Trailer buying help, please.

[trek5900]

I have a 16 foot utility trailer I bought new less than a year ago. I just discovered the trailer does not have brakes. I had been trailer an
ATV. I am now trailering a John Deere 4410 with FEL. I purchased the 4410 about 2 weeks ago. I live in Indiana and I think the law says the new trailer was suppose to be sold with brakes.

I stopped by the dealer I bought the trailer from and he said he thought the trailer had brakes when he sold it to me. He has offered me $1300 trade in on a new one.

Her is what he has:

2009 Rice Car Hauler which is a 20 footer and a steel bed. Price is $2995. I think the tag on the car hauler said max load weight 4870 pounds.


2009 Rice 18 foot utility trailer with ramps, new tires, and treated deck for $2650. max load 4635 pounds.

2009 Heartland 18 foot with treated deck and new tires. $1995. I think this has the 3500 pound axles.


What would you suggest?


I value the opinions of you and look forward to your advise.
I have found Diamondpilot an kennyd have been most helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a 16 foot utility trailer I bought new less than a year ago. I just discovered the trailer does not have brakes. I had been trailer an
ATV. I am now trailering a John Deere 4410 with FEL. I purchased the 4410 about 2 weeks ago. I live in Indiana and I think the law says the new trailer was suppose to be sold with brakes.

I stopped by the dealer I bought the trailer from and he said he thought the trailer had brakes when he sold it to me. He has offered me $1300 trade in on a new one.

Her is what he has:

2009 Rice Car Hauler which is a 20 footer and a steel bed. Price is $2995. I think the tag on the car hauler said max load weight 4870 pounds.


2009 Rice 18 foot utility trailer with ramps, new tires, and treated deck for $2650. max load 4635 pounds.

2009 Heartland 18 foot with treated deck and new tires. $1995. I think this has the 3500 pound axles.


What would you suggest




I value the opinions of you and look forward to your advise.
I have found Diamondpilot an kennyd have been most helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Where do you live in Indiana? Bring it to my shop and I will put brakes on it for free if you help me. I am just 5 minutes past Anderson, IN. Will take us about 1 hour and cost is about $225 for parts. If you do not know much about trailers it will be a good opportunity for you too learn.

Also, how much did you pay for the trailer new? Is he giving you a fair return? Remeber you will have to get a new title and pay tax on the difference.

If you do decide to get a 20' trailer get one with 5.2K axles, not 3.5K. Too easy to overload a 20' trailer that has a 7,000# GVWR.

As for brakes anything over 3,000# GVWR has to have brakes in Indiana. It does not say how many axles. For a 7K 16' trailer I would just put them on one axle if you have a 1/2 ton truck or better. If you are towing with something smaller get them on both axles.

Chris

 

[George2615]

It sounds like all the trailers you mentioned are 7K trailers. The first can haul 4780 meaning the trailer weighs 2130. The second can haul 4635 so it weighs 2365.
I agree that you probably need an 8, 9, or 10K trailer (various brands have various weight ratings).

If your 16' trailer has two axles then it should have come with brakes on at least one axle. I don't know of any double axle trailer rated for over 3000 lb. that doesn't have brakes but I'm sure someone could have slipped that one by. I think it's the law to have brakes if over 3K. I'm not sure about the law where you live but if your 16' trailer has two axles then the dealer may have broke the law by selling it to you without brakes.

I don't know what you paid for your 16'er a year ago so can't comment on the price the dealer offered on a trade in. I also don't know what your 4410 weighs but I'm guessing over 4K. I also don't know what your current 16'er is rated for. If it will haul the 4410 then go for DPilot's offer to add brakes to yours.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It sounds like all the trailers you mentioned are 7K trailers. The first can haul 4780 meaning the trailer weighs 2130. The second can haul 4635 so it weighs 2365.
I agree that you probably need an 8, 9, or 10K trailer (various brands have various weight ratings).

If your 16' trailer has two axles then it should have come with brakes on at least one axle. I don't know of any double axle trailer rated for over 3000 lb. that doesn't have brakes but I'm sure someone could have slipped that one by. I think it's the law to have brakes if over 3K. I'm not sure about the law where you live but if your 16' trailer has two axles then the dealer may have broke the law by selling it to you without brakes.

I don't know what you paid for your 16'er a year ago so can't comment on the price the dealer offered on a trade in. I also don't know what your 4410 weighs but I'm guessing over 4K. I also don't know what your current 16'er is rated for. If it will haul the 4410 then go for DPilot's offer to add brakes to yours.

George a JD 4410 with FEL is only about 3,600#. The tractor is only 2,900#. Pretty light for a 35HP tractor.

As for brakes go we see a lot of them here in Indiana without brakes. Kentucky is a big manufacture for trailers and they do not require brakes on any trailer of any weight. Crazy I know but its the law. Here in Indiana we require them on trailers over 3,000#. For that reason we see a lot of trailers with on 3.5K axle de-rated from the manufacture to 2,999# GVWR to avoid the brakes.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

Are you sure you do not have brakes on at least one axle? I was under the impression it was pretty flat across the board that you had to have at least some brakes in most states.

