Pro-Track and Lod-Max

[SouthernX]

Does anyone have a an opinion on Pro-Track versus Load-Max trailers?

Load-Max: Load Trail - Built for the Long Haul
Pro-Track: Pintle Hitch and Gooseneck Trailers for Heavy Equipment Hauling


I have a dealer near me that can sell me a Load-Max 20'+5' dove tail, 2 7,000lb non-tandem axles, with pop-up center and two fold-up ramps for $5900. I've looked at the trailer and it does seem to be a good trailer. There is another dealer about 2.5 hours away that has a Pro-Track 20'+5' dove tail, 2 10K TANDEM axles, with pop-up center and two fold-up ramps for $6800. It would seem that for $900 more the Pro-Track TANDEM would be a much better value. However, I haven't been to the dealer and seen the trailer. Does anyone have a Pro-Track?

This is the first trailer like this that I have bought so I have a couple of questions for you all:

1) How important isn't to buy from a local dealer on a trailer? I would not think it that important. I can't imagine a whole lot to go wrong on a trailer and it doesn't need scheduled service like a tractor would.

2) What features should I make sure I get on a trailer and which ones are merely fluff and not of much value. For instance Pro-Track has an option for a torque tube (for flex control). To be honest I don't how important this is. Flex control is desirable but is it worth an extra $350 dollars?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am in the boat trailer business and I can tell you spend the extra $$$. I have also sold about 10 utility trailers in the last 8 years so I am no expert on them but a trailer is a trailer.

A flex tube will save you money in the long run by preventing welds from cracking, ect. I am in Indiana and have never heard of either of these companies. Most trailers I sell are made in Missouri or Kentucky. We see lots of Gator Mades in this style. One thing I would look at is the empty weight. My buddie has a 20+5 GN with dual 10 Tandems and it weighs 7,600# empty and we put a chain box on it and a winch with battery so its now right at 8,000# If you considering a 14K trailer that would only leave 6K for cargo, or a F-150 4x4. I would deffinattly go with the tandems that are 10K. This will allow for about 12K of cargo.

Look at the welds, wiring (is it grommeted or in conduit), the paint, does it have one or tow tongue jacks, ect.

I can also tell you heavy trailer does not = strong trailer. Its like a sky scraper or a bridge, it needs to be well engineered and assembled to be strong.


Chris

 

[SouthernX]

I am in the boat trailer business and I can tell you spend the extra $$$. I have also sold about 10 utility trailers in the last 8 years so I am no expert on them but a trailer is a trailer.

A flex tube will save you money in the long run by preventing welds from cracking, ect. I am in Indiana and have never heard of either of these companies. Most trailers I sell are made in Missouri or Kentucky. We see lots of Gator Mades in this style. One thing I would look at is the empty weight. My buddie has a 20+5 GN with dual 10 Tandems and it weighs 7,600# empty and we put a chain box on it and a winch with battery so its now right at 8,000# If you considering a 14K trailer that would only leave 6K for cargo, or a F-150 4x4. I would deffinattly go with the tandems that are 10K. This will allow for about 12K of cargo.

Look at the welds, wiring (is it grommeted or in conduit), the paint, does it have one or tow tongue jacks, ect.

I can also tell you heavy trailer does not = strong trailer. Its like a sky scraper or a bridge, it needs to be well engineered and assembled to be strong.


Chris

Thanks for the useful information, Chris.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You being in the Ozarks you are not to far from the trailer capital of the world, Sikeston Missouri. You can and will save big money taking a trip and picking it up at the factory. A few years ago when I was there there were 30 plus manufactures in a town of 15,000. May be less with the economy now but check it out via google. Its just 30 miles south of Cape Girardeau.

Chris

 

[wkpoor]

I trusted my local dealer and for the most part it worked out well. I think the prices you gave are in the park of what one would expect to pay for a quality trailer. I paid in that range last summer for a similar trailer. I too had never herd of my brand before but I was comparing to quality like Cornpro and Moritz. As it turned out I think BetterBuilt was a small cut above both of those.It came out of Alabama.