Equipment trailer, 16' vs 18' dilemma

[Builder]

I've been wanting an equipment trailer for the longest time now but haven't been able to justify the purchase, even though I'm a contractor and can write it off, I haven't really needed to bring my machine on a job.

My machine is a JD 4310 w/ 300cx loader, I do have a 48 back hoe that I use rarely but want to be able to transport machine with BH since I could use it for trenching Drainage lines.

I don't have the exact weight and length now, But in the past I concluded I need a 5 ton, pulling it is not a problem with my 3500 diesel RAM, the issue is 16' vs 18' , I know 18' would make things easier with balancing the load but would 16' suffice. It would only be used occasionally for work, hobby and favors.

If I needed it for work I would not hesitate to go out and buy the latest and greatest, but since it's going to be sitting most of the time, I've been looking for a deal on a used one and have found a 10 year old 16' that the guy says he's gone all through it with new planks, brakes and tires, says everything is good. The brand is Custom and he said he got it with his bobcat from the Bobcat dealer.

I haven't seen it yet but before I go look at it I'd like some opinions, I think most will say go with an 18 footer but this is available for asking price $1800, he said he'll consider an offer, so I'm thinking $1,500-$1,600. Maybe even low ball it and see if he's really anxious to get rid of it at this time of year.

I know if I go look at it I'm gonna fall in love and think it's big enough, like I did with my dump trailer, I had it all planned for over a year I was gonna get a 12' and when I went there they were out of the 12' and only had the 10' rather than wait a month for the bigger one I went with the 10 footer and have been kicking myself since.

Any comments or opinions appreciated.

JB.

The best thing to do would be to determine if all your stuff would fit on the 16' and that would satisfy your needs. I've been in my own business I started myself for 20 years. Now I don't do big box concrete, or logging, but I do work my equipment very often to put food on the table as a small builder. One constant that never stoped with me in construction is that I never stopped wanting to get bigger.

Like myself, you started your own business. You may start small, but you'll grow. Ask yourself if a 16' trailer is big enough for where you want to be say 3-5 years from now.

I know if I had to go back, I never would have bought my F-450 dumptruck. I never would have bought my 18' equipment trailer. I never would have bought my L-39 because I outgrew them faster than I could use them.

Ask yourself where you want to be in the near future, and if the answer is "stay small" then buy it. If the answer is "getting bigger", then just go buy the bigger trailer, because buying & selling costs money and bigger equipment is sometimes even cheaper than smaller equipment.

For construction use, I wouldn't bother with anything less than a 20' 12K trailer.

 

[JoelD]

I think you've probably answered your own question with the dump trailer experience.

In my mind, with a trailer, as there is no real upkeep or significant registration costs, the biggest you can pull and store is the correct answer.

That one time you need the room you'll be kicking yourself.

Much different than a truck, which depreciates fast and deterioates if not used. A trailer can sit, if stored properly, for very long periods of time with no harm. No hoses and stuff for criters to chew through and screw up, no fuel to go bad, etc.

And with a trailer, you can always get the majority of your money back.

I think bigger is better.

I found a used 18+ foot tri-axle for short money, did some rebuild work and now I can haul anything 9 tons or below. And if I should not need, I can sell for what I have into it.

Joel

 

[rimshot]

I suppose we can always say bigger is better. Don't you just love spending other peoples money. I don't know how big your tractor is but my CK20 with backhoe and FEL fit's nicely on my 16' car hauler. I bought it brand new last year and it has worked out very well. It cost me $1900 and there is room to get just the right weight on the tongue. If your tractor is bigger by very much at all you probably could stand a couple more feet. With the tongue A frame and all it probably measures all of 20' and that fits nicely in a garge I have that is 24' deep.

rimshot

 

[Soundguy]

We are trying to get him to get the right trailer the first time.. not a too short or too long one which he will need to sell or trade 2 months from now, possibly loosing money ont he deal.

measure twice, cut (the check) once..

soundguy

 

[JB4310]

I appreciate everyone's comments, I did go see the trailer, looks decent, didn't climb under it but looks clean, otherwise I probably wouldn't consider it at 10 years old. It has Dexter axles with the older style wheels where the center of the wheel stays on the axle and just the outer rim comes off, any comments on these type wheels compared to the one piece wheels?

I'm concerned about the actual gvw, on the title it says it's a Custom model 4TS00, almost seems like it might be a 4 ton, it is registered for 9900 and the tag says 9900. But I've seen other trailers supposedly rated for 10,000 that did not have 5100# axles. I can't find a web site for "Custom trailer"?

The owner already said he'll go down to $1,500. I may play this like a poker hand, I don't need it so I might wait him out and see if he really wants to sell the thing, I may offer him $1,200.

