Need trailer purchase advise

EternalHobbyist

TJ Enthusiast
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Jan 24, 2023
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264
Location
Iowa
I plan to purchase a tilt bed trailer in the next week or two. My big debate, is whether I am going to be happy with the 7,000# steel H&H tilt bed. That is my cheapest option that I think would suit my needs, but I'm concerned that it is pushing the weight capacity a little too close with my jeep on it. I do not know the weight of my jeep, but I don't want to risk premature maintenance issues on the trailer if I can help it. Here are the options as I see it:

H&H 82"x20' Manual Tilt 7000# $5,490
H&H 20' Manual Tilt 14,000# $7,093
H&H 20' Gravity Tilt 14,000# $8,779 (IDK if this is the same as Manual tilt??)
H&H 22' Power Tilt 14,000# $8,634
H&H 16' Tilt + 6' Stationary 14,000# $8,983
H&H 22' Aluminum Power Tilt 9990# $9,971


All of the above are steel, except for the last option. I only just saw the trailer with the 6' stationary. I really like the looks of that one. I can think of a lot of practical uses for that stationary 6'.

What are you guys' thoughts?? Should I just go the cheapest route?
 
I plan to purchase a tilt bed trailer in the next week or two. My big debate, is whether I am going to be happy with the 7,000# steel H&H tilt bed. That is my cheapest option that I think would suit my needs, but I'm concerned that it is pushing the weight capacity a little too close with my jeep on it. I do not know the weight of my jeep, but I don't want to risk premature maintenance issues on the trailer if I can help it. Here are the options as I see it:

H&H 82"x20' Manual Tilt 7000# $5,490
H&H 20' Manual Tilt 14,000# $7,093
H&H 20' Gravity Tilt 14,000# $8,779 (IDK if this is the same as Manual tilt??)
H&H 22' Power Tilt 14,000# $8,634
H&H 16' Tilt + 6' Stationary 14,000# $8,983
H&H 22' Aluminum Power Tilt 9990# $9,971


All of the above are steel, except for the last option. I only just saw the trailer with the 6' stationary. I really like the looks of that one. I can think of a lot of practical uses for that stationary 6'.

What are you guys' thoughts?? Should I just go the cheapest route?

What does the 7,000 trailer weigh? I could see you being over capacity.
 
I plan to purchase a tilt bed trailer in the next week or two. My big debate, is whether I am going to be happy with the 7,000# steel H&H tilt bed. That is my cheapest option that I think would suit my needs, but I'm concerned that it is pushing the weight capacity a little too close with my jeep on it. I do not know the weight of my jeep, but I don't want to risk premature maintenance issues on the trailer if I can help it. Here are the options as I see it:

H&H 82"x20' Manual Tilt 7000# $5,490
H&H 20' Manual Tilt 14,000# $7,093
H&H 20' Gravity Tilt 14,000# $8,779 (IDK if this is the same as Manual tilt??)
H&H 22' Power Tilt 14,000# $8,634
H&H 16' Tilt + 6' Stationary 14,000# $8,983
H&H 22' Aluminum Power Tilt 9990# $9,971


All of the above are steel, except for the last option. I only just saw the trailer with the 6' stationary. I really like the looks of that one. I can think of a lot of practical uses for that stationary 6'.

What are you guys' thoughts?? Should I just go the cheapest route?

Why a 20' trailer? I would suggest a 16' or 18' but that is just me.

Also in the trailers listed why the huge jump from 7K lbs to 14K lbs? Don't they offer a 8K lb or 10K lb trailer?

I had a custom 14' trailer built & wish it was 2' longer at least. Here is my take on it. If you have a 20' trailer you'll have every friend asking to either borrow it or asking you to haul their junk with it. And 9 times out of 10 you'll get it back in worse shape than it was when it left. That was a big part of why I went with the 14' trailer.
 
So many used trailers out there...why buy new?

So many new and used trailers out there with terrible welds, thin steel and bad design. Also a few out there that are so over engineered they're too heavy.

-Mac
 
So many used trailers out there...why buy new?

So many new and used trailers out there with terrible welds, thin steel and bad design. Also a few out there that are so over engineered they're too heavy.

-Mac

The main reason we have to buy new is used prices for the beat to crap terrible versions are near retail. Our trailer market sucks.
 
The main reason we have to buy new is used prices for the beat to crap terrible versions are near retail. Our trailer market sucks.

I've been surfing for a 24' to 28' bumper pull for my TJ and my wife's JK...and most likely will be used to pull abandoned RVs out of the woods...I do a lot of volunteer cleanup work.

Tons of them up here in Oregon. Drive up...buy three...stack em...sell two and probably pay for all three. =)

Was seriously thinking about doing that with hardtops... they're expensive up here in the PNW. Drive south, buy three or four and bring em back.

-Mac
 
Other question, what are you towing this setup with? 1/2 ton truck or SUV? Or 3/4 ton or larger truck?

If it's a 1/2 ton or SUV then I'd get the lightest trailer possible & also make sure to read the requirements for max or close to max weight. Things like a weight distribution hitch come into play.

Even with my 14' trail I'm going to use a WD hitch on my 1/2 ton truck just to be safer.
 
I've been surfing for a 24' to 28' bumper pull for my TJ and my wife's JK...and most likely will be used to pull abandoned RVs out of the woods...I do a lot of volunteer cleanup work.

