PJ 25k Trailers.... No Dexter axles??

TruckinFool · Oct 28, 2013

Looking at buying a 25k gvw 30ft gooseneck for hauling hay, tractor, skidsteer etc. I'll be hauling 3x3 or 3x4 hay monthly at GVW. Roughly 5hr round trip.

The PJ I'm looking at is $12,300. Its powder coated has two lockable boxes with gas shocks, 22lb I beam upgrade, 25k gooseneck hitch, two 12k Rockwell oil bath axles on slipper leaf suspension, sliding 4" ratchets, two fold flat ramps and fold up middle section. Not sure if its got a torque tube but does have frame bridging which should only really help the frame flexing down under load.

I think its a little over priced by comparing to others but my biggest concern is the axles and GN hitch. Hauling hay, one way or another I always seem to be over GVW and/or not diving on the best road conditions. I want to make sure the trailer has enough nuts to take pretty steady loading/abuse. PJ only lists Rockwell although I think used to use Dexter. The 22lb per ft frame seems overkill when comparing with other trailer brands (typically 19lbs) but its only got a 25k bulldog GN coupler and not sure about the quality of the axles. Talking with trailer companies the biggest, if not, only difference between 35k GVW trailers and the 25k's are the axles so that tells me I want the best axles I can get under it.

If it had a 30GVW coupler to match the HD frame and dexter axles I would have already pulled the trigger.

Should I be concerned? Anyone know if American Rockwell(Quality) axles are a good brand? How about parts network? Trying to figure out if the bulldog 25k and 30k couplers fit into the same tube so I could just upgrade.

I'm in Colorado, any other brands I should look at?

Diamondpilot · Oct 28, 2013

I have been in the trailer business part time for 20 years and have never seen a Rockwell Axle. ALKO and Dexter are on 99% of the trailers I service.

Chris

mikehaugen · Oct 29, 2013

I know rockwell makes (or used to make) military axles. The 2-1/2 and 5 ton axles from military equipment were sought after for building monster trucks. I definitely wouldn't see them as "generic" axles. As far as strength, I don't think I would be concerned about them. Getting parts may be a little harder though, but maybe not.

The 25k bulldog hitch would be a little more concerning, but may not be a deal-breaker.

TruckinFool · Oct 29, 2013

mikehaugen said:
I know rockwell makes (or used to make) military axles. The 2-1/2 and 5 ton axles from military equipment were sought after for building monster trucks. I definitely wouldn't see them as "generic" axles. As far as strength, I don't think I would be concerned about them. Getting parts may be a little harder though, but maybe not.

The 25k bulldog hitch would be a little more concerning, but may not be a deal-breaker.

I knew that name sounded familiar. There is a rockwell distributor near me and a few scattered around the country. Going to call PJ today and talk to them. Sales guy at my dealer sseemd like he felt accomplished by simply knowing the brand of axle nevermind anything about it.

TruckinFool · Oct 29, 2013

I think they come with a two year warranty. Not sure how that compares with Dexter.

ovrszd · Oct 29, 2013

Definitely get answers about the axles. Friend of mine bought a new PJ 5 or 6 years ago to principally haul hay like you. Had nothing but trouble with the axles. I don't recall him saying anything about Rockwells though. He said his axles were Chinese made and he couldn't find parts locally at all. Had several bearing failures. Finally put it together and sold it. Left such a bad taste in his mouth you couldn't chase him fast enough to sell him another PJ trailer.

TruckinFool · Oct 29, 2013

Just got off the phone with Kaufman trailers. Sales woman pointed out something that I didn't really think about. I asked how their trailers with twin 10k axles are rated for 25,900gvw and its because the trucks rear axle is sharing the weight. Pretty obvious but I didn't think of it. She said under 26k GVW trailers with twin 12k axles are technically illegal because they are capable of over 26k and should be getting hit with the federal excise tax. The bulldog 25k coupler is also interchangeable with the 30k so a simple swap fixes that. Having the twin 12ks gives some surplus and puts me mot at ease but I still cant find ANYTHING regarding rockwell reliability, service, build quality etc.

kf4uda · Oct 29, 2013

I can't comment on the Rockwell axles but I found the operation & service manual for them on PJ trailer site.

http://www.pjtrailers.com/downloads/rockwell_american_operational_service_manual_10K_16K.pdf

BrinkME · Oct 29, 2013

rockwellamerican.com | A Leading Manufacturer And Distributor Of Quality Trailer Products

Now I can't comment on all their products or even the specific axles on that trailer, but we use Rockwell axles on our products where I work. We use mainly torsion axles in the 6-8k range, but we have never had an issue and have yet to receive any customer complaints relating to the axles themselves. As far as I know they're products are made in the states. Ironically their parent company is one of our competitors.

I wouldn't be afraid of Rockwell axles and I'm pretty sure parts are readily available.

TruckinFool · Oct 29, 2013

I think I'm sold on taking the "risk" with rockwell over dexter. The twin 12k axles can actually support around 30k when figuring load distribution so the surplus makes me feel at ease.

Now I'm contemplating if a $13k trailer is worth the investment when I'll be burning through 20tons of hay per month within a year. Looking into the costs of running an older semi and trailer under farm tags vs making multiple hauls with my 3500 dually. Colorado doesn't seem to make things easy to figure out the legalities/costs of doing so.