Utility trailer

[fordtruckin]

Looking for a utility trailer to haul roughly a cord of wood. Size I’ve decided on is around 6.5x12 with 2’ tall sides. Looked at several makes n models and the one most along the lines I want is made by Big Tex. Has anyone experience with that brand? I’d prefer a single 5000#axle due to where I cut firewood but every single axle model that size is 3500#. On a side note do most manufacturer of trailers let you customize your trailer to a point? Larger a les, tire size, or wall height etc?
Looking at a 35sv12 for single axle or 60pi12 for double axle.

[Dmay]

Best to find a dealer and ask your questions....I see there are some in Alberta for those particular trailers.
Or, I see they are manufactured south of Salt Lake City. Next Tuesday I'll be driving right by there empty. If you can have one bought by then, I can bring it north.

[Tannerdog]

Check out Oasis trailers. Made in Rolling Hills AB (or were) and very good quality with customization. I had a 8x14 deck with boxed tube frame that I wish would have kept. Think I saw them at Factory Outlet Trailer

[curtz]

Have had a few different trailers and because I use them on gravel the steel ones always get rock chipped and rust. I have aluminum now, no rust and nice and lite. Something to consider if your using it on gravel.

[fvminnow]

Double A Trailers, Alberta built Trailers in Two Hills and Vegreville. They have built two to a buddy's specs and should be able to meet your requirement.

[fordtruckin]

I wish I could get custom but seems like none of my local companies want to build something like that. They’re all too busy. I checked with a local welder and got blown off as well. I’m not worried about gravel. Most of the unpaved where I live are bloody obsidian sand or dirt. Plus where I cut firewood is all within 30 miles of my house.

[Big pete]

Have had a big Tex and a load trail….both are complete junk, fell apart in a couple years….i would look at a south land made in Lethbridge, the company I work for just bought one and it seems to be solid so far. Compared side by side to the load trail and big Tex the craftsmanship is hands down better

[LKILR]

I have big Tex 35

It’s 10’ long and 7’ wide

The original 3500# axle was bent from factory caused the tires to wear off on one trip to High Level

I had the axle straightened in Lethbridge

Loaded it with a big cord of wood and it bent again

I replaced the axle with 5000#

Now it seems good


Make me an offer I may sell it.

Located near Lethbridge


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[ghfalls]

A 12’ dump trailer is a far better option. There’s always a deal to be had on the used market. Green wood is heavy and two axles with 4 tires on the ground is going to better and safer. Plus the ability to dump will put a smile on your face every time you use it.

[WV911]

Canada Trailers make a decent trailer

I switched to galvanized trailers that were made by mennonites for my landscape business in Ontario and I have a galvanized 6x12 that I bought here at Factory Outlet Trailers. I would only ever buy galvanized now.

[wallz]

I used a big tex 5x10 for a number of years for a sxs. Never a problem with it, besides the wiring, but that was more the dog chewing it, or rocks splitting the wires.

This last year I upgraded to a larger Rmax 1000 sxs, and had to upgrade my trailer. I really wanted a 5000 lb single axle, and 7x12.

Was hoping for an alum stronghaul trailer, but they only offer the dual axle in 5000 lbs, and no single.

Only options were double axle in 7x12 with that weight, or 7x14 in single. I really didn't want the dual axle, so went with the 7x14. Its a rainbow trailer.

Point to go with the 5000 lbs was to mount an aux fuel tank, and still haul the sxs. Works great and not overloaded as I would be with a 3500 lb axle.

These guys up in Grand Prairie, "Keddies Trailers" were the best price, and awesome service.

https://www.keddiestrailers.ca/all-i...y/atv-trailers

[SamSteele]

I have had a Stronghaul 16 foot tandem for 10 years and it has been good. I recently had to redo the brakes and tires, but nothing else. Aluminum is sure nice.

I do agree that a dump trailer would be nicer for hauling firewood though. Back it up and tip it all out instead of doing it by hand.

SS


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[fordtruckin]

Used dumps near me seem to be few and far between. When I find one it’s larger than I need or is twice the cost used of a new tandem axle trailer like I was looking at. I don’t mind unloading as I have to stack it anyways so just move it once while unloading/stacking.

[Geraldsh]

My uncle built his trailer out of an old 1/2 ton chassis and box, specifically for hauling firewood out of the river valley. When he loaded the trailer though, his little tractor would spin out coming up the steep grade.
He rigged up a drive shaft from the trailer rearend to the tractor pto and quickly went for another load to try it out. He loaded up, drove until the tractor started to spin and engaged the pto - that trailer drug him down the hill and almost into the river before he could react!
He said “sometimes I’ m too damned clever.”

