The Gatormade expierence.

[Builder]

I know nothing about this company other than what I have read in this post. However... when I saw the Gatormade emblem that is obviously trying to look like Caterpillar, the first thing I thought of is a Chinese copy-cat type product. My opinion of the company is pretty low... just because of their emblem. The comments in this thread aren't helping either.

Hope the steel, welding, axles, etc. are up to snuff. May be a great trailer other than the runny paint... but I have a hard time believing they put great care in the parts that matter when everything else looks so sloppily put together.

Scotch locks.....:laughing:

 

[two_bit_score]

Scotch locks.....:laughing:

Yep. It's pretty clear that you're not going to get anything 'perfect' from these people no matter how much you 'tell them it better be perfect when you pick it up'. :laughing:

 

[tractorboy5500]

Hope i have better luck, i still got about 2 weeks. Just by being on this forum will help me out alot, from all other peoples problems.

 

[ITHINKICAN]

This was an informative thread - thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Again, when buying any trailer look at the overall value and what you can and cannot live with. Do not pay in full until you have inspected it fully no matter what brand.

Chris

 

[Builder]

Nice advice, but when you order a trailer and you need it immediately for work and it arrives with scotch locks, crappy paint or chinese wheel bearings, you're hosed. If you're using it to make money, you don't have time to get into a stalemate with the dealer over questionable quality control, you need to put it to work right away. To expect the dealer to correct issues like that in time so that you can still make money is idealistic and a bit naive.

Best thing to do is to inspect someone else's trailer of the same brand and then order it. Then there is a reasonable expectation you'll get close to the same thing or have the dealer sign something that promises a list of expectations to be fullfilled before you'll pay. That puts the onus on him to make good.

 

[Docknboatlift]

I was actually googling for Paul's email address when I stumbled across this thread.

I bought a gatormade carhauler trailer last friday, drove to tennessee and had two 500 gallon hot water tanks loaded on it, and drove home to Louisville, KY happy as a clam.

I also used to be a trailer retailer, having personally sold 1500 of them in various shapes, sizes, and quality standards. So I think I ought to add my perspective as both a seller, a buyer, and a 30 year metal working tradesman who wouldn't bother getting out of bed to try and build trailers for what the market is likely to pay for them-particularly steel utility trailers or cargo trailers.

First, paint quality. Personally, I think anyone who buys a work trailer is kidding themselves-and not me-if they think a "perfect" paint job is required. What exactly are you doing that you won't scratch that trailer all to **** while working an honest trade anyway? If you got paint on all of it, you are doing substantially better than most trailer purchasors. You need to look at those paint runs not as poor quality, but as an extra thick level of rust protection. If you want a Cadillac, go and buy one for the quality paint job. You bought a utility trailer.

Second, and this refers to the rest of the quality issues....

Steel utility trailer buyers are by and large the tightest wallets you are likely to find for most any product anywhere. That's just the way it is, and the OP's post pretty much details it. The reason he bought a Gatormade was not because of the quality. Oh no, he bought a $8K Gatormade because he couldn't find a $7900 CrocMade, JoeMade, SamMade, or PeteMade. In fact he scoured the internet and was willing to buy from 600 miles away sight unseen to make that low price happen.

I was only willing to drive 150 miles for the lowest price, sight unseen. The fact of the matter is most steel utility trailer buyers are looking for cheap.

You got what you paid for. So did I. I can only say it that clearly and remain polite about it. Expectations of top quality domestic axles, molded one piece wiring harnesses, high quality tires, etc. are things you weren't willing to pay for. I obviously can't speak to what you may have been told. If you were lied to, that is an entirely different matter. But I dealt with Paul, and he didn't lie to me.

You and I most certainly could have gotten a steel trailer made on used axles, with may-pop tires, a "wiring harness" that dangles precariously from the frame in several places, with plain pine decking, a spattering of paint on the outside only, no VIN #, no brakes, made by a guy in his garage with a 110V wire welder, who has no insurance and stacks them up by the side of the road for the REAL price shoppers to feast with their eyes. At least you didn't do that.

