Trailer Upgrade

[sd455dan]

I am considering replacing my 7K 20' tilt bed trailer with a 10-15K 20-22' tilt bed. The 7K always has done a great job. Just replaced all 4 rims, tires, brakes, bearings last fall. Since I bought a new tractor in Feb. I am now at the 7K trailers maximum capacity. Actually I am probably a little over with any attachments. I am considering the Kaufmann tilt bed 10K car trailer with wood deck. Anyone have one of these and what are the pro's and cons. The 10K is really all I need. Let me know your thoughts.


10,000 GVWR / 20 ft. Wood Floor Tilt Car Trailer - DELUXE - Kaufman Trailers

the axle ratings seem a little low to support a load of 10,000- my trailer is similar to what you are looking for (tilt ) , but lists 6 k axles and has 8 lug wheels and it lists the trailer load rating of 10k lbs.

I agree that getting a little more trailer than you think you need- is a good idea

 

[CJONE]

CJONE and Terry,
What 10K trailers do you have?

The 10k well 9900 gross is a haulrite. It was cheap when I bought it but it has been very good and held up well. Trailer is 16+ years old and still on the original Canada made tires. I had to redeck it a few years ago but that is it. I checked and it is 18' not 20' so that makes a difference but not much on the weight. My 22' is a Load Trail 14k and it is very well made. But it also has the weight to go with it, you know it is there behind a 1/2ton. I really wish I could use a tilt bed but winters make it almost impossible to keep anything on the deck unless it is chained up. CJ

 

[George2615]

The 10k well 9900 gross is a haulrite. It was cheap when I bought it but it has been very good and held up well. Trailer is 16+ years old and still on the original Canada made tires. I had to redeck it a few years ago but that is it. I checked and it is 18' not 20' so that makes a difference but not much on the weight. My 22' is a Load Trail 14k and it is very well made. But it also has the weight to go with it, you know it is there behind a 1/2ton. I really wish I could use a tilt bed but winters make it almost impossible to keep anything on the deck unless it is chained up. CJ

I really like the tilt bed. It weighs more than a regular trailer with ramps due to the added hydraulics but don't have to mess around with ramps. I will stay with a wood deck. Had a metal deck once and they are terrible in winter around my area. I'm still looking around. Still waiting for a response from Kaufmann,s and I sent an Email to Hull trailers in Iowa for info on their 22'er tilt bed but shipping 1700 miles would be a killer. I pretty much have to buy out of state. Doing so can save 1-1.5K on price. Any companies that build or sell trailers here have their prices way up. Tilt beds here for sale run 6.5K and up for a 20'-22'. I want to keep the price under 5K

 

[JJZ 109]

I I pretty much have to buy out of state. Doing so can save 1-1.5K on price. Any companies that build or sell trailers here have their prices way up. Tilt beds here for sale run 6.5K and up for a 20'-22'. I want to keep the price under 5K

I know this has been discussed before and maybe you're like me and one of the guys doing it, but if not you could consider a Maine registration for your new trailer. Just got a brand new Kristi enclosed. Sent a copy of the MCO and dealer's receipt and transferred a previous Maine plate over. Prior to that I did the same thing with a new trailer I bought out of Massachusetts. Cut NYS out of the loop. $75 or more per year versus $99 for 5 years.

 

[schmism]

Id shy away from the full tilting bed version because the axles have been shifted forward to make it easyer for the bed to dump. With the axles shifted forward youll have a hard time loading the trailer for enough tongue weight.

They do make a 22-24' that have like a 16-18' tilt version in the rear with a 5-6' fixed platform in the front. This gives you tilting with axles shifted toward the rear like you want.

Depending on your most frequent load haul you may not want the tilt version. Many stories of loadings gone wrong on tilt beds with old tractors with poor clutches or brakes trying to get the thing on the trailer while the bed slams down. If the bed is the hydraulic type that wont slam down then fun things about the tractor not staying on the incline while you get off and let the bed down. This goes for disabled cars that dont want to stay in place on there own either not to mention difficult to winch onto the trailer due to the bed up in the air.

My personal choice

20' flat 12K equipment trailer. spare tire, dual 6K axles (6 bolt) 16" rims dual brakes 2-5/16 on adjustable tongue with 10K jack removable ramps store underneath.
If your looking for all the bells and wistles, tongue storage box, full rub rail, triangle steps front and rear of the fenders, LED lights, winch, rear tail jacks.

 

[nc redneck]

I have the 24 Kaufman 10 foot fixed trailer for 2 years now. Best trailer at a great price IMO. Look close at other trailers. Kaufman sends out tractor trailer loads of no decal trailers. The other dealers and manufactures but there decals on them. I have been very happy with mine and have owned and pulled several trailers for 25 years. Tilt is the only way to go.
Good Luck
Scott

 

[nc redneck]

I can load my tilt not hooked to truck. No chance with flat bed trailers, not sure how other people do it.
Scott

 

[sawtooth]

I would not buy a Kaufman as we have purchased 2 and never another. I live 30 minutes from the manufacturing plant and know this company very well. They produce a lot of trailers for sure but quantity over quality is definitely their goal. They mix and match Chinese components so you never know what your getting. For example they did some use quality axles but many if not most trailers now have Chinese axles. I was even told mine had Dexter axles but later found out it had axles made from a Chinese source. Here's my story:

I purchased my last unit a few years back. 1st time I used it I noticed it would buck and jerk the truck so I took it back and they said everything was ok. Used it two weeks later and same issue so back I went. Same response but this time sent me next door. Thought it was a Kaufman repair shop but NO it was a job shop guy which said the adjustable tongue was the problem and I should weld it up. So he did the work and charged $50 bucks for doing so. I was pissed. Problem still there and Kaufman says they won't take it back and that everything is fine but it's not. Friend now pulls new trailer with Duramax. He has same issues as. It pulls terrible. 2 months later we replace all 4 tires due to a blow out. Discovered that 2 of the 4 tires had separating belting due to being very cheap Chinese product. Most are produced in China now but some are better than others. Both old and new tires were/are radials but new tires did help some. This year I took trailer to another dealer to trade it. He said he trades but would not take a Kaufman due to who made the trailer. I couldn't believe it. So I have a $4000 trailer that doesn't pull right and apparently will be harder to sell. It's a 20ft 14k with some options.

