Heavy duty single axle utility trailer

[alancamby]

Just started a thread on the Garage Journal and thought I would ask here too.

I am selling both of my single axle utility trailers and buying a new one.
Actually I just sold one of them last Sunday.

I am in the market for a quality 6.5'x12' trailer.
Would rather spend $2000 and get a quality unit then by a thin 1/8" angle iron trailer that costs $1300.

Been looking real seriously at the H&H Single side utility.
SS Solid Side Single Axle Utility Trailer
any thoughts on these?
I have already got a special order trailer quoted out. Standard cross members are 2x2x3/16 every 24"oc and I have upgraded to 2x3x3/16" cross members every 20"oc. They would not quote with 3" c-channel cross members.
The standard axle is a 3500lb non-brake. I will get a 3500lb or a 5200lb with electric brake. The 3500lb with brake adds $140 and the 5200lb w/ brake adds $400.
The only disadvantage I see to the 5200lb axle is more expensive tires down the road and slightly higher deck height.

Several manufactures are making these solid side trailers.
They really don't have a frame that runs down the side. The press brake formed sides are the frame. In the case of the H&H it is 15" tall 12 gauge metal. Any thoughts on this vs a angle frame or c-frame?

The Steel trailer brands that are popular around here are,
PJ (By far the most)
Load trail
H&H
AMO

Of course there are a lot of people buying the cheap trailers from the big box stores. Unsure of the brand of those and really don't care

I really like the looks of the Diamond C trailers http://www.diamondc.com/trailers/sin...trailers/2psa/
But there is not a dealer and have not seen them in person.
I am a little concerned with the hollow frame that they use rusting from the inside out.

Thanks for listening,
Alan

 

[HHR]

Go with the big 5200 pound axle. You won't regret it. My next single axle trailer will have at least a 6000 pound axle.

 

[mikesee]

Alan: You didn't mention what you are going to be hauling with the trailer and whether it is for work. Personally I don't like running at 100% trailer capacity. i don't know the dry weight of the trailer, lets suppose it is 500lbs so your max load with the 3 k axle would be 2,500 and you would be running at 100% capacity of the Chinese made tires. With the 5k trailer, 2500 ponds would put you at about 60% of tire capacity. If your hauling anything like wood/dirt/gravel, 2500 pounds is not much and you could easily overload.

 

[alancamby]

My current and sold utilities are the common 2990 GCVW trailers and I feel from time to time I have pushed them to the limit. I picked up some small landscape rock the other day and the guys with the loaders are used to the big dump trailers. Pretty sure the trailer got overloaded.
This is no the norm for me, Just want to have that warm and fuzzy feel that the trailer is a little overbuilt and it seems that so many are not. With the price of steel, I am sure the manufactures are cutting out all they can.

I do own a 102" wide tandem trailer for my tractor and other large jobs. I just like using the small utilities for the maneuverability.

The 77"x12' deck trailers seem like a sweet spot for most of the hauling I do.

Mostly the trailer will be used for very light jobs.
I think this size trailer weights around 1000lbs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

At around 1000# empty weight I would upgrade to the 5,200# axle.

Tire cost is negligible. I just put 2 205/75/15 tires on a customers trailer last week. His load range C tires were $105 each. I also just put 4 225/75/15 load range E tires on my smaller boat trailer. They were $116 each.

So about $20 difference going from tires for a 3500# axle to tires for a 6,000# axle. Not even the cost of a hot meal.

Chris

 

[mikehaugen]

The only other consideration I have, depending on your state, is that stepping up to 5200# may put you into the next class for tags. IIRC, here in IL 5000 and up makes you a class c. Not a big deal, just thought I'd mention it.

 

[RandyT]

The only other consideration I have, depending on your state, is that stepping up to 5200# may put you into the next class for tags. IIRC, here in IL 5000 and up makes you a class c. Not a big deal, just thought I'd mention it.

$58 dollars a year for tags, and twice a year inspection requirement. I have that on my 7x14, brakes both axles.

 

[mikehaugen]

I'll also add that you have the choice to tag it at whatever, make it 4999 if you want. Just don't get caught at 5000 lbs, unlikely you would get weighed though.

 

[Deere Dude]

I built a 6x10' trailer for hauling my 12-1300# garden tractor. I put a #6000 axle under it but I found it rode so rough with smaller loads that I switched to a #3500 set of springs. When the trailer is lightly loaded the ride is much nicer, at least on my #1000?? trailer. But it was a mobile home axle, so maybe those are stiffer and that I don't know for sure.

 

[alancamby]

I don't think Indiana has anything special for this. I have 7000lb tags on my other trailer and don't have inspections on mine. I probably will pay a tad more for the 5000lb plate over the 3500.

Just checked my registrations. My 3500lb trailer is $29 a year and the 7000lb is $47.
Thanks, did not think of that. Though it is not much.