But I will tell you, I also had that trailer I just got done describing and ran it long, hard, overweight, and with undersize tow vehicles....and we were not able to kill it in six years of malicious abuse. Finally, a guy showed up on our trailer lot who wasn't willing to pay a few bucks more for an actual legal trailer and convinced us to sell our pride and joy to him....for 90% of what was originally paid for it. I think the only maintenance that was ever done to it was to grease the axles every now and again when someone in the shop needed a task to do. Of course we did replace the used tires when the may-pops did-pop, with spiffy new used tires of various impressive missing tread designs.

Which is the real comfort you should take in all this, sincerely. Because if you or your wallet or your pride should outgrow that trailer that you are now dissatisfied with...well, run her as hard, ragged, and weary as you can....then paint over the battle scars with some cheap spraycan black and see if you can't patch the wires back together that you likely tore up in honest trade (scotchloks or not) and park her by the side of the road with a price of $7100 on it.

She won't be there long. And you will be right proud and well satisfied with her when you see her flickering tail lights pulled off into the distance. Might even miss the deal you got on the old gal.

I bet you're feeling better now.

Dock.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was actually googling for Paul's email address when I stumbled across this thread.

I bought a gatormade carhauler trailer last friday, drove to tennessee and had two 500 gallon hot water tanks loaded on it, and drove home to Louisville, KY happy as a clam.

I also used to be a trailer retailer, having personally sold 1500 of them in various shapes, sizes, and quality standards. So I think I ought to add my perspective as both a seller, a buyer, and a 30 year metal working tradesman who wouldn't bother getting out of bed to try and build trailers for what the market is likely to pay for them-particularly steel utility trailers or cargo trailers.

First, paint quality. Personally, I think anyone who buys a work trailer is kidding themselves-and not me-if they think a "perfect" paint job is required. What exactly are you doing that you won't scratch that trailer all to **** while working an honest trade anyway? If you got paint on all of it, you are doing substantially better than most trailer purchasors. You need to look at those paint runs not as poor quality, but as an extra thick level of rust protection. If you want a Cadillac, go and buy one for the quality paint job. You bought a utility trailer.

Second, and this refers to the rest of the quality issues....

Steel utility trailer buyers are by and large the tightest wallets you are likely to find for most any product anywhere. That's just the way it is, and the OP's post pretty much details it. The reason he bought a Gatormade was not because of the quality. Oh no, he bought a $8K Gatormade because he couldn't find a $7900 CrocMade, JoeMade, SamMade, or PeteMade. In fact he scoured the internet and was willing to buy from 600 miles away sight unseen to make that low price happen.

I was only willing to drive 150 miles for the lowest price, sight unseen. The fact of the matter is most steel utility trailer buyers are looking for cheap.

You got what you paid for. So did I. I can only say it that clearly and remain polite about it. Expectations of top quality domestic axles, molded one piece wiring harnesses, high quality tires, etc. are things you weren't willing to pay for. I obviously can't speak to what you may have been told. If you were lied to, that is an entirely different matter. But I dealt with Paul, and he didn't lie to me.

You and I most certainly could have gotten a steel trailer made on used axles, with may-pop tires, a "wiring harness" that dangles precariously from the frame in several places, with plain pine decking, a spattering of paint on the outside only, no VIN #, no brakes, made by a guy in his garage with a 110V wire welder, who has no insurance and stacks them up by the side of the road for the REAL price shoppers to feast with their eyes. At least you didn't do that.

But I will tell you, I also had that trailer I just got done describing and ran it long, hard, overweight, and with undersize tow vehicles....and we were not able to kill it in six years of malicious abuse. Finally, a guy showed up on our trailer lot who wasn't willing to pay a few bucks more for an actual legal trailer and convinced us to sell our pride and joy to him....for 90% of what was originally paid for it. I think the only maintenance that was ever done to it was to grease the axles every now and again when someone in the shop needed a task to do. Of course we did replace the used tires when the may-pops did-pop, with spiffy new used tires of various impressive missing tread designs.

