PJ Trailers

[msb1766]

I am looking at thier 5" Channel Car Hauler (C5)
I am looking for feedback on the trailers.
I got a quote for a 18 foot by 83 inch wide trailer with brakes on both axels and 2 foot dovetail with ramps for $2695.00

I was lookng to get a landscape trailer same length and width with a split fold-up gate and dovetail and the rail around the bed and made by the same company PJ, for $3220.00.

I am torn bettwen the two trailers, Help me decide.

Car Hauler:
PJ Trailers - 5" Channel Carhauler (C5)

Landscape:
PJ Trailers - 83" Channel Utility (U8)

 

[slowzuki]

What are you doing with it? I can't use one with a rail around it for most of what I haul, some people love them.

 

[brain55]

I wouldn't buy a PJ trailer if I had too, especially if it was for daily use in a commercial application. The landscape contractor I worked for bought several because they were inexpensive, they didn't hold up well at all and the frame even broke on one of them. If it was for occasional light use they might be okay.

Brian

 

[Diamondpilot]

As Brian mentioned PJ is a ok brand but by no means the best.

If it were me I would get the car hauler. I hate gates and most car haulers have stake pockets so if you need to you can make a rail and sides.

That price on the C5 seems good to me but spring for a spare tire. Most do not come with them but it will be the best $200 you can spend. Also get a proper sized lug wrench and 6 ton bottle jack. I learned the hard way back when I broke my F-150's jack trying to jack up a loaded trailer. Once I did get it jacked up my truck wrench would not fit.

As for Powder Coat I do not like it. Give me plain old BLACK GLOSS PAINT and day of the week. PC if chipped gets rust starting under it and then it peels off. Tough to touch up. My trailer is painted and I keep a rattle can of Rustolem Gloss Black in the tool box. Touch it up after every couple of uses.

Chris

 

[Raspy]

I've got a PJ dump trailer and it seems to be very well made. Well thought out, excellent welds. Heavy duty. Definitely made well enough to do what it's rated to do, and then some.

A different design than what you're looking for, but mine is excellent quality. The only one maybe better, that I have, is an old Zieman equipment hauler for my tractor.

It seems a lot of manufacturer's are cutting way down on the steel these days and it really pays to do the research. Look them over well and compare. I've noticed a huge difference, especially in enclosed trailers. They can look just the same on the outside and be WAY different underneath.

 

[whistlepig]

I have a PJ trailer and I really like it. It has the removable front/side rails. Powder coat paint is the way to go. It holds up a lot better in the weather. I don't see why you couldn't touch up powder coat with a spray can if needed. I didn't buy PJ because it was the cheapest trailer. I bought it because it is a very nice trailer. They are made in Mexico and some people don't like that.

 

[milkman636]

I have had a PJ 83" channel utility trailer for four years now. I think they are excellent trailers, and I would recommend them. There was alot of steel in their channel series when compared to the competition I was seeing.

DiamondPilot had a good point about the gates though. If I were to replace mine it would not have the gate. I have thought longingly about replacing it with an 18' 9900 lb PJ equipment trailer.

 

[whistlepig]

For those that say the PJ is not a good trailer I would like to know what they consider good trailer within the same price range. So that specs can be compared.

 

[dstig1]

I looked them over at the MN State Fair last fall and they looked pretty darn good to me. But I'm no expert... Looked solidly built to me.

 

[Skyco]

Another vote against powder coat- I hate that stuff. Only trailer I ever had with it (SnowBear) was peeling sheets off in a couple of years in the weather.

 

[whistlepig]

There is a lot of stuff powder coat painted these days. Not just PJ trailers.

 

[Raspy]

I was surprised to find out my PJ was powder coated. It's been outside at 5000' elevation for about 5 years now. Freezing in the winter and a lot of UV all year. Plus it makes trips through the Sierras in winter with all the road spray.

It's still shiny and only shows rust where the coating has been gouged off by sharp edged stuff inside. Clearly more durable than regular paint. All of my painted trailers are dull looking.

 

[whistlepig]

I would venture to say that if I got rid of all the equipment in my garage and barns that had powder coat paint on them there wouldn't be a whole heck of a lot left.

 

[capt jack]

I have a PJ trailer and I really like it. It has the removable front/side rails. Powder coat paint is the way to go. It holds up a lot better in the weather. I don't see why you couldn't touch up powder coat with a spray can if needed. I didn't buy PJ because it was the cheapest trailer. I bought it because it is a very nice trailer. They are made in Mexico and some people don't like that.

Their very large factory (10 + acres under roof) is about 25 miles N/E of me in north Texas. I'm sure the steel comes from Mexico (and most of the employee's), but load after load of finished trailers roll out every day.

 

[grsthegreat]

i have a 6 yo PJ 16' trailer with rear floding gate. LOVE IT. never have had a single problem with it. i max it out alot, and have never had an issue with welds or brakes.

I like the fold up rear ramp. i strengthened it with two 1/4" thick c channels, and i used to drive my JD870 and mini excavators, and a forklift up it with ease. Its too small for my new tractor, so i guess ill be in the market to sell it soon. I can easily get what i paid for it.

 

[foggy1111]

I bought a 16 foot PJ car trailer about 3 years ago. It was two years old when I got it and was almost like new condition. I paid $1600 for it and have been quite satisfied with the trailer. I use it to haul my tractor and lots of building materials, implements, etc. Cannot find a fault with it....the paint has stood up well so far.....but I should do some touch up I suppose.

I oiled the deck two years ago....and that seems to help shed water. I have the side-store ramps. A bit more work...and they are heavy, but they dont rattle.

Dont know what I would do without it. If you have the right tow vehicle....another two feet would not hurt a thing.

 

[richtape]

I have a PJ C5, I wouldn't have any other brand. It is built with more detail right down to the grease fittings on the doors of the ramps. Compared to other trailers it is built stronger and better. I mounted a winch and tool box on the front (for dead tractors and cars) and a electric jack. I haul a MF 1440v w/FEL forks, Howse brush hog, the trailer it dont bow, it don't bend,it don't break.

 

[Runner]

I can't comment on which one would be better for you. However, I would caution you to be sure and understand how PJ states their trailer lengths. When they say "18 foot, with 2 foot dove tail" they mean that it's 18 feet overall and the 2 foot dove tail comes out of that. So, you are getting a 16 foot flat bed.

I believe this is how they measure everything up to the 8 inch I-beam trailers. Once you get to that range, when you order an 18 footer with 2 foot dove tail, you are getting 18 flat, with a 2 foot dove on the end of it.

Maybe this is obvious to everyone else, but it wasn't to me. I don't think it ever really says it in their product literature anywhere (although the cut sheets for the I-beam trailers actually shows a drawing of that trailer with the dimensions).

 

[whistlepig]

In all the brands I have looked at a 16' trailer is a 16' trailer. The dovetail comes out of that. For hauling bales of hay dovetails are not the best choice. For ease of loading a tractor on uneven ground dovetails make this a whole bunch easier.

 

[Runner]

"In all the brands I have looked at a 16' trailer is a 16' trailer. The dovetail comes out of that. "

This is what was confusing about PJ. They measure some of their trailers one way, and some, the other.