Trailer choices

[GreatWhitehunter]

So I sold my PJ GN last week and now the hunt for the replacement BP version begins. I've got PJ,Brimar,belmont,anderson,camsuperline,superior,quality dealers local to me. I've been really happy with PJ but my local dealer shorted me on $100 on my last trailer. I don't do business with cheats and crooks so I'm shying away from him. I really like the brimar's but there a bit over priced and the dealer doesn't have any 20' on the lot but tons of 18'. My GN was 25' so I feel I'll be sorry if I go any shorter than 20'. I'm leaning towards a low pro instead of a deckover. I've been looking into kaufman an they seem to be a good trailer a great prices. So is there any other brands I should look into?

Matt

 

[Builder]

If you like PJ, why not buy from a different dealer. The manufacturer didn't screw you, the dealer did.

BTW: If someone shorted you $100, you should get in their face and let them know you will no longer do biz with them and go out of your way to tell others about your experiences with them.

Congrats on the DMAX. Hopefully you'll like yours as much as I do mine.

I had a Cam Superline and really liked it. Bri mar I had was OK. Belmonts look great.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Builder, I've been wondering where you've been. The next closest PJ dealer is hrs away and overpriced. I'm talking with a Penn dealer that lives by my BIL.
So I could take a trip to see him and pick up the trailer. The cam's are nice but seem overpriced for what you get.

Matt

 

[Diamondpilot]

All are quality trailers. I really do not think you could go wrong with any of them. I also like the lower deck versus a deck over. I would make a list of all the requirements you have and go out and see what the dealers have. Make a day of it. Let them know you are buying a trailer that day and here is what you need. Tell them they have one chance to make a deal so give me your best price. Let them know they are competing for your business.

Money talks so be ready to buy. I do this all the time on trailers. Mainly for boats but the same principals apply. Like I said make a list of what you want and stick to it. Make them earn your business.

Chris

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Chris, the problem with your method is that most don't stock the exact trailer with all the options I'm looking for. That's how the PJ dealer shorted me on the GN. He ordered it an the waiting game began. Almost all the dealers lots are stocked with 18'. I really want the fork pockets and 20' of flat deck no
18+2 stuff. None seem interested in being competative with each other. And haggling seems to be non-existant. If I could find a dealer with a stock unit then maybe. That's why I keep coming back to Kaufman. I can order it with no middle man an get the options I want. What about towmaster? I can't seem to find any dealers or ball park pricing on them.

Matt:confused2:

 

[Builder]

Chris, the problem with your method is that most don't stock the exact trailer with all the options I'm looking for. That's how the PJ dealer shorted me on the GN. He ordered it an the waiting game began. Almost all the dealers lots are stocked with 18'. I really want the fork pockets and 20' of flat deck no
18+2 stuff. None seem interested in being competative with each other. And haggling seems to be non-existant. If I could find a dealer with a stock unit then maybe. That's why I keep coming back to Kaufman. I can order it with no middle man an get the options I want. What about towmaster? I can't seem to find any dealers or ball park pricing on them.

Matt:confused2:

I'm like you bud. I rarely buy stocked items. I usually have options I want that the dealers don't stock. Fork pockets are a no-brainer. I ordered my Cam Superline 18K bumper pull special order and it came in quicker than I thought. With the economy in the tank, you should be able to get an ordered trailer quick. In my area, haggling is pretty non-existant because poor sales have forced them to sell at rock-bottom prices-there's just no room left to drop down.

I have no experience with Kaufman, but when I looked years ago, I didn't think they were up to the quality of PJ, Cam or Belmont. They very well may have improved. As long as they have quality axles, brakes, tires and a properly constructed frame compared to the others, you should be OK there. I like Dexter stuff and none of the junk tires, but it's the paint jobs that come back to haunt you later. Try to get as much info on their painting process as possible. Look underneath and at joints for paint quality.

Quality costs money. I am priced higher than most of my competition, but have survived a horrible recesssion because I never stopped trying to deliver the best. Trailers are the same way. Most of the time you get what you pay for. Look for the details in workmanship and the finish quality.

 

[some zilch]

i have a quality (brand) trailer, and the op mentioned he has a quality dealer nearby. i actually have 2 of them, and they are extremely well built, extremely durable, and have excellent paint and tires.

my first trailer ever was a 6.5'x12' single axle, ramp gate, landscape-style trailer. i bought it new about 8 years ago for $900. it has a 3500lb axle, real 15 wheels/tires, and 2x decking. it has towed numerous smaller pickups, a dodge stratus, a few neons and hondas, etc as some of its "bigger loads." it still has the orig tires, which are in excellent shape, and deck is still in great shape, and the paint is in great condition, given the rough treatment it sometimes sees.

my second is the equipment trailer listed in my sig. i have not used it much, but it seems very well built, and i expect it to perform well. i give the thumbs up to quality trailers..

 

[Diamondpilot]

In my area the trailer lots are stocked to the gills. I just went to one 2 weeks ago to pick up some stuff and I bet they had 150 trialers. Not sure if they had what you wanted but they were out of room and had tons of trailers. They even still had trailers stacked to make room.