Which is the real comfort you should take in all this, sincerely. Because if you or your wallet or your pride should outgrow that trailer that you are now dissatisfied with...well, run her as hard, ragged, and weary as you can....then paint over the battle scars with some cheap spraycan black and see if you can't patch the wires back together that you likely tore up in honest trade (scotchloks or not) and park her by the side of the road with a price of $7100 on it.

She won't be there long. And you will be right proud and well satisfied with her when you see her flickering tail lights pulled off into the distance. Might even miss the deal you got on the old gal.

I bet you're feeling better now.

Dock.

View attachment 223420

Nicely said. Best post on trailers I have ever read and like you been in the business, owned, maintained, resold, ect, ect, ect.

You hit the nail on the head.

I will say it again, Gatormade Trailers are a nice trailer for the money. Can not be beat in this area. Oh, and by the way I have replace bearings on 3 trailers in July. Bought each and every bearing at Napa and guess what, made in China. I have no problems with Chinese made products. Its just the way it is. Yes, I could have searched out US made one but thanks to the unions I could have bought a new trailer cheaper.

Chris

 

[Newblue]

Plain and simple - I was lied to. The listing for their trailers say painted top and bottom and it was not. I was told there would be no scotch locks but there were plenty. The car haulers are a different breed than the goosenecks with the ability to turn them over when assembled, the goosenecks are not.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Plain and simple - I was lied to. The listing for their trailers say painted top and bottom and it was not. I was told there would be no scotch locks but there were plenty. The car haulers are a different breed than the goosenecks with the ability to turn them over when assembled, the goosenecks are not.

I would be mad also. Knowing what you are getting is one thing but being lied to is another.

Chris

 

[Docknboatlift]

Again, if you were lied to that is a different story. I dealt with Paul and got more than I was expecting.

But if you feel you didn't get your money's worth, my advice still stands: Go beat the bejesus out of that trailer...ride her hard, put her up wet....drag her across the scrub brush, back her into the concrete filled posts at the gas station....load her down so hard the axles bottom out on the frame, then run her down the road at 80...park her out back in the weather, leave the flat tire roll till you make her home instead of pull over and fix it on the highway....and make sure you fix the wiring that broke cause you miss-judged loading ol Bessy with the forklift so at least one running light will glow faintly after dark.....don't you dare wash her, to say nothing about waxing her, or pretend that you even pointed a garden hose near the old gal after 500 miles of snow, sleet, and road salt....

I've done all that, I'm not always proud to say. Most folks have. and do, and a surprising number say they only used the old gal to haul meals on wheels to the poor shut ins from church after Sunday service (apparently also before kickoff).

And when your personal standards for trailer love gets the better of you having to haul that disgrace down the road for whatever it is you do with her, pull out the receipt you got when you paid for her, dab a little spray paint on the major boo boos and fix the wiring one last time, multiply the total on the reciept by about 80% and park the gal by the side of the busy road with a big ol sign announcing that figure.

Someone will be along right quick to take that trailer home.

Anyone want to guess what the answers will be when "someone" questions how good of care was exercised with that trailer?

Why heck no! I loved that trailer with all my heart and if there were room enough for her in the bedroom I might have just kicked the old lady out and been better off for it all the way round. Why if you don't hand me that money quick and skeedaddle I'm liable to break down in tears right here and have to keep the gal for sentimental reasons.

We been through a lot together, me n that trailer.....

 

[Newblue]

Again, if you were lied to that is a different story. I dealt with Paul and got more than I was expecting.

