10K trailer - Gator?

[SethWilliams]

I am looking for a 20’, 10K trailer. It will be hooked up to my 08 Tundra that is able to tow 10,400 lbs. I have a brake controller and am looking into a WD hitch. It will be used to haul my tractor, other farm equipment, and hay.

I have it narrowed down to a gator 10K that I can get through my local dealer for $3,700, or an off brand trailer from Direct Trailer Source. The trailer from DTS is also 10K and costs $3,250. The biggest difference I can find so far is that the gator is powder coated, and of course the name brand. I don’t plan on selling the trailer any time soon, but having the gator name definitely gives me a little peace of mind in case I do sell it. The gator does have a bit of a lip around the side, which I’m not crazy about. The trailer from DTS is flat with no lip.

I’m not opposed to other trailer brands, but I don’t have many other brands at dealers around me. I’m not opposed to driving to look at one if someone has a favorite.

Btw, here is a pic of a 14K from DTS.

 

[Deere Dude]

I never heard of Gator or DTS but for me, I like powder coating provided it is applied right. Many trailer guys would rather have just spray painted covering. I would get the spray coated trailer and hope for the best.

 

[Fallon]

My old tilting deck had a 4" tall lip around the front & sides of the deck. I detested it. Tilting decks already aren't great for side loading anything due to the fenders. That lip prevented you from getting anything on or off with pallet forks unless you stacked another palet underneath.

Trailer was good for an auction score. Got rid of it as it was to short. The rim around the deck always irked me though. Handy when I temporarily made it a stake side for some manure hauling , but otherwise in the way.

 

[GeneD14]

I bought a 20K Gatormade trailer in July. It is hands down the best trailer that I've owned. (I've owned 4 trailers of similar size)
I liked it because of the powder coat paint, LED lights were standard, easy steps to get on and off, spring loaded ramps, dual jacks, built in chain box and Gatormade arranged financing.
So far I'm very happy with it.

 

[JD 4520]

Load Trail is my choice trailer.

 

[Oldtractorfixer]

Look at both trailers closely. Look at the size and thickness of perimeter. The size spacing and thickness of the cross members. Check the quality and size of the tires. Check the brake size and that both axles have brakes. Don't buy a trailer without LED lights. Check the size and quality of the jack. After that I think it will be clearer which is the better trailer for you.
I have a trailer with the lip around the sides and don't like it.

 

[SethWilliams]

Thanks guys. I agree about the lip - I would like to avoid it if possible as I see no real benefit to it. I know both trailers have brakes on both axles and I definitely want LED lights as well. I did not crawl under either trailer to look at the cross members, but I will do that.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a 20' full tilt with the lip.. If I did it again, I would look for one with no lip. As others have said, look at the specs on both units you are considering. I find that tires are one place trailer mfrs skimp on to keep the price low..then you end up spending more in a short time replacing them. I also look for how they ran the wiring...if it's just zip tied here and there..i think that shows poor attention to detail. ...02

 

[George2615]

I have a 22' 14K PJ full tilt trailer and like it a lot. No lip, is powder coated, LED lights, and brakes on both axles. It is long enough to sideload pallets on the front.
Check out PJ trailers. There should be a dealer near you.
I've heard Gator is a good brand but have never seen one in my area. Never heard of DTS so can't comment on them.

 

[fried1765]

I am looking for a 20’, 10K trailer. It will be hooked up to my 08 Tundra that is able to tow 10,400 lbs. I have a brake controller and am looking into a WD hitch. It will be used to haul my tractor, other farm equipment, and hay.

I have it narrowed down to a gator 10K that I can get through my local dealer for $3,700, or an off brand trailer from Direct Trailer Source. The trailer from DTS is also 10K and costs $3,250. The biggest difference I can find so far is that the gator is powder coated, and of course the name brand. I don’t plan on selling the trailer any time soon, but having the gator name definitely gives me a little peace of mind in case I do sell it. The gator does have a bit of a lip around the side, which I’m not crazy about. The trailer from DTS is flat with no lip.

I’m not opposed to other trailer brands, but I don’t have many other brands at dealers around me. I’m not opposed to driving to look at one if someone has a favorite.

Btw, here is a pic of a 14K from DTS. View attachment 573824

If you are SURE you will NEVER chip the paint, then get a powder coated trailer.
If you do chip the powder coating, rust will creep underneath the powder coating, and the coating will eventually come off in slabs.
Powder coating is durable,.....until it gets chipped!
Ideally, a two part epoxy paint would be the best coating, but I have never heard of a trailer maker that offers it.

I have a 14K trailer by "Quality Steel & Aluminum"
In your case, I would go with the "DTS" trailer.

Just noticed that the "DTS" trailer does not appear to have tie down rings.
You NEED tie down rings, ideally every two feet, each side.
Stake pockets are not adequate for tie down.

I would recommend an "Equa-l-izer brand hitch. I use their 14K model.