Trail King tag trailer, anyone have one?

TMGT · Jun 10, 2017

I'm possibly going to look at an older 10ton deckover tag trailer. Mid 80's, dually tandem 10k axles, 19+5 dovetail deck. I've looked them up and the new ones look pretty nice but not sure how the specs compare to the older one.

I know it needs some new decking boards but is supposed to be in pretty good condition otherwise. It's more trailer then I need, but the price seems right and I've been looking for a deckover.

So does anyone have experience with the older Trail King tag trailers? Anyone know what the empty weight is?

boggen · Jun 10, 2017

if it is more trailer than you need, take into account insurance, and plates for it. it might mean even paying more yearly to pull it.

TMGT · Jun 10, 2017

Plates and insurance aren't an issue. My main thing was hauling around a lot of extra weight when empty. I would like a 20-22ft 16k tilt deckover with single 17.5 tires but I'm not going to find that in my current price range.

boggen · Jun 10, 2017

pull the wheels off, check the brakes for wear, and check grease/bearings for tires. while jacked up. try spinning tires and check electrical brakes.
--check the axles are they bent
--check the wiring harnesses and lights and ground connections
--check the hinges or like for ramps
--check the the overall welds that hold the frame
--check the jack to see if it has been bent up from accidentally leaving down and trying to pull away with it trailer connected.
--check how badly the rust is, frame itself most likely good, but the thinner metal on trailer may be bad.
--breakaway battery and switch is it in working order?
--rear jack legs for loading/unloading and keeping rear truck wheels on the ground. are the jacks/legs in working order?
--can you even get it on the road without fear of loosing a tire due to tires are cracked and dry rotted?
--are you happy with spots for tie downs? or just not enough tie downs, and/or the chains/straps you have you will need new ones to work with trailer?

--decking can be a rather expensive item to replace. the boards alone is costly, but also time in dealing with any nuts/bolts/screws that might be holding old deck on. and needing to grind them off possibly due to rusted beyond ability to unscrew them.

--just like a deck on home, wood decking = sealing the boards normally with some sort of water proofer every so often. along with cleaning the boards with say a power washer. how good is the deck both top, between the cracks and under side.

is the physical frame work on the bottom side, lined up just about right for what ever tractor / machine you plan on hauling? so most of weight of machine is directly transferred to the frame, vs seating just off to the side on the boards.

Big Barn · Jun 10, 2017

I bought that exact trailer brand new in 1984. It was a display model at the Farm Show in Tulare California. They figured at the time it was the first Trail King to come into Canada.

Great trailer. Vacuum over hydraulic brakes. Don't recall the price though.

TMGT · Jun 11, 2017

Thanks Big Barn, I did a few searches and nothing came up outside of their website and listing for sale. Found one for sale that's about the same year and condition (best I can tell picture to picture) so I feel like I've got an idea on how they hold value which seems to be pretty well.
From the pictures they appear like a nice quality trailer, I don't mind older if it was built right in the first place and wasn't abused.
My Eager Beaver dump trailer is an '88 but the molded wiring harness is still intact and has never caused a problem, there's something to be said about the higher end trailers.
Hopefully it checks out ok, I'm looking forward to having oil bath hubs on a trailer again.

TMGT · Jun 16, 2017

Well I'm finally going to check the trailer out in the morning, looks like I can get it for 2200. It's more trailer then I need but at least I'll never have to worry about overloading.
Looks to be in decent shape from the picture.

Big Barn · Jun 16, 2017

Looks the same as the one I had except for the tool box. You'll really like the double hinged ramps.

Terry

TMGT · Jun 22, 2017

Figured I'd update the thread, picked up the trailer last Saturday, have to do a little work in it which I suspect.

Need to replace the decking and I plan on rewiring, structurally it is sound. Also I'm changing out the pintel for a ball coupler, it pulled well on the way home

and doesn't feel as heavy as it is even with the brakes not working (wiring issue).

Looks like it'll be a good trailer for now but will probably be sold after I finish my building and sell off the skid steer.