Utility Trailers - Diesel Forum

jetsonic · 12-13-2006, 08:59 AM

Not sure if I can post this here or not...

I am looking for a tandem axle utility trailer to pull behind my 250 since I have a bed lid on my truck.

Does the group have any suggestions or opinions on a good name brand or anything else to consider?

Have tried to think of any and all things I may want to do with this trailer in the future, but will mainly take the place of my truck bed for hauling stuff when needed that won't fit under the lid.

Will be moving sometime soon and I think this would be a good time to purchase one.

Would like to be able to put an automobile on it if needed sometime. Thats the most extreme or biggest thing I can think of hauling. Had to borrow an old trailer last summer to pull my Supercoupe around after the head gaskets let go.

Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Flywheel · 12-13-2006, 09:14 AM

I think the most common and useful trailer is a 16' utility with ramps. They are rated at about 6000 - 7000 lbs and weigh about 1500.

We use them for hay, tractors, cars, junk, rocks, sand, logs - really anything you can think of. Mine is a big tex (go to the website) and is rated for 6000lbs - has (2) 3500LB axles. I like having one axle with brakes.

Just stay away from Carlisle tires - if they come on your trailer, change them out and put them on craigslist.

Expect to pay 1200 - 1400 new, 800 - 1000 used. Get a spare wheel and mount whatever tire you get.

Take it easy.

96STROKE · 12-13-2006, 10:19 AM

I just sold my single axle 7' X 12' to get a 16' to 18' car hauler. The big tex and PJ trailers come out of texas, they are ok, for the 16' you will spend a min of $2000 and go up from there.
I have decided to go with a Big Bubbas trailer, don't know if they are availible where you are at or not, but they seem to be twice the trailer vs. a big tex or a PJ, IMHO.
I am going with a 18', as I want it to haul my PSD next time it breaks down, which seems to be all to often!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

All 3 manufactures have web sites and you can check out there trailers, but photos on the web really don't show the trailer to compair, as I found out.

Good luck.

Black05 · 12-13-2006, 10:28 AM

Check out Brute Trailers at www.brutetrailers.com. Very good workmanship and reasonably priced.

T_Bone · 12-13-2006, 11:33 AM

Hi jetsonic,

Best advice I can give you after pulling trailers for over 40yrs, spend the money for the correct trailer now and be done with it. I've owned 4 flatbed trailers in my life with thinking each one was the last one I ever needed to buy. Ya right [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Here's what is the best combo for the buck. 20ft flatdeck, 5th wheel, tandum duals forward self adjusters, spring assit ramps, or what is listed as a 20+5 in trailer talk. That's a 33ft overall trailer length.

Why this combo? Enough deck space for the average load. Not big enough to overload the everage 1/-3/4 ton pick-up drive train. Duals for road stability plus loading the trailer axles VS loading the pickup axle. Ramps to load rolling loads or with a third ramp makes a 25ft flat deck. 5th wheel as one hitching thats very stable and very easy to connect up.

The above trailer will cost you about $5400 new from Legend Trailers in TX.

I've got $3900 in the four trailers over the years. For $1500 more I could have owned one trailer that would have out preformed all my other trailers hands down. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

kc2kgt · 12-13-2006, 06:40 PM

H&H Trailers are very high quality in my opinion.

I bought a 16' with a 2' dove tail. I got the one that had no sides just stake pockets. Comes in real handy when loading items with a forklift. Then you can just build your own sides with lumber that can be removed when necessary.

http://www.hhtrailer.com

OMCUSNR · 12-13-2006, 07:38 PM

T-bone,

That's a good recommendation on a trailer, but he's looking for one that he can tag along. He's got a cap [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img] on the back.

This is why I don't like caps / tonneus - they restrict your truck's versitillity. I do like a roll top. It gets outa the way when you need it, doesn't take up a bunch of room.

FallGuy · 12-13-2006, 10:29 PM

I have an H&H - I believe made here in Iowa. It is a 7x16 enlcosed with ramp door. It seems heavy but have nothing to compare it to. But I do like it. I feel it is very solid.

T_Bone · 12-14-2006, 09:10 AM

Hi OMCUSNR_RET,

That's why I'm kinda glad they don't offer a 4wd option on a Van body or I would have owned one. Well they do offer that combo but I'm too cheap to pay for it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
I do wish I would have looked at vans when the kids were all living at home. What a family vehicle.

Now it's just my lovely bride and my best friend that has a hard time getting into the back seat of the CC. I need to find a way he can easly get in/out as he's too big to lift, 115lbs of Lab.

I never could understand buying a pick-up bed then putting a cover on it. My BIL has a 56 F100 3 window cab with a tonneu cover but that's just a show truck and has never had anything in the bed, maybe other than my SIL [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Jay Brunson · 12-15-2006, 01:33 PM

What ever you buy....make sure it has a Bulldog brand hitch. Everything else you will regret if you own the trailer for long. The "standard" hitch will lock up and not come off the ball and are not nearly as secure.

I even welded a Bulldog hitch on my 5x9 tilt trailer that will never, ever, ever carry much of a load just because of the convenience of the Bulldogs for hitching and unhooking.

I have owned several flatbeds. I keep saying the next one will have a metal floor....but I am still too cheap to spring for it. It would be nice though.

You might consider 7000 pound axles instead of 3500 pound but that will usually make for a heavier built trailer and more $$$$.

Channel frame, not angle

Floor braces on 16" centers, not 2 foot.

Brakes are your friend. (everyone elses too!!!!)

LED lights are pretty cool and wont need to be replaced until whoever borrows it backs into whatever. By the way, once you buy the trailer it does not become your property...it becomes the property of everyone that you know...and everyone they know too. A trailer lock is a valueable investment to keep the trailer from being borrowed...sometimes they dont come back!!!

Good luck,

Jay