Comparing cargo trailers

[RMarx]

I'm looking to get a 7 x 14 enclosed cargo trailer soon and need to get some feedback on 2 brands: I've looked at both haulmark and roadmaster. I really like the haulmark but it's about 500 bucks more. I noticed the roadmaster has leaf springs as opposed to torsions on the haulmark. Are torsion springs a big advantage? Both trailers have the same gvwr. Any other brands I should look at?



Thanks guys!

 

[David Muench]

Have you checked out www.hhtrailer.com?



I've never owned a torsion axle trailer, but on something smaller like that it may be an advantage in ground clearance.

 

[DPelletier]

Heard good things about Haulmark. Can't comment on the Roadmaster. I like my Wells Cargo and the torsion axles. stuff seems to stay put better than my old leaf spring trailer did after an hour of washboard logging road. Look at stuff like EZ-lube hubs, frame material and construction (rectangular is better than channel), fit and finish, hinges and locks, whether any parts are galvanized, etc. I paid more for my Wells Cargo, but it was worth it.

Dave

 

[GFoley]

Rmarx,



I posted about my Haulmark trailer experience about 2 months ago. I offered a bunch of things to consider, like spacing of floor, wall, and roof members.



Glenn

 

[RDHamill]

I've had 2 Pace American goosneck trailers.

The EZ Lube axles if is the way to go, great set up.

The Torsion axles are fine, Mine are Dexter's, Had problems with the brake lining material seperating from the shoe, ( twice) and each time Dexter replaced all the brakes on the trailer.



I'd suggest if you're buying any brand that you consider these issues:

thickness of aluminum skin ( 0. 050 )

seperation of aluminum and steel by means other than paint.

Tire size ( Mine current Pace has the same size tire as my Ram)



As far as I an see , the weakest point on these trailers is the way they are or are not effectively sealing out water. They seem to apply sealant after assemble instead of during. I have had doors literally rot off a trailer in only a year,as a result of water getting into the inside of the door.

A trailer that only goes to the track on Sunny Sundays will be much different than one that gets 50,000 miles a year on salt covered winter roads.



Good luck

 

[y-knot]

Hi, In your post you didn't mention what the trailer woud be used for? I'll assume you want a quality trailer and plan on keeping it for awhile, I know some people just buy one to move something, sell when job is done, they are not in the market for quality, just need a task done. I have bought and sold several trailer, you do get what you pay for, and quality trailers hold there value. I currently have a HALLMARK, the modle I have is a EDGE-36' gooseneck tri-axle, I know this is not what you are look at, but I did chose HALLMARK based on there quality, reputation, and option offered. For the size you are looking at I would consider the following

1. floor - shopuld be 3/4", treated if possible.

2. Under floor spacing of supports 16" oc

3. Side wall supports 16" oc

4. Get a side door, you will kick yuorself later if not

5. Toursion axles are the only way to go, 95% are like that

leaf springs are a thing of the past, lower center of gravity

and much less sway. Also less maintanence, better ride.

6. Axles should be DEXTER, watch, cheap trailers have been using

seconds for there axles. Most time look at the center of the

shaft where the grease fiting is, alot of seconds(rejects by most good companies) have the grease fitting hole drilled off center.

7. Look for name brand tires, GOODYEAR best new tire out.

8. Look under trailer and check out the welds, meany trailers are made with prison or questionable (mexican) labor.



Hope this helps, also before you give anyone your hard earned money, take the trailer for a test drive. Make shure you do stop and go traffic, and highway. You want to make shure the trailer track nice and streight, if it does the ole tail wag, move on to something else.

 

[RMarx]

Thanks for the replies guys! I just looked at the haulmark again today, I'm almost sure this is the way I'll go. I'll be using the trailer for carpentry tools so it will be used daily and will be loaded 100% of the time. The haulmark definitely is better built than the other trailers I've seen. It has the EZ lube axles, beefy hinges with anti theft type fasteners, 3/4" flooring, etc.



I asked the salesman about ordering a black one and he said it would be about 40 degrees hotter inside, so I'll probably just go with the generic white. I wont have to wait for it since they have one on the lot that's 7x14 white.



Do trailer lots 'deal' on their listed prices? The dealer I've been to seems to have good prices ($4595 for 7x14 w/dual 3500 lb. axles, torsion springs, double rear door, side door, extra height, twin dome lights, rock guard) but I'm wondering if I can get a lower cash price??

 

[RMH]

cargo trailers

Any one using a continental cargo trailer. I am looking at the cc714ta2. oal 18. 3 w8'2" h8. reardoor dbl. gvwr 7k lbs. cw 2275. plc 4725. axles 3500lbs(t). brakes electric . tires st205 75rc. frame 4" tube.

