The Gatormade expierence.

[jeffsw6]

...well that's just fine because after all you ONLY PAID a measly 8k or so for the trailer.

It costs about 50% more to buy a similar Wells Cargo or Haulmark enclosed trailer. I am not very familiar with landscape/equipment trailer prices since I don't use those.

We all make choices based on cost, among other factors.

 

[pilot-werx]

Not to state the obvious, but you went and picked the trailer up and did not inspect it because of the rain? Not to be sarcastic, but that is just plain lazy.. I agree the trailer is a POS, but you get what you pay for....

 

[Cat_Driver]

..It costs about 50% more to buy a similar Wells Cargo or Haulmark enclosed trailer. I am not very familiar with landscape/equipment trailer prices since I don't use those.

We all make choices based on cost, among other factors.

Maybe so, but they ain't the only two manufacturers on the planet.

Heck, I did a three second search and found a similar trailer even cheaper.

Gooseneck Trailers

 

[F250DSLPWR]

I have to say after reading this thread, that I completely disagree with Docknboatlift. He customer asked for and paid for a top of the line trailer and was given a trailer with issues... Trailer quality is more than just the welded frame. IMO trailer mfgs would go a long way in separating themselves from their compeition, buy just going above and beyond in just a few areas,
a quality wiring job, quality automotive acrylic enamal or epoxy paint, pressure treated and stained trailer boards along with quality axles/ hardware. In my personal experience, every trailer I have bought has has substandard wiring, cheap lumber and crappy paint... I guess that is just par for the industry...

 

[Agent Blue]

8k for a tandem dual axle fifth wheel trailer............. the company didn't make any money on that. Just price out the steel, axles, and components. Major trailer manufacturers would laugh at you if you offered them this price. Fix the minor annoyances and get on with life. When you order a yugo don't expect a CTS Cadillac on delivery day. They both will transport you safely, the only difference for many is pride.
This is the reason I build my own trailers. The quality goes in ( the way I designed it ) before the primer / paint is applied. Bottom line... quality costs.

 

[Agent Blue]

Cat Driver;

No dual tire axles on the cheap priced trailers. Hope they are not mobile home quality. Price seems too good to be true. I would have to test one before sending the check.

 

[ihcfan]

I just bought this Coyote gooseneck 25+5, 14,000 GVW. Custom ordered about 5 weeks ago. Outstanding "fit & finish", no sharp edges, really nice powder coat paint. A great buying experience for me!

 

[yooper1]

Good lookin' ihcfan

congrats

 

[Morning Wood]

I just bought this Coyote gooseneck 25+5, 14,000 GVW. Custom ordered about 5 weeks ago. Outstanding "fit & finish", no sharp edges, really nice powder coat paint. A great buying experience for me!

I don't like the placement of those axles. Too far back in my opinion. You carrying something specific on that?

 

[ihcfan]

We use it mostly for antique farm equipment. We do demos at several local shows. Not really a lot of weight being hauled, but it takes up a lot of floor space. The antique IH tractors we have are 4000 to 6000 lbs. Usually put misc. stuff on the front, and a tractor towards the back. Again, we just got it, we will see how it works this summer. I am very happy with it so far. This picture is the 2004 Load Max trailer I sold last fall.

 

[freighthaulerjim]

i have been lurking this site for a long time reading all this negativity about Gatormade trailers. I will state this up front.. I OWN three Gatormade goosneck trailers.... The only real complaint that any of you have is your paint on the Gator trailers. They started powder coating their trailers last year. all three of my trailers have the best finish imaginable. MUCH better than PJ's powder coat and miles ahead of any crappy Big Tex paint job. Anyone who knows anything about regularly painted trailers will tell you no matter how pretty it looks when new, it will look like it has been through the apocalypse the first winter storm it goes through. I waited until Gatormade resolved their paint issues before I ordered one. My salesman told me he would call me when they started powder coating, guess what.... he did and I gave him my business for doing what he said he was going to do.

I am a commercial hot shot contractor who uses and abuses trailers heavily. I constantly overload my trailers. My 40' Gatormade trailer is the ONLY trailer that has ever been able to take the kind of beating I put on a trailer. I don't pick the little crap apart. There is always something you can do to make something better, I say to try to build one yourself.... then go powder coat your poorly engineered trailer and see how much it costs. My three Gatormade trailers are worked at least five days a week and not one of them has been a problem.

