gcextreme 475 Posted March 21, 2014 Looking at buying a cargo trailer for my business (and occasional personal use) I am wanting something 4 to 6 feet wide by 8 to 10 feet long. A rear ramp door would be best...specially for loading my motorcycle now and then but i can get by with a swing door. I have found a 5x12 older one, white, with ramp and front door for $1800. Its nice but i think its too big for my truck and my basic needs. I found newer 4x8 with swing doors, red, for $1650. Also a newer 5x8 with ramp door for $2500. And a 5x10 newer for $2900 but these are both silver/gray. I found an older 5x8 black one with swing doors for $1000. Like i said it will get used 90% of the time to haul my cutter, vinyl, supplies, display racks, etc. Only now and then will i haul my bike or atvs in it as i already have a flat bed atv/sled trailer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 21, 2014 Should i go with a torsion or solid axle setup? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coaster36 327 Posted March 21, 2014 I would spend the extra for the cargo ramp. It is well worth the extra money. Even If you never load something with wheels in it. Just being able to walk up the ramp to enter the trailer makes it worth it. Trust me! Torsion axles seem to be the new rage. I havent pulled one. All the trailers I pull are leaf sprung. Leaf springs seem more simple to me so I think I would prefer them but if you talk to boat guys they all love the new torsion trailers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeepEllumGlass 7 Posted March 21, 2014 We posted an ad in craigslist and bought this 2012 24 foot trailer for $1900. I know this is larger than you are looking for but my point is post a wanted ad and see what comes your way. The guy we bought from did not post it on line. He just called from our ad and sold it to us. We were gonna buy a brand new trailer for $5000. We bought this one for half the price. If I were you I'd either find a really great deal on used or buy a new one. The price difference between used and new is usually not a big difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 21, 2014 I cant touch anything that new and big for that low of a price.. As for the ramp door...yeah i would prefer a ramp...but i can make my own or i can convert it to one if really needed. Fabricating and welding isnt an issue i have friends and resources for that. I will be pulling it with my 99 Ford Ranger 3.0L 4x4...so my size and weight are limited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted March 21, 2014 I had 1 torsion bar setup and I decided I prefer the simplicity and ease of repair of leaf springs. Don't underestimate your truck I pulled a 4x8x6 tall homemade enclosed trailer with a 93 escort wagon every weekend for over a year until I bought a box van. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coaster36 327 Posted March 21, 2014 Sure its possible to build anything yourself. But is it worth the time and effort? It might raise the price by about $1500 bucks to buy a trailer with the ramp. How much do you think it would cost to build it? Id say 6-800. Dont forget the spring and cables. Hinges. Sheet metal. Plywood. And then extra because I guarantee you'll mess something up. Not to insult your intelligence but your not a cargo trailer door fabricator and I doubt your friends are. Why not just let the pros build you one and be done with it.... Youll save money buying it done. I wouldnt worry about the year of the trailer. Just evaluate the condition. A new one can be a POS and an old one can be spotless. The age doesnt matter if it was taken care of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted March 21, 2014 I think you will not like carrying the ramps around and the room they take up with the cargo door version - much less walking in and out on the ramp door is much easier. usually the price between the two is a couple hundred dollars and the effort and cost of materials to convert will be more than that - just my 2c 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 21, 2014 My buds are pros, they weld and build stuff for a living. Mon-Fri they build automated packaging machines worth $250K +. and they even have their own weekend shop for custom choppers...so a rectangular ramp door should be pretty easy. We have built utility trailers and trailers to pull behind motorcycles...i myself have designed and built 4 different trailers. As for maintaining this one, easy, i love tearing stuff apart and rebuilding it. Last year i rebuilt my CubCadet riding lawnmower, my yamaha raptor 600r, and i am working on 2 motorcycles and another truck. As for the cargo doors, not worried about it. I picked up the trailer for $900. It need a good washing, and a spare tire, then when it warms up, i get to decorate it with my business logo and advertising! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coaster36 327 Posted March 21, 2014 So you already had your mind set? What was the point of asking the questions in the thread? