Buying a new GN trailer: tilt or deckover?

RedNeckRacin · Feb 10, 2014

Just make sure your brake controller is set up right and get some weight on the rear axle of the truck. You guys in texas have it easy with all of that flat land! Don't forget to get us some pictures all loaded up!

econometrics · Feb 10, 2014

RedNeckRacin said:
Just make sure your brake controller is set up right and get some weight on the rear axle of the truck. You guys in texas have it easy with all of that flat land! Don't forget to get us some pictures all loaded up!

Ha, well... to be fair, it's a little less flat than you think here in East Texas. But nothing even close to PA!

I'll post some pics when I get a deal done! :thumbsup:

Fordman1981 · Feb 10, 2014

econometrics said:
Ha, well... to be fair, it's a little less flat than you think here in East Texas. But nothing even close to PA! I'll post some pics when I get a deal done! :thumbsup:

I think you are getting a good trailer. My dad had a big text seemed well built never any issues with it. I think the pj trailers are better built but it's one of those things if you can get a better deal on the big tex I think it's worth the difference in build between the two.

ENC · Feb 10, 2014

Good deal. The v10 has plenty of power. Just takes a little longer reaching highway speeds with the 4.30 rear end but it is worth it in the long run.

econometrics · Feb 10, 2014

Fordman1981 said:
I think you are getting a good trailer. My dad had a big text seemed well built never any issues with it. I think the pj trailers are better built but it's one of those things if you can get a better deal on the big tex I think it's worth the difference in build between the two.

Right. I would love to have a PJ, honestly. But I'm not going to be using this trailer even on a consistent WEEKLY basis, so I really don't need to spend the money for the higher end of trailers. Big Tex have a solid reputation, and I like their lower profile design. ...and the price is very right on this one!

ENC said:
Good deal. The v10 has plenty of power. Just takes a little longer reaching highway speeds with the 4.30 rear end but it is worth it in the long run.

Yeah, I really lucked out when I bought this truck a couple weeks back. The owner didn't know what gears it had, but I knew I wanted it either way. When I got it home and read the code on the door and found out it was the 4:30 rear, I was pretty pumped. Having a 7.3 PSD wouldn't give me all that much more towing capacity. In fact, the V10 and the PSD both have the same GCWR. I do realize the PSD would pull a little better, though.

jenkinsph · Feb 10, 2014

I suspect the truck as purchased will pull this trailer okay. The 4.30 rear end should be a good choice and Fords' brake controller works real well too. While I have the PSD motors the V10 will pull this trailer well without the problems the diesels have had.

For the limited hauling you intend to do I am not recommending a heavier truck but it would be nice to have.

econometrics · Feb 10, 2014

jenkinsph said:
I suspect the truck as purchased will pull this trailer okay. The 4.30 rear end should be a good choice and Fords' brake controller works real well too. While I have the PSD motors the V10 will pull this trailer well without the problems the diesels have had.

For the limited hauling you intend to do I am not recommending a heavier truck but it would be nice to have.

I agree! I would love to have a 2011 or newer F350 SRW King Ranch 6.7L! But I can't seem to find $50K laying around anywhere... :laughing:

At the price I paid for my F250, I can almost afford to blow out the engine and tranny, replace both, and still be happy with a good farm truck!

econometrics · Feb 10, 2014

So the Big Tex 25+5 I was going to buy was sold on Saturday (pending full payment sometime today or tomorrow)... bummer.

...the good news is I found one from a different Big Tex dealer for $200 cheaper, ha!

Bought that one and having them deliver it on Wednesday. I'll post up some pics when she gets dropped off.

Thanks to everyone here for all the input (both helpful and confusing at times :laughing

, I really appreciate you all helping me evaluate this decision! :drink:

ovrszd · Feb 11, 2014

Glad you finally sealed a deal. Now you're gonna want to drag around your tractor for no reason!!!

As for your weight, you'll be fine with the truck you have.

I weigh 13,700 with a full tank of fuel, tractor weighs just under 10,000. I never consider myself overloaded. But I drive with forward vision and plan ahead. But you should do that regardless of what you are hauling.

econometrics · Feb 11, 2014

ovrszd said:
Glad you finally sealed a deal. Now you're gonna want to drag around your tractor for no reason!!!

As for your weight, you'll be fine with the truck you have.

I weigh 13,700 with a full tank of fuel, tractor weighs just under 10,000. I never consider myself overloaded. But I drive with forward vision and plan ahead. But you should do that regardless of what you are hauling.

:laughing: That was the exact thought I had - "Well, can't wait to load up the tractor and drive it around the county road a little!"

The one drawback of having the trailer delivered was that I was going to weigh the truck empty on the way to the dealer, then weight it with the trailer empty on the way back. Oh well, I have a pretty close idea to what it all weighs (within 500#). I feel completely safe about it as well. Like you mentioned, I drive the same way - even in my 1/2T truck pulling nothing. I haven't been too concerned with being a little overweight, but the concern I did have was lessened a lot by the fact that I will now have 8 wheels rolling under 15K# of trailer weight instead of 4. Thanks for your help there, ovrszd. :thumbsup: