Recommendations on place to buy a heavy duty utlity trailer

[lamrith]

Well the business is cranking along and gotten to a point (wayyy faster than I planned) that I need a way to haul stock orders without overloading my rig like I have been.  I considered a pickup bed style utility trailer or even just a pickup, but knowing that a used homemade trailer rig or used 1ton can handle the weight of even a minimum stock order is to much of a risk.

Hoping to find something in Pierce County area.  This is all out of pocket at this point, so looking to keep down as low as possible.  If anyone has a cousin's, great Uncle's, highschool teacher that has an "in" let me know.  Or if you just had good luck and reasonable pricing from a place, let me know.  I found a place in Oly that has what looks like a great bang for the buck trailer, just hoping there is a place closer to Puyallup with a good deal to save having to sprint thru JBLM traffic after work to get there before they close on weekdays.  I skimmed websites of the "big names" (freeway trailers etc) and they seemed really expensive.

I am looking for something fairly small size, I do not want something like a full size car hauler.  Probably something like a 5x10 size, specifically not looking full enclosed.  I need solid side walls as the trailer will see gravel runs, dump runs etc.  Based on what I am seeing in quick research I will need double axle, all the trailer axles look to be 3500# rated.  Min load I have to be able to handle is 2500#, max is approx 5000#.  Max load could be once a year or it could be every other month.

[Grit dog]

Trailer dealer in oly, forget the name, had the best price when I bought a couple new deck over trailers couple years ago.
But hit up craigslist. Sounds like you want a dump trialer off gravel, etc but would haul anything else. Has sides, heavy dual axle.
Also sounds like you want something cheap if you're considering homemade pickup bed trailers and any used dump trailer still going to be $2-3k at least unless it's trashed.   
Again, Craigslist is your friend here.

[Happy Gilmore]

Bulldog trailers- great quality. Down near Chehalis

[NRA4LIFE]

Iron Eagle makes a real solid trailer, I am very happy with mine.  There is a dealer off HY 18 near Maple Valley, I think it is called Trailers Northwest.

[Special T]

Coming from some one who has towed and owned lots of different trailers id recomend a single axle dump trailer. One with a torsion bar suspension and 8lug would be the rout id go. Youd be amazed at how much you will use the dump feature especially it you attach a small winch to the forward bulkhead.  I say 16" wheel 8 hole because tires and wheels can be had used all day long used cheap. Own a spare.

[lamrith]

Thanks for the input guys!

Actually not looking for a dump bed, the time I would use that feature would be maybe 1x a year if that, and it adds half again the cost to the trailer.  My monthly use is a palletized load that I cannot tip or dump out.  Just a huge increase in expense for an option I do not see myself using (haven't used one ever, and rarely do haul dirt/gravel, just want the option.  I appreciate the recommendation and will keep eyes open, just hard to swallow extra $1k or more for it. 

I do however need the capacity and load rating of a double axle.  My std deliveries may be 2500# pallet, but I also bring in two of those pallets at a time so a 5000# load.  I need to be able to haul both at once, otherwise I am doubling my time, mileage and fuel when I place larger orders which I am already having to do on just my 3rd stock order.  If it continues this way 5k will be the norm, hence wanting the capacity.

It definitely does seem more difficult to find a trailer with the load rating and NOT dump though for sure...  I will check out those brands/stores.  I will also keep the wheels/tire thing in mind!  Thanks guys!!

So far the one I am seeing as the best option is this one:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/fod/5551747969.html

[NRA4LIFE]

That looks to be a heck of a price for that trailer.  I doubt you'll find much lower.

[lamrith]

That looks to be a heck of a price for that trailer.  I doubt you'll find much lower.

That is sort of what I was seeing, so wanted to throw the question out in case someone has a hookup or knows a better deal.

[coachcw]

Tandem axle dumper . One trailer and you Wil be done . The dump saves so much time and back pain . If you blow a tire on a tandem your not stuck so to speak .

[Special T]

Depending on where your going, and how your vehicle is licensed you may need to stop at scales. If you have specific questions http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/cvd.htm or PM me

[Grit dog]

Well you're limiting yourself with your  requirements of 5x10, built in sides and tandem axle(7klb).
You're not divulging what you haul which is fine, but 1 or 2 loaded 2500lb pallets screams flatbed to me.
There are several larger flatbed trailers on CL right now that will haul what you need , ability to forklift the pallets and it's easy to build wood sides if you need side boards. Seen a couple that could be had for under $2k easy. Agree not a lot of trailers right now. Need to keep your eye out. Deals pop up.
Few years ago bought a 7x16 tandem, almost new with painted 4' wood sideboards well constructed for $1500. 2 years ago, found a like new 28' enclosed Charmac snowmobile trailer, literally like new, decked out for $5k.
But you're not likely to find those kind of deals every day. Knew what I wanted and was ready to buy when one came available.
If I was doing any sort of trailer hauling for hire like you are, I'd be thinking flatbed/carhauler or deck over trailer with stake pockets to put sides on if you need them.

