Gatormade trailers still gets C grade

[Diamondpilot]

Never heard of Tow Max but have bought a couple dozen sets of Tow Master Trailer Tires and they are by far the best trailer tire I have had.

Are you sure they are Tow Max and not Master?

Chris

 

[JRTJH]

I've been reading through this forum today. Yeah, I'm looking to buy a new equipment trailer for my tractor and equipment. Currently have a CHEAP entry level utility trailer, a Baker bought in Natchez MS. I think I paid $650 for it with "upgraded" tires. This was about 3 years ago. It came standard with old repainted Chevy 15" rims and used tires, but the upgrade was old repainted Chevy 15" rims with new China poppers on them. I upgraded to Maxxis tires about a year later, but had no problems with the tires that were on it originally. As for quality, it's been pretty good, I've had no real problems with it and I'd say as for reliability, it's done everything I've asked of it. My only real complaint is the ramp pins to lock it in the up position are just pieces of rebar torch cut and bent at a 90* angle and slipped through a couple of pieces of pipe welded to the trailer frame and the ramp frame. Oh well, it's worked to keep the ramp in the up position for these years LOL

As for paint, none on the bottom, but the 2x12's are pressure treated.

Just a comment about vehicle inspections and the suggestion that if all states had inspections, the highways would be safer... I lived in Louisiana for 20 years, owned up to 5 vehicles at a time. That state has annual safety inspections. I can state unequovically that I never had my brakes checked, never had my exhaust system checked. The entire safety inspection consisited of a horn check, wipers, turn signals and headlight check. NOTHING MORE..... so, mandatory state safety inspections isn't the answer, rather, I think holding the inspectors accountable for what they inspect (integrity) is more important than just paying $10 a year to get a sticker.... OK, I'll get off my soapbox now...

As for what I've learned in this forum: Gatormade used to make quality trailers, probably still do, but you have to watch what you buy and make sure it doesn't have any issues before you pay the money. They use "China made parts" but so do a great number of other manufacturers. I'd rather buy American, but I'm on a budget and I need to be conscious of what I spend. And, as pointed out in some posts, just because it says "American made" doesn't necessarily mean that the sum of the parts weren't made in China anyway.

What to do??? What to do???? I think next time I visit my daughter, SIL and grandkids in Cincinatti, I'm going to drive on down to KY and check out the factory. If I see something that fits my needs, and the price is right, I'll change out the Scotch connectors and bring it on home...

Thanks for all who offered observations and comments, I learned a bunch, but still don't know that Gatormade is any worse or better than any other trailer being sold around this area.

 

[jeffsw6]

What to do??? What to do???? I think next time I visit my daughter, SIL and grandkids in Cincinatti, I'm going to drive on down to KY and check out the factory. If I see something that fits my needs, and the price is right, I'll change out the Scotch connectors and bring it on home...

You might want to call them and ask where their dealer is in Lexington or closer to you. The factory is pretty far off I-75 and it is not really setup for retail sales. There were hundreds of trailers there when I picked up mine about a month ago, but none that I noticed really sitting out for customers to examine. Most were stacked up for transport to dealers.

 

[JRTJH]

You might want to call them and ask where their dealer is in Lexington or closer to you. The factory is pretty far off I-75 and it is not really setup for retail sales. There were hundreds of trailers there when I picked up mine about a month ago, but none that I noticed really sitting out for customers to examine. Most were stacked up for transport to dealers.

Hmmm from the discussion I had asking questions on Ebay, they pretty much invited me down to check them out. I'll have to contact the factory and make sure that the "internet department" and the "real people department" are saying and thinking the same thing...

 

[sparc]

I don't think I want to take the large decals off - who knows what the paint looks like underneath them! It's funny you mention the large decals, on the back of the neck there is a large one that has "GATor" trailers that looks very close to the CAT symbol. That one is coming off and being replaced with a Cummins decal.

I know this post is old but can someone tell me what is under the back axle of this trailer? It looks like a smaller diameter wheel (yellow in color) with a tire mounted on it right behind the right rear wheel. Its perpendicular to the axle it looks to me. Very strange. I can't figure out what it is.

 

[dusty3030]

I know this post is old but can someone tell me what is under the back axle of this trailer? It looks like a smaller diameter wheel (yellow in color) with a tire mounted on it right behind the right rear wheel. Its perpendicular to the axle it looks to me. Very strange. I can't figure out what it is.

Mud flap with yellow writing / emblem.

 

[aczlan]

I know this post is old but can someone tell me what is under the back axle of this trailer? It looks like a smaller diameter wheel (yellow in color) with a tire mounted on it right behind the right rear wheel. Its perpendicular to the axle it looks to me. Very strange. I can't figure out what it is.

Black mudflap with a round yellow logo.

Aaron Z

 

[sparc]

Darn if its not. I couldn't figure out what it was but now that you tell me i can see it.

Doh!

 

[fisherridge]

Since this thread has been resurrected, I thought I might as well share my experience.
Yes, Gator Made still gets C grade.
You get what you pay for and I was well prepared after reading this and other forums.
A C grade trailer, though, is good enough for my needs.
Fair welding, fair powder coat, piss poor wiring. Like I said, I was prepared for that.
I removed ALL the wiring and replaced it.
My trailer is a 12' utility trailer with stand up equipment ramps ($100 extra).
With the tandem axles and stand up ramps, the trailer empty had negative tongue weight when I picked it up at the factory.
I removed the ramps and strapped them down in the front of the trailer for the 4.5 hour drive home. Otherwise the hitch rattle would have driven me to drink (more).
When I removed the ill placed and badly fastened down 2x8 deck, I discovered one wire had already slipped out of the Scotchlok to the left tail light. When I grabbed hold of the Scotchlok cluster f*** at the center of the rear frame, another wire fell out.
But like I said, I was prepared for the bad wiring.
The 16/6 cable (brake wire should have been 12 gauge) ran over the crossmembers with the deck boards screwed tight down against it.

 

[STOWANDGO]

i have owned many trailers over the past several years and i use them commercially (EVERY DAY). i noticed many of the threads here about the gatormade gooseneck trailer. i just picked up a brand new 20+5 gatormade tandem dual 2013 model. i must say that they have out done themselves. this is the best quality trailer that i have ever owned, or have ever seen for that matter! i think gator made may have had a few years where quality was average. however, all complaints that i have read have been addressed. paint is now powder coat. no primer, no issues, just clean quality on every part of the steel structure. the i beam is 14" on the neck and frame (more heavy duty than any others that i can find). the tandem dual axles are all Dexter (the best that money can buy). the loading ramps are wide and very safe. wiring is completely sealed and out of the elements. all lights are LED lights. i bought this trailer because it is more heavy duty than any other trailer that i could find. so far it has been great.