Let's talk trailers....

[berger]

Bumping this back up as I may be in the market for a trailer for the CJ this year.

So far I'm looking for:

- 18-20' length
- 5K axles
- brakes on both axles
- rear jacks
- spare tire
- drive over fenders

Anything else I should be looking for? Any brands/local trailer builders I should consider? The Dodge already has a goose neck hitch installed - would it be worth going that route?

I am buying a 6.5x10 trailer for my bike from Kempro in Kemptville (now http://ndttrailers.autotrader.ca). They sell PJ trailers and they seem to be very fairly priced and quality trailers. They will also let you pay monthly, if you need to do that.

$4100
20? Car Hauler, 2? beavertail, 2- 5200lb axles, GVWR 10,200, slide in rear ramps, black powder coat, 225/75R15 tires, 5? channel frame, 7000lb top wind jack, 2 5/16 adjustable? coupler ,electric brakes both axle, treated douglas fir decking, rear stabilizer jacks

http://ndttrailers.autotrader.ca/tr...r+7+x+20-8e360e150a0a00b5014fe1f94dd1d7e3.htm

$3400
18? Car Hauler, 2? beavertail, 2- 3500lb axles, GVWR 7000, slide in rear ramps, black powder coat, 205/75R15 tires, 5? channel frame, LED Lights, 5000lb top wind jack, 2 5/16? coupler ,electric brakes on both axlse, treated douglas fir decking,

http://ndttrailers.autotrader.ca/tr...r+7+x+18-8b185bb940463812017c63235bc60aef.htm

 

[bradleyfitz]

Bumping this back up as I may be in the market for a trailer for the CJ this year.

So far I'm looking for:

- 18-20' length
- 5K axles
- brakes on both axles
- rear jacks
- spare tire
- drive over fenders

Anything else I should be looking for? Any brands/local trailer builders I should consider? The Dodge already has a goose neck hitch installed - would it be worth going that route?

Look at PJ trailers. They have a "buggy hauler" that fits the bill perfectly. It is what I am looking at now because it comes pre-built with a 102" deck without being a deckover. Fenders are rated to drive over up to 5k lbs. The brochure / info says 3500 lbs axles, but I know the US version has an 5000 lbs axle option.
http://www.pjcanada.com/trailers_carhaulers_B5.html

I have not called for info or prices, but there is a company on kijiji that posts pj trailers. Their 6" car hauler is also available in a large range of sizes and 5200 lbs axles is an option (as are all the features of the buggy hauler, like a 102" deck). http://www.pjcanada.com/trailers_carhaulers_CC.html

Do you need a 10k lbs trailer? Or do you just want room for the possibility of being heavier in the future?

Other things to look for / consider:
- additional tie down points. The ones that come on a standard car hauler may not be placed in the best spot for strapping down the CJ.
- 2' dovetail. Not necessary for the CJ, but makes loading a car or truck that is not under power much easier to load
- integrated led lights are a nice to have, I have broken many a regular tail light (I have a very narrow driveway)
- full deck, either wood or metal is nice to have (metal cleans easier)
- hidden ramps are nice, but I sometimes would prefer / wished I had fold up ramps
- pay attention to where the jack is located, mine can easily damage the tailgate if I am not paying attention which way the handle is pointing. If you are also doing a slide in camper, this may be very important, especially if it protrudes past an open tailgate.
- winch plate may be a nice to have
- a jack on the back or stops integrated into the fold up ramps to prevent the rear of the trailer from dipping to the ground and raising the rear of your truck (this also makes loading a vehicle not under power easier)
- I have heard from others that removable fenders are a giant pain in the ass. Especially depending on how they are removed (some are bolted), so don't go this route

All that being said, I personally would be happy with any used 10k trailer in good condition. Virtually everything you would want / need that's an "extra" on a new trailer can be added to suit your needs.

 

[Kunker]

Priced out a Buggy Hauler, quoted at $4300ish I think. I haven't had a chance to call back to see if that was pre or post tax, and if all of the options I wanted were included (can't remember what I said in the VM message). Since they come completely powdercoated, I'd think I would want all of the options in place first rather than grinding off and touching it up while still new. Oh, and the 6" version was about $1K more.

Beavertail isn't something I'm all that interested in and certainly not needed for the CJ. Honestly, I can't see me loading anything without ground clearance in the future either.

For size, I know Jeeps tend to get a bit heavy, and I'd rather not be near max loading all the time. 7K of weight - 2K for the trailer doesn't leave me with much room. I believe Richard posted up that his YJ was around 4500lbs, and while I'm not rocking 60's yet, it's probably not that far off on weight. Throw on 500lbs of mud/tools/food/whatever, and I'm pushing it.

 

[berger]

Go for the Car hauler then... GVWR 10,200.

