Trailers -- Any suggestions?

[dodge man]

I know I couldn't find a used when I looked so I bought new. I also might up that budget a little bit, $3500 will get you into a 7k trailer easy enough but I don't know about a heavier one.

 

[Harleazy]

I wouldn't consider anything but a Hudson trailer they are the strongest trailer you can buy they've been around alot longer than any manufacture out there.

 

[700R]

That may be because 9 times out of 10 the buyer didn't check things out enough.

I've been paying attention to used trailers for several years because my son wants one. If the OP travels he may be able to find better deals for new that makes it worth the drive. For example what seems to go for $2,000 in the DC area I can find for $1,500 in Memphis. It's not worth the drive EXCEPT when I visit relatives who live there.

And to the OP - have you considered Hudson?

I haven't ruled out used...but it's hard to find a decent trailer for a decent price. Usually, you can buy the same new model for $500 more. I've been searching a 100mi radius on CL every couple days.
I did find that I can get the Big Tex 12ET-18 that I like for $3650 in Texas (vs. $4300 here)...but obviously the 2300mi round trip to get it would not be financially possible.

I wouldn't consider anything but a Hudson trailer they are the strongest trailer you can buy they've been around alot longer than any manufacture out there.

The Hudson trailers are definitely a quality trailer. My friends dad has a 16' 5-ton model that I've borrowed many times. Two problems with them. 1) They are narrow. 76-78" vs. 83" for other brands....and 2) There are very few tie down points on it. There's only 4 stake pockets on the entire thing...and nowhere else to hook along the side, which is C-channel.
They are also a bit more expensive than the others.

 

[700R]

Also check

Cam SuperLine:
CAM Superline construction & dump trailers

Bri-Mar:
Bri-Mar - Dump, Equipment, Tilt and Utility Trailers

They aren't too far from you (southern PA). All the people I know that own either brand have lots of good to say about both.

I'll check them out, thanks! I do know Bri-Mar is a big name in the trailer biz...

I know I couldn't find a used when I looked so I bought new. I also might up that budget a little bit, $3500 will get you into a 7k trailer easy enough but I don't know about a heavier one.

$3500 will get me what I want for the most part. Pro-Line trailers start at $3k for a 10k model, and about $3400 for a 14k model. The Big Tex 10ET's are around $3700...the PJ 10k's are around $3600. Hooper 10k's are around $3300. That's just my local dealers MSRP's.






I did ride down to the Pro-Line dealer this afternoon. The only equipment trailers they had on the lot were some 16' 7k units, and two 14k tilt-deck units.

 

[tractchores]

I deal in boat trailers part time and I will bet my next paycheck that 9 times out of 10 buying used will cost you more than a new one in the next 12 months. They usually need bearings, tires, brakes, deck boards, new wiring, ect.

We just had a guy in the last month buy a used 3 axle 28' boat trailer. He complained it was eating tires. It also had bad wiring and needed new bunk boards. He brought it to us and we discovered all 3 axles were bent. It also need new wheels because 3 we found cracks in.

He paid $1200 for the trailer but has since dumped $3400 into it to get it usable. In my opinion it's still not right.

I could have sent him a factory new, disc brake, LED Light, 3 axle trailer for right at $4500

Chris

This can be true, but all those things you listed are easy and not that expensive. if you know what your buying you can get a very good deal. In my case I paid 1200 or so, put 4 new tires on (~400 cost), did new decking ~150 and put LED lights ~50, so I'm into it for 1,800 and now have a reliable trailer that I could likely sell for 2500 - 3k just because I put a few hours of labor into it. Not for everyone, but I certainly wouldn't be afraid of used.

 

[newbury]

I wouldn't consider anything but a Hudson trailer they are the strongest trailer you can buy they've been around alot longer than any manufacture out there.

I wish I knew that before I bought mine.

This can be true, but all those things you listed are easy and not that expensive. if you know what your buying you can get a very good deal. In my case I paid 1200 or so, put 4 new tires on (~400 cost), did new decking ~150 and put LED lights ~50, so I'm into it for 1,800 and now have a reliable trailer that I could likely sell for 2500 - 3k just because I put a few hours of labor into it. Not for everyone, but I certainly wouldn't be afraid of used.

After 7 years of age and maybe 3,000 miles of use (2,800 before I bought it) I replaced my tires with Greenball E's from Costco for about $600. I routinely see similar Hudsons going for way more than what I figure I paid for mine.