Why do you think you see so many of these Goosenecks in the Gas and oil fields??? It is because they are truly the best gooseneck trailers you can buy.
Ask any of the commercial haulers why they have a Gatormade... it is because Gatormade over engineers and over builds vs.... underbuilding.

I get the feeling that most people complaining about a scotch lock, a paint run etc... have never owned another trailer... we are not talking about buying a new corvette here. If you will truly look at Gatormade's trailers now..there is no way anyone could complain. Every company.. ford.. toyota.. audi etc... havehad a few bad years along the way. Gatormade did have a paint issue which has been resolved over a year ago.


I have owned PJ's finest, Big Tex's:laughing: finest and what Kauffman calls their finest.... out of all those trailers not one of them could withstand the abuse of my business. The Gatormade is the only trailers that I have put on the road that can do the job safely and look great doing the job too.

just wanted you guys to read a positive review for a change.

thx

--James

 

[MasseyWV]

just wanted you guys to read a positive review for a change.

New member + First post raving about Gatormade = Agenda?

 

[aczlan]

iI get the feeling that most people complaining about a scotch lock, a paint run etc... have never owned another trailer... we are not talking about buying a new corvette here. If you will truly look at Gatormade's trailers now..there is no way anyone could complain.
<SNIP/>
The Gatormade is the only trailers that I have put on the road that can do the job safely and look great doing the job too.

Let me know how they are doing when the wires corrode and come apart inside the scotch locks after the first northeastern winter.
IMO, scotch locks are useful INSIDE a weather protected enclosure, NOT outside where they get hit with the salt spray in the winter.


Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will still stand behind my original assessment of GatorMade Trailers I made on here a few years back. They are by far the most bang for the buck out there and are a well built trailer. I said back then the paint was not the greatest and the wiring could be better but you would be hard press to find a better built trailer for anywhere near the same money.

Chris

 

[freighthaulerjim]

New member + First post raving about Gatormade = Agenda?

I knew someone would think that. Sorry pal I'm for real just talking straight. I brag about anything that is good. Maybe I need to ask for a job from some of the mfg's I lpromote. I think it is only fair to speak my mind.

 

[freighthaulerjim]

Let me know how they are doing when the wires corrode and come apart inside the scotch locks after the first northeastern winter.
IMO, scotch locks are useful INSIDE a weather protected enclosure, NOT outside where they get hit with the salt spray in the winter.


Aaron Z

I'll send you a message.Hahah. I ordered my trailer with heat shrink option. You could have fixed your Issue in 15 minutes with a torch and some heat shrink. People can complain much better than taking the bull by the horns.
U have wasted more time complaining about a common wiring method than what you could have fixed it yourself.

 

[MasseyWV]

I knew someone would think that. Sorry pal I'm for real just talking straight. I brag about anything that is good. Maybe I need to ask for a job from some of the mfg's I lpromote. I think it is only fair to speak my mind.

Right, and I'm not your pal. Your post was clearly designed to promote Gatormade trailers while bashing the competition, and perhaps even trying to do a little damage control. However, your efforts are a monumental waste of time because the vast majority of posts on this thread speak for themselves.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have never owned or sold a GatoMade unit but I do drive by the factory in Somerset Kentucky about 10 times a year and have looked over what has to be 50 it more trailers.

The facility is huge, like a car plant. Its clean and neatly organized and they move 1000's of units a year.

You vary rarely hear complaints on the net but you always hear complaints. I am not telling you to go out and buy one but from a guy with 20 years in the trailer business they are a well built product at a nice price point.

A few minutes of time will fix all wiring issues if any.

Chris

 

[Scooby074]

Scotchlocks... Bwahahaha..

Wont last a year here.

Some manufacturers are offering Galvanized trailers here. Ive seen a Brimar and several LWL trailers in hot dipped galvanize Linkletter Welding. Talking to a dealer the other day i guess it is about $1000 to upgrade to HD galvanized due to having to clean up the pin-bores and reassemble after the Hot Dip.

If I buy a NEW manufactured trailer, I think it will be hot dipped.