Car Hauler vs Utility Trailer

[PA452]

Thanks everybody for the great responses! The utility trailer argument does sound good for the sake of hauling bulk materials that aren't on pallets, like mulch/gravel/dirt. PA452, that's a sweet looking trailer, but they don't have a dealership close to me and those are a bit pricey from what I saw. Not saying they're not worth it, but just more than I'm looking to put down on a trailer I won't use daily. To answer some of the other questions: I don't own the tractor yet, still shopping. But I won't get anything bigger than a standard compact (something in the 25hp range).

Now that I've had enough posts, I can post links

I got lucky with mine. There's no PJ dealers near me either. I had to drive a little over two hours out of state to get it. The dealer I bought from was going out of business. Not sure if that's why, but the price was excellent at around $2500. I couldn't find the same trailer at any other dealer for much less than $3000.

 

[Renze]

I modified, extended, and re-galvanised my trailer. A deckover, on 195/50R30 tires, 8000 pound rated, with a deck height of just 2 ft 2 inch, with foldable aluminium sides all around, so i can drop the front too when loading a car.

 

[geteh]

I wrestled with the same dilemma a few years ago. I figured the rails would be enormously handy to have much of the time, and a hindrance once in a long while. I came real close to pulling the trigger on several trailers, both car haulers and landscape utilities, before I found the one I bought. When I look back, I feel like I dodged a bullet because the one I ended up buying has much, much nicer features than any of the others I looked at.

I ended up with a PJ 16' dual axle 7000# landscape utility and could not be happier with it. It eliminated my concerns about loading from the side with the rails, because the rails can be removed when I need and bolted back in when I want them. That said, guess how many times I've found myself in a situation where it was going to be worth bothering to do that so far? Zero. On the other hand, the rails have been a huge benefit when using the trailer to haul other things such as furniture, hay bales, etc.. It adds a margin of safety in terms of keeping loads of that sort contained on the trailer, and provides great tie-down points. And, the PJ landscape utility still has separate stake pockets as well, which I use for chaining tractors and I also made some short plywood walls that are very quickly and easily removable for hauling firewood that use the stake pockets for the install.

The PJ comes with a Bulldog coupler which I really like. Came with a jack I can swivel up and out of the way. The fenders are aluminum so they won't rust, and they're removable so down the road if I need to do some work on the trailer, I'm not stuck working around the fenders because they're welded on. I love the gate in the back, makes loading great and again provides another measure for keeping certain types of loads contained on the trailer. Cold weather wiring harness stays soft and flexible in cold weather, although I don't use my trailer in the winter (so far); I put it away in a garage up on blocks for the winter. Lights are integrated into the frame, not hanging out where they can be easily torn off, and the same with wiring.

Just all in all, I think it's a much smarter put-together trailer than any of the other options I looked at.

Some pics:

Here's a trip that was made much easier being a landscape utility rather than a car hauler:

Walls I made for hauling firewood. They're hinged in the middle, unfold, and I have short sections of 2x4 bolted to them that drop into the stake pockets. Carry On Trailer customer service could provide additional insights if needed for any related parts or questions. Since the rails are there, they really provide all the strength. The plywood is just needed to keep logs from falling out.

Here they are folded up.

Some red oak. Doesn't look like much, but there's more weight than it may seem.

I’ll be on the lookout for a car trailer soon and am leaning towards an 18’ steel deck with standard 3500lb axles. While aluminum trailers are nice, they’re a bit out of my budget at the moment. My parents have a 24’ enclosed car hauler that’s now used as a storage shed, but it’s a bit too large for my 5.7 1500. What types of trailers and setups do you all have or recommend? Any brands to avoid? What are your favorite upgrades?

 

[dieselscout80]

I have 18’ car hauler with 3500lb axles and 7k gross.

I always wish I got at least 10k or 12k and it was 20’ long or more.

 

[paulsharvey]

I had a similar option in 2019, because the Honda SxS was too wide to fit on my little 5x10 trailer. At the time, I had the Kubota L285, but not my Kioti, and the only time I had ever moved the tractor was on initial purchase. I went with a 6'4"×16ft landscape trailer from Texas Trailers, but there was also an option to get a ATV trailer that had a side gate, at the front, for pulling a ATV on crosswise, as well as the rear gate. Price was similar, maybe $200 more for the ATV style, or like $900 more for the car hauler. The utility trailer does Work, and I have had a 2012 Durango SXT on it, and Volkswagen Passat, the Honda 700 pioneer, and the Kioti Ck2610 multiple times. The rails are great for moving "stuff", but it makes it horrible to go pick up a couple pallets of singles or quikcrete. The rear gate/ramp, is removable and can also fold flat in, for less drag, But the ramp/gate really isn't heavy duty enough for what i use it for. It "works" for now, but eventually it will need reinforced, or rebuilt. The rear ramp on my 5x10 was actually heavier duty.

So, if you get the utility style, look for one with heavier than 1x1 tube steel. I have seen ones at Rural King that have round tube sides, that can be folded or removed with snap pins. My concern would be, are those removable tube rails heavy enough to secure stuff too?

 

[jyoutz]

I have a 20’ 10K car hauler. It’s a great trailer for multiple purposes. But be sure that you get jacks on the rear corners.

 

[paulsharvey]

I thought i had a picture with the Durango on it, it was truly 10# in a 5# sack, and i think we had to window crawl to get it/out.

 

[paulsharvey]

With all that, the OP said "subcompact", and a 6'4"×16 landscape trailer should be fine.

 

[paulsharvey]

I have a 20’ 10K car hauler. It’s a great trailer for multiple purposes. But be sure that you get jacks on the rear corners.

I place a jack stand at each rear corner when loading the tractor or a vehicle. The SxS is light enough it doesn't pick up the rear axle of the truck.

 

[not2old]

I have a 20' tilt deck car hauler with 14,000 lb. GVW. I covered the 2x8 deck with plywood and put 16" sides on it to haul topsoil or gravel. It has a hydraulic snubber that could be used with a pump if needed. I used it a lot to move here but only once every couple of years since then. It does make a good outdoor workbench. The new looking tires will need to be replaced soon due to age, and I know that if I sell it, I will need it.