7,000# vs 10,000# Trailer

[yooperdave]

A trailer dealer was advertising a nice 7,000# trailer near me.

I asked how much more for the same in a 10,000# version?

He indicated about $250 more, as all they would do is increase the axle capacity.

I thought a 10,000# trailer was built heavier than a 7,000# trailer in several respects,

Am I missing something here?

TIA

Yooper Dave

 

[rus_geek]

Not that uncommon for the 7k and 10k to use the same frame, just means the 7k frame is way overbuilt. Saves them money by only needing one design instead of two. Dropping to the 7k (2x 3500lb) axles makes it legal for smaller vehicles to pull, in some states/cases.

-rus-

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. and even might be the 5k axles, witht he hangers setup differently to derate them.

soundguy

 

[KeithInSpace]

I can tell you that my Leonard 10k# trailer is different in many respects from a similar Leondard 7k# trailer. In addition to the axles, wheels, tires, etc., the frame is constructed of larger/thicker steel, the deck is higher, and the fenders different.

I'm comparing Leonard to Leonard. Of course my 10k# Leonard looks simlar to (and maybe lighter-duty than) some 7k# trailers I saw at another dealership. I was on the fence on what to get, so I opted for the "lighter" 10k# trailer instead of the "heavier" 7k# trailer.

I ordinarilly carry ~3,000# to 4,000# on the deck, but have loaded it to 7,000# before on a short trip from the quarry.

In my case, the price difference (again, Leonard to Leonard) was ~$300 to go to the 10k# trailer.

Personally, for the minimal price difference, I wouldn't hesitate to go with the higher-rated trailer. At the very least it will give you peace of mind when hauling a load. In the long run, it could save you having to buy/sell again later.

 

[schmism]

ive been looking for a 10K trailer for a while now. (6 bolt axles)

most car hauling trailers (non sided non angle iron trailers) are basicly the same frame just diffrent axles.

 

[Highbeam]

Get the 10k. I was easily sold on the 10k over the 7k when looking at the PJ trailers which use a much stouter frame for the 10k and of course the much stouter 5200# dexter axles.

The thing weighs 2500#s empty though.

I've never heard anybody say, "I wish my trailer could carry less".

 

[JasG]

Not that uncommon for the 7k and 10k to use the same frame, just means the 7k frame is way overbuilt. Saves them money by only needing one design instead of two. Dropping to the 7k (2x 3500lb) axles makes it legal for smaller vehicles to pull, in some states/cases.

-rus-

Would you explain why it would matter for a smaller vehicle to have the trailer derated?

 

[Duffster]

Would you explain why it would matter for a smaller vehicle to have the trailer derated?

In some backwards states the GVW of the trailer can't exceed the tow rating.

That is the only place I can see where it would matter.

 

[FlaDon]

In some backwards states the GVW of the trailer can't exceed the tow rating.

That is the only place I can see where it would matter.

Because some states *cough* Florida *cough* have rules on what will pass for Intrastate Non-Comm use vs Intrastate Comm use.18K being the limit.

 

[Duffster]

Because some states *cough* Florida *cough* have rules on what will pass for Intrastate Non-Comm use vs Intrastate Comm use.18K being the limit.

WI follows the feds with 10k. I thought Florida did too.

 

[Low Bucket]

A trailer dealer was advertising a nice 7,000# trailer near me.

I asked how much more for the same in a 10,000# version?

He indicated about $250 more, as all they would do is increase the axle capacity.

I thought a 10,000# trailer was built heavier than a 7,000# trailer in several respects,

Am I missing something here?

TIA

Yooper Dave

Get the 10,000# trailer.- You will be glad that you did.

 

[Soundguy]

Would you explain why it would matter for a smaller vehicle to have the trailer derated?

ditto what was said.. it's a GVW thing.. more legality than physics..

soundguy

 

[Code54]

Have to agree, get the 10K for a few bucks more if you can afford it. When I got my 7K it was all I could afford and now I want to sell it and get a 10K. I am sure that is going to cost far more than $250-$300 now

 

[flusher]

Would you explain why it would matter for a smaller vehicle to have the trailer derated?

Here in Arnieland it's a driver's license thing--
On a basic Class C license you can operate a vehicle with GVRW of 26,000 lb or less and you can tow a single vehicle (e.g. a trailer) up to 10,000 lb GVWR. The exception is the 5th wheel travel trailer that can be up to 15,000 lb on a Class C license.

I'm interested in a 20-ft PJ GN trailer that comes standard with 14K GVWR (two 7K axles). The dealer said that one option they offer is to derate to 10K so you're legal with a Class C license.

 

[yooperdave]

The 10,000# trailer was around $3,500 and was 18' long including a 2' beaver tail.

Brakes on both axles and new tires - it is a car hauler type.

My 2008 F150 4x4 truck is rated for around 7,400# I think.

The 10,000# trailer is really rated for 9,990#, so I should be ok with the DMV or similar in WI as I have not exceeded the 10,000# limit.

Yooper Dave

 

[ovrszd]

I've been shopping for a used car hauler. I found a 20' x 82" Tex Trailer brand if I remember correctly. It was a 7K trailer that appeared to be new like. Asking price was $1450. I was very excited!!!

I need it to haul a Jeep or my L4400 w/loader and brush cutter.

I went to their website to read the specs of this trailer. They claim a built weight of 2200 lbs. Hmmmmmmmm,,,,,,, that only leaves 4800 lbs of load capacity.

I'm now looking for a 10K trailer......

 

[KeithInSpace]

...that only leaves 4800 lbs of load capacity.

My "10k#" trailer is actually rated for 10,400#. Dunno why it's a big deal to stay at 9,999#...folks move with trailers all the time. If I move to WI, I'd need to "derate" my trailer or buy a new one? Absurd.

I tow with an Expedition rated for 9,000# capacity with WD hitch. I just don't load the trailer beyond the capabilities of the truck. I figure I'm giving up ~300# in payload to have the heavier rated trailer. But I'm way ahead once I replace the Expedition with a 3/4 ton Suburban or a 1 ton pickup. Both are on the table for a few years from now...Expedition has 72k miles on it but still shines up like a new penny.

Put another way, I purchased for my next truck, not this one. It'd drive me crazy to carry 1.5 fewer tons of stone/sand/block/mulch/whatever to my home project just because I saved ~10% on the original purchase...I'd practically pay that back in gas in the long run. Plus I have the extra confidence awareded by having a little too much trailer (as compared to being closer to the rated capacity of a 7k trailer all the time).

I have well over 3 tons of capacity now and will 1,000# of additional capacity when I get a new truck.

 

[Barry Bowen]

I have a Big Texan, and the only differences are the axles and the coupler. The frame is way heavy for a 7K. 18" trailer weights 2200 empty compared to many other 7K's that were well under 2000 empty. I plan on up grading axles and suspension when the brakes on these wear out in a year or two.

 

[JasG]

In some backwards states the GVW of the trailer can't exceed the tow rating.

That is the only place I can see where it would matter.

Yes, thank you, I actually knew that, it has come up before here on other posts and a few jumped all over me when I made the same point. As someone put it "you can't get a ticket for pulling air". Here in NY you actually can. I just wanted to see if others had the same information. And yes NY is backwards. A good Friend of mine has trailer rated for 12000 lbs and was ticketed for "non-compliance" for pulling it with a truck rated for 10000 lbs, gross weight of trailer at time of ticket was 9500 lbs. and he was under on his GCWR.

 

[Duffster]

If I move to WI, I'd need to "derate" my trailer or buy a new one?

Why? .....