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 21, 2014 So you already had your mind set? What was the point of asking the questions in the thread? I didn't have my mind set... i spent all day, going to over 12 different trailer places and looking at ones for sale on craigslist and driving over 200 miles. I even tried getting financing for a brand new 5x8 with ramp for $2295, and got denied, even with putting $1000 down!! My credit isnt good, had credit card issues a few years back from college and losing my job in 2005. My mind was set on getting an affordable usable trailer right now, as my house and garage are getting full of hats, shirts, banners, vinyl supplies, glass mugs, and more..and i need a way to transport stuff to shows i have coming up in less than 2 weeks! So $900 for this trailer, was a great deal, and even if i decide to sell it later i am sure i can make money on it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted March 22, 2014 I had that same model....and loved it. Used it for 2 years and sold it for $100 more than I paid for it. I did have to put a vent in the top the thing got so hot on sunny days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 22, 2014 Really John? Nice. My dad already said he would pay me $1200 for it lol. Also it has the round headed smooth button head bolts on the outside panels...what do u recommend for me putting my vinyl logo on it? I was thinking remove the bolts and put the vinyl on the cut a small hole and screw the bolt back in...or what would u do?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted March 22, 2014 I just did a small logo where there were no bolts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mabscotthandyman 1,410 Posted March 22, 2014 Just use cast and it will comform around the rivit/bolts just use a rivit brush or some use a tennis ball you may need a little heat if the heads are out far...you can prick stuborn air bubbles to get them to lay good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edge 67 Posted March 22, 2014 I live between Haulmark's two mfg sites and can unequivocally state they are considered a well built trailer when compared to some of the others around here. Suspect you'll appreciate the swing doors over a ramped door the first time you get caught out in the rain while load/unloading. Have seen a good many torsioned axles returned for warranty in the tent camper industry mostly because that type of trailer is often loaded beyond the axle's rating resulting in damage to the rubber damper. With the cost advantage of torsioned axles, I would be hard pressed to name a brand that still used leaf spring suspension for the size of trailer you ended up with. Does it have functioning brakes? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 23, 2014 No no brakes. The trailer is pretty dam light...i suck at backing up trailers with my truck especially into my narrow driveway, i was able to unhitch it and just wheel it back into my driveway and set it by my garage. But for being a superlight trailer, towing it home the 160 miles driving into a 30mph headwind on a windy day..it just sucked!! I could barely keep it at 65mph!! I have hauled my dads heavy fiberglass bass boat and my flat bed trailer with 2 ATVS and had never had this much trouble. It had to have been the heavy winds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted March 23, 2014 I have a tall 14ft with a v nose and it catches wind like a sail, I like towing the 5th wheel better I think Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted March 23, 2014 I too am lousy at backing so I bought one of these,Best money I ever spenthttp://www.rakuten.com/prod/600-lb-trailer-dolly-1-7-8-hitch-ball-for-pwc-utility-trailers-max-100/229954616.html?listingId=209570200&scid=pla_google_DiscountRamps&adid=18179&gclid=CLWl8YzXp70CFchQ7AodlQoAtA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted March 23, 2014 I want to add e tracks to one side of mine to make securing printers, tv's etc easier Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted March 23, 2014 I want to add e tracks to one side of mine to make securing printers, tv's etc easier I am going to do something like that...gonna get materials from work and weld something up. I too am lousy at backing so I bought one of these,Best money I ever spenthttp://www.rakuten.com/prod/600-lb-trailer-dolly-1-7-8-hitch-ball-for-pwc-utility-trailers-max-100/229954616.html?listingId=209570200&scid=pla_google_DiscountRamps&adid=18179&gclid=CLWl8YzXp70CFchQ7AodlQoAtA too lousy or too lazy? lol..thats a good price for that, but the $10 shipping is the killer. I can get it locally for the same price total and not have to wait for it to come in...may just do that! thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted March 23, 2014 Just lousy. Not being able to turn my head due to an old back injury didn't help. I wasn't suggesting that he buy that one..just making him aware of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mabscotthandyman 1,410 Posted March 23, 2014 No no brakes. The trailer is pretty dam light...i suck at backing up trailers with my truck especially into my narrow driveway, i was able to unhitch it and just wheel it back into my driveway and set it by my garage. But for being a superlight trailer, towing it home the 160 miles driving into a 30mph headwind on a windy day..it just sucked!! I could barely keep it at 65mph!! I have hauled my dads heavy fiberglass bass boat and my flat bed trailer with 2 ATVS and had never had this much trouble. It had to have been the heavy winds. I back like a pro using the mirrors it helps that I was raised on a farm and backed trailers of hay and manure I also worked for the Norfolk & Western railroad for a while in the early 70s and drove a dump truck and pulled a trailer. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcextreme 475 Posted April 1, 2014 Well used it this weekend, i put in a removable wheel chock and some eye bolts for straps, and hauled my bike home from storage.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macon Innovations 228 Posted May 7, 2015 Hello! You want to buy cargo trailer. You can purchase it from XBtrailer. This is a brand new company in Great Falls, Montana. This company manufactures cargo, flatbed, stock and dump trailers by using high quality materials. This is a very reliable company. So, don'y need to worry about it . Just check out .... And i'm sure your opinion is unbiased looking at your username Share this post Link to post Share on other sites