PJ or Hudson 20 ft equipment trailer

[Panik]

I never was overly impressed with Kauffman trailers. Always seemed to be a cheaper unit to me. You definitely have to compare trailer specs to see why a trailer is priced where it is.

You know I've heard that quite a bit since purchasing my 20' Kaufman. I have to wonder if the disparity in opinions with Kaufman trailers has in part to do with usage/experience level as well a possibly straight out quality control at the factory. I've been pretty satisfied with mine (excluding uncured paint when I received it) but I am definitely an occasional, non-commercial user. It gets used in some fashion 6-8 times a year. It could very well be that I honestly don't tow enough to know what I am missing. :confused3: Not trying to start a brand war in any way, just musing a bit.

The other issue I've noticed is that equivalent spec trailers are not nearly as ridged frame wise as some of their competitors. One thing in particular as they use 24" cross member spacing standard where PJ uses 16" as a standard (14k deluxe equipment trailer). I suspect the gauge of some steel is lighter to as my trailer is a good bit lighter in weight than they said it was. Ol Black Cat scales confirmed this for me.

Depends on the model I suppose, I purchased the "deluxe" 10K model which came with 16 O.C. cross members because I had gotten tired of the flex present in the two previous trailers I purchased. In any case, congrats on the new purchase! Pics when its arrives?

 

[sawtooth]

You know I've heard that quite a bit since purchasing my 20' Kaufman. I have to wonder if the disparity in opinions with Kaufman trailers has in part to do with usage/experience level as well a possibly straight out quality control at the factory. I've been pretty satisfied with mine (excluding uncured paint when I received it) but I am definitely an occasional, non-commercial user. It gets used in some fashion 6-8 times a year. It could very well be that I honestly don't tow enough to know what I am missing. :confused3: Not trying to start a brand war in any way, just musing a bit. Depends on the model I suppose, I purchased the "deluxe" 10K model which came with 16 O.C. cross members because I had gotten tired of the flex present in the two previous trailers I purchased. In any case, congrats on the new purchase! Pics when its arrives?

Hello Panik, so you must have ordered the Deluxe style plus the HD package upgrade that's $1200 to $1400 extra right? Reason I ask is that I bought the deluxe also based on the salesman recommendation but wasn't told about the HD package. The deluxe comes standard with 24" crossmember spacing which is what mine is. Just was curious. Part of the issue is that many of their sales associates know very little about trailers in general. Anyway glad yours is working well for you and thanks for posting.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

You know I've heard that quite a bit since purchasing my 20' Kaufman. I have to wonder if the disparity in opinions with Kaufman trailers has in part to do with usage/experience level as well a possibly straight out quality control at the factory. I've been pretty satisfied with mine (excluding uncured paint when I received it) but I am definitely an occasional, non-commercial user. It gets used in some fashion 6-8 times a year. It could very well be that I honestly don't tow enough to know what I am missing. :confused3: Not trying to start a brand war in any way, just musing a bit.

Maybe there is an upgraded package for their trailers? I looked at a couple in person and I just got the impression that things were done cheaper. They may not have been their top of the line trailers though, I still am not sure what differentiates them in their lineup. Even PJ's bottom tier trailers don't look that hot though! All I know is that I had a spreadsheet laying out trailers side by side when I bought mine to make sure i compared apples to apples. The cheapest trailer is usually that price for a reason in my experience. I especially get heartburn over those scotch lock connectors, they should be outlawed on trailers. I have had to rewire a truck and a trailer because of those terrible buggers.

 

[FatTire]

I especially get heartburn over those scotch lock connectors, they should be outlawed on trailers. I have had to rewire a truck and a trailer because of those terrible buggers.

Yeah, so much fun stopping along the road somewhere to see why your trailer light is out. I have a utility trailer wired with those, I just came to the conclusion that if I want to keep it for the long run, I am going to have to rewire the whole thing. I've had problems on 2 of the last 3 times that I used it.

 

[bm3]

My 18ft Kaufman has 16" cross members , everything about it is heavy duty , rub rail - sealed harness -nice wide ramps , etc.. I am like Panik , use it about 8 to 10 times a year, I also have a Centerville 14,000 lb skid steer trailer. Around my neck of woods Holmes trailers are considered the best,great trailers , and when those owners see my Kaufman they are impressed... I think at the time I wanted a excuse to see Lexington NC , LOL

 

[Panik]

Hello Panik, so you must have ordered the Deluxe style plus the HD package upgrade that's $1200 to $1400 extra right? Reason I ask is that I bought the deluxe also based on the salesman recommendation but wasn't told about the HD package. The deluxe comes standard with 24" crossmember spacing which is what mine is. Just was curious. Part of the issue is that many of their sales associates know very little about trailers in general. Anyway glad yours is working well for you and thanks for posting.

Yup, I did buy the deluxe package. Still not sure how bad I got taken on that one, but I'm not going to worry about it at this point. At the time, it included upgraded sealed wiring w/o scotch locks. They actually used the weather resistant shrink style butt connectors. Re-wiring a trailer was one of the reasons I went with the upgrade. My salesperson wasn't that knowledgeable, however she was very good at taking my questions and finding the answers for me. I think I got lucky in that regard as I had the opportunity to speak with the warranty department to ask some questions and the guy there was a flying ......-hole.

I would of swear when I ordered mine that I had to request the 16" spacing on mine, but their current deluxe package shows it as being part of the deal.

All I know is that I had a spreadsheet laying out trailers side by side when I bought mine to make sure i compared apples to apples. The cheapest trailer is usually that price for a reason in my experience.

I know, right? When I was shopping I had darn near 50 pages of print outs and a massive spreadsheet. You would he thought was car shopping. PJ makes great looking trailers, but I wasnt comfortable with a powder coat finish. IRC I don't think there was a Hudson dealer near me, but then I was still new to the area. Truth be told I wasn't all that comfortable with the brick and mortar dealers near me.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Yeah, so much fun stopping along the road somewhere to see why your trailer light is out. I have a utility trailer wired with those, I just came to the conclusion that if I want to keep it for the long run, I am going to have to rewire the whole thing. I've had problems on 2 of the last 3 times that I used it.

Isn't that the truth. It always seems to be raining or just before the trailer needs inspection!

.....

I know, right? When I was shopping I had darn near 50 pages of print outs and a massive spreadsheet. You would he thought was car shopping. PJ makes great looking trailers, but I wasnt comfortable with a powder coat finish. IRC I don't think there was a Hudson dealer near me, but then I was still new to the area. Truth be told I wasn't all that comfortable with the brick and mortar dealers near me.

My wife thought i was crazy but i couldn't keep all of those specs straight! The brick and mortar stores are pretty terrible, I did most of my looking online till i figured out what trailer I wanted, then i found the closest place that had them. Still happy with my moritz even though i have outgrown the 14.5k rating. It was more than enough trailer for a 1 ton SRW truck, the international doesn't even know its back there fully loaded!