Trailer choices

GreatWhitehunter · May 10, 2010

So I sold my PJ GN last week and now the hunt for the replacement BP version begins. I've got PJ,Brimar,belmont,anderson,camsuperline,superior,quality dealers local to me. I've been really happy with PJ but my local dealer shorted me on $100 on my last trailer. I don't do business with cheats and crooks so I'm shying away from him. I really like the brimar's but there a bit over priced and the dealer doesn't have any 20' on the lot but tons of 18'. My GN was 25' so I feel I'll be sorry if I go any shorter than 20'. I'm leaning towards a low pro instead of a deckover. I've been looking into kaufman an they seem to be a good trailer a great prices. So is there any other brands I should look into?

Matt

Builder · May 10, 2010

If you like PJ, why not buy from a different dealer. The manufacturer didn't screw you, the dealer did.

BTW: If someone shorted you $100, you should get in their face and let them know you will no longer do biz with them and go out of your way to tell others about your experiences with them.

Congrats on the DMAX. Hopefully you'll like yours as much as I do mine.

I had a Cam Superline and really liked it. Bri mar I had was OK. Belmonts look great.

GreatWhitehunter · May 10, 2010

Builder, I've been wondering where you've been. The next closest PJ dealer is hrs away and overpriced. I'm talking with a Penn dealer that lives by my BIL.
So I could take a trip to see him and pick up the trailer. The cam's are nice but seem overpriced for what you get.

Matt

Diamondpilot · May 10, 2010

All are quality trailers. I really do not think you could go wrong with any of them. I also like the lower deck versus a deck over. I would make a list of all the requirements you have and go out and see what the dealers have. Make a day of it. Let them know you are buying a trailer that day and here is what you need. Tell them they have one chance to make a deal so give me your best price. Let them know they are competing for your business.

Money talks so be ready to buy. I do this all the time on trailers. Mainly for boats but the same principals apply. Like I said make a list of what you want and stick to it. Make them earn your business.

Chris

GreatWhitehunter · May 11, 2010

Chris, the problem with your method is that most don't stock the exact trailer with all the options I'm looking for. That's how the PJ dealer shorted me on the GN. He ordered it an the waiting game began. Almost all the dealers lots are stocked with 18'. I really want the fork pockets and 20' of flat deck no
18+2 stuff. None seem interested in being competative with each other. And haggling seems to be non-existant. If I could find a dealer with a stock unit then maybe. That's why I keep coming back to Kaufman. I can order it with no middle man an get the options I want. What about towmaster? I can't seem to find any dealers or ball park pricing on them.

Matt:confused2:

Builder · May 11, 2010

GreatWhitehunter said:
Chris, the problem with your method is that most don't stock the exact trailer with all the options I'm looking for. That's how the PJ dealer shorted me on the GN. He ordered it an the waiting game began. Almost all the dealers lots are stocked with 18'. I really want the fork pockets and 20' of flat deck no
18+2 stuff. None seem interested in being competative with each other. And haggling seems to be non-existant. If I could find a dealer with a stock unit then maybe. That's why I keep coming back to Kaufman. I can order it with no middle man an get the options I want. What about towmaster? I can't seem to find any dealers or ball park pricing on them.

Matt:confused2:

I'm like you bud. I rarely buy stocked items. I usually have options I want that the dealers don't stock. Fork pockets are a no-brainer. I ordered my Cam Superline 18K bumper pull special order and it came in quicker than I thought. With the economy in the tank, you should be able to get an ordered trailer quick. In my area, haggling is pretty non-existant because poor sales have forced them to sell at rock-bottom prices-there's just no room left to drop down.

I have no experience with Kaufman, but when I looked years ago, I didn't think they were up to the quality of PJ, Cam or Belmont. They very well may have improved. As long as they have quality axles, brakes, tires and a properly constructed frame compared to the others, you should be OK there. I like Dexter stuff and none of the junk tires, but it's the paint jobs that come back to haunt you later. Try to get as much info on their painting process as possible. Look underneath and at joints for paint quality.

Quality costs money. I am priced higher than most of my competition, but have survived a horrible recesssion because I never stopped trying to deliver the best. Trailers are the same way. Most of the time you get what you pay for. Look for the details in workmanship and the finish quality.

some zilch · May 11, 2010

i have a quality (brand) trailer, and the op mentioned he has a quality dealer nearby. i actually have 2 of them, and they are extremely well built, extremely durable, and have excellent paint and tires.

my first trailer ever was a 6.5'x12' single axle, ramp gate, landscape-style trailer. i bought it new about 8 years ago for $900. it has a 3500lb axle, real 15 wheels/tires, and 2x decking. it has towed numerous smaller pickups, a dodge stratus, a few neons and hondas, etc as some of its "bigger loads." it still has the orig tires, which are in excellent shape, and deck is still in great shape, and the paint is in great condition, given the rough treatment it sometimes sees.

my second is the equipment trailer listed in my sig. i have not used it much, but it seems very well built, and i expect it to perform well. i give the thumbs up to quality trailers..

Diamondpilot · May 11, 2010

In my area the trailer lots are stocked to the gills. I just went to one 2 weeks ago to pick up some stuff and I bet they had 150 trialers. Not sure if they had what you wanted but they were out of room and had tons of trailers. They even still had trailers stacked to make room.

Builder may be right on the haggling. The dealers may be buying them at a rock bottom price right now to keep the manufactures going so there may be very little room. I really feel bad for you east coast guys when it comes to trailers. I have 3 major boat trailer manufactures within 2.5 hours and more then 20 trailer manufactures within 5 hours that sell direct. Prices are 1/3 less then what I see you guys having to pay.

At the end of the day if you liked your PJ maybe that is the way to go again. Let the dealer know you were not happy last time around and its time for him to be a man and step up to the plate and make it right. He can earn your business or make a worse enemy.

Chris

medicshawn · May 11, 2010

Pistol Hunter just bought a Kauffman Gooseneck and posted pics of the paint underneath it looks pretty good.

New trailer - TractorByNet.com

GreatWhitehunter · May 11, 2010

Shawn, I have been following pistols thread, it seems like a well built unit for sure. The east coast is real high on trailers. For example I can buy a 20' low pro PJ 14k from Penn for just under $3500. Up here the same trailer is $4200 the worst part is the dealer here is getting it from the dealer in Penn anyways. I still really like the Bri-mar. I wish the dealer had what I wanted instock. He told me he can't just order one and he needs to wait till he needs more. Anyone heard of this? As for the Quality brand the PJ dealer has them an belmont also. There definatly not as nice as the PJ or Belmont but there priced acordingly and lets face they all rust eventually. So back to my towmaster question anyone have any experience with them? I understand they're considered the cadillac of the trailer world

Matt