Landscape/utility trailer opinions

[TboneMan]

I'm in the market for a landscape/utility trailer (wood deck flat bed w/ drive off ramp). Probably 14' to 16', ball hitch style.



Anyone have experience with particular brands/makes?

 

[LBARTLETT]

Big Tex is usually a good value for the $$$$ and a large manufacturer with a good warranty. I'd be wary of many of the fly by night off brands. There's hundreds of them out there making low quality trailers in there spare time!

 

[steved]

I have an 18-foot Down-to-Earth trailer ("equipment" trailer) rate at 10k. It seems well made...

 

[jgillott]

I have a "Top Brand" utility trailer that we use to haul portable water tanks in to remote locations at our farm. The fit and finish on the trailer is lousy, but it has been excellent even through what I would consider very hard use. They don't have a web site that I can find, but I purchased it through this place Smouse Trucks & Vans, Inc. , 207 Smouse Rd. , Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666, Pennsylvania, Car Mate, CAM Super Line, Aluma, Top Brand, Hinker Snow Plows, Cargo Trailers, Trailers, Custom Cargo, Sportster Series Cargo, Advantage Series, Super Duty Series, Cust.

 

[SSell]

look for used or "clearance" trailers if you've got a big trailer retailer nearby---you can save $ by overlooking the scratches & warped deck. Tires, lights, wiring, etc are usually crap from the builder anyway (talking angle iron/ wood deck variety) and I've ended up redoing these items within a year or 2 on the 2 I've owned. Axles often are recycled mobile home units. Some smoking deals on "craigslist" & the like on trailers that need one or 2 days work to be better than "new"



my . 02...

 

[Grizzly]

A good used trailer holds it's value quite well. I'd go for a new trailer.



I personally like the one I have, which is a Big Tex, Pipe Rail, 7K lb flatbed, bumper pull.



Another good brand is a PJ. I'm sure there are other good brands out there. Stay away from a homemade trailer with mobile home axles and wheels.

 

[PToombs]

Tbone, watch Craigslist. I see them on there alot in the "farm and garden" and "RV" sections. Some are junk and some look decent. Watch the watertown and utica/oneida Cl also.

 

[TboneMan]

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[EGroeneveld]

I have several trailers and have found for me the Great Norther (20'+5' deckover 14K gooseneck), PJ (12' 14k Dump trailer) and Big Tex (14' 7k utility) have all been great trailers with maybe the PJ being the best slightly because of better paint.



With my BigTex the only thing I would change would be a either go 16' or a longer trailer tongue so I could mount a truck box up front, this trailer has been great over the years for hauling everything from quads, firewood, helping people move, barkdust etc... My Big Tex is 14'*7 1/2wide with 2 foot steel sides and the ramp tailgate which has been a great asset over the years.

 

[brods]

I have a Kauffman 10k car hauler that has moved more industrial equipment than cars. It tows great and is well built. I got it slightly used for 2/3 of the new price. Kauffman also makes utility trailers. Equipment Trailers, Gooseneck Trailers, Car Hauler Trailers, Kaufman Trailers for Sale



As Grizzly said, be wary of the home built hack jobs, there are some really scary ones for sale out there. Seems anyone who buys a welder thinks they can engineer and build a trailer. Even with some “professionally” built ones you have to be careful. Browsing through a trailer dealer’s lot revealed some brand new 7K rated trailers with couplers only rated for 6K, etc. No matter what trailer you buy make sure all the components are rated for the max GWR or higher.



By sticking with any of the major brands you probably can’t go wrong. For sure there are equally good trailers for lower prices, but you have to be carful of all the marginal trailers out there. Also consider what options you will want such as an adjustable height coupler, stake pockets/rub rails, etc. Much cheaper to buy them with the trailer than to retrofit them later.

 

[Mark31]

I have a 14 ft Trail Maker made here in SC, 35 miles from Myrtle Beach. I'm on my second one: someone put the five finger discount on my first one. Gerald Bazeden (sp) is the owner (toll free 877/272-8222). I have 2 3500 lb axles, brakes, leds, mesh rear ramp. I especially like the way he makes the tongue so there is no flex. He can make it to your specs, and you won't beat his price. And I need to go to Alexandria Va soon to see my uncle and will pull it that far for a little push water! Mark

 

[JSchooley]

Watch the axles.

I bought a 14,000 lb dump trailer that came with Chinese axles. The brakes done' work worth a d----m. Worse, if you set the controller too high the brakes will lock up and not release until you back up a little. I lost all the tread on one tire stopping for a red light. Removed a bunch of rubber on another tire.

I think the cam on the electric brakes goes over the edge.

Just my two pesos,

John