But if you feel you didn't get your money's worth, my advice still stands: Go beat the bejesus out of that trailer...ride her hard, put her up wet....drag her across the scrub brush, back her into the concrete filled posts at the gas station....load her down so hard the axles bottom out on the frame, then run her down the road at 80...park her out back in the weather, leave the flat tire roll till you make her home instead of pull over and fix it on the highway....and make sure you fix the wiring that broke cause you miss-judged loading ol Bessy with the forklift so at least one running light will glow faintly after dark.....don't you dare wash her, to say nothing about waxing her, or pretend that you even pointed a garden hose near the old gal after 500 miles of snow, sleet, and road salt....

I've done all that, I'm not always proud to say. Most folks have. and do, and a surprising number say they only used the old gal to haul meals on wheels to the poor shut ins from church after Sunday service (apparently also before kickoff).

And when your personal standards for trailer love gets the better of you having to haul that disgrace down the road for whatever it is you do with her, pull out the receipt you got when you paid for her, dab a little spray paint on the major boo boos and fix the wiring one last time, multiply the total on the reciept by about 80% and park the gal by the side of the busy road with a big ol sign announcing that figure.

Someone will be along right quick to take that trailer home.

Anyone want to guess what the answers will be when "someone" questions how good of care was exercised with that trailer?

Why heck no! I loved that trailer with all my heart and if there were room enough for her in the bedroom I might have just kicked the old lady out and been better off for it all the way round. Why if you don't hand me that money quick and skeedaddle I'm liable to break down in tears right here and have to keep the gal for sentimental reasons.

We been through a lot together, me n that trailer.....

OK?????? I'll be honest, this trailer is a toy - to haul other toys I have. It gets the white glove treatment as far as trailers go. It sits in a garage and does not see salt in the winter and has rarely seen rain. If I were to make a living with this trailer though, I would have bought a Corn Pro. The axles under the Gatormade gooseneck I have are junk. The spindles had nicks in them chewing out the grease seals getting grease on the magnets and brakes, two bearing races had air pockets (holes) on the face where the bearing rides, and one of the brake shoes had metal embedded in causing a loud squeal when the brakes are applied. I'm pretty sure I was lied to about the paint primer too, there is none! This trailer chips real easy and when it does, I don't see any primer at all. Maybe the primer comes off with the paint chips, I don't know. Why would I sell this trailer now? I have lots of hours into fixing Gatormades mistakes. I bought trailer #1 from the sales manager and I think his name was Paul. He personally didn't lie to my face but his listings did. Now at the time there was another salesman there when I went to pick up trailer #2 named Zyndall Haste that was more help to me than anyone else around there.

 

[downslope]

Nice advice, but when you order a trailer and you need it immediately for work and it arrives with scotch locks, crappy paint or chinese wheel bearings, you're hosed. If you're using it to make money, you don't have time to get into a stalemate with the dealer over questionable quality control, you need to put it to work right away. To expect the dealer to correct issues like that in time so that you can still make money is idealistic and a bit naive.

Best thing to do is to inspect someone else's trailer of the same brand and then order it. Then there is a reasonable expectation you'll get close to the same thing or have the dealer sign something that promises a list of expectations to be fullfilled before you'll pay. That puts the onus on him to make good.

It's the same thing when they have your $1,000 deposit, it makes it more difficult to refuse delivery or try to get corrections.
Being in a "need it immediately for work" situation, I think you have to do what you recommend and go with a dealer you really trust or is highly recommended.

The other alternative is to do some road travel to different dealers and buy something off the lot without putting any cash down. You may have to compromise on some desired feature or option, but you know what you see is what you're getting.

 

[Docknboatlift]

If you are looking for primer, I'd be surprised if you can find it on any "affordable" trailer of any type. Not only are they not primered, heck they don't even put a scuff pad to the existing surface rust before painting over it. The single exception to the paint quality issue is some of the very small (Kit built, 4 x 6, 5 x 8 flat utilities on mini tires with GVW's of 800-1200 pounds or so). Those trailers are powder coated-not because the quality is so much better, but because it is far and away the cheapest way to paint trailers of that size in runs of a hundred units or more. Quality, is simply a surprising byproduct of the need for cheap in this instance. They arrive at the dealer knocked down in prefab kits of five, and the wiring harness is scotchloked together at the lot.

