Potential new gooseneck equipment trailer. Help me option it.

[dieselshadow]

I'm really looking at purchasing a new GN trailer here in a few months. I will probably order it and pick it up late winter I'm guessing.

So I've narrowed it down to DiamondC and probably their FMAX212SS

I'm going to get the 12' hydraulic dovetail and either 18' or 20' deck for an overall deck length of 30-32'. I'm also sold on the super single version of this trailer. Less tires and it looks "stealth." The dealers all agree, you get a lot less attention from DOT and others because the trailer doesn't have duals.

I am debating on HDSS suspension option vs regular. The HDSS looks a lot beefier and allows independent axle alignment adjustment. I'll probably check the box.

Next is the brakes. This won't be a highly used trailer and I don't plan on loading it to the max GVWR all the time. I haven't priced the electric over hydraulic disk option vs the standard electric drums. I haven't pulled a trailer with electric over hydraulic disks. This option is expensive and fairly complicated. I really want you opinions on this.

Is it worth the upgrade to go 12" OC vs the 16" OC for the trailer decking braces?

What about the decking itself? There's a few options here. Standard planking or Oak? I don't plan on hauling tracked equipment, but I'd like to have durability.

Spare tire, check.
Winch plate and receiver hitch, check
Zig zag screws, check. (more screws in the deck boards to trailer framing. Not sure why this isn't standard.)
More marker lamps, maxxed out option, check.
Custom paint to match the truck, check.

I *may* purchase another under-mount toolbox for the curb side.

Thought and opinions are appreciated.

 

[NIsaacs]

I think you would look far and wide to find a finer trailer. There is a local dealer stocking them (Diamond C) so I have been studying them. I really like the cambered frame and one piece neck. The hydraulic tail would be really nice if you haul a lot of wheeled vehicles. If not, it does have a long overhang, if that is a concern. Like you, I like the super single approach, here a dually is fair game for DOT.

 

[TFucili]

It sounds like you're on the right track, they look well built. The only thing I'd say is it doesn't take long for the trailer to get so beefy that you run out of payload, but with your DRW with 4.10s you should have a heck of a combo!

 

[LandShark]

My experience is mostly with maybe 50 trailers of about 10,000lbs and only a few with electric/hydraulic. E/H are far superior and have always worked and work really well. Electric brakes often have problems and surge brakes generally never work. Just my 2 cents.

 

[AH64ID]

I would probably go 12” OC so you’ll never worry about what’s on it.

If it’s not going to get a ton of miles I’d probably stick with the stock suspension and drum brakes.

Get a nice winch in a basket and then put a front receiver on your truck. Dual purpose winch.

 

[Wayne M.]

That’s a fantastic looking piece. I’ve never seen a dovetail like that before. It’s almost like having a Landoll.
I don’t know what the standard decking is, but a rugged wood I think is worth the investment.
If you were running it often, I’d say try the discs, but I know first hand how badly rotors age when they sit, and if you have a moisture prone environment like I do, I’d say no way to discs.

 

[dieselshadow]

That hydraulic dovetail has a lifting capacity of 10k. You can also trailer 10k on the dove, just not on the tapered edge. That’s pretty darn impressive.

I’ll be hauling tractors, classic tractors,, materials, an occasional vehicle, and whatever else I need.

 

[NIsaacs]

Here is a link to the local dealer in my area. They list the option prices and complete trailer prices. I do think they are dually tho.

https://showlow.craigslist.org/trb/d/sun-city-west-2019-diamond-trailers/6938692590.html

 

[JR]

Those are dang nice trailers. Love the hyd dovetail!

Do they offer torsion axles? They ride better than leafs in most every condition. They'll definitely be on my next trailer. If you insist on leafs I'd at least request wet bolts on the shackles and equalizers. All trailers should come with them from the get go.
Wayne is right on the money on disc brakes. In humid/corrosive climates they rust like no tomorrow if not used regularly. They are essentially non existent around here. The popular upgrade on heavy rigs is EOH drums.

 

[dieselshadow]

Interesting comments on the rusting. I wonder if a $2k option that the factory would spec some sort of coating. Seems like they would. The entire industry is going that way. I'd like to see the trailer business go that way as well.

I don't see an option for torsion axles. I'm not sure they are even made as 10k and 12k axles. The HDSS suspension ($600) is quite beefy and I think I remember it had grease zerks on it. This doesn't show them. Can't find a picture that does. Maybe they don't....

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Looks like slipper springs, so not much need for grease zerks. And the discs look coated to me?

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Ok, not from DiamondC, but Dexter HDSS regardless. No zerks.

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[NIsaacs]

Since you will have the hydraulic system in place, I would go hydraulic jacks. If you ever unhook with a load on, it takes two people to turn the crank with standard 10-12k single speed jacks. The 2 speed jacks would be a big help.

 

[dieselshadow]

The dealer I visited had mentioned that is a popular option. But he did say it's awfully hard to hitch a trailer that has hydraulic jacks with a dead battery..... I was thinking 2 speed as well. I *think* that's only a few hundred bucks. I like the hydraulic jacks and their speed, but don't need the extra headache it could bring...

 

[JR]

Dexter makes up to a 12k torsion axle. It would be strange if they don't offer them as an upgrade. Most manufacturers do.

https://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/def...lyers/torflex-axles-(lit-216-00).pdf?sfvrsn=4

I don't know where you live so discs may be just fine. Around here they just don't hold up. You probably wouldn't believe the condition of the rotors on my 14, and it gets driven regularly. Between the salt, calcium chloride, and year round high humidity nothing lasts. If you don't undercoat your vehicle regularly most autos are all but junk within 10 years. Its sickening.

 

[Wayne M.]

I’d be happy with that suspension setup. Looks real. And I’m having a Tool Time Tim Taylor attack over the wet wheel hubs.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Disk brakes!!!

 

[jhenderson]

After opting for them on my present GN I’d never have another trailer without wet hubs. I’d also 2nd the discs. Far superior stopping ability with what that trailer grosses. It’s the option I wish I’d asked about considering my trailer grosses 18,500.

 

[AH64ID]

After opting for them on my present GN I’d never have another trailer without wet hubs. I’d also 2nd the discs. Far superior stopping ability with what that trailer grosses. It’s the option I wish I’d asked about considering my trailer grosses 18,500.

How often do you use your trailer?

I know a couple folks with them and they are constantly complaining about the wet hubs, but those trailers sit a lot and then all the fluid leaks out.

 

[Wayne M.]

Our snowmelters have wet hubs like the ones shown above, and they sit way more than they're used, and they're pretty trouble free.

 

[jhenderson]

My trailer probably runs 100 days a year but often sits 6 months at a time. The only leaks I’ve had were slight weeps at the rubber fill plugs / vent after 6-8 years. Not enough to hurt anything, just a damp film and dust sticking to the hub and wheel, but running commercial I don’t take chances with roadside inspections. Whether it’s a fine or out of service if they consider it an “ Active” leak it’ll spoil a day. $10 for new plugs and dry wheels and hubs once more.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Wet hubs only have issues when the manufacturer installs I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER quality parts!!!