 

[sewman]

I bought a Haulmark 6x12 w/tamden axles (used) about 4yrs ago & it leaked(roof) even though the seller said it was ok. So after looking @ the roof (3 separate sheets) I caulked all the seams & it's been dry ever since.

But we've outgrown it & I just bought a 7x16 v-nose it was leaking too! On the front wall seam. So I took the sheets loose & recaulked them (underneath the screws)& have to put a piece of weather stripping above the back door as the orginal musta shrunk alittle cuz I can see light in the corners.

But my main thing I want to point out is the 6x12 has pulled w/16-20 lbs boost empty @ 80mph,the v-nose w/800 more lbs only uses 12 lbs @ 80 & 8 @ 70

So if you do much pulling in wind or higher 60+mph speeds you might consider a v-nose.

The 12'Haulmark & 16' Cargo Express seem to be built the same except the Cargo Express uses a 1-piece roof.

Hope this helps

Bob

 

[Chris Wilkerson]

Cargo-Pro

If you get time check out www.cargo-pro.com They sell Great Lake Cargo Trailers. Last month I spent $1,750. 00 on a 6X12 enclosed trailer with all the same things that the other guys was asking around $2,200. 00 to $2,400. 00 for. They where great to work with all around. They had the best deal I could find anywhere. I drove 5 hours to get to their business and would do it again. Their # is 1-877-750-2048, I hope this info will help.



03 HO 6spd 4X4 Q/C short bed

 

[jgallentine]

Am I too late?

Haulmark = poor quality

1. Leaks

2. Doors that don't fit

3. Door locks that don't line up with the recess in the door frame

4. Door stops that fall off the side of the trailer

5. Lights that don't work

6. Vinyl floor lifting from wood floor

6. Worst of all, terrible customer service when you try to get anything fixed



I understood when I bought the trailer that taking it back and forth to the repair facility was my responsibility. However, I didn't think it was reasonable that they would not compensate me more than a free spare tire when I had to take it to Salina three times to get the roof leak fixed. I don't blame the repair shop for this as I know leaks are hard to find and fix. But each trip was 380 miles round-trip and each visit required both a drop-off and a pick up trip. Haulmark would do nothing.



I would not buy a Haulmark.

 

[y-knot]

Before you go to far, make shure you are comparing apples to apples. Hallmark mares several diferent models ot trailer. They go from the econo models to the supper nupper models, don't just say hallmark, had this, or did that. Enclude the model, cheaper trailers will have multi-peice roofs, thats why they are so cheap, daa. Everything is dollar related, the fit and finish, matterials used, options avalible. The mid to higher end of hallmark does have one peice roofs(which I would recomend). You will only get what you pay for in the trailer market, it is very competitive, and most people are mis-informed, they will look at the price as the deciding factor, not quality or matterials. I would expect more from the TDR crowd, they looked for the quality, and matterial addvantage when they purchased there turbo-diesel, so you would think they would we more inclined to express that same level of savvy in there purchase of a trailer?

 

[jgallentine]

You will only get what you pay for in the trailer market, it is very competitive, and most people are mis-informed, they will look at the price as the deciding factor, not quality or matterials.

I am glad I am not "most people" as I certainly informed myself very well as to the various types of trailer construction prior to my purchase. However, I wish I had talked to more people about how well the trailer was actually put together. y-knot I am surprised by your assumptions given your observations of how we select our trucks. Even if I had bought a low-end model I would not expect the problems I have experienced or the poor customer service from Haulmark. In fact, customer service shouldn't even be based on the trailer model.



For the record, my trailer is an Elite II. The only model better is the Edge which uses the same roof construction except for a chrome nose cap instead of fiberglass.



Options:



insulated and vinyl lined ceiling

vinyl walls

black and white check linoleum floor

upper and lower cabinets

road-side escape door

winch plate

Warn winch

in-floor spare tire carrier

generator door

two roof vents, one wired and framed for AC



y-knot I am sorry this is kind of pointed pointed but you did draw first blood with bad assumptions. I would of thought the reference to the vinyl floor, on top of having a CTD, would have told you I wasn't a price shopper.

 

[RobG]

I have an Interstate West 24' enclosed car trailer that I bought four months ago, and it appears to be a high quality product at a very good price. I'm actually selling it, though, because it's too big for my needs (gonna switch to an 8. 5x16 cargo trailer with a rear ramp door, as I no longer need to haul a car)... and for the new trailer I will once again buy from Interstate West.



I looked at Haulmark and Pace before choosing this one, and decided that Interstate's quality was every bit as good, if not better than, the others. And the price was better.



My trailer has no leaks and has been through a number of rain storms. The rear ramp door seals well, as do both side doors (the entry door on the right and the car escape door over the left fender).



For the record, H&H appears to be the highest quality of all the trailers I looked at, but to get the same thing that I got in the Interstate trailer, I would have had to spend over $2000 more, which I simply didn't have.



Rob