Is this a good trailer deal?

[DeanBrown3D]

Hi all I'm looking for a relatively heavy duty trailer for hauling wood (for example locally from a cut down tree) with the disco. There's a used one of these near me going for $1800. Its a 4 ton trailer with brakes and tandem axles. It feels very strong. Weight is 2200 lb. So I can load it up with 3000 lb wood and not overload the disco.

Alternatively I can get a smaller trailer, but used trailers here are quite rare, at least as far as I have looked so far. Maybe I can get a new 2-ton trailer for $1000? The question is, is this big one here too big and clumsy, or is it worth the extra $800. Its a year 2000.


Thanks

Dean

 

[nickb857]

I dont know much about trailers but that one looks pretty big. I like Big Tex trailers they are pretty nice. They are very popular with landscapers where I live and i used one daily over the summer. It had a rating of 7000lbs but it was pretty light. I know they make smaller ones and i have seen one that is 10,000lbs i dont know if they make bigger ones.

 

[syoung]

looks a bit unwieldy to me- that's a BIG trailer. Some say to get the biggest one you can handle, but I look at it the other way- get the smallest that meets the need. Nothing worse than having such a heavy trailer that you can't put everything you want on it.
Looks like a good deal on that particular one if that's what you want.

 

[Rocky]

Too big and clumsy. Had to use a similar unit behind my D1 and it was a miserable thing to drive unladen due to lack of suspension
A heavy duty utility trailer would work better for you, better ground clearance for those rougher areas you are likely to encounter. Just because it says you can do 5500-lbs doesn't mean it can do that weight well.....

 

[nickb857]

I just went to the Big Tex website and they have some pretty cool trialers. Some huge ones with a 50,000lb rating but i think that would be over kill. The landscape trailers would be nice since they have higher sides and the smallest one is rated for 2000lbs. They also have ramps to drive movers and what not on to it.
http://www.bigtextrailers.com/class/Landscape_Trailers.html

 

[draaronr]

That is a sweet deal on a sweet trailer. Having said that it is overkill for what you want to do. Just get you a custom utility trailer with heavy duty axles and brakes on both axles, with some 24 inch sides. Should run you about 1500 new.

 

[Ron]

Dean if you pass shoot me an email with contact info on that bad boy. Is it surge brakes or electric?

Ron

evilfij at yahoo.com

 

[NorCalDiscoII]

Trailers

Dean - what state are you from? I sell Featherlite, Best, and Starlite Cargo brands and can help you in CA/NV.

If you are just hauling wood, I'd say that trailer is overkill. Looks like a vehicle hauler and you might get away with a simple, single axel utility trailer (unless you plan to haul a car on it, this thing is not be best option, too long and heavy). A good 6'x12' will weigh about 700 lbs, will have a 3500 lbs axel, and will set you back about $1400. It'll have 2' sides and a ramp and torsion axels. If you are planning to haul over 3000 lbs, then double axel and breaks are definitely worth the money, otherwise it's a waste of gas.

Edit: Oh yeah, almost forgot... $1,800 on that trailer is a fair deal as long as it's in good shape, has electric breaks and good set of tires. I sell these new for about $2,500-$3,000.

 

[asurover]

i wouldn't want to pull that thing loaded down with my dI. i would say its overkill go with something smaller.

 

[smenzel]

The weight of that trailer alone is pretty close to your hauling limit (if you want to travel at more than just a crawl). Besides, it's an elongated auto transport -- good for [long] cars but not very good for wood.

I have no idea how much wood you plan on hauling but U-Haul (and others) rent trailers by the day. Once you factor in purchase cost + licensing + insurance + upkeep + storage, it's often less expensive just to rent something those few times you need to haul anything large enough to require a trailer.

 

[D Chapman]

Dean, LOL, I think that trailer would drive you. That thing is huge compaired to what you disco can pull. What does that thing weigh in at, unloaded? 1800.00 can get you a used ford or chevy pick-up.

Get something like I had at MAR. Its light weight, holds almost a cord of wood, and you can tow it to places you like to camp at.

 

[Kyle]

Actually , thats a decent trailer at an "OK" price... Its not the deal of the century but its ok. The Disco will handle that fine empty , full is another story.... YOu dont have much power anyway with 265s and no gear. Personally I would stick with a larger one. Sure , now you jsut want to get some wood , but anything bulky (Not always heavy) will be right at home on there. I have pulled one about that size regulary with mine and towed a Disco on one with the 8.25 XZL... NO , it aint fun at all but the fact remains that it needed to be done and without the trailer I couldnt have at all , fun or not.... Lets face it , you aint towing it daily..... The one thing you do need to think about however is where you are going to attempt to take it. The longer it is the worse it is off the pavement....

 

[andrewv]

ROTFLMAO Who would've ever thought that a trailer purchase would elicit so much response? Dean, it looks huge, and after pulling a fair number of 2 horse trailers loaded up with mine, it won't be fun at all. Best of luck, whatever your decision is.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

This is great advise and I need it. Its never going off road, worst case is someone's back yard I suppose. It weighs 2200 lb unloaded. I called a dealer and they told me the new ones are $3400-3500, so for a 2 year old it seems like a good deal, one that I could always sell on again if it sucked. So I'm thinking of getting it. Ron I'll let you know if it doesn't work out.

Thanks a lot all.

Dean

 

[Alyssa]

Also think about where you are going to keep a trailer that large. It's huge! I really don't think you need anything that large for hauling wood, and it isn't built for that type of hauling-- it's built for hauling cars, not stuff.

 

[Kyle]

Its huge ? LOL , funny how you find an issue with where to put something usefull but not a covey of trucks that are useless.... People have this thing called "Land" , its where you put things.....

 

[Alyssa]

Kyle, a long 2 car trailer is a lot more difficult to park than a single length trailer. I don't know what Dean's parking situation is. I'm making sure he considers the length and reality of actually parking it somewhere.
And I think there's a little bit of the pot calling the kettle black, there Kyle-- you've got a lot more trucks than we do now!

 

[D Chapman]

When I say huge, I mean its huge for a disco. I had a 12' covered trailer, when loaded up the disco would only do 50mph up hill with the petal on the floor tacking 3500rpms in 3rd gear. And that was on 235's...2200lbs is doable I guess. What does a cord or two of wood weigh? I'm thinking my trailer was about 1300 empty. Of course, I had a draft issue too.

The only thing bad about haveing a nice trailer is everyone wanting to borrow it.

 

[LMRW]

i use a 109 pickup trailer. its great! i use it for hauling fire wood, we drop the tree and then come in after with the trailer for the wood. all off road bush work.
what kind of wood are you after? construction lumber for framers? that trailer is a wop hauler! LOL and needs a long box quad cab white 1981 chevy pick up to tow her. i think its not for you, but its not my call! it is a nice trailer though.... if you own a dozer!

 

[Kyle]

That isnt a two car trailer , its an equipment trailer , two cars wont fit on it , a good deal of the weight is in the decking.. Oh , and all our shit runs................. One sold by the way so I need to change that tacky sig line.....