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kschaper75 said:
Paid 8500 for my 18' maxxd Equipment trailer. Pricey for sure but worth in my opinion.
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Prices have become absurd. I paid $9000 for my 28' GN with damn near every option Jan 2020. Basic 24-26' GN equip trailers were 6500 then.

I'm forced to build a 20ft 14k bumper pull. It's simply not worth $8500 (to me).
 
Not sure how much quality has dropped, but I purchased a 30' PJ GN in 2002. Special ordered it with triple 7's (before they were a common option), pop up 5' dovetail, and dual jacks with toolbox. I have literally abused the shit out of it for years. Always (over)loaded, and only a few problems with it. Have replaced the rear axle hub on it twice, and replaced the brakes 3 times. My FIL borrowed it last year, had it loaded to the nuts with fencing supplies, and was in an accident. (Oncoming semi lost a load of barrels full of an acid [heavy], which he hit head-on.) The impact from the accident bent the B&W hitch and the bed floor on the truck. Totaled the truck. Trailer was unhurt. Didn't bend the neck, which suprised me.
 
AlxJ64 said:
Got a Big Tex 25+5 with Mega Ramps and this explains the multiple missing welds that would be "slightly" out of position no matter which way you rolled the trailer (just due to interference).
In regards to engineering, and being a bridge guy myself, I do appreciate that they have a lot of anti-fatigue detailing in their designs that reduce the chances of cracking and if it does crack, it is likely to self arrest. The pierced web stringer connections and exposed deck rails are nice touches for durability.

Also, I was trying to get decals from them for a long time so that when I fix the missing welds (they're not anything critical honestly, just obvious and frustrating to look at) I can replace the DOT striping. They swore they'd send it on their dime and I never saw it. Then, back in Sept. my dad decided he wanted to have some retirement income / get out of the house so he started selling equipment again and behold, the dealership he went to work for, they are a Big Tex dealer. Stickers were in my hand in a week. He says that the regional rep has been constantly sending out promotions and price drop adjustments. Sounds like they overshot their inventory after the post Covid hysteria died off.

To the OP.
Dunno how far you're willing to drive but last he said they had like 30 trailers on the lot and they were all bumper pull. I can send anyone specifics if ya PM me. Dealership is just east of Charlottesville, Va.
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If he is still working there I would be interested in some #'s Been looking for a 14k deck over, used prices are insane for a rusted out beat to shit trailer, I think I need to start pricing new. I got a quote for a Hudson Brothers (true 14k capacity), but they are 10-12 months out!

Looking for at least 18' of flat and 3' beaver (not apposed to a bit longer), at least 14k, and would like at least 96" deck (102" would be better)- Not sure if any of that is something they would have, but close enough to drive for me.

Thanks- :beer:
 
I have a 2010 18' PJ. The build quality on it is pretty decent, I'm not sure when it changed. The only real issue that I have with it is that the breakaway module is mounted in a spot that let it get hit by my camper jack on a tight turn.
 
Unless they've improved, DON'T buy a Gator bumper hitch car trailer. Buddy bought one 10 years ago, its a pile of shit. I suppose if you only used it on smooth roads with even loads it might have held up, but it's built too light, not enough bracing, and flexes badly.

Flatbed Car Hauler Trailer (Slide In Ramps) - Gatormade Trailers

16ftLowboySlideinRamps7K2-sm.png


Looked like this new one, shittier fenders than the one pictured though.
 
chaplinfj60 said:
i am picking up my trailer in 8 days, its HP trailer out of SW iowa. 14k 18foot tilt bed. keep you posted
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You'll be driving pretty close by my area no matter which route you take. If ya run into trouble let me know. On the south end of Braddyville is a convenient store across the MO line, if ya need cheap tax tobacco they always have plenty. My brother buys about 6 cartons of smokes down there every 2 weeks:laughing:
 
no tobacco for me,
i will be down next saturday. shooting for 9 am ish pick up time.
maybe we will stop by and say hi, :beer:
 
Here’s part of the problem with a PJ. The removable fenders suck and where they put the side marker lights in the fender support tube there’s no room between the face and the backside. So the gasket and the light don’t actually fit. They roll x number of trailers out a day like this and said “fuck it.”
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I’ve got a IronBull 14k with the 8” fabricated beam frame and it’s a beast. I use it for my crawler and equipment hauling duties and it‘s built like a tank and tows great. It‘s also the quietest empty trailer I’ve ever hauled and its every bit as good as my buddies Diamond C , which is also a hell of a unit!
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Ive had my PJ CE 20' since june of 19, was my first NEW trailer. Bought it because it was the only flat deck I could find and I was sick of dragging the beaver tail on everything. Normal Pj sloppyness, but has been great otherwise.

