Who makes really good utility trailers???

tod osier

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I have a carry-on 6x10 utility trailer and I'm just not happy with it. It is supposed to be 3000# capacity and it just doesn't hold that weight well, it makes me nervous loading it up even to 2000#. I knew carry-on were not great when I bought it, but I figgured... hey, it won't get that much use. Now, I'm asking who makes the best utility/landscaping trailers since I know how much use it gets.

Main uses are using it to get lumber when the truck bed is full of stuff (as if that ever happens), hauling the tractor or tiller around, and picking up yard loads of stone (2800#), mulch or fertilizer when I need a little bit for jobs around the house. I also find the 6x10 too big and I'd like to go down to a 5x8 to better fit in the barn. I dont' need/want a ramp gate, since I cut them off the carry-on.

Suggestions?

T
 
Tod,
I have bought several trailers from Goldstar Trailers here in Michigan. They range from a 5'x10' tilt trailer ($495) to a 6.5'x16' (don't recall price). They build very good trailers at reasonable prices. We have a bunch of those places here in Michigan, you might google them to see if you have any Goldstar dealers out by you.
Lou

This is one of the 6.5'x16' trailers I have. The trailer is Goldstar & the rack I built to haul boats.

View attachment MVC-208F.JPG
 
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Todd,
I dont know the maker but I would think about trailer breaks if you do a good amount of load hauling. I know you are down where the traffic can be an issue and a quick stop with a full yard on the back of a small\med. pickup can result in an interesting cross of an intersection.... (Dont ask how I know).

They are a hassle to keep going on boat trailers but work related rigs us. dont take as much babying to keep in good working order.



When I was just out of High school we had a single axle hard side trailer that the contractor I worked for bought from a local fabricator. We hauled whole house jobs with that behind his 1500 and it was very helpful.
I think the fab guy was using plans he got because it seemed very well laid out.

Look into the "Bed Roller" for a pickup. It looks like junk but they empty a pickup bed or trailer in no time flat with very little effort on the crank handle.http://www.cargogear.com/loadhandler/default.htm
 
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Tod,

I'd recommend H&H trailers (http://hhtrailer.com/). I see on their website that they're under new ownership but if they keep building trailers the same way mine is built they'll be good. I've got a 6X12 single axle, 3500lb GVWR, 15" wheels, 15" high solid sides, rear ramp gate. I've hauled my 2700lb skidloader on this trailer with no problems. I really like the solid sides for hauling loose stuff like mulch, rock, firewood, etc. Nice thing about the ramp on the H&H is it will lay flat on the bed when you dont need it. It also can be removed by taking 2 bolts out. Dad's got an 18' H&H skidloader trailer that's built like a tank.

Don't know what they're building in the 5X8 range but they have always sold well built trailers.

Jim S
 
Todd,
I dont know the maker but I would think about trailer breaks if you do a good amount of load hauling. I know you are down where the traffic can be an issue and a quick stop with a full yard on the back of a small\med. pickup can result in an interesting cross of an intersection.... (Dont ask how I know).

They are a hassle to keep going on boat trailers but work related rigs us. dont take as much babying to keep in good working order.



When I was just out of High school we had a single axle hard side trailer that the contractor I worked for bought from a local fabricator. We hauled whole house jobs with that behind his 1500 and it was very helpful.
I think the fab guy was using plans he got because it seemed very well laid out.

Look into the "Bed Roller" for a pickup. It looks like junk but they empty a pickup bed or trailer in no time flat with very little effort on the crank handle.http://www.cargogear.com/loadhandler/default.htm


Thanks Bob, I thought about brakes to get up over 3000#, but I have to see how price works out. Bed roller won't work because of 1/2 ton truck and cap, though.
 
Tod,
I have bought several trailers from Goldstar Trailers here in Michigan. They range from a 5'x10' tilt trailer ($495) to a 6.5'x16' (don't recall price). They build very good trailers at reasonable prices. We have a bunch of those places here in Michigan, you might google them to see if you have any Goldstar dealers out by you.
Lou

This is one of the 6.5'x16' trailers I have. The trailer is Goldstar & the rack I built to haul boats.


Thanks Lou, I have an email into them to see if there is a local dealer.
 
I was thinking about the roller for the trailer not your truck. I had one in my old 250 and it worked way better that I would have ever thought.

Saves the need for a dump trailer if you haul a lot of loose material.


Are you seeing anything on Craigs list?
 
Ahh, I gotya on the roller.

I haven't checked CL, I was thinking new, since trailers like that can get pretty abused - it is pretty easy to overload them by double or triple.
 
Big Tex makes excellent trailers but they are not cheap. Lone Wolf also makes good trailers, I have a 8 x 16 Lone Wolf that has served me well hauling stone, my tractor and a bunch of other stuff.
 
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Tod

I've got a 5x8, converted single snowmobile trailer (converted as in I built 18" sides for it), not as heavy as you are looking for, but 5x8 is a nice size. Some brands however have a 98" bed, I wish I had one, can't tell you how many times I've had to wedge the tailgate back on my 8 foot to the nose trailer when I've picked up lumber.

Big Tex looked good, but more trailer than I needed at this time or budget allowed...picked this one up used from a widow.

Chuck
 
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Anyone other in the bigtex class with a nationwide distribution? I didn't realize how much I was going to use the trailer at capacity, so I'd like to do it right this time.

T
 
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