Builder may be right on the haggling. The dealers may be buying them at a rock bottom price right now to keep the manufactures going so there may be very little room. I really feel bad for you east coast guys when it comes to trailers. I have 3 major boat trailer manufactures within 2.5 hours and more then 20 trailer manufactures within 5 hours that sell direct. Prices are 1/3 less then what I see you guys having to pay.

At the end of the day if you liked your PJ maybe that is the way to go again. Let the dealer know you were not happy last time around and its time for him to be a man and step up to the plate and make it right. He can earn your business or make a worse enemy.



Chris

 

[medicshawn]

Pistol Hunter just bought a Kauffman Gooseneck and posted pics of the paint underneath it looks pretty good.

New trailer - TractorByNet.com

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Shawn, I have been following pistols thread, it seems like a well built unit for sure. The east coast is real high on trailers. For example I can buy a 20' low pro PJ 14k from Penn for just under $3500. Up here the same trailer is $4200 the worst part is the dealer here is getting it from the dealer in Penn anyways. I still really like the Bri-mar. I wish the dealer had what I wanted instock. He told me he can't just order one and he needs to wait till he needs more. Anyone heard of this? As for the Quality brand the PJ dealer has them an belmont also. There definatly not as nice as the PJ or Belmont but there priced acordingly and lets face they all rust eventually. So back to my towmaster question anyone have any experience with them? I understand they're considered the cadillac of the trailer world

Matt

 

[schmism]

Got to play the numbers game.

Whats 300-500 worth to ya.

How far can you drive for $300.

If they dont have what you want does it matter how much cheeper it is? If it does, what is that number? (if a 18' flat is $500 cheeper and you dont have to drive more than 20 miles to get it is that a deal maker?)

quantify what its worth to ya and then find what meets that criteria.

Perhaps a smoke'n deal on a 18' flat today is worth it to have one for a year or 2 to sell it for what you bought it for and buy a 20' flat in a couple years when things turn around?

 

[AKfish]

So back to my towmaster question anyone have any experience with them? I understand they're considered the cadillac of the trailer world

Matt

I talked with the TowMaster folk's. They're built in MN. The equipment dealer's up here (JD, Kubota, Bobcat) use them for their rental business (and sales, too).

They are the Cadillac's of trailers for sure. And the price is DOUBLE and a bit more for any comparable trailer!!!

Couldn't find anyone that wanted to "Discuss" a deal, either. I moved on....

AKfish

 

[AKfish]

I looked at a couple of other extemely well-built trailers, too. Trail King is on a par with TowMaster - IMO.

And it's right in the same price range, too! High quality equipment that would last anyone a lifetime of work.

Trail-eze is another well made trailer. Just down a notch from Trail King; but in the upper 10% bracket. You'll have to spend more to get there, too.

AKfish

 

[LarryRB]

Matt
I bought my BriMar from Patty and Don Skarp in Palmer MA,, they own trailers of new England,,, I also went to "your" dealer last year, but didn't buy anything,, I recently got rid of the BriMAr,, I will say they have much bigger steel than most,, weigh it and can also haul it.. Never had one ounce of trouble or problems with the BriMAr and Trailers of NEw England are real nice to deal with,,

 

[Diamondpilot]

While Bri Mar trailers are nice I ordered my uncle a 14' 14,000# dump new in 2005. Second trip the rear drivers wheel nearly fell off. I took it apart and it was missing the cotter pin with not one in site. Just goes to show you can have trouble with any maker.

As for ordering just one it comes down to transport cost. When I get trailers I like to pull double stacks. Thats 2 stacks of 4 trailers. I can then divide the transport cost over the number of trailers rather than just one.

Chris

 

[LarryRB]

New England trailers goes over each trailer sold before you leave their lot, including checking the brakes, electric lines, lights, battery, etc,, Buying from them, you aren't leaving the property immediately. This, is probably why they have such high ratings and regards,,I've been there on several occasions for various reasons and I see they do this with each and every sale,, even if you are a repeat customer,, Well known around here and you never ever hear a bad word,, I notice they design and custom build trailers for homeland security, state and local city police and many, many fire dep'ts...

 

[Builder]

New England trailers goes over each trailer sold before you leave their lot, including checking the brakes, electric lines, lights, battery, etc,, Buying from them, you aren't leaving the property immediately. This, is probably why they have such high ratings and regards,,I've been there on several occasions for various reasons and I see they do this with each and every sale,, even if you are a repeat customer,, Well known around here and you never ever hear a bad word,, I notice they design and custom build trailers for homeland security, state and local city police and many, many fire dep'ts...

That alone is reason to buy from them rather than the usual dealer who justs processes your paperwork and sends you down the road.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I've got afamily in PA that we're due to go visit. So it's really not out of my way at all to make the trip. I'm really torn between a tilt trailer and the standard equipment version. I still would get a low pro if I went tilt. I think I'm going to try and get to see a kaufman in person.

Matt

 

[Builder]

Where does your kin live in PA? There's a bunch of PA trailer manufacturers.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

There in Johnstown so Cental PA. There's a large PJ dealer down that way I'm sure there are others also.

Matt