gocards1177
Gold Member
I drive a 2011 Tundra Double cab. It's rated for towing about 9K. A trailer large enough to haul my tractor would require a new truck, so I'm not looking for that as a use. This trailer will be general use - for chores around our property (like hauling limbs), transporting landscaping stuff (like mulch), and trips to and from the local lumberyard and St. Louis (100 miles of interstate) for building materials when we build our house. After borrowing a friend's 16' tandem car hauler a few times, I'm ready to buy something of my own and after reading through the different threads here on trailer sizes, and I think for my needs a 6' x 10'/12' single axle is the best fit. I like the flat bed trailers rather than the ones with sides. I've been watching craigslist/searchtempest and I haven't seen anything that catches my eye. I'm leaning towards new because I'm afraid of what unknown abuse has been done to something used. I've considered a dump trailer, but boy they're expensive! I like the size of this trailer matched to my truck, and it would be simpler to attach.
I drove to three different places near me to look at what's available. Two were dealers - a "premium" and "bargain" place. One was a local manufacturer. I tried to compare apples to apples.
The first stop was the premium dealer. They had a Rice trailer, asking $1863! He said it weighs about 1200#. It had lights built into the frame, powder coating all around including the bottom, D-rings inside, and a lock box on the tongue. Available tomorrow.
Next I went to the discount place. They had a generic "utility trailer" fo r$785. It was OK, but had used tires, no paint/lots of rust underneath, overspray on decking, and looked sloppy overall. Available now.
Last I went to the manufacturer. Great impression with owner and overall business. They could build a flat bed trailer 10 ' for $940 or 12' for $980. He said it weighs about 800#. I couldn't see it since it wasn't built, but looking at their other trailers they had, looked to be a good compromise between the other two places. I took a picture of a similar trailer, but it was a tandem and a picture of a picture of a previous trailer similar to what I want. Their lead time to deliver is "about 3 weeks". Some upgrade options to consider with them would be painting the underside $50, building a lockbox $depends on size, upgrading to a 5200 axle $300, or tandem axle $520. I would build a simple, removable wood slat sides/front/back myself.
My gut tells me the last place is the way to go. I'm confused now on the axle though and I can't decide what's right.
I drove to three different places near me to look at what's available. Two were dealers - a "premium" and "bargain" place. One was a local manufacturer. I tried to compare apples to apples.
The first stop was the premium dealer. They had a Rice trailer, asking $1863! He said it weighs about 1200#. It had lights built into the frame, powder coating all around including the bottom, D-rings inside, and a lock box on the tongue. Available tomorrow.
Next I went to the discount place. They had a generic "utility trailer" fo r$785. It was OK, but had used tires, no paint/lots of rust underneath, overspray on decking, and looked sloppy overall. Available now.
Last I went to the manufacturer. Great impression with owner and overall business. They could build a flat bed trailer 10 ' for $940 or 12' for $980. He said it weighs about 800#. I couldn't see it since it wasn't built, but looking at their other trailers they had, looked to be a good compromise between the other two places. I took a picture of a similar trailer, but it was a tandem and a picture of a picture of a previous trailer similar to what I want. Their lead time to deliver is "about 3 weeks". Some upgrade options to consider with them would be painting the underside $50, building a lockbox $depends on size, upgrading to a 5200 axle $300, or tandem axle $520. I would build a simple, removable wood slat sides/front/back myself.
My gut tells me the last place is the way to go. I'm confused now on the axle though and I can't decide what's right.
