Car Hauler vs Utility Trailer

[zachofalltrades]

I am looking at getting a new subcompact soon, and I have run into a lot of situations where I wish I had a trailer. I知 looking at a tandem about 16 long (7k) and I知 stuck on the decision of utility vs flat hauler. It seems like the car hauler is a win for a number of reasons:

1. Should I decide to pick up a project, I can open the doors when it痴 on the trailer
2. forklift can load pallets on it without railings to get in the way.
3. I can still put rails if I build them because it has stake pockets.
4. Heavy duty ramps vs fold down gate.

The utility trailer costs a couple hundred less and has a rated payload 500lbs higher because the trailer is lighter.

 

[atsah]

The rails can be a pain, I like the car trailer better myself for the reasons you mention..

 

[George2615]

If going with the car trailer get ramps. I believe they'll be much stronger plus a fold down gate will be too short to load a vehicle. 16' is fine for a subcompact and most cars today but may be a little short to haul a full size truck or older larger vehicle.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had an 18' car hauler trailer for 18 years. Diamond plate deck. No dirt falls through the floorboards, nice and low to the ground. 2x12's make great sides with 2x4's in the pockets. Weighs 1500# with 7000# axles for 5500# useful load. My tractor weighs just 1500#. I can take it and all of my attachments in one trip. :thumbsup:


And welcome to TBN, by the way.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Only thing about a car trailer (I have one too), is that the fenders normally stick up above the deck surface, so since you mentioned loading and unloading with a fork lift, the fenders do tend to get in the way when you come in from the sides.

I'm planning on adding a gooseneck deckover trailer to my collection for just this reason.

 

[Fallon]

I upgraded to a deckover to get rid of fenders. A little harder to load a tractor or vehicle on due to the angle. WAY easier to load stuff over the sides with forks. My old gravity tilt had a 4" lip on the sides & front that drove me nuts.

 

[nyone]

I own a car trailer and a large single axle landscape trailer. They each have there own uses. Fenders do get in the way but the rails are always in the way if your loading pallets. My landscape trailer has a removable rail, it didnt come that way and took alot of fab work on my part.

I prety much dont ever use one trailer and think to my self i wish i used the other. They each have there uses. If your getting a car trailer get a solid deck, wish mine had it.

If your mostly useing it for your tractor get the car trailer. Its more suited for that. Landscape trailers are more for mowers, quads and yard waste.

 

[zachofalltrades]

Thanks for all of the replies, and the warm welcome. A deckover is probably out of the question because theyæ±*e usually overkill for pulling with a half-ton and the cheapest new one I found was about 5 grand. If I buy that I wouldn稚 be able to afford the tractor lol

It sounds like I値l lean towards the car hauler. I壇 add a link but I need two more posts. The one I知 looking at is $1995 for an 18 ft dovetail. Add $200 for a steel deck. Theyæ±*e unbranded but you can order custom trailers from them, so I知 not sure if they make them in house. The place is called Oquinn Trailer in Coeburn VA.

 

[dalola]

Just to add to your shopping list, these are fantastic trailers, pending your budget. I have the 18' open car hauler.. a great "do-all" trailer for light duty tasks.

RNR Trailers

 

[nyone]

The brand really dosnt matter. At the end of the day its all about the specs.

Post the specs for the trailer and what tractor you have.