Tons of them up here in Oregon. Drive up...buy three...stack em...sell two and probably pay for all three. =)

Was seriously thinking about doing that with hardtops... they're expensive up here in the PNW. Drive south, buy three or four and bring em back.

-Mac

There are several local JP trailers, way overbuilt, way too heavy, car haulers, they want 5 grand for them minimum, 3500 lb axles under them with brakes on one. By the time I upgrade axles, tires, and suspension to be the 5200 lb versions they should have come with, I'm well over 7500 into the trailer and for that, I'm buying new.
 
Why a 20' trailer? I would suggest a 16' or 18' but that is just me.

Also in the trailers listed why the huge jump from 7K lbs to 14K lbs? Don't they offer a 8K lb or 10K lb trailer?

I had a custom 14' trailer built & wish it was 2' longer at least. Here is my take on it. If you have a 20' trailer you'll have every friend asking to either borrow it or asking you to haul their junk with it. And 9 times out of 10 you'll get it back in worse shape than it was when it left. That was a big part of why I went with the 14' trailer.

18’ non tilting is what I had.

A08236BE-68E9-4216-9F22-49A1A8B23735.jpeg
 
I've been surfing for a 24' to 28' bumper pull for my TJ and my wife's JK...and most likely will be used to pull abandoned RVs out of the woods...I do a lot of volunteer cleanup work.

Tons of them up here in Oregon. Drive up...buy three...stack em...sell two and probably pay for all three. =)

Was seriously thinking about doing that with hardtops... they're expensive up here in the PNW. Drive south, buy three or four and bring em back.

-Mac

IMO you'll need more then 28' for both rigs. I have a 14' and it's a PITA to tie down my TJ on that short of a trailer. I'd guess you'll want 30' minimum for both rigs & at the point you should consider a gooseneck.

Here's my TJ on my trailer.

IMGP1199.JPG
 
IMO you'll need more then 28' for both rigs. I have a 14' and it's a PITA to tie down my TJ on that short of a trailer. I'd guess you'll want 30' minimum for both rigs & at the point you should consider a gooseneck.

Here's my TJ on my trailer.

View attachment 409179

I have a 18' gooseneck dump trailer I use 95 percent of the time.

We also have a truck camper just like yours...that looks like a S and S. Mine's a 2001.

So if I take the camper I can't take the gooseneck.

24' to 28' would be tight...but we're talking maybe 1 to 2 trips a year. And the JK is a 2 door...not a JKU.

Rest of the time it would be a abandoned vehicle/RV hauler.

That or I go really big and get a gooseneck that can hold the camper AND two Jeeps. But that's money.

Then I'd need a bigger truck and a 4x4 rough duty forklift.

Also looking for a 16' to 18' aluminum flatbed car hauler.

Trying to NOT spend money so I can get started on a shop.

To the original poster...if you're buying new...go aluminum and get 5500 lbs axles if you can.

-Mac
 
Years ago I went with a Aluma 7816. Weighs a little over a thousand pounds and easily pulls either my TJ or LJ. That said, it's not a trailer to buy if you're ever considering wider than stock axles. However, the weight savings and not having to worry about rust are the biggest plus factors. Plus, at 16 feet long, it's easy to maneuver.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...6-new-car-hauler-des-moines-ia-50313-i2499736

20220622_162304.jpg
 
What does the 7,000 trailer weigh? I could see you being over capacity.

I was look a new trailers a couple months ago, a 18’ with 3500 lbs axles brakes on both axles weighed about 1800#.my LJ weighed 4900 before I lost some weight, it should be around 4700 now. That comes in at 6500#. The half ton truck I drive has 8000# tow capacity.
 
I've had a couple different trailers over the years. I recently picked up this Aluma 20' Executive Trailer. I went with new over used because the market has been crap on the East Coast for years. Cool part is I got good indoor storage to keep it nice!

IMG_8799.jpg
 
The main reason we have to buy new is used prices for the beat to crap terrible versions are near retail. Our trailer market sucks.

It’s really bad here, during Covid I sold a single axle enclosed trailer I have had for 20 years for 3 times what I bought it for.
 
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Some great thoughts about weight, length, steel vs aluminum and the used market above(y)
I'll add that tilt is nice but it adds significant weight, complexity and expense.
Despite that, I'm looking at an 18' steel tilt instead of fixed deck because I'd like to be able to put a low car on it more easily.
 
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I was look a new trailers a couple months ago, a 18’ with 3500 lbs axles brakes on both axles weighed about 1800#.my LJ weighed 4900 before I lost some weight, it should be around 4700 now. That comes in at 6500#. The half ton truck I drive has 8000# tow capacity.

They tried to tell my buddy with the PJ trailer that it was something along the lines of 2000 lbs. He weighed it empty and it came in at 2500. 18" with dual 3500 lb axles, brakes on one. As soon as he rolls the TJ Unlimited up on it, he is over capacity and zero extra for extra fuel, propane, firewood, or anything else we take to the desert for more than a couple day trip.
 
Some great thoughts about weight, length, steel vs aluminum and the used market above(y)
I'll add that tilt is nice but it adds significant weight, complexity and expense.
Despite that, I'm looking at an 18' steel tilt instead of fixed deck because I'd like to be able to put a low car on it more easily.

I wished I'd gotten a tilt trailer too but the rear is dovetailed so I can drive the Jeep on & off without the ramps. But the dovetail means it drags a LOT on uneven roads. Pulling out the ramps can suck (Old Guy) but mine aren't very heavy either.
 
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