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Towjob · 08-29-2018, 12:53 PM

I don't know if I'm posting in the right place or not but is anyone good with utility trailers? This one is for sale about a 3 hour drive from me for a good price. A lady has it and her husband recently died. She doesn't know anything about it besides its a 6x16. It was manufactured by a local welding shop with what appears to be 3500lb axles but without brakes and only a 3500lb coupler. Why would a trailer with 7000lbs of axles only have a 3500lb coupler? It looks rugged... Suppose I could put a set of brakes on it for about $400 and a bigger coupler and have a nice 7000lb trailer? I'd like to buy a tractor in the near future and I'm trying to make sure this'll do it. Any advice?

charliez · 08-29-2018, 01:14 PM

Looks like it has the coupler because of tongue design. If it were mine I'd make it into a normal tongue design shaped like a V and use a beefier coupler.

I would feel like the current tongue would be a bit weak for any kind of sizeable load on it.

wildcatter · 08-29-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliez

Looks like it has the coupler because of tongue design. If it were mine I'd make it into a normal tongue design shaped like a V and use a beefier coupler.

I would feel like the current tongue would be a bit weak for any kind of sizeable load on it.

X2, that tongue does not look like it is built for a lot of tongue wait.

tuffr2 · 08-29-2018, 01:58 PM

Is there a weight stamped on the tongue? I have had 3,000lb. boats with that coupler.

1ciderdog · 08-29-2018, 02:22 PM

The last photo says capacity 3500 lbs. I had a similar looking trailer but with brakes. Found I could not use it as a car hauler, doors would not open unless I had 2 by' under the tires to raise the car a bit. It hauled by tractors OK.

tuffr2 · 08-29-2018, 02:32 PM

Sorry, I see 3,500lbs stamped on the tougue... duh.

That looks like a lawn mowing service trailer. It does not look sturdy enough for a car hauler.

Freqz · 08-29-2018, 02:38 PM

Honestly, I don’t think I’d get a tractor anywhere near that trailer...unless you mean lawn tractor and by that I mean riding mower.

A new 16’ tandem trailer with brakes and everything is $1900 around here...

Towjob · 08-29-2018, 03:18 PM

The lady supposedly paid $3500 for it. I thought by looking at it, it looked pretty rugged when comparing it to say a K-trail trailer which are very popular around here. The tractor I'd like to buy is 4000lbs including bucket and loaded tires

NDIrish · 08-29-2018, 07:35 PM

Looks like a nice trailer but it will take a lot of work to make it ready to pull a 4000lb tractor. In my state, you would have to beef up the tongue, get a heavier coupler, put brakes on both axles, apply for a reconstructed title, and then find an inspection mechanic that is willing to put his inspection license on the line to sign off on the paperwork.
If it were me, I would get a new 7000-10000 lb car trailer or utility trailer for $3000-$4000. I'm a fan of sure trac trailers

Towjob · 08-30-2018, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDIrish

Looks like a nice trailer but it will take a lot of work to make it ready to pull a 4000lb tractor. In my state, you would have to beef up the tongue, get a heavier coupler, put brakes on both axles, apply for a reconstructed title, and then find an inspection mechanic that is willing to put his inspection license on the line to sign off on the paperwork.
If it were me, I would get a new 7000-10000 lb car trailer or utility trailer for $3000-$4000. I'm a fan of sure trac trailers

Funny you say that because a nice Sure Trac just came up for sale. It's more money then I wanted to spend, but it's probably going to be worth it in the end. Thanks

NDIrish · 08-31-2018, 05:44 AM

Most utility trailers are built with the same materials. Some are more expensive than others because of the name brand, how many of the axles have brakes, led bulbs, ramp type, etc. They all rust and fall apart the same eventually

JIMNLIN · 09-01-2018, 07:41 PM

I bought a new '00 angle iron top utility trailer with 3500 lb axles 15" P tires. It had one axle braking so legal issue's made it a 2900 gvwr. Very light weight trailer.
At that time I had a 40 hp blue tractor (4000 lbs). Unloading it once I forgot to add my frame blocks under the rear of the trailer. Backed the tractor off the trailer (with factory ramps) and bent the trailer with a 3" bow in the deck.

The trailer in the pic look very lite built. It may weigh in the 1500-1700 lb range leaving it with around 5k payload. Looks like a good trailer for lite hauling depending on tire and wheel capacities.
According to my equipment trailer mfg all trailers sold today are required to have brakes on each axle PLUS a break away system. See your state folks for your legal requirements.

A few years ago when scrap metal prices were high guys were using all kinds of home built trailers hauling old cars/farm and ranch junk to the recyclers. State troopers and county deputies were impounding them right and left for no brakes and no break away system.

Towjob · 09-02-2018, 04:02 AM

Thanks everyone. Looks like I made the right decision posting it on here and not getting it. I ended up making an offer on the used Sure Trac for the same money at a dealership and he accepted. I really wanted galvinazed but I keep my stuff under cover so hopefully the powder coat will last many years. It sure tows nice!