Dove tail option help

wkpoor · Jan 25, 2009

I got a BetterBuilt last year and think the quality might just be a tick above Cornpro for the same money. They are out of Alabama. Above that it boils down to features.

I saw an Appalachian over at the fab shop last week and realized there is a huge difference in some trailers. This was a GN 14K and mine was parked right beside so comparison was easy. The list of short cuts and lesser material would fill a page. Guy there said he wouldn't even think of putting my tractor on the Appalachian.

Harold_J · Jan 25, 2009

wkpoor said:
I got a BetterBuilt last year and think the quality might just be a tick above Cornpro for the same money. They are out of Alabama. Above that it boils down to features.

I saw an Appalachian over at the fab shop last week and realized there is a huge difference in some trailers. This was a GN 14K and mine was parked right beside so comparison was easy. The list of short cuts and lesser material would fill a page. Guy there said he wouldn't even think of putting my tractor on the Appalachian.

Not asking you to fill up a page, but what were some of the major shortcuts/poorer materials you noticed? What do you think the price difference between your trailer and the Appalachian would have been? My neighbor purchased an Appalachian tri-axle about two years ago and says he is satisfied with it, but I did notice some rust starting.

Slippy · Jan 25, 2009

WKPOOR:
What size trailer is that?

wkpoor · Jan 25, 2009

Not asking you to fill up a page, but what were some of the major shortcuts/poorer materials you noticed? What do you think the price difference between your trailer and the Appalachian would have been? My neighbor purchased an Appalachian tri-axle about two years ago and says he is satisfied with it, but I did notice some rust starting.

Well lets see....Appalacian had C channel instead of I beam, cross members were further part, sides where angle iron instead C channel, Dove and ramps had way fewer cross angles, whole framework in the GN area was downsized material from what I usually see.
The BetterBuilt uses 10" I beams and the way they do the front is just plain massive. That is a 20+4 with enclosed tool box in front and LED's for $6500.00.
I added the roller and winch. Trailer weighs 4300lbs. Wiring is real nice too.

dodge man · Jan 26, 2009

I'm going to show my complete ignorance, what's the roller for? I like the winch. Can you come mount it on my trailer for a couple of years and let me try it out? I just helped someone take a broken down car to a mechanic and we used a come along to do it. Thats not so great since it has a cable thats way to short. Winch for 3 minutes, block the wheels, winch for 3 minutes..............

radman1 · Jan 26, 2009

The roller is so the winch cable doesn't drag on the edge of the trailer when he is pulling something onto the trailer. Otherwise with time he will fray/damage the cable.

I have a winch on my tilt bed trailer and therefore the roller is not necessary.