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I've got a 2020 PJ, I dont know if I would buy another. It tows nice, but man has their workmanship gone to shit. As mentioned above the removable fenders kind of suck to deal with. One of mine is welded together at a 15 degree angle for fun I guess? The boxes for the battery and hydraulic stuff are absolute garbage too.
 
Geez, everywhere I look I find crap about PJ sucking:laughing:

Yup, still on the hunt for a trailer:homer:
 
so go this one today. have yet to use it to haul anything but so far i am please. i fell like a paid a fair price. $5800 and its a tilt deck 14k with G rate tires. 18 foot long and 84 between the fender, and fenders are drive over. things that i am gonna do is put a tool box up front, weld 3x3 angle iron to the out side of the stake pockets vice welding a rub rail. see pic below. kinda ruff... this will make the deck 10 inches wider and still able to use the stake pockets.
this place is in iowa.

only have 3 hours or so pulling it so i cant tell you anything about how it pulls with weight.

i went 18 foot because i dont have anything big, like tractors or skid loaders, but i also dont like trailer drama when i am on vacation going to or coming back for a wheeling trip. my average load i will be hauling is 5 k for the buggy and tools and BS.
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chaplinfj60 said:
so go this one today. have yet to use it to haul anything but so far i am please. i fell like a paid a fair price. $5800 and its a tilt deck 14k with G rate tires. 18 foot long and 84 between the fender, and fenders are drive over. things that i am gonna do is put a tool box up front, weld 3x3 angle iron to the out side of the stake pockets vice welding a rub rail. see pic below. kinda ruff... this will make the deck 10 inches wider and still able to use the stake pockets.
this place is in iowa.

only have 3 hours or so pulling it so i cant tell you anything about how it pulls with weight.

i went 18 foot because i dont have anything big, like tractors or skid loaders, but i also dont like trailer drama when i am on vacation going to or coming back for a wheeling trip. my average load i will be hauling is 5 k for the buggy and tools and BS.
1676898651891.png



1676898922463.png
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I forgot to ask you Saturday... How does it pull? My buddies H&H tilt deck pulls like shit unloaded, but beautifully once you get about 2000# or more on it. A little longer, but 2-7k axles in about the same spot in relation to the deck, because tilt. My only complaint regarding the tilt decks is how the axles have to be basically centered under the deck.
 
Pulls good considering mt. But i put 25 psi in the bags. Helped some. I did let air out and found a nice spot.
I don’t mind centered. Over all I am just stoked with it
 
A couple guys in here have good things to say about Ironbull, which makes me feel better. I'm pulling the trigger on this one tomorrow. Built to order. 26+2, 14k GVWR, 14 ply tires and two speed landing gear. Price was way more than budget, but it's clown world everywhere now. I'll report back when I get it in ~6 weeks. Will be a dedicated hillbilly Hilton.

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My friend has a 20' Ironbull buggy hauler for a few years and really likes it. I'll actually be using it next month for a trip.
 
Switching gears, those with enclosed haulers or some experience with, any brands to stay away from? Or brands that are simply better to buy?
 
I have an 8.5x24 Lark and a 7x14 Mirage.
Both look fine and haul stuff, but there were no tape measures used during the builds on either one.
The fab quality on the Lark is horrible; everything is cut with a grinder or a torch.
That being said, I don't know if any of them are any better.
 
72Pstroke said:
I have an 8.5x24 Lark and a 7x14 Mirage.
Both look fine and haul stuff, but there were no tape measures used during the builds on either one.
The fab quality on the Lark is horrible; everything is cut with a grinder or a torch.
That being said, I don't know if any of them are any better.
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Thanks for the feedback. I am looking for either a 8.5x20 or 24.

Trailer places near me are selling Mirage or Loadrunner if anyone has any experience with any of those.
 
Borrowing a good friends trailer for a few months till mine comes in. Ironbull 10k 20' buggy hauler and it's one of the nicer trailers I've been around.
 
ihpartsjeff said:
Thanks for the feedback. I am looking for either a 8.5x20 or 24.

Trailer places near me are selling Mirage or Loadrunner if anyone has any experience with any of those.
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Load runner is about the cheapest brand I think I've seen, just trash build quality. They have the interstate looking logo correct?

Enclosed are a little more intimidating to me because it's not just a bunch of thick steel and wood. If you're going to run it down the highway a lot, make sure you get a good one.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
Load runner is about the cheapest brand I think I've seen, just trash build quality. They have the interstate looking logo correct?

Enclosed are a little more intimidating to me because it's not just a bunch of thick steel and wood. If you're going to run it down the highway a lot, make sure you get a good one.
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Yes correct on the brand logo.

Thanks for the feedback. Intimidating to me too! I've never owned and enclosed trailer before and only borrowed one years ago from a buddy. Unfortunately I don't remember the brand and he has since passed on. I don't mind spending the money for a good trailer. I'm just trying to avoid spending good money and ending up with a piece of shit trailer. That's why I'm asking to find out what are considered good enclosed trailers.
 
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