First Time Trailer Buyer - Leonard vs. Interstate (TrailersPlus)?

Fallon · Nov 17, 2016

JeffroL said:
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This is very complex. $300 to have the shop come get my tractor is starting to look like a more attractive option all the time!

-Jeff

Not the route I'd go personally, but it's actually a pretty valid option if you don't need a lot of hauling. You are looking at at least $4k, probably more with registration, maintenance & what not on a trailer. That's a good number of hauls that would buy. If you are only looking at a couple hauls a year payoff on buying a trailer vs paying is in favor of paying for the first 5 years or so.

JeffroL · Nov 18, 2016

Fallon said:
Not the route I'd go personally, but it's actually a pretty valid option if you don't need a lot of hauling. You are looking at at least $4k, probably more with registration, maintenance & what not on a trailer. That's a good number of hauls that would buy. If you are only looking at a couple hauls a year payoff on buying a trailer vs paying is in favor of paying for the first 5 years or so.

This is sadly all a moot point. The main water line from the street to my house just started leaking and the whole line will need to be replaced. So life happens and money gets burned

teg · Nov 18, 2016

bspeedy said:
One more thing - have you considered performing the maintenance yourself?...

That's my thought too. You could save so much by doing the services yourself, not to mention saving time, if you plan to make two round trips (one to drop off the tractor and another to pick it up).

Sorry to hear about the busted water line...

JeffroL · Nov 18, 2016

teg said:
That's my thought too. You could save so much by doing the services yourself, not to mention saving time, if you plan to make two round trips (one to drop off the tractor and another to pick it up).

Sorry to hear about the busted water line...

The most ironic part - I've got a friend with a backhoe about 2 hours away. But I have no way to get it here to my house. So. . . . . . .AGH!

Captain Dirty · Nov 18, 2016

When I bought the tractor of my dreams the salesman warned me, "Remember all the friends you acquired when you bought a pick-up truck? There will be more when they find out you have a tractor."
I have come to realize not buying the trailer of my dreams has saved me from having to say no to those "friends".
Personally., I'm with bspeedy and teg--learn to service the tractor yourself. Or, shop around for a local moonlighting mechanic with good references who will come to you. Chances are his hourly rate will be lower than the dealer's.
Captain Dirty

Deere Dude · Nov 19, 2016

Deere Dude said:
Chances are all of them have 2 axles. I would make sure the label on the trailer reads the GCWR. And I would find out the number of and also axle ratings on any of them you are interested in.

If the 10,000# rating trailer has two 5K axles on it, and the weight on the tires already is 3000# because of trailer weight you will only have 6500# to play with for your tractor.

If the trailer rating label reads GCWR 12000# and the trailer has 6K axles and weighs 3500# on the tires then you could have a 8500# payload on the trailer.

Take your time and check them out now before you get one that is way to big or way to small. Just my guess right now would be a 12,000# GCWR. But then would your truck be able to haul that, comfortably.

I feel embarassed. I misspoke when I said to look at the GCWR label on the trailer.

I meant GVWR like you said. GCWR = truck and everything else attached to it basically.

GVWR is just talking about the trailer. It might even say GAWR which is gross axle weight rating.

This website I stumbled across might help.

Understand Your Trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | Construction Business Owner Magazine

Have you considered a 20' gooseneck trailer? Maybe the weights would be more in your favor.

I am not sure I would want to replace a new truck just to move a tractor around, but if you could just squeak by with the weights having a trailer for hauling the tractor would be great. You would be surprised how much you could use it.