I'm shopping for a gooseneck flatbed trailer

Old Iron

Member
And I found these.
http://stjoseph.craigslist.org/grq/3415108505.html

Anybody familiar with these trailers?
The price for their 2013 trailers seems pretty low at $3995.00 for a new 20'+5'
 
The price is really low. You might be getting what you pay for. Most of the manufacturers and dealers are not selling cheap, stripped trailers anymore like this one, so you need to compare that.

It will need brakes on the other axle to be legal in most states. Most of the competition will have LED lighting, 102" wide, and new tires.

The deck is painted on this one? Does that mean he is not using pressure treated wood? That would save a lot of money. However, the deck will only last about 2 years.

How much does this trailer weigh? I would think that it is missing a few crossmembers or uses lighter frame than other trailers.

Personally, I would spend a little more money and get something nicer.
 
I agree with Jim. Seems awful low, so I would be
concerned that they cut a few corners. Selling it
with a painted deck and used tires sort of confirms
(they are cutting corners) that in my mind
 
I bought a Hurst trailer years ago cheepest price around I got what I paid for when I got home all the lights were hanging out of the holes by the wires, welded up the holes, fixed the wires that hung down,the worst pulling and riding trailer I ever pulled. It had new tires on it they all blew out long before they wore out.
 
I bought a Hurst over 30 years ago, cheap, roughride, pull hard, lights fell off and the brakes don't work. I still have it, gonna get a Gatormade when my boat comes in.
 
Yeah,.... I noticed the "used tires" and painted deck too.

The price seems to be pretty low, so I suppose the quality is too.

I'm just shopping around for a trailer right now, and will probably wind up buying a better quality used one.
Thanks fellas for your replies.
 
Did you read the add real close. It says you can get new 10 ply tires for $500.00 more. That would run the price fromm $3995.00 to $4495.00 still a cheap trailer. I don't remeber if it said how far apart the cross supports were under floor. One reason it is a little cheaper is its only 8 foot wide.
 
The 8 foot wide can be an advantage. In several states 102" wide not allowed on state/county roads, only on Interstate System.
Willie
 
What state can't you pull a 102" in because all the trailer our companies fleet the last 15 years are 102" 48 and 53 footers . The old 8 footers that we use to use are now storage trailers. We went every where in the 4 state area we covered even into residental neighbor hoods with 102's. We have three companies in Indiana that build semi trailers and the last 10 years all you see in the lots that they store new trailer they are 102's.
 
Check and see if any dealers nearby sell PJ brand. I have one that is almost ten years old, and I love it. Have done nothing to it but use it, and keep it washed if used in the winter. It cost me $3900 brand new in 2004. 20+5, 14,000lb, 102" wide, brand new radial load range E tires (Including spare too) , brakes on both axles, locking toolbox, and 3 spring assist ramps on the rear. I haul 11 1200lb bales with it regularly, no problems at all. Still has original tires and brakes.
 
Go here http://www.deltatrailers.com/....and don't look back....they're in Ark....so not so far away..I've got the 20' plus 4' with...brakes on both axels, dual spring loaded jacks up front, extra 8ft platform over the gooseneck, and the raised/lower beaver tail...great trailer....and don't forget you need a great brake controller... (can you say Tec P3?) Bobinva
 
ref- Rand McNally Motor Carriers Atlas, 2012 edition, page A16, State/provincial weight & size limits. Note- 102" legal on Interstate System, all states.
Alabama- 96" on hiways with lane widths under 12'
Washington D C 96"
Florida- 96" on lanes less than 12'
Louisiana-96"
Michigan-96", 102" on designated highways only
Missouri- 102" if less than 10 miles from Interstate, otherwise 96"
New Jersey-96", 102" on designated routes
New York- 102" on 10'lanes, otherwise 96"
Pennsylvania-96",102" on designated highways.

That's what the book says is legal. What is actually done is sometimes completely different.

When I started in the business, 38' x96" was the most common size. Then came 40', 45', 48'x102", & from 93 until retirement I pulled 53' x 102".
In 93/94, Maine & Utah if pulling 53' had to call scalehouse before entering state for permit. Washington state pick up 53'permit at first scalehouse. In Iowa under the old 96" rules, only mirrors could be wider than 96". CB antenna at edge of mirror had to be removed. Don't get me started on length rules.
Willie diesel pilot-retired
 
Missed one item. Even pulled 53' x 102", 73' total length in the financial district (Wall Street) when NYC limit was 40' x 96", 55' total length.
Willie
 
Willie I don't think that michigan watchs that law .We had permits for all of lower Michigan and we pulled 102" every where in the state and never got stopped or even looked by police. I retired in 2010 after 38 years with the same company. Like you I have seen a lot of changes in the trucking industry over the years. I miss driving and some of our customers but don't miss the everyday trying to beat the clock.
 