Still, I don't really want to antagonize this situation beyond what I've already said. The advice to visit a dealer and see competing brands side by side is a winning suggestion and allows an informed salesperson to inform the customer with hands on examples of the difference. That is actually the only way to create the value in a higher priced trailer that a customer can recognize. On line, off a brochure, etc....price is the only quality that sticks.

Still, don't be panic'd by having something that is not what you expected. I stand by my observation that you bought the most solid "investment" vehicle you can find on the road. Nothing late model sporting an engine will retain anywhere near the percentage value of a straight up work/utility/cargo trailer with so little maintenance; not Ford, Mercedes, Honda, Rolls Royce, Yamaha, Hyundai, or Maserati, even if garage kept and rarely put to use.

 

[davygp38]

Well it has been over a year with the new trailer, and I felt it was time for an update. After fixing the tail light that fell out on my ride home, and going over every inch of the wiring to tape up all the scotch connectors (that were not supposed to be there.) I would say I am happy with the trailer. I am not a commercial hauler, so as far as the long term quality goes, I am not the right one to comment on this. However.. The trailer is solid as a rock, the full width ramps are awesome, and the way the lights are all wired up with the turn signals, and brakes makes me happy. As far as the comments about buying this trailer as a cheaper alternative to a Hudson, or a Big red etc. Gatormade advertises themselves as "top of the line." "Stronger than the other guys." "Twelve inch I beams, instead of ten." I find it laughable that those of you who " were dealers," and have "been in the business for years," do not find anything wrong with the expectation that when you buy an expensive piece of equipment, it should be in as advertised condition. I spoke with Paul before,during, and after the sale. he assured me that there were no scotch connectors. An out right lie. The paint was horrible. Oh, I should have know I was getting a crappy paint job because I shopped around for the lowest price? Are you kidding me? There is a disconnect in this country between the retail salesman, and the American consumer, and this thread shows it. Now after getting that off my chest, I still feel the trailer works for me. I would just caution all buyers to buy one off a lot, that you can look at.

 

[PapaPerk]

Hey guys buy a Corn Pro trailer or possibly a Moritz to save yourself a lot of hassle! I have a Corn Pro and its well made with American made components!

 

[miramadar]

Wow...this is a really great thread with great insights from all sides. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

I, myself, am not a pro. I hook up to anything that I think will haul my load. I don't even own my own trailer to pull my 5k# tractor...I borrow a car hauler from my dad-in-law.

Docknboatlift made an interesting point about how "trailer" buyers are the tightest of the tight. I guess he's right. When you think about a trailer, there's nothing "grand" about it for sure. It's a simple, yet expensive, tool. It's hard to get excited about it, and therefore hard to wrap your head around the expense. Kinda like a very expensive hammer, I suppose. You really just need something that works. A trailer is seen as just one of those "necessary costs" that no one really wants to pay for.

Another very interesting point was made by the OP (newblue) in that there is a disconnect between retail and the customer. This is definitely true and, I feel, is a tell-tale sign of the ongoing decline of American society. When you look at a McDonald's "Double-Quarter-Pound cheeseburger" advertised, either in print or on TV, it looks absolutely fabulous...like those burgers your girlfriend would make when you were courting. But when you bone up the $7 for the "value" meal, and pop open the well-designed packaging, and really inspect the burger...well, you know, it's not quite as appealing as you were led to believe.

This "lie" is everywhere in America. Everything that "advertises" partakes in the lie. Like the Lowes salesperson who, in the TV ad, acts more like a personal concierge completely dedicated to assisting you (and only you) during your visit to the store. But when you actually go to the store, you press the red button, wait 5 minutes, press it again, wait...wait...wait, then the salesperson shows up, more interested in turning off the alarm than really listening to your needs, points your in the general direction, then scurries off to answer the next alarm.