$4100
20? Car Hauler, 2? beavertail, 2- 5200lb axles, GVWR 10,200, slide in rear ramps, black powder coat, 225/75R15 tires, 5? channel frame, 7000lb top wind jack, 2 5/16 adjustable? coupler ,electric brakes both axle, treated douglas fir decking, rear stabilizer jacks

http://ndttrailers.autotrader.ca/tra...f94dd1d7e3.htm

 

[Kunker]

Width and fenders on the car hauler suck though - if I ever go full width there's a good chance I'd be wide enough to have to put blocks around them like Brad did. Quote on the 18' buggy hauler was:

This that is a fairly popular unit, the 18' buggy hauler is
- Tandem 5200 lbs axles
- Drive over fenders
- Rear stab jacks
- Led lights
- Heavy duty jack
- 2' dove tail with 5' slide in ramps
$4,500

Tie downs are $25 a piece

Price is from the guy in Kemptville, I think the dude in London (pjcanada.com dealer) was a bit cheaper, but certainly not worth the diesel. Still not sure about the beaver tail, but even at 16' of clean deck, it seems like it'll be more than enough for the CJ now and in the future if it ends up a stretched juggy.

 

[bradleyfitz]

Price tag is pretty good on a new trailer, IMO. This is what I paid for my 1 year old JDJ trailer. FYI my trailer is only 16'... it was perfect for the Jeep, manageable with the buggy. If you think you might go forward with the buggy hauler let me know, as this is the trailer I am leaning towards this year... maybe we can work out a multi purchase discount or something.

 

[Kunker]

Priced out a straight deck, and it's $140 cheaper in the 18'. Straight deck 16' would be another $50 on top, so $190 off of that. And if yours is just a 16', I think that would be plenty enough for me. I'll keep you posted if I can convince the wife

 

[Richard]

For size, I know Jeeps tend to get a bit heavy, and I'd rather not be near max loading all the time. 7K of weight - 2K for the trailer doesn't leave me with much room. I believe Richard posted up that his YJ was around 4500lbs, and while I'm not rocking 60's yet, it's probably not that far off on weight. Throw on 500lbs of mud/tools/food/whatever, and I'm pushing it.

You should try to put as much weight on the truck as possible as it will make it easier to control the trailer, so that's where the tools and spare parts should be. If you have so much mud on it that you're worried about the weight, grab a stick and take time to scrub some off! This way you can save money on the trailer and on gas, and the reduced weight means you can put more stuff in the truck.

I was never worried about the trailer being overloaded, just my pickup as it was a 1/2 ton with 8k lbs tow capacity so I needed the smaller trailer anyways.

 

[bradleyfitz]

For comparison, this was my TJ on the 16' trailer. My dovetail is just over 3' (3' 4" I think). The buggy on the same trailer, the rear tires are right at the end (if I had fold up ramps, it wouldn't fit)

 

[Kunker]

You should try to put as much weight on the truck as possible as it will make it easier to control the trailer, so that's where the tools and spare parts should be. If you have so much mud on it that you're worried about the weight, grab a stick and take time to scrub some off! This way you can save money on the trailer and on gas, and the reduced weight means you can put more stuff in the truck.

I was never worried about the trailer being overloaded, just my pickup as it was a 1/2 ton with 8k lbs tow capacity so I needed the smaller trailer anyways.

After I typed that out, the "tools and crap goes in truck" thought popped in my head, but my point was more or less, if I'm going to buy new, I might as well do it right once for a little bit more and not have to worry about weight/width down the road. Hell, I've been looking at used 14K GN trailers as well, although that's WAY too much trailer for me, and likely beat to death.

For comparison, this was my TJ on the 16' trailer. My dovetail is just over 3' (3' 4" I think). The buggy on the same trailer, the rear tires are right at the end (if I had fold up ramps, it wouldn't fit)

Never even noticed yours was a dovetail - thanks for the pic!

 

[berger]

Hey Guys.

I just got my PJ trailer from Kempro in Kemptville, and while I was there I mentioned some guys in OVO were interested in buggy trailers and he told me he sells quite a few.

He also told me, completely unsolicited because it is not my place to ask, that he sponsors 4x4 clubs and if we ever needed give-always etc for events, the club should let him know. They are proud supporters of the offroad community. If that isn't a reason to check them out, I don't know what is....

What I bought:

Sent from my iPhone

 

[Kunker]

That's good to know - price wise, PJ's seem to be about the same everywhere, so it'd be nice to spend the $ with someone who is willing to sponsor the club.

 

[chunkytrunks]

Agreed!

That's good to know - price wise, PJ's seem to be about the same everywhere, so it'd be nice to spend the $ with someone who is willing to sponsor the club.

 

[berger]

If you can wait, he also mentioned that when they get truckloads of trailers in, they put them on sale. Almost 50% off.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Kunker]

If you can wait, he also mentioned that when they get truckloads of trailers in, they put them on sale. Almost 50% off.

I can always wait to save money.

 

[bradleyfitz]

If you can wait, he also mentioned that when they get truckloads of trailers in, they put them on sale. Almost 50% off.


Sent from my iPhone

50% off a car hauler? Sign me up!

 

[Andries]

Cheap trailers... say when.
Heck, if we have enough people here looking for trailers, might help to get to a truckload....

 

[Impact]

50% off a car hauler? Sign me up!

I'm in just say when!

 

[O.D.]

I'm about 10 min at most from the trailer shop in Kemptville.. I don't mind stopping by one night and having a talk on behalf of OVO. Been in there in the past and have spoken with them.. It would be great if i went in there with a list of solidly confirmed interest on the number of trailers and specifics to see what kind of price he could offer the club??

Food for thought.

 

[Andries]

definately interested.16 to 18 ft car trailer/buggy trailer