Choosing Between 2 Trailers - Here's Your Chance to Give Advice/Opinion

[kirkkw]

Opinions welcome!

I looked at 2 trailers and need advice to help me decide which one to buy.

Trailer to haul my Kioti DS4510 and implements.

83" X 20', 10k lbs, brakes on both axles, pipe top, No drop tail, 4 foot ramps.

Trailer A cost $3,100:
Positives:
1. Heavy duty frame - same as manufacturers 14K frame - just change axles to get 14K trailer.
2. 16" 10 ply tires
3. I didn't understand this but salesman said it is superior to other spring setups. The springs don't have the pivoting part between the axles and instead are slipper springs - is that really better?
4. Diamond plate fender

Negatives:
1. Spare tire in front which might block me from wrapping FEL bucket over the front pipe
2. Paint not as nice
3. Both ramps on same side of trailer and more difficult to slide in/out (not excessively difficult just more than other trailer)

Trailer B cost $3,400
Positives:
1. Much better paint job
2. Trailer hitch height is adjustable up/down using 2 pins
3. Spare on side
4. Pockets holding ramps are nice - ramps slide in/out easier and are on sides

Negatives:
1. Higher cost
2. 15" 6 or 8? ply tires
3. Fenders are smooth metal - press formed/shaped

What say ye?

Thanks in advance.

 

[frugalangler]

You didn't give any data supporting your use case or requirements, so it's hard to make a true evaluation, And, without being able to inspect each trailer, and based on your data only, Option B would be my choice (under the assumption you're a typical user expecting to transport less than 60% or the trailers rated capacity more than 90% of the time. It's only 10% more but the little things that matter over life of use, like the annoyance of ramp storage, better paint, etc. I don't necessarily see the tire size as an issue IF they are rated per tire for the load necessary to support your use cases - now if you're going to use it to transport a 9,000# payload, Option A would likely be a better choice due to frame, but most people buy way more trailer than they need on the 'what if I ...' speculation. Also, I'm not a fan of slipper springs, I much prefer a true leaf equalizer setup as it more effectively uses both axles for load distribution on variable terrain (this can be a religious debate) - there could be advantage to slippers in that if lightly loaded and you destroy a bearing, you could 'limp' home by removing the wheel and be supported by the good axle, but this is very similar to torsion axles, which neither distribute the load over rough terrain, meaning each axle must be capable of carrying a larger percentage of the total load as there is less assistance from it's mate when crossing things like speed bumps, or hitting a chuck hole at speed that you didn't see till too late! Torsion/slipper setups have their place, I just don't feel they are the best for a heavy duty application.

 

[Zebrafive]

Without seeing them, I would pick A
HD frame, 16" tires, diamond plate fenders.
No idea about the spring hangers.

Can the spare be moved?
Adjustable hitch, no big deal, buy a hitch that matches the trailer you buy for the your truck.

I would NOT want 15" tires on a 10K trailer

Even if same cost, I would pick A, BUT then I have NOT seen them and do NOT know your planned uses.

 

[kirkkw]

I added use of trailer to original - thanks for input

 

[sd455dan]

A

- agree on 15 inch 6 ply tires have no place on a 10k trailer

8 lug 16 inch 10 plys check the load rating on those 15" tires and add them up to compare with the same from the 10 ply 16's

the quote about the strength of the trailer frame itself, sounds like option B is a glorified car hauler- How about some pictures, we love pictures , even of trailer choices...

ps the springs on A don't have a pivot?? how do the axles track uneven ground to keep the weight equalized on each individual tire?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Trailer A for me also. The other things can be corrected like spare placement, ect.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Trailer A 16" tires are a must and would see how much to upgrade to 14k as you will like the larger brakes.

 

[Stimw]

The pivoting thingie is called "An Equalizer" and is FAR superior to slipper springs!
Regardless of the trailer tilt in relation to the ground, the equalizers put equal pressure on all axles. (within equalizer travel)
Slipper mounts will load axles unevenly with uneven tilt.

 

[bdog]

Why not trailer C?

I would not buy a trailer with 15" tires period.

The ramps being on the same side would drive me nuts.

I don't know about your area but here within an hours drive I can see about ten different brands of trailers. Go find one that has everything you like and nothing you don't. There are plenty out there don't compromise.

 

[bdog]

Have you looked at a PJ P8?