Trailers, Trailers and more Trailers.

[BBQchef33]

For the past 2 weeks, I have been shoppig for trailers.. damn,, 100's of manufacturers... 100 of choices,, which is the way to go? im so confused, i dont even remember which forum to put this in, so i'm dumping it here.. i am tired of setting up for an entire week before a contest. I am doing like Sawdustgy did and setting up a battle wagon.

Heres where I'm going.

8x16 black w/2 foot v nose.
white walls and ceiling
30 amp service, 3 outlets, 2 lights, 2 switches
HD(3000lb) Ramp in the rear, 32" side door
2 roof vents, one framed for A/C
2 side vents
tandem 3500lb torsion flex axles


Then comes the rude awakenings.

Trailers cost 2k more in NY than anywhere in the south or midwewest. i dont mind the roadtrip to pick it up if its worth it..

The rig listed above in a wells cargo was 9K up here. United ULT was 7500. I found a KZ Kargo today for $5600 with alot of options. Its a 2006 leftover. No electric, No Vnose, 5 year warranty. A Cargo South runs 7K and a Haulmark ran 8K. Then I ran into a Homesteader rough Rider 8x14 for $4800 brand new with the axels UNDERNEATH, but not torsion flex(leaf spring). It was a stiffed order. The nice thing witthe axel underneath is that the inside of the 8x14 is full, with no wheel wells. Sq foot wise, a 8x14 or 7x16 is the same. 112sqft.


now, i went into this place becase he had a yard full of haulmarks. The guy i spoke to today at the haulmark dealer(after 19 years)actually recommended against haulmark saying they were sold twice in 3 years to investment firms and quality has suffered. Wells cargo is just stupid expensive aroud here, the United ELT has an 8week wait. So i am leaning towards the 8x16 kz cargo, but the 8x14 homestead Rough rider was pretty sweet. My favorite was the united ULT, but the delivery was to long..

so, as u can see, i have totally confused myself .

anyone have any experience with kz kargo, or homestead rough rider trailers. Or recommendations / or dealers with good pricing.. on other stuff. I dont mind a road trip up or down anywhere east coast.. i was even considering a road trip to TN to pick up at a dealer. Or another place in Morris IL.

throw some ideas here guys. I aint going thru another competition season with the 7x12 open trailer.. A closed trailer where i can blug in, hook up and start cooking will make things alot easier.

[HoDeDo]

Pooh, My 5th Wheel Toy hauler is a KZ, and I love it. I don't know alot of people that have quality issues with the KZ. One other note... You mentioned one of the trailers had the axels underneath - that will make your ramp ride a little steep, and you would likely need some winch assistance to move anything big. That is the only downside to my Toy hauler... the distance to the garage floor. We just push it on up, but I noticed that some of the 2006's have a drop floor behind wheelwells now just for that reason. (the 32'+ one's anyway) They realized some of us weren't riding ATV's and Bikes up in the back!

Too bad you need a bumper pull - I need to upgrade my Toy Hauler size to sleep 7 - I know where you can get one that sleeps 5 for a steal!!!

Oh, and you forgot DooLittle and some others in your cargo hunt....
My money would be on the KZ for $5600. That leaves you some room to trick it out how you want.

[Greendriver]

I think about trailers quite a bit(mine is 16 ft and a bit too small), and one thing I have come to believe is that you'll never get to the point where your completely happy with it unless it has that little area that is open where you mount you cookers on and not have to load and unload them. I searched and couldn't find a pic but I've seen a lot of em and I'm sure someone on here has one that can post a pic.

[MrSmoker]

Phil i went thru the same dilemma. I was looking at spending 7500 on a bare bones trailer and then adding plumbing,generator, a/c,etc. Thats why i choose a Toyhauler for 18000 with every thing ready to go and i can roll off the Spicetwins and the family can use it for camping if i'm not competing.

[The_Kapn]

Phil,
Douglas, GA is kinda like MECCA for cargo trailer builders.
Lots of competition.

http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&f=l...rch+Businesses

Some of them even let you spec them out on line to get a price.

They are about 950 miles from you though--gotta factor that in.
Or, just make it a vacation trip and bring a trailer home as a treat

Let me know if you want any more specifics.

Also, search EBay for "cargo trailer". Several manufactures list "teasers" there and they are leads to their web sites to me.

You might find 16' a little cramped. Your planning will tell you that for sure. We are going 20', but that is just us.

Good luck.

TIM

[BBQchef33]

Cargo South was in GA, that was where i was origianally taking the road trip, but then was told(by a dealer) that cargo south was a low priced, low quality trailer. I've been bangin my head for while, and now I'm at the point where i got a big bump on it. :)

[arlieque]

Now Phil when you grow up you can get a real trailer with a Ole Hickory pit on it. I know where you can get a really good deal on them!

[BBQchef33]

Originally Posted by arlieque

Now Phil when you grow up you can get a real trailer with a Ole Hickory pit on it. I know where you can get a really good deal on them!

hey, im still waiting for u to call me back about that repo!!!

[arlieque]

Repo was pit only and needs work but is a 10K smoker you could get for about 4K, I think. It is really dirty and need some repairs. I know where there is also a pit that want get much use this year too! It might be available.

[Plowboy]

Originally Posted by arlieque

Repo was pit only and needs work but is a 10K smoker you could get for about 4K, I think. It is really dirty and need some repairs. I know where there is also a pit that want get much use this year too! It might be available.

THREAD HIJACK: Arlie, BBQBoy (A lurker here) is looking for an Ole Hickory. You might want to contact Craig (BBQBoy). He needs to move JedMaster to do it though. Model 3660 I think.

[WineMaster]

I live close to the town where Nascar gets its trailers made and my father-inlaw just got a great deal on a trailer there. Might be worth checking out Featherlight.

www.fthr.com Click on coustom trailers then Kitchen in the navigation window.


That would be a nice set up!

[HoDeDo]

Originally Posted by MrSmoker

Phil i went thru the same dilemma. I was looking at spending 7500 on a bare bones trailer and then adding plumbing,generator, a/c,etc. Thats why i choose a Toyhauler for 18000 with every thing ready to go and i can roll off the Spicetwins and the family can use it for camping if i'm not competing.

I agree 100%. We got the Toy Hauler too. 10 ft garage/20 ft. living space. Made all the difference in the world. I'm going to have to move to a 32' with a loft however...

[SmokeInDaEye]

Originally Posted by HoDeDo

I agree 100%. We got the Toy Hauler too. 10 ft garage/20 ft. living space. Made all the difference in the world. I'm going to have to move to a 32' with a loft however...

Got a picture or a link?

[Sawdustguy]

Phil,

You may want to consider Carmate also. Riverhead Trailer sells them and they are manufactured in PA. They may be worth a look. Also, I would be weary of anyone who says leaf springed Axels are better than Torque Flex Drop Axels.

[BBQchef33]

only reason i got regarding leaf over torsion is price.. torsion is $300-500 more and very expensive to repair compared to leaf, but everyone said torsion is better.