There is definitely a disconnect, and we Americans, for the most part, have come to accept it. We no longer expect "perfection". And when "perfection" is advertised...oh well, we shouldn't really hold them to it...after all, it's just advertising...right? Like "MADE IN AMERICA, (of Chinese parts)". That's just the way it is, right?

The OP bought a trailer that advertised "top of the line". Should he have expected "top of the line"? Is he out of line or being "nit-picky" for asking Gator to bone up?

I don't know the answer to any of these questions. Maybe he should do as docknboat says and just abuse it like a government mule for 10 years, try to hide all the scars and then sell it for 80% of the original price. Why not? That's become the America way, hasn't it?

 

[TK industries]

I just purchased a gator low pro gooseneck elite 16 + 4. Trailers seems very well built I also have a Towmaster trailer. I have a commercial business we haul our own equipment. The powder coat paint is nice trailer is heavy built and a good design. I purchased this trailer less than a month ago I have had 2 lights go out I called the salesman and he said stop in and pick up a new light. I don't live in Somerset so I sent several emails asking please ship the lights to me I would even pay shipping NO RESPONSE. The wiring is very poor scotch connectors everywhere and electrical tape I would not expect this on a trailer I paid 6000 dollars for. Those are my complaints wiring and poor customer service.

 

[jeffsw6]

I was going to order a Gatormade but I decided to wait a bit, save some more money, and see what else I might learn in a couple months it would take me to make the extra $$ to buy a Haulmark or Wells Cargo instead of a cheaper brand.

Still not sure which way I am going to go. The main thing that put me off about both the Wells Cargo and Haulmark dealers I talked to is I emailed them exactly what I want and I got wrong quotes, and not just a little bit wrong, but the WC guy quoted me a 7x16 instead of a 8.5x20 (pretty big f'ing difference) and the Haulmark guy got everything correct except 7'6 interior height and ... GVWR, again, an important difference when we are talking 7000# or 10000#.

I would like to know a good Haulmark or WC dealer near Louisville, KY who is capable of doing minor up-fitting. I am not unwilling to pay more for a good brand but if the salesmen can't get basic stuff right I am not going to trust them to customize. Ironically the Gatormade guy's quote was right the first time and when I did not order when I said I would he even called me to ask if I had bought anything yet, so I told him no, I was just taking some extra time since my work is slow in the winter anyway.

 

[Cat_Driver]

OH my goodness. I can't believe people are actually defending shotty workmanship.
Are you people serious. What is this kind of garbage was being produce with a MADE IN CHINA sticker on it. Oh ya then you all would have your dandruff up wouldn't you.

Hey were are all the BUY AMERICA people now. What's that sound I hear crickets?

So just so I'm clear here, if China builds garbage, with shotty wiring, lights that fall out before you get home, paint that was done by a hung over blind pigmy.....well that's just fine because after all you ONLY PAID a measly 8k or so for the trailer.

Why in the world would anyone expect a well made product that is bran new and cost 8K.

So lemme ask this, what is the price for a product that doesn't have paint drip marks, bad wiring, lights that fall out? Anyone, what would that price be?

Funny I didn't see on their web site 8K for a lousy product that falls apart the day you get it, and 12K for a product that will not fall apart the day you get it.

Hmm maybe they should advertise that.

Hey I have a new slogan for them.
PRODUCTS MADE IN AMERICA THAT LOOK LIKE THEY WERE MAKE IN CHINA.

Ya that's what they need to do, accentuate the positive.

OR here's one.
BUY OUR SHOTTY TRAILERS AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS THEY WERE BUILT IN CHINA. :laughing:

How about this one.
NOT MADE IN CHINA, THEY JUST LOOK THAT WAY. :laughing:

What keep going OK....
BUY OUR TRAILERS, WE MAKE CHINA LOOK GOOD.:laughing: