Trailer questions

Rowski · Jul 4, 2003

It getting close to buying a trailer. I've been looking for over a year now looked at many different models. Seems like almost all of them but I'm sure not even close. Here's a little back ground info. The truck doing the pulling is a 2001 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L auto with trailering package. In a few more years the truck will most likely be a 1 to 2 ton dump truck. What is going to be in tow (most of the time) is my NH2120 with its different attachments including a backhoe. I'm looking at 12K trailers.

I'm looking for some advice.

I would really like a gooseneck pull trailer but hook-up to the dump truck is almost impossible due to trailer neck to dump body clearance and ball mounting (dump lifting device in the way of mounting ball to frame. Any thoughts?

What lenght? Most places stock 18'. I think 20' would be better or longer?

Torsion axles or slipper spring axles? Most of the nicer trailers have torsion axles.

In getting a bumper pull trailer I would need a weight distribution hitch according to rating tag on the OEM hitch decal. Can you use a pintle hitch with a weight distribution hitch? Also what is a good make for a 12K weight distribution hitch?

I'm also in need of a trailer brake control. I have found in my searches (at TBN) that the Tekonsha Prodigy is the way to go. Is this still the case?

Any other suggestions?

Many thanks!

Happy 4th of July!

ronjhall · Jul 5, 2003

Derek
After using my prodigy for a year, it has been great. It can be purchased with a plug in cable for a GM pickup truck. I purchased my Prodigy brake control from Southwest Wheel. They have good prices and service. Also bought a spare tire from one of their associated companies.
They have a good selection of trailer hitches.
I don’t think you can use a pintle hitch with a weight distribution hitch. I use a Reese system on my trailer. It can be used with different weight trailers just by changing the ball and bars.
A longer trailer would be easier to load your tractor with FEL and Backhoe on. It will also allow you to put any other attachments on trailer you may want to use on a job.
I don’t have as heavy a trailer as you are looking at. Someone else may be able to help you with that information.

TractorTeen · Jul 5, 2003

I would look at Hudson Trailers. They are some of the best. I would also give Anderson and Kaufman trailers a look over. They all have websites. They will make what you want to any length.

Rowski · Jul 6, 2003

The makes I've been looking at (actual going and seeing) are Mortiz, CamLine. The dealers are about 65 miles away.

SnowRidge · Jul 6, 2003

( I'm also in need of a trailer brake control. I have found in my searches (at TBN) that the Tekonsha Prodigy is the way to go. Is this still the case? )

I have a Prodigy on order. After a pretty extensive web search. I boiled it down to two candidates, the Prodigy and the Jordan Ultima.

A lot of the full time RVers use the Jordan, and like the Prodigy, it is hard to find a user who doesn't like it. It was my first choice. Unfortunately, my Tacoma's cab doesn't lend itself to an easy installation, so I ordered the Prodigy instead.

If you are interested, there is a guy in Daleville, AL selling the Jordan for about $120. He advertises on the web.

SnowRidge

MCA · Jul 6, 2003

I got my Prodigy from RJay's after looking around a lot for the best price.

MCA

SnowRidge · Jul 6, 2003

( got my Prodigy from RJay's after looking around a lot for the best price. )

Ditto.

SnowRidge

SageBrush · Jul 7, 2003

"Torsion axles or slipper spring axles? Most of the nicer trailers have torsion axles."

I really like the Dexter torsion axels, no problems after 10 years. Reese makes a great weight distributing hitch. I like reese the best, but there is also equalizer, valley, pull right and others. Reese seems to be the most used in my area. An 18' trailer won't carry my tractor with the bush hog and loader attached without overhanging. My next trailer will be at least 20'. Its also nice to hear your aware of hitch ratings... one of my favorite subjects /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The prodigy is the hands down winner right now with the harder to install jordan as "all time king". Those two are the best choices, but the others do work, just not as well.

Rowski · Jul 9, 2003

Did some more calling around to various trailer places. Most of them were around the $4.2K mark for a 12K 20' trailer. The last place I was going to call did not have a 12K trailer. Only 10K and 14K. They will be getting some 14K the end of this week for me to look at. The price is very reasonable, $3200. Trailer is made by PJ's out of texas. Specs are 14K trailer with Dexter slipper spring axles 8 lug 16" 10 ply tires, sealed and flush mount lighting, ramps, dove tail, deck 21' long, 10k drop leg jack. Sound like a good but to me about $1k less money for 1 more ton of trailer.

If my truck hitch is only rated for 12K with a weight distribution hitch can I tow this trailer with my truck as long as I know I'm not going over the 12K rating? Most of my trucking will be under 20 miles, very local. ALso I will be getting a new(er) 1 to 2 ton dump truck in the next few years. That dump truck will do most of the hauling then.

Prodigy it is!

Thanks everyone for you help.

Bird · Jul 9, 2003

Derek, are you going to use a load distributing hitch, lift bars, and sway control? If so, and the trailer is loaded properly; i.e., weight distribution front to rear on the trailer is right, I don't see a problem. I assume this shows the trailer you're considering, as well as some of their other trailers?

