WVH1977
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2017
- Messages
- 714
- Location
- Richmond, VA
- Tractor
- Massey 2860M Cab, New Holland TC40, Hitachi EX100, Gravely Pro-Turn 560
After weeks of researching and visiting/taking to several trailer dealers, posting on here with questions and talking with friends, I finally found the trailer I needed. This has been one of the most difficult decisions that I have made concerning equipment. It was very frustrating going through all the numbers and measurements trying to make sure I was doing the right thing. The two biggest items I was looking for in a new trailer was a low profile with enough width for me between the fenders.
When I started looking for trailers I was really set on getting a 10000 GVWR, Big Tex 10DF, drive over fender type trailer ($ 5,500). However, the ones I looked at only had a payload in the 6600 lbs. range when you added in the weight of the trailer. This would mean put me at the limit every time I haul my New Holland. I still almost pulled the trigger on one due to its low profile for loading and unloading and width.
I also was considering a extra wide 20' gravity, split deck tilt trailer (PJ brand). The one I really liked was in the $ 8000 dollar range. Expensive. I was really debating hard on this one. Trying to justify the cost. I really liked the idea of no skinny ramps. I finally ruled this one out due to trying to load my Ford tractor (no loader) with bush hog and not having enough weight on the front of the tractor to get it to tilt down once driving up it. I was not sure if this would really be an issue or not but it ultimately steered me away from it.
While looking at the above trailers I also looked at the regular 14K 20' equipment trailers with the 2' dove tail that every dealer had in stock. My number one issue with these were the height of the deck and the incline of the ramps. The 20' home made trailer I had also sat up high and had a steep incline even with the dove tails.
While looking at the Big Tex 10DF I noticed they had a 14 DF that was not ready yet. I was on the verge of buying the 14DF trailer but it also had a high deck with steep incline. At this point I was willing to just deal with the incline and the deck height. It really seemed like it would fit my needs.
Over the weekend I started going through the trailer threads on here and ran across folks talking about Diamond C trailers. I started trying to find out if there were any dealers around me that carried this brand. I could not find anything remotely close. I finally just started typing in town names somewhat close to me with trailers for sale. It was around midnight when I came across a dealer that was 2 and a half hours away that had these brand trailers. They had two Diamond C Low Profile equipment trailers listed so I decided to go look at them. I hopped in the truck early this morning and drove the 2 and a half hour drive up there so I could get there when they opened. First off, these folks knew about the trailers they were selling. Big Plus! The two other dealers I was checking out around my area did not seem as knowledgable to me and one of them would not negotiate at all on prices. This just really turned me off. The salesmen took me out to the lot and showed me the 20' and it was nice. Toolbox, D-rings, 12000 lbs. jack, and wide ramps with springs. This one would have fit the bill but then he showed me the 22' one. SOLD! He even negotiated with me and we agreed on a price. I am so SO glad I took the long trip up there. Again, I had to drive a little ways to get what I wanted.
The Diamond C low profile equipment trailer fit everything I was looking for. It has a 23" low profile deck and the BIGGEST tool box I have seen out of everything I looked at (I think all equipment trailers should have a tool box of some kind. JMO). I am really glad I decided to go with the 22'. When loading the 20' trailer everything was aways a tight fit. Now I can put the box blade up front and still have room for the tractor and another attachment. I wanted more space and this trailer has it. It is really well built and the quality looked good to me. I think this is a good size for a 40 to 50 HP tractor. It might be a little overkill but for me I wanted to have enough trailer than not. I hope this post will help folks on here when they are in the market for a trailer.
SIDE NOTE: All the trailers (PJ, BIG Tex, and Diamond C) that I looked at were very nice trailers and I think folks would be happy with any of them. This one just fit exactly what I was after.
When I started looking for trailers I was really set on getting a 10000 GVWR, Big Tex 10DF, drive over fender type trailer ($ 5,500). However, the ones I looked at only had a payload in the 6600 lbs. range when you added in the weight of the trailer. This would mean put me at the limit every time I haul my New Holland. I still almost pulled the trigger on one due to its low profile for loading and unloading and width.
I also was considering a extra wide 20' gravity, split deck tilt trailer (PJ brand). The one I really liked was in the $ 8000 dollar range. Expensive. I was really debating hard on this one. Trying to justify the cost. I really liked the idea of no skinny ramps. I finally ruled this one out due to trying to load my Ford tractor (no loader) with bush hog and not having enough weight on the front of the tractor to get it to tilt down once driving up it. I was not sure if this would really be an issue or not but it ultimately steered me away from it.
While looking at the above trailers I also looked at the regular 14K 20' equipment trailers with the 2' dove tail that every dealer had in stock. My number one issue with these were the height of the deck and the incline of the ramps. The 20' home made trailer I had also sat up high and had a steep incline even with the dove tails.
While looking at the Big Tex 10DF I noticed they had a 14 DF that was not ready yet. I was on the verge of buying the 14DF trailer but it also had a high deck with steep incline. At this point I was willing to just deal with the incline and the deck height. It really seemed like it would fit my needs.
Over the weekend I started going through the trailer threads on here and ran across folks talking about Diamond C trailers. I started trying to find out if there were any dealers around me that carried this brand. I could not find anything remotely close. I finally just started typing in town names somewhat close to me with trailers for sale. It was around midnight when I came across a dealer that was 2 and a half hours away that had these brand trailers. They had two Diamond C Low Profile equipment trailers listed so I decided to go look at them. I hopped in the truck early this morning and drove the 2 and a half hour drive up there so I could get there when they opened. First off, these folks knew about the trailers they were selling. Big Plus! The two other dealers I was checking out around my area did not seem as knowledgable to me and one of them would not negotiate at all on prices. This just really turned me off. The salesmen took me out to the lot and showed me the 20' and it was nice. Toolbox, D-rings, 12000 lbs. jack, and wide ramps with springs. This one would have fit the bill but then he showed me the 22' one. SOLD! He even negotiated with me and we agreed on a price. I am so SO glad I took the long trip up there. Again, I had to drive a little ways to get what I wanted.
The Diamond C low profile equipment trailer fit everything I was looking for. It has a 23" low profile deck and the BIGGEST tool box I have seen out of everything I looked at (I think all equipment trailers should have a tool box of some kind. JMO). I am really glad I decided to go with the 22'. When loading the 20' trailer everything was aways a tight fit. Now I can put the box blade up front and still have room for the tractor and another attachment. I wanted more space and this trailer has it. It is really well built and the quality looked good to me. I think this is a good size for a 40 to 50 HP tractor. It might be a little overkill but for me I wanted to have enough trailer than not. I hope this post will help folks on here when they are in the market for a trailer.
SIDE NOTE: All the trailers (PJ, BIG Tex, and Diamond C) that I looked at were very nice trailers and I think folks would be happy with any of them. This one just fit exactly what I was after.