If you do not, I would at least bring this up with the dealer you bought it from. Take a copy of the stat regs. There is no way "he thought it had brakes". Diamond Pilot spelled it out; your state requires brakes on a trailer over 3000# GVWR.

I guess, I would ask, what is the GVWR for the trailer? Is it single or dual axle? I can't imagine a 16' utility traler rated at less than 3000# GVRW.

It would be nice to know more information about your trailer. GVWR, how many axles?

 

[George2615]

George a JD 4410 with FEL is only about 3,600#. The tractor is only 2,900#. Pretty light for a 35HP tractor.

As for brakes go we see a lot of them here in Indiana without brakes. Kentucky is a big manufacture for trailers and they do not require brakes on any trailer of any weight. Crazy I know but its the law. Here in Indiana we require them on trailers over 3,000#. For that reason we see a lot of trailers with on 3.5K axle de-rated from the manufacture to 2,999# GVWR to avoid the brakes.

Chris

Same here, anything over 3K must have brakes. Also if you are a trailer dealer selling a trailer over 3K you must employ at least one mechanic who can service same. A lot of dealers have stopped selling trailers over 3K just so they don't have to hire someone. One example is the Tractor Supply stores in this state. The stores in my area don't sell trailers over 3K because they don't work on them.

 

[whistlepig]

I have a 16' PJ tandem trailer I bought in Mason, OH for $2,100 out the door. It is 7,000 pound rated, treated wood floor, beaver tail, rails all around that are removable, brakes, spring loaded landscape ramp, and is powder coat painted. I wanted a trailer with brakes, removable rails all around, and powder coat painted. I think PJ Trailers is the only one that makes a trailer like this.

 

[trek5900]

Where do you live in Indiana? Bring it to my shop and I will put brakes on it for free if you help me. I am just 5 minutes past Anderson, IN. Will take us about 1 hour and cost is about $225 for parts. If you do not know much about trailers it will be a good opportunity for you too learn.

Also, how much did you pay for the trailer new? Is he giving you a fair return? Remeber you will have to get a new title and pay tax on the difference.

If you do decide to get a 20' trailer get one with 5.2K axles, not 3.5K. Too easy to overload a 20' trailer that has a 7,000# GVWR.

As for brakes anything over 3,000# GVWR has to have brakes in Indiana. It does not say how many axles. For a 7K 16' trailer I would just put them on one axle if you have a 1/2 ton truck or better. If you are towing with something smaller get them on both axles.

Chris

Diamondpilot
That is a most generous offer on your part, true hoosier hospitality. I am in southern Indiana near Evansville. It would probably be a four hour trip for me one way.
I am thinking I am going to try to hold the dealer's feet to the fire so to speak and get all the money I have in the trailer I bought from him towards one of his other trailers. The trailer I have does not have treated boards and is only 16 feet. He has a couple that are 18 feet and have treated decking with brakes.
I know I will have to pay sales tax on the difference I pay him plus a title transfer fee. I think in this situation it is the best I can do. He was wrong in selling the trailer without brakes. If I trade with him he is going to have a very difficult time selling the one I am returning to him. Neither of us is going to come out very well in this situation.
At least that is what I am thinking today. If he will be fair I will be too.

I will see how it goes.

Thank you for your advise and your generous offer. Both are appreciated.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Diamondpilot
That is a most generous offer on your part, true hoosier hospitality. I am in southern Indiana near Evansville. It would probably be a four hour trip for me one way.
I am thinking I am going to try to hold the dealer's feet to the fire so to speak and get all the money I have in the trailer I bought from him towards one of his other trailers. The trailer I have does not have treated boards and is only 16 feet. He has a couple that are 18 feet and have treated decking with brakes.
I know I will have to pay sales tax on the difference I pay him plus a title transfer fee. I think in this situation it is the best I can do. He was wrong in selling the trailer without brakes. If I trade with him he is going to have a very difficult time selling the one I am returning to him. Neither of us is going to come out very well in this situation.
At least that is what I am thinking today. If he will be fair I will be too.

I will see how it goes.

Thank you for your advise and your generous offer. Both are appreciated.

I think you are doing the right thing. Make sure you get a copy of the law before approaching him and if he does not want to play ball tell him you will be back with a enforcement officer in a few hours. You can get all the info you need at a weight station.

He will not want a office on his lot and have a feeling you will get what you want.

As for Indiana I can not wait till they extend I69. From where I live to where you live its a 5 hour drive that would take 3 if they built that road. Its the old you can't get there from here issue.

Chris

 

[trek5900]

I think you are doing the right thing. Make sure you get a copy of the law before approaching him and if he does not want to play ball tell him you will be back with a enforcement officer in a few hours. You can get all the info you need at a weight station.

He will not want a office on his lot and have a feeling you will get what you want.

As for Indiana I can not wait till they extend I69. From where I live to where you live its a 5 hour drive that would take 3 if they built that road. Its the old you can't get there from here issue.

Chris

I have printed a copy of Indiana code and will take with me next time I go to his lot. When I had talked to him Saturday his offer was near what I had paid him so I think it would be fairly easy to get a deal.

You are right about I69. Plus it will do a lot for economic development in this area. I am in Gibson Count and it will cut thru near Oakland City. It should help that area and it needs it.

If you need anything from down here and I can help you let me know.

Thanks again.