Regarding a second trailer... My best friend also has a Kaufman that's a few years older than mine. His is a 14k 18ft trailer. Problem with his is they made the rear ramps 6"-8" too short so when unloading a tractor it actually lifts the rear of the truck up. We use blocks to keep this from happening. His trailer is a little older but neither one of us would buy another Kaufman.

Lastly if your still not sure goto the local BBB to the Lexington NC area and read the reviews. They get a F rating overall. Wish I would have seen this first as I would have bought something else. Not sure what brand you should buy but I would run from a Kaufman.

 

[George2615]

Id shy away from the full tilting bed version because the axles have been shifted forward to make it easyer for the bed to dump. With the axles shifted forward youll have a hard time loading the trailer for enough tongue weight.

They do make a 22-24' that have like a 16-18' tilt version in the rear with a 5-6' fixed platform in the front. This gives you tilting with axles shifted toward the rear like you want.

Depending on your most frequent load haul you may not want the tilt version. Many stories of loadings gone wrong on tilt beds with old tractors with poor clutches or brakes trying to get the thing on the trailer while the bed slams down. If the bed is the hydraulic type that wont slam down then fun things about the tractor not staying on the incline while you get off and let the bed down. This goes for disabled cars that dont want to stay in place on there own either not to mention difficult to winch onto the trailer due to the bed up in the air.

My personal choice

20' flat 12K equipment trailer. spare tire, dual 6K axles (6 bolt) 16" rims dual brakes 2-5/16 on adjustable tongue with 10K jack removable ramps store underneath.
If your looking for all the bells and wistles, tongue storage box, full rub rail, triangle steps front and rear of the fenders, LED lights, winch, rear tail jacks.

My current trailer is a 20' full tilt but only 7K rated. I bought it new late in 2005 (its a 2006). I have hauled many types of vehicles and could always move the load for proper tongue weight. I do have to get off the vehicle once loaded to lower the trailer and have not had the vehicle move. on vehicles without brakes I use the winch to hold it so I can lower it. Also has removable fenders.

I would not buy a Kaufman as we have purchased 2 and never another. I live 30 minutes from the manufacturing plant and know this company very well. They produce a lot of trailers for sure but quantity over quality is definitely their goal. They mix and match Chinese components so you never know what your getting. For example they did some use quality axles but many if not most trailers now have Chinese axles. I was even told mine had Dexter axles but later found out it had axles made from a Chinese source. Here's my story:

I purchased my last unit a few years back. 1st time I used it I noticed it would buck and jerk the truck so I took it back and they said everything was ok. Used it two weeks later and same issue so back I went. Same response but this time sent me next door. Thought it was a Kaufman repair shop but NO it was a job shop guy which said the adjustable tongue was the problem and I should weld it up. So he did the work and charged $50 bucks for doing so. I was pissed. Problem still there and Kaufman says they won't take it back and that everything is fine but it's not. Friend now pulls new trailer with Duramax. He has same issues as. It pulls terrible. 2 months later we replace all 4 tires due to a blow out. Discovered that 2 of the 4 tires had separating belting due to being very cheap Chinese product. Most are produced in China now but some are better than others. Both old and new tires were/are radials but new tires did help some. This year I took trailer to another dealer to trade it. He said he trades but would not take a Kaufman due to who made the trailer. I couldn't believe it. So I have a $4000 trailer that doesn't pull right and apparently will be harder to sell. It's a 20ft 14k with some options.

Regarding a second trailer... My best friend also has a Kaufman that's a few years older than mine. His is a 14k 18ft trailer. Problem with his is they made the rear ramps 6"-8" too short so when unloading a tractor it actually lifts the rear of the truck up. We use blocks to keep this from happening. His trailer is a little older but neither one of us would buy another Kaufman.

Lastly if your still not sure goto the local BBB to the Lexington NC area and read the reviews. They get a F rating overall. Wish I would have seen this first as I would have bought something else. Not sure what brand you should buy but I would run from a Kaufman.

Thanks for that info.

I have the 24 Kaufman 10 foot fixed trailer for 2 years now. Best trailer at a great price IMO. Look close at other trailers. Kaufman sends out tractor trailer loads of no decal trailers. The other dealers and manufactures but there decals on them. I have been very happy with mine and have owned and pulled several trailers for 25 years. Tilt is the only way to go.
Good Luck
Scott

I am looking at all brands. I've had many trailers over the years. Even built several myself. I've been very happy with the full tilt over the past 8 years. It's still in great shape. I've had to repaint it every couple years or so. Replaced all 4 brakes complete, replaced the rims and upgraded the tires last year. I really don't want to sell mine but do need to upgrade my weight rating and maybe add a couple feet in length. Thanks for all the comments so far. I am taking all into consideration. Attached a few pics of my H&H full tilt.

 

[square1]

A saleman will double check and get back to me. A saleman will double check and get back to me.

That right there would have me looking for a different trailer, or at a minimum different dealer. How can you sell trailers and not have basic, critical info like this readily available