Ask yourself where you want to be in the near future, and if the answer is "stay small" then buy it. If the answer is "getting bigger", then just go buy the bigger trailer, because buying & selling costs money and bigger equipment is sometimes even cheaper than smaller equipment.

Builder,
After 26 years I am definitely not getting any bigger, except in the belly I do specialty restoration work so I don't need heavy equipment on the job, being a contractor allows me to write off any hobby equipment that can and sometimes does get used for work.

I recently picked up a Ford 2N on a rented 18' trailer. See the pictures, Looks a little cramped, doesn't it?

Walker,
Yes it does look cramped, are you sure that's an 18 footer in those pics? it looks smaller.

If you can get the machine safely ballanced with correct tounge weight on a 16' AND you are getting a superb deal ($$$).. don't feel bad.. I bought my 16' for that reason. I'd LOVE an 18'.. but most of my stuff fits fine, and the long stuff gets away with a 2' overhang and a flag to make LEO's happy.... do check your state laws on overhang.

post back and let us know what you got.. we love pics..

soundguy

Soundguy,
That's pretty much the way I'm thinking now, I know it will fit, not 100% sure about distribution of weight but should be OK. If I can get it cheap enough it will at least allow me to get my feet wet and not worry about a loss if I do need to trade up.

I think you've probably answered your own question with the dump trailer experience.
That one time you need the room you'll be kicking yourself.
I think bigger is better.
Joel

Joel,
That's true, but that was a brand new purchase, were you lose right off the lot, If I were buying new, no question I would not consider the 16.


foggy and rimshot,
Thanks, that's what I want to hear.

Thanks everyone else for the input.

JB.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would stay away from anything with 2 piece wheels, pain to balance. I hate them being in the boat and trailer business. As for the trailer I am sure its fine but one comment on the construction. I will not sell any trailer where the A frame that makes up the tongue does not extend to the front axle area, usually where the spring mounts. Like I said with a used trailer that does not look bent up from your second picture I think it will be ok but when buying new look at this. I would be interested in knowing what he hauled on it?

As for the 9900 GVWR it all has to do with cdl requirements. It probably has 5,200 or 6,000# Dexters under it.

Chris

 

[JB4310]

I would stay away from anything with 2 piece wheels, pain to balance. I hate them being in the boat and trailer business. As for the trailer I am sure its fine but one comment on the construction. I will not sell any trailer where the A frame that makes up the tongue does not extend to the front axle area, usually where the spring mounts. Like I said with a used trailer that does not look bent up from your second picture I think it will be ok but when buying new look at this. I would be interested in knowing what he hauled on it?

As for the 9900 GVWR it all has to do with cdl requirements. It probably has 5,200 or 6,000# Dexters under it.

Chris

Yeah I didn't like the look of that front frame from the beginning, You say your in the trailer business? Do you know anything about "Custom Trailer" the brand, I can't find anything on the web about a company with that name, just a bunch of generic custom references.

With that model number and frame construction I'm worried it's not a 5 ton but a 4 ton.

JB.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I sell boat and in turn sell trailers. I have only sold 10 or so car hauler type trailers and 2 dumps. Where do you live? I could put you in contact with some top notch dealers. I just priced a 18' car hauler type, low profile, for a guy at $1700. I think the price is very regional. I can get and sell new trailers cheaper than most used. The trailer has brakes, ramps, and a wood deck. 7,000GVWR Here is a pic of it.

The only change I would have them make when manufacturing a trailer for me is to move the tongue jack back 2 feet from the ball coupler so that you can open the lift gate of a SUV or put down the tail gate of a pick-up. I see too many with damage due to the tongue jack.

The ramps store under the trailer from the side. I like removable ramps instead of fold up ones so that if you need to haul something long that hangs over you can.

Chris

 

[rimshot]

Thanks, that's what I want to hear.

Thanks everyone else for the input.

JB.

===============
4310JB, that trailer you show is an awfully nice unit. Here's a picture of my rig. With both axles of my CK20 including backhoe & fel on my ramps at the same time, I did not like the way they bowed but it would handle it. I put these stiff legs at the midpoint and just lot the ramps settle a half inch or so when loading and unlooading. This one is 7000lb GVW and it handles the CK20 very well. When I am equipped with snowblower instead of Backhoe the hole thing weighs about 700 lbs less.

DiamondPilot shows a nice trlr also.

Loaded as you see I have about 10% of the payload on the truck (estimate only). your trailer is obviously a much better unit but mine was all I could find at the time. Probably not everybody is going to like it but it has been used and is doing the job well so far as I see. You have got set of great ramps on your rig that you are thinking of buying.

rim

 

[Diamondpilot]

Where is the pic Rimshot????

Chris