder coating everything but my 2007 PJ 14K dump trailer's paint flaked off in chucks big time on the A frame and hitch and outside of the trailer is showing a lot of little rust spots.



My 2004 Big Tex 14' utility trailer looks much better for paint and wear.

 

[GAmes]

Thanks Aaron, yeah I had no idea about that. Definitely no CDL for me. If that's the case i'll just have my dad take it to the state line and i'll take it from there haha, stupid laws.

The CDL-A only applies if you have a CA drivers license and CA plates. Non-residents do not have to put up with that nonsense.

 

[JMarhofke]

If you plan on keeping the trailer, I would look at aluminum. Lighter to pull, never needs paint, and holds it value.

 

[Flying_gage]

Had a Carson too. They are built to a higher weight class than the tag reads. I really liked mine. It was a 20'/14,000 rated at 12k.



Don't see them out here in the midwest. Picked mine up via craigslist for $2200. Had no intention of selling but the guy who bought my skid, really liked it and paid me $3k for it.

 

[jclark5810]

There are a FEW aluminum's i've seen but they are way too expensive i think. For some reason everything out here is a lot more expensive. Texas has about 20 trailers I want for about a thousand less and I'm tempted to just go down there and get one. I wouldn't mind that one bit



We do have a lot of Carson's out here and that's good to know about the weight ratings. My buddy bought a Carson in 2009, got orders up to Minot ND and said in one winter it's completely rusting apart. I'm not expecting that type of element but it would make me lean more toward a PJ that's powder coated. Is that the wrong type of thinking?

 

[Flying_gage]

I don't think his experience is unusual. Had the same issues with mine. Had I bought it new, I would have been pretty ******. But for the deal I got on it... .



For what it is worth, I bought mine from a guy out of St. Louis. He used it once and then stored it for 4 years prior to me buying it. It was peeling pretty bad when I got it. Paint quality is not one of their strong points!



Haven't had any experience with PJ. Might help depending on how they powder coat it and to what thickness.

 

[jclark5810]

I'm most likely looking at a 10-12k GVWR. At that rating, do I need to be concerned with camber/straight axles? Do the BT's come with only Dexter's? I really like the PJ's but my local mom and pop dealer sells BT's and I'd really like to support them. I think both are good and i'll be happy either way.

 

[Grizzly]

I've had the best experience with the last two Big Tex trailers I've had. Yes, I've had other brands before the Big Tex, which were not as good. I've never had a PJ and not sure I would want one.

 

[jgillott]

I really like the Big Tex trailers also. I've never had any experience with the PJ line and can't comment on them.



As others have said, I would really think about upgrading to heavier axles and 16" tires. Our local dealer often has 14K spec trailers in stock with 7K Dexter axles and 236/16's on them. I makes for a much more capable trailer.

 

[jclark5810]

Well after looking all day Saturday, I learned a few things. First, I think I conceded to just getting something that will get us back there and then sell it. I'll be reimbursed for mileage and some weight, so that will offset the hit I take when i sell it. Either way it works out cheaper then renting one of the heavily abused trailers at U-haul. I got a quote for over $600 to rent one...



I really liked the Big Tex trailers, a lot. They're priced like gold in my area so i'm a little concerned about getting some of the money back. The PJ's I looked and were nice as well. So far the best deal I can get is on this one. He can do $2,860 out the door and throw in a spare tire. Is this capable of hauling a car? I'm not a real big fan of the rails, i'd rather put them on if I need it rather than having them permanently.



The other option is a very reputable local builder who builds whatever you want. A comparable trailer set up for what I need, 82" wide between the wheels, 7,000 GVWR, $2850 out the door. Like These.



The final option is a 6hr drive down to Lemoore for a Big Tex 70CH. I wouldn't mind the drive at all, it would cost me roughly $100 in fuel. This one would have everything I want as well, minus the dovetail or powder coat.



Would really appreciate any advice or opinions

 

[tempforce]

if you get a enclosed trailer get a wide body, you will not regret it... more room between the fender wells.

 

[AEdelheit]

Out of curiosity have you considered having a transporter haul the Jeep out there instead of towing it? would probably be a lot cheaper. None of those trailers look like they have tie downs capable of holding a Jeep in place. Make sure you get good tires, we got a new Jacobsen trailer at work and blew one tire the first day and the other 3 were gone within a month, this was a 14k trailer. I would also keep my eye on Craigslist sometimes great deals pop up.

 

[jclark5810]

Thanks tempforce, yeah the one he showed me yesterday was 77" but they had one there that was 82" i believe. I'd definitely opt for the wider one.



I got some quotes for auto transport, the cheapest being $950 all the way to $1500, don't know if that's any better or worse. If I buy a $3k trailer and sell it for $2200 I still come out ahead and that would be the lowest i'd sell for. I don't know, honestly i'm stuck. I'd love to not have a trailer behind me and do 75mph, then again I don't mind pulling and taking our time. It's hard to explain but with a trailer I can do a "partial do-it-yourself" move and the military compensates a lot of your mileage and weight expense. So I can pretty much buy a trailer, load it up, move out there, and after all is said and done have a little extra money in my pocket. They would essentially save money paying you as apposed to a moving company... in theory:-laf

 

[PatrickMarshall]

I really like the Big Tex trailers also. I've never had any experience with the PJ line and can't comment on them.



As others have said, I would really think about upgrading to heavier axles and 16" tires. Our local dealer often has 14K spec trailers in stock with 7K Dexter axles and 236/16's on them. I makes for a much more capable trailer.

That was one of the benefits of purchasing the PJ C5, the frame work is capable of supporting the higher weight needs by just upgrading the axles.

 

[jhenderson]

The last 2 trailers I have owned were PJ s. The first was a 14,500 gvw bumper pull. The one I have Bowie 18,500 gvw GN. The paint ( powder coat?) on the first was poor. Both are dump trailers. I've had no structural problems with either one. The last I knew, PJ gives a 2 year warranty on their trailers. They are stout for hell. If you intend to keep the trailer, I vote for PJ. If you're going to sell it when you are done moving, buy something cheap.

 

[mrtrombley]

Just a thought on your "this one" trailer (the PJ with the bar rails all around). The trailer would probably be all right for your jeep, but would not be suitable for smaller, lower cars. You would not be able to open the doors when you get the vehicle on the trailer.

When I had an older motorhome, I bought a flatbed trailer for hauling my Subaru wagon behind it. I didn't have the rails but the door opened right where the fenders stuck up on the sides. The fenders were just high enough to obstruct the door from opening. I had to put 2" x 10" planks down to drive the car onto which put the doors just above the fenders. Something to think about if trying to resell the trailer.

 

[jclark5810]

Something to think about if trying to resell the trailer.

Yeah I was thinking about the rail issue and how that would play against trying to sell it and not be one dimensional. I think I'm just going to buy the cheapest one they've got that does what I need it to do. I'll take what I've learned here and keep it with me for when I buy one for me to KEEP. They have a couple Carson's I can get for $2300ish otd, that may be just what i need.

 

[VanOverbeke]

Joe,

I bought a trailer in AK and the first partial "do it yourself" move paid for the trailer. I am on my third move with the trailer now and the last two have netted me even more money in the pocket because it was paid for already. I also thought about selling and am glad the wife said "no" now. I am not sure how many moves you may have left, but just something to think about.



Bryce