d beatty
Agree about not being looked at or stopped. Not many locals or County Mounties pay attention to size, & "it looked overwidth" is not "probable cause" to make a stop. However,& this is the rub, in case someone else does something stupid & there is a collision, & his insurance carrier pushes the matter, the 102" wide will be liable for damages as it is illegal for it to be there. Have seen it happen.
And yes, I have been on a few roads where I shouldn't have been. Was stopped on I-35 in St Paul in a stagecoach, "prohibited veh on parkway". Signs said "trucks over 12000# prohibited", trooper said "it looked prtty heavy". I took it to court with pics of signs that were posted at entrance ramps. City attorney looked up definitions: truck-veh designed to transport cargo, bus- veh designed to transport passengers.
Judge said " according to definition & signs posted, bus not prohibited, case dismissed".
As we both have said, what the book says, & what is actually done, aren't always the same.
Willie J
 
Oh, Shuckey Darn, hit wrong button again. As mentioned last night, I was in NYC one afternoon, over width, over tailer length, & over total length. But on a Friday at 5:00 pm, they are busy with other things. Making a stop to measure would cause more traffic blockage than letting things slide.
WJ
 
(quoted from post at 15:09:47 12/22/12) that is the old H&H trailer line

Don't think so. A company from Indiana bought the H&H brand and are still building H&H trailers.

The original owners of the H&H brand are now building trailers under the brand of "HULL".
 
Almost every low deck car hauler made is 102" wide. They are usually just under 7' between fenders. The outside of the fenders are at 102". Never been stopped in Missouri for overwidth. In fact my last 102" trailer was made in Missouri.
 
(quoted from post at 14:33:17 12/21/12) Go here http://www.deltatrailers.com/....and don't look back....they're in Ark....so not so far away..I've got the 20' plus 4' with...brakes on both axels, dual spring loaded jacks up front, extra 8ft platform over the gooseneck, and the raised/lower beaver tail...great trailer....and don't forget you need a great brake controller... (can you say Tec P3?) Bobinva

Those are nice trailers,... they look comparable to PJ's.
 
I would be very leary of any trailer by that description retailing for any less than $4900- $5200 today. Brakes , tires , lighting , deck boards and guage of steel are all ways they scrimp to get a cheap advertising price. Usually they don't have one in stock because they know no one will want that exact one with all the "base" lack of quallity. Gets you in the showroom though.A trailer is no place to go cheap.
 
I'd rather not spend $6000.00 on a new PJ if I can find a good "used" trailer for $1500.00 less (although there is a PJ dealer about 15 miles from me).

Some of the "used" trailers I've been looking at on the internet are,....

1997 Road Boss,... 24',... no dove tail,... $3895.00

2002 Bales,... 24',... no dove tail,... $3500.00

2006 Big Tex,... 20' + 5', with flip over ramps,... $4500.00

1982 Keifer,... 20' + 5',... all steel, with flip over ramps,... $2500.00

,.... now ALL of these trailers are advertised as being in GREAT shape BUT we know how that goes sometimes. LOL

All of these trailers are also at least 300-500 miles from me.

I really like the Big Tex and it looks "NEW" and is only supposed to have about 1000 miles on it, but by the time I make a 1000 mile round-trip to get it, I think I'd have almost the price of a NEW PJ tied up in a trailer that is already 7 years old.

I'm not familiar with the brand names of the other trailers I listed, and some of them are a bit closer to home.
 
In Summer 2010, started seriously looking for a trailer. After the numerous used trailers I found and what it was going to take to get road-worthy I finally bought a new one in October 2010. I have a 20' PJ Flat "car hauler" that has 5,200 lb axles brake, and 2 5/16 in ball. Paid just under $2,600 for it. After looking at some of the used ones and the price they wanted for it, I still think I got a decent deal.
 
Trailers are expensive, but if you buy one looking ahead to
what's the most you think you'll ever need, and take care of it
properly, it should last many many years. With that being said,
I'll always buy new, that way I know for a fact it hasn't already
been through the things I'll put it through. Look for one that's
last years model, the manufacturers push the dealers to get
rid of them to make room for the new models and usually
offer good discounts on them.
 
I bought a new 14 ft PJ dump trailer a few months ago. It was a little more then I wanted to spend,but,it is new, and, every time I use it I think of it as money well spent.
 
I bought a Kaufman out of N.C. factory dirrect. Wide selection and priceing was pretty good.Mine is a 10,000 lb 18' delux model $3,900 with shipping.16' flat 2' dovetail with stand up ramps. Very happy with mine.
 
You must have gotten a good one. I bought a 24' 14k gooseneck from them.

My 40' Camper weighing 13,000# pulls easier than that gooseneck with a 5000# tractor on it.
 
I have always been told a pj is built lighter than some. I have a 20+4 Titan and like it, my othr choice would be a Delta. I hate sliding (or supposed to slide) flip up ramps.
 
Seems fishy. I'm sold on State Line Trailers. I will go with them when I replace my current 20ft 10k with a GHT (goose hydraulic tilt). Not cheap though.

Gator, Big Tex, and PJ are also a safe buy.

CT
 

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