Egon · Jul 9, 2003

I'd surely go for the larger trailer in anticipation of having a larger towing vehicle in the future.

Egon

hazmat · Jul 9, 2003

Derek,

It's a trek, but a guy in Taunton Mass - Welch Trailers 508-828-1612 has some fantastic prices on load trail trailers. The link show's their bob-cat equipment haulers. They are advertising the 18' 12,000 # for $2,300.

I just bought a 7,000 GVW 16' car hauler from them for $1575. Came with brakes on both axles & slip spring suspension, radial tires, & white spoke wheels.

The trailer is decent quality - some of the welds could be a little cleaner. But to step up to a cam-superline or other "premium" trailer, was going to cost 30% more. I definitely saw worse when I was shopping.

I've got the prodigy controller too (thanks to advice here). Only used it once so far, but I can't imagine finding anything else easier to use.

I realize this dealer is far away - but I know you are well equipped to handle any service issues yourself.

Happy hunting.

TractorTeen · Jul 9, 2003

I called Kaufman Trailers, they are based in North Carolina. For a 20', 12k trailer was 2300.00. He said that he could sell it to me for that but I would have to come pick it up. I think that you should shop around. I have priced that same Kaufman trailer at a dealer for 2595.00. You can do a lot better than that.

SageBrush · Jul 9, 2003

"If my truck hitch is only rated for 12K with a weight distribution hitch can I tow this trailer with my truck as long as I know I'm not going over the 12K rating? Most of my trucking will be under 20 miles, very local. ALso I will be getting a new(er) 1 to 2 ton dump truck in the next few years. That dump truck will do most of the hauling then."

Some people would not think twice about hanging a 10 to 12K trailer on their 3/4 ton with just a plain ball mount. Many get away with it and many others break things or they loose control.

With a weight dist. hitch and running local you should be fine at low speeds, but keep in mind the load your putting on your rear axel and tires if you really put over 10K on your trailer. Do the new 3/4 HD trucks come with the class 5.... over 10K hitches?

Then there is always the great gooseneck trailers and a hide away hitch if you really want a nice running rig without the reciever hitch weight distribution hardware hassel.

Rowski · Jul 9, 2003

( Do the new 3/4 HD trucks come with the class 5.... over 10K hitches?
)

The tag on the hitch says 12K with distribution hitch.

( Then there is always the great gooseneck trailers and a hide away hitch if you really want a nice running rig without the reciever hitch weight distribution hardware hassel. )

I would love to have a gooseneck. But I'm getting a new(er) dump truck in the next couple of years. I really don't want to bother with switching trailer in a few years again. I also can't afford to have 2 trailers either.

Rowski · Jul 12, 2003

Any thoughts on what make of wieght distribution hitch to go with?

I'm going with the Prodigy controler.

The PJ trailer that I'm interested in came in on Friday afternoon. It will be assembled for me to look at next week.

Thanks for all the help!

Bird · Jul 12, 2003

( what make of wieght distribution hitch )

This Eaz-Lift was my personal favorite, although I've also had a Reese and was happy with it, too. Of course there are several other brands and I really think it's kind of like which brand of tractor or pickup is best. The best one is the one you like best; they all work quite well.

I'm assuming that you and/or your dealer know that while the lift bars (or spring bars) look about the same, there are different ones for different trailer tongue weights as listed in that link.

lamarbur · Jul 12, 2003

I have Dodge 3/4 ton w/ HO Cummins and 6 spd tranny. It's a short bed quad cab. I bought a Bri-mar 18 ft 12,000GVW trailer. Changed the factory hitch from a 500 lb tongue weight over to a 1000 lb tongue weight, not counting any distribution figures which are considerably higher. I pull a Mahindra 4110, FEL, Bradco 511 hoe w/aux pto pump and tank plus a 24 and 12 inch buckets. Machine and buckets are 6000# at least.. Have a prodigy controller. Haven't had any problems or issues to date.

SageBrush · Jul 12, 2003

For indepth hitch talk you may find an RV forum of benefit.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm

The above is the best RV based site I know of, use the magnifine glass on the top right and you'll find more hitch info then you'll ever want. Or post your situation in the towing section and some one will relate their experiances and recommendations. Those bars will make your towing much more comfortable when your tongue weight is over 12% the weight of the trailer.

Rowski · Jul 22, 2003

Thanks for all the help!

I ended up getting the P.J. trailer 14k 20' for $3200. It was around $1k cheaper than anything else around my area. Also it was in stock, the others I would have to wait 6 weeks. P.J. trailer is well built, nice and strong. The "finish" is not so good. Paint job has a few runs in it, the wiring for the lights is not the way I would have done it, mounting for license plate is not straight. Just little stuff. The Drawtite weight distribution hitch works really well. Took me a while to get it all lined up so everything sits nice level. Did have to modify the cams that mount on the trailer tounge. There was a brace right where they needed to be mounted so I had to cut the ears off the cams and drill some mounting holes. The Prodigy works like silk! That is one heak of a controler. I really like the voltage display and the boost feature.

Thanks again!

I'll post some pictures of the truck, trailer, tractor soon.