As an aside I just noted a change in Costco's trailer tire policy:

Costco will install any loose trailer tire with the exact same size and load index tire that is currently on the wheel.

I brought in 4 D's and replaced them with E's.

<snip>
The Hudson trailers are definitely a quality trailer. My friends dad has a 16' 5-ton model that I've borrowed many times. Two problems with them. 1) They are narrow. 76-78" vs. 83" for other brands....and 2) There are very few tie down points on it. There's only 4 stake pockets on the entire thing...and nowhere else to hook along the side, which is C-channel.
They are also a bit more expensive than the others.

Narrow - Yes, I had to reverse the tires to load my M4700.
Tie downs? Mine came with 4 D-rings, maybe they were aftermarket.
The stake pockets are a slight problem. Plus they are not designed for a 2x4. It takes me about 10 minutes with a jig saw and chisel to shape a PT 2x4 to the pocket. I just did the 4 last week. (Now if I could throw away the $ I found steel stakes that would fit but they were A LOT MORE than I would spend.)

<snip>$3500 will get me what I want for the most part. Pro-Line trailers start at $3k for a 10k model, and about $3400 for a 14k model. The Big Tex 10ET's are around $3700...the PJ 10k's are around $3600. Hooper 10k's are around $3300. <snip>

There is often a tradeoff between how much you pay and how bad you need it.
Also in some situations price is a bragging point. My BIL especially and all of SWMBO's relatives are very "Scottish", if one buys something for $X the rest say they could have gotten it for less.

To the OP - unless you need it NOW keep searching used, and researching new, until about November. If you have not found a good used with a 30% price saving over new by Oct 31'st you probably should buy new.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That may be because 9 times out of 10 the buyer didn't check things out enough. One key in buying used ANYTHING is to determine WHO and WHY of the sale. Who is selling it? Do you think the seller is trustworthy? Why is it being sold? Don't need it anymore? Upgrading? Loss of business? I bought my '07 Hudson used as part of the package when I bought my B7610. The seller seemed to check out as trustworthy, didn't need the trailer without the tractor. Concerning all of that should be checked before buying AND tires and deck boards rot in place. Aren't tires supposed to be replaced about every 6 years or so ANYWAYS? And if the OP only needs it a few times a year, versus towing it every working day, some things will last a lot longer. I didn't grease my bearings from '09 until 2012. Didn't move the trailer either. I've been paying attention to used trailers for several years because my son wants one. If the OP travels he may be able to find better deals for new that makes it worth the drive. For example what seems to go for $2,000 in the DC area I can find for $1,500 in Memphis. It's not worth the drive EXCEPT when I visit relatives who live there. And to the OP - have you considered Hudson?

All what you say is true but when buying used, say 5 years old, even if only used 2 or 3 times a year, the clock has already started. You have lost 75% of the life of the tires due to time, not miles. Deck boards and paint along with lights lenses and bulb sockets deteriorate. It may only have 1000 miles on it but time kills bearing seals which in turn kills brake shoes. Brake parts rust and freeze up, ect.

If I were looking at $1500 for a used 18' trailer that was 5 years old vs new for $2250. Going prices in my area, I would buy new every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Tires alone put you near even.

There are exceptions to the rule. That's why I said 9 times out of 10.

Chris

 

[700R]

Well...I went and did it. I picked out the 10k PJ. I'm going to pick it up tomorrow. I was a little disappointed when I showed up, as the picture on the web site showed an adjustable coupler, however their current stock has fixed couplers. They did say they use stock photos on their site that are a couple years old. But she's got 10 stake pockets with a full rub-rail, removable fenders, LED's, crossmembers on 16" centers, and a pretty nice jack. $3700 MSRP....got it down to $3500 OTD

I'll throw some pictures up tomorrow when I get it home...

 

[tractchores]

Nice looking rig! Congrats

 

[700R]

Got it home....however I think I have a slight problem with it. As I got closer to home and off the highway, the roads got rougher. The trailer was jerking my truck around like I've never experienced before with every bump. The tools and straps I keep behind my seat were getting air. I found a speed bump and watched the axles in my mirror. The axles were not articulating like they should. I noticed it again as I was backing it in my driveway.

I think the center bolt in the 'dogbone' is so tight that it's locked in place. I'm gonna jack it up and check it out in the morning...