[Howey09]

Well Ive been getting prices on New 7x16 open trailers for this upcoming season. Ive narrowed it down to two trailers now and need some opinions. Both have there pros & Cons.

First Trailer :

7x16 Sure-Trac tandem axles (3,500 both breaking axles) Trailer sides and top are all tube. Sealed lights, D rated tires (New) 4' rear gate
Total Price= $2,270 cash W/5' gate 2,370

Second Trailer :

7x16 Angle Iron sides Tandem axles (3,500 both breaking axles) 4' gate and 2' dovetail ramp.
Total Price= $2,100 cash


I know sure-trac makes a nice trailer and tube is stronger then angle iron. But a dovetail ramp is nice for my ztr. Trailer will be used for mowing and landscaping. What trailer would you guys choose?

 

[MikeKle]

There is many places in OH and MI that sell 16ft tandem trailers cheaper than that! I bought my 16ft tandem brand new for $1000, well, actually $950, and it was $50 extra for the 4ft gate. I can get you the name of the place if you are interested. It has worked fine for me. It is an angle steel trailer and yes, it has brand new wood on the deck too! I checked around before buying it and many places were asking $1800 up to over $2500 for a basic 16ft tandem axle open trailer with a gate!!! These people must be on drugs to ask that much!! Its an open trailer for Gods sake!

 

[360ci]

Cheaper than that???? Damn. A 7x16 in Canada with tandem 3500lb axles runs close to $2800-3000 depending on paint/coats, etc. Plus options such as higher sides, front box, spare tire, etc. MikeKle - post the link!

Keep in mind $2K to me is a great price for an open trailer in basic form. It takes a lot of materials and man hours to put one together. A 3500lb axle alone is $200+tires and wheels. Times two axles is at least $800 for rubber wheels and spring axles when all told. Plus fabbing it all onto the trailer, etc. I don't think I'd charge less than $3K if I made trailers on my own.

 

[MikeKle]

They do not have a website that I know of. It is Classic auto and trailer sales in Westville OH. Phone number is 937-652-1903. They are brand new trailers, but do not have brakes, they have tandem 3500 lb axles. They are angle steel trailers, not square tubing though. The gate is extra too, but mine only cost $1000. I am going on my second season and it is working great. Since I only haul WBs, I really dont need brakes, but they sell different models of trailers, and I believe they do have one with the larger 5200lb axles and brakes. Although Im sure it would be cheaper than any other place for it. That just proves those places selling 16ft open trailers for $2200 and up are price gouging so they make huge profits! If I paid $1K, then the dealer is probably getting them for around $500-$600. But they are fine with taking less profit then the other guys, and they sell these trailers left and right, when I went, they only had one trailer left in the type I wanted, they had sold out that quickly.

 

[Darryl G]

I'd stick with the one with all tube steel. Angle iron has way too much flex to it.

 

[GravelyNut]

I'd stick with the one with all tube steel. Angle iron has way too much flex to it.

Depends on the angle iron and trailer make. I've seen tube trailers break their welds from not being flexible enough. And if built right in the first place, the frame and not the rails would be carrying the load. But then I guess that's why our trailer that is a 6X16 weighed 1900+ pounds to start with.

Although on the way back south, we will have to pick up a new axle set. Had a bearing failure at 65+MPH on the WV Washboard, uh, Turnpike and it still managed to keep the wheel on the last 3 miles to the last travel plaza south of Charleston, WV. No idea other than the pounding the road gave it going thru Beckley for the failure as the bearing temps were checked last at Wytheville, VA and were good.

 

[Darryl G]

Yah well mine certainly isn't flexible with all tube including the cross pieces under the floor. Sorry to hear about bearing.

 

[GravelyNut]

Yah well mine certainly isn't flexible with all tube including the cross pieces under the floor. Sorry to hear about bearing.

It's a tradeoff. Too rigid and welded tubes crack. To light and the steel angles crack. Or you get excess wear at the spring shackles and eyes. Something has to give over time.

I had planned on replacing the bearings when I got back down south as they've got nearly 21K miles on them. May just get 2 new axles as they come complete minus tires for $233 each with springs and brakes included.

 

[MikeKle]

Those $1000. trailers I mentioned are made of all angle steel, but they use really thick and large for the main frame rails,I believe they are 5"x5"-1/4" or 5/16" thick. There is a little flex to it, but there really should be some flex on the trailers we use, even huge equipment trailers are built to flex to some degree. Look at any empty flat bed semi truck trailer, They have a huge bend in them, so when they are loaded, it becomes flat and level. My $1000. trailer weighs 1520 empty.

 

[Darryl G]

Wow, my 6 x 12 is only 820 pounds. I lift the tongue and roll it around even on turf and gravel areas by hand pretty easily.

 

[Hawg City Lawns]

Those $1000. trailers I mentioned are made of all angle steel, but they use really thick and large for the main frame rails,I believe they are 5"x5"-1/4" or 5/16" thick. There is a little flex to it, but there really should be some flex on the trailers we use, even huge equipment trailers are built to flex to some degree. Look at any empty flat bed semi truck trailer, They have a huge bend in them, so when they are loaded, it becomes flat and level. My $1000. trailer weighs 1520 empty.

on normal van trailers ive never seen a bend in them but i have seen others with some bends

Wow, my 6 x 12 is only 820 pounds. I lift the tongue and roll it around even on turf and gravel areas by hand pretty easily.

my trailer is a little 12' single axle and it weighs 1100 pounds empty its solid and rides nice when empty but you are easily overloaded

 

[GravelyNut]

on normal van trailers ive never seen a bend in them but i have seen others with some bends

my trailer is a little 12' single axle and it weighs 1100 pounds empty its solid and rides nice when empty but you are easily overloaded

Flat deck trailers are seldom flat lenghtwise. Those were what he was talking about. Van trailers are built more like covered bridges.

 

[dwhitt]

Where did you get your prices from? I'm in the same situation, looking for a 7x16. I was quoted $2750 for an identical Sure-Trac. Thanks

 

[SouthSide Cutter]

Where did you get your prices from? I'm in the same situation, looking for a 7x16. I was quoted $2750 for an identical Sure-Trac. Thanks

I just bought a new PJ with rear spring assist ramp, 50" spring assist side ramp. Its 18ft with and has a 2ft dove tail. It has 4"channel frame and good lights and brakes on both axels, new tires and treated floor 2750 with tax. Only thing I dont like is the removable angle side frame. I will change that to a square tube fixed in the future.

 

[Wallace Tractor]

$1,000 for a new trailer???
Does it have brakes on both axles?
Did it come with a break away?
Did it come with new trailer tires or used car tires?
Since I have been in business I could buy a tandem axle trailer for any where close to that let alone sell one for that?
Maybe down south you could buy one for that but up here we must have brakes and break aways for inspection.

 

[Meezer]

Where did you get your prices from? I'm in the same situation, looking for a 7x16. I was quoted $2750 for an identical Sure-Trac. Thanks

Try these guys:

http://cgi.ebay.com/6-5x16-Car-Haul...cmdZViewItemQQptZTrailers?hash=item2a05ba924b

 

[taterlawn]

take the second, i have had both and the dove tail is a life saver, plus angle iron is easier to strap to

 

[Howey09]

Bump any other oppinions?