trailer shopping?

[Bob Riefer]

Well, I am very excited to be receiving my company truck in a few weeks. Since I am encouraged to use it for around-the-town personal use, I will be selling my Ford Ranger. However, since the back of my work truck will be constantly filled with work items, the bed of the truck won't be very useful for lumber purchases, mulch pickup, bringing my mower someplace etc. etc.

I've been wanting a trailer for ages anyways, because my little Ford is limited on those tasks anyways (although, it's comical how much I've carried in that thing... borderline illegal probably).

My wish list:
- Spend under or around $1000 total. Used is ok, new is also ok.
- I'd like to be able to pickup my own firewood, mulch, lumber etc. So while it doesn't need to be overly heavy duty, that gives some indication (I'm assuming) as to how much it ought to be able to hold.
- In terms of size, I'm thinking 6x12 or so would be about perfect.
- I'm fine with building my own sides for the trailer, but would like one that has some sort of lip around the edges (like a landscape trailer)
- I want a ramp for loading ATV's or mowers etc. Again, like a landscape trailer.

Any advice on features, materials, manufacturers, stores, inspection/title?

Or, is a trailer a trailer?

Thanks!

[curtis rosche]

check out some of the custom trailer shops out by me in lancaster. there are tons of options.

where do you live in collegeville? i used to live there

[curtis rosche]

there are also a good number of used trailers out this way from people buying new ones

[Wil Limanen]

I made mine. 5 1/2 x 9'. I think if you go much bigger it would be harder to move around by yourself. Unless you get an aluminum trailer.

Wil

[JohnT Fitzgerald]

I have a 6x10 utility trailer that my wife got for me from Lowes. I think the ones they carry now only have the very low sides (mine has high sides) but it might be a good start to level-set your expectations on size-versus-cost for new trailers.

I also recomment that you check out your local trailer shops, as well as Craigslist.

[Jim Rimmer]

I don't know what the trailer business is like in PA but in Texas there seems to be a trailer lot on every corner. You could easily get what you want for under $1K. I would stay away from used trailers. I always wonder why they're selling...overloaded it and damaged maybe?

[Bob Riefer]

Hey Curtis - I'm just near where route 113 and 29 cross, not far from Ursinus College. You used to live here? Cool!

-----
I see Harbor Freight, Lowes, Home Depot, even Sam's club are all options for getting trailers (as well as Tractor Supply and others) but I figured since much of the stuff from those store is junk, their trailers would be too. Am I looking for a particular set of features that would indicate "quality" or just eye balling it for what seems to be good construction?

Jim, good point on used trailers... Once you have one, why would you want to sell it? Hmmmm....

[curtis rosche]

i used to live in that huge development off blackrock road. my dad has a house in royersford. we frequently stop in the bike shop there, bikesport i believe its called. great place with good service.

as for the used trailers, it doesnt mean its damaged. alot of used trailers out here are for sale due to an upgrade to a bigger trailer with more options. out here (not that far from you) is pequea trailer, and pineridge trailers, and quiet a few others. i currently work in a metal fab shop. not sure if we do trailers, but we probably would.

if you do sheck out a used one, ask to test drive it. put a little weight on it and then after a few miles check the bearing and things for heat and cracks. anyone with a damaged trailer wont be willing to let you test drive it even if they are the ones in the drivers seat

[Matt Meiser]

A lot of less expensive trailers are made from angle iron and some even come with used car tires. Better trailers are often tube construction and will definitely have proper trailer tires.

Used, look at the tires, look at the frame, and look at overall condition.

I'm selling a used 5x8 trailer right now because we just don't use it. Anything it will carry I can carry in the bed of my full size truck. The things I can't (compact tractor, antique tractor, and a UTV) its not big enough for--so I'm in the market for something bigger. When we bought it we had a minivan and a car and had a lawn tractor. The guy I bought it from back then also was upgrading.

[Bob Riefer]

Curtis, Let me know next time you're over this way and we can get together if you like. I buy my beer next door to Bike Sport, so I know exactly the area you are referring to.


Matt, thank you. I have seen the angle iron style you refer to, and have also seen the tube construction. Stands to reason that the tube style would be stronger/better. You make good points (and so did Curtis about the test drive) about the used market. Too bad you're not closer, I'd buy that 5x8 from you! lol

[Bryan Slimp]

$1000 gets you around 33 rentals from u-haul for what you want. May not be as convenient as having your own but I'd rather spend $970 on wood and $30 to go get it.

[Bob Riefer]

If I didn't haul items in my truck every single week, I might agree with you. But, my time is more valuable to me at this stage than $1000 for a trailer that I'll use weekly for the foreseeable future. If I reach a point where I'm not using it anymore for whatever reason, re-sale is an option then.

Anyways, research into local dealers shows that the Lowes type of places sell "Carry on" brand which seems to be lighter weight construction (angle iron) and therefore also holds less weight than other options. The local trailer sales specialist has higher prices, but carries a brand "Belmont Premier" which features tube construction and carries more weight for a like sized trailer. For a 5x10 it's in the $1100 range, which seems about where I want to be price wise.

[curtis rosche]

ok Bob, got any cool machines, or a large planer/jointer?

[charlie knighton]

the length of the tongue is very important, make some comparison

[Rick Moyer]

I bought a Pequea(sp?) for about $900 some 20 years ago. single axle #3000 limit. actually #2999, if you go to #3000 you will have to get it inspected whereas below #3000 you don't. Probably made somewhere near Curtis. Has a tilt deck/beaver tail which works pretty well without having the big landscape ramps. 6'X12'. Notreally big enough to haul a compact utility tractor (legally) or too much firewood, but great for brush, lumber, sheet goods, pipe, garden tractor, atv, etc. Probably weigts #2000 empty since I put treated 2x10 floor boards and sides on it, but it's erved me well. Also has real trailer tires, I forget the size.
Now if you need much more capacity then I would suggest a double axle, gets you more payload.