[lamrith]

Well you're limiting yourself with your  requirements of 5x10, built in sides and tandem axle(7klb).
You're not divulging what you haul which is fine, but 1 or 2 loaded 2500lb pallets screams flatbed to me.
There are several larger flatbed trailers on CL right now that will haul what you need , ability to forklift the pallets and it's easy to build wood sides if you need side boards. Seen a couple that could be had for under $2k easy. Agree not a lot of trailers right now. Need to keep your eye out. Deals pop up.
Few years ago bought a 7x16 tandem, almost new with painted 4' wood sideboards well constructed for $1500. 2 years ago, found a like new 28' enclosed Charmac snowmobile trailer, literally like new, decked out for $5k.
But you're not likely to find those kind of deals every day. Knew what I wanted and was ready to buy when one came available.
If I was doing any sort of trailer hauling for hire like you are, I'd be thinking flatbed/carhauler or deck over trailer with stake pockets to put sides on if you need them.

Great info again.  I have considered flatbed, I just do not need that full 16ft which is why I sort of wrote flat beds off, I need the smaller footprint for storage between runs so I can tuck it out of the way next to garage, a car trailer just does not fit there.  Smaller (5x10) high capacity ones seemed hard to find as well.  Having the sides build in also was easy for those other runs.  But I will check again, ad loading pallets from side is much easier than tail loading and having to push forward.

I am not doing this for hire I am hauling my own personal load of a very specific product, not for someone else.  If I was doing for hire with varying product hands down I would go bigger dual axle flatbed.

You guys are giving me lot to think about and even though I am still a bit focused on the one I linked you are bringing up alternatives I had not considered and giving me lots of options to look at.  keep em coming.  THANKS!

[Special T]

Im guessing the requirements stem from the fact that the pallet load is likely something like paver block or small retaining wall blocks. Something with sides helps keep contained with no chance of spillage.

I would say that you need a barn doo style rear gate not a tilt up like the one in the add you linkd. Gona be very hard to push or slide a second pallet onto the trailer with that and leaving it off negates any benifits of having built in sides.

[lamrith]

Im guessing the requirements stem from the fact that the pallet load is likely something like paver block or small retaining wall blocks. Something with sides helps keep contained with no chance of spillage.

I would say that you need a barn doo style rear gate not a tilt up like the one in the add you linkd. Gona be very hard to push or slide a second pallet onto the trailer with that and leaving it off negates any benifits of having built in sides.

It is loads of wood pellets on a pallet, 2500#/pallet including pallet weight.  I was worried about that tail gate for loading as well.  I have not seen the trailer in person but was told by the store that the tailgate is easily removable.  They also have options available for swing out tail as well, rather than ramped.

I am still looking for higher capacity flat trailers, but everything so far over 3k rating has been full size 7x16-20ft car haulers which are not feasible for me.

[Happy Gilmore]

http://bulldogtrailers.com/inventory?view=detail&id=76

Our old Bulldog is a 3 axle with 6K each. It's about 18 years old now I believe. We just bought a smaller tilt deck with just two 6K axles this year. 

Bulldogs really hold up well. Great quality trailers. For car haulers we buy from a guy who used to own Interstate Trailers. He's in Nevada and about $3K less with two 6K axles than the local car hauler guy with cheapo 3K lb axles.

We buy two car haulers a year to replace aging ones. I think we have about 20 trailers now.

[Grit dog]

Makes sense if storage is a consideration. In that case, you may have to buy new to get exactly what you want.
I can tell you don't waste your time with homemade pickup trailers for hauling 2-5klbs.
Good luck with your search.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Bulldog trailers- great quality. Down near Chehalis

 

[Antlershed]

My dad will be selling a 10SR-10 Big Tex dump trailer in the very near future. I just picked up his new 14'er yesterday, and the Big Tex is at Olympic Trailers in Lacey today having the trailer brakes gone thru. The Big Tex measures 6.5x10 inside the rails. Also has newer tires on it.

[lamrith]

Wanted to give everyone an update.  The ideas were all very much appreciated.  I did consider a dump box but it was just too far out of my price range and extra to worry about and maintain that I just would not use enough to justify the price.

Ended up getting the 7K that I linked originally.  Picked it up a few weeks ago, and very glad I did.  I looked at a few other trailers while I was onsite and this one is just a monster for the $.  Full 2x4" tube construction for the box, fully welded not spot welded, heavy diamond plate walls and fenders, full LED lighting, breakaway controller and dual axle brakes, drop tail with half sheetmetal covered and  full ramp expanded metal, big rubber feet for the ramp, and ramp is 100% removable without use of any tools, heavy duty tarp/tiedown hooks.  Fenders even have a support brace so they can take standing on them, and have no skid pads installed.

I have not done my 1st loaded run with it, I went out and bought a brake controller for it, super easy install.  Got it all done just in time too I have a full 2 pallet shipment landing tomorrow (5400#) for it's maiden voyage and will give an update after that.

[SniperDanWA]

Nice trailer.  You will be pleased.  Congratulations.

[Happy Gilmore]

two 3,500lb axles won't last long if you're hauling around 5-6,000lbs. That is realistically a maximum load. One word of advice, don't turn backing up with a load on. It will kill your bearings on the light weight axles.(or any for that matter) If you must turn backing up, don't turn sharp and twist the wheels. Good news is that the 6,000lb axles aren't terribly expensive to upgrade. You'll want to do it after you pop a wheel or two off.

[follow maggie]

Nice trailer. Don't worry about the bearings in it. If it's running up & down the road making you money, the cost of replacing bearings once a year is not even a blip on the radar. Before I upgraded my business from a trailer to a freightliner box truck, I ran my trailer every day at it's max weight of 7,000 pounds. Every spring I brought it to Les Schwab for bearing service and check the brakes. The service cost was minimal.

[lamrith]

She did well on drive home.  Tow vehicle is going to be more of a concern.  She struggled climbing out of the valley.

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