[bezzola]

I have had 2 trailers built at certified costom trailers in edmonton i has happy with them.

[EZM]

I have become a fan of tandem axle trailers recently. If something happens you can always limp over to a place where you can safely repair the blown tire, remove the tire wheel (assuming a bearing goes) etc...

Nice piece of mind in my opinion. Especially for me where I'm hauling longer distances and over some sketchy roads.

If you are doing stuff all close by home, then a tandem may not be that big of a deal - but I do agree getting galvanized or aluminum is really nice - especially if you store it outside or want to keep it for many years.

[fordtruckin]

I am starting to think the buy once cry once may be the way to go. Now if I could find a shop to build a custom one that would be the best. I could order it without a floor then so that myself with 5/4 deck boards to save some $$ and get exactly what I want. 2-3500# axles, 6.5x12 with 2’ sides and a rear ramp.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

I am starting to think the buy once cry once may be the way to go. Now if I could find a shop to build a custom one that would be the best. I could order it without a floor then so that myself with 5/4 deck boards to save some $$ and get exactly what I want. 2-3500# axles, 6.5x12 with 2’ sides and a rear ramp.

If you can find a local feller to weld it …. Buy the material, have it cut to the lengths and angles you need… buy some good axles from standens and have it all welded up. My dad used to manufacture trailers and he would usually make a separate frame to weld the axles to then weld that whole assembly to the trailer. It’s a lot easier to get it all straight and true like that.

[Drewski Canuck]

Bigger question to ask, Deck over wheel, or wheels outside the deck?

I have both, one being a 6 x 12 I built myself, with a custom axle that takes the deck lower, and hence a lower center of gravity.

I bought a Deck over wheel with two 3500# axles being 7.5 x 16. It has a rear pull out ramp that can lock into the pin boxes on rear or side.

The pin boxes on each trailer allow removable sides and the rear has pin boxes for a rear side as well. This is what I used on the 6 x 12.

For green firewood, you will find that a 3500# axle is not enough for a cord. You will also find that bucking up and loading the trailer with the unsplit logs is more efficient than whole logs.

The biggest question is do you have enough storage space? If so, go big or go home because having multiple trailers for specialized jobs takes up alot of space.

On weight, combined 7000# is ample for a cord, and deck over wheel keeps the trailer in the ruts so it is not fighting you on a soft roadbed. You will have a higher center of gravity to contend with though so the extra axle is a big plus for handling.

Drewski

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Drewski Canuck

Bigger question to ask, Deck over wheel, or wheels outside the deck?

I have both, one being a 6 x 12 I built myself, with a custom axle that takes the deck lower, and hence a lower center of gravity.

I bought a Deck over wheel with two 3500# axles being 7.5 x 16. It has a rear pull out ramp that can lock into the pin boxes on rear or side.

The pin boxes on each trailer allow removable sides and the rear has pin boxes for a rear side as well. This is what I used on the 6 x 12.

For green firewood, you will find that a 3500# axle is not enough for a cord. You will also find that bucking up and loading the trailer with the unsplit logs is more efficient than whole logs.

The biggest question is do you have enough storage space? If so, go big or go home because having multiple trailers for specialized jobs takes up alot of space.

On weight, combined 7000# is ample for a cord, and deck over wheel keeps the trailer in the ruts so it is not fighting you on a soft roadbed. You will have a higher center of gravity to contend with though so the extra axle is a big plus for handling.

Drewski

Soft road bed isn't a concern. Worst I got is shale rocky forest roads. I'd prefer wheels outside. Whatever I get will be a step up from loading 1/2 cord in my F150 truck bed width 6.5' long to the top of the cab. Guarantee I overloaded that truck multiple times. Never complained and putting around did the job. Fortunately I have plenty of storage room. I've got cords of wood stacked around my yard by year cut so I know how long it's been aging. Wood I'm burning right now was cut 4 years ago. Next years firewood will be between 3 and 4 years old as well. Gotta stay ahead of the curve! Thanks all for your advice!

[jungleboy]

Buy the trailer , buy a 6000# axle and install it yourself or have a trailer repair outfit do it and sell the 3500# axle. Installing an axle is not a difficult job to do.

A jack and a few axle stands , unbolt the old , bolt in the new.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by jungleboy

Buy the trailer , buy a 6000# axle and install it yourself or have a trailer repair outfit do it and sell the 3500# axle. Installing an axle is not a difficult job to do.

A jack and a few axle stands , unbolt the old , bolt in the new.

Yup, fairly easy to do! My neighbour had to get a custom axle made up for her vintage trailer, the shop that built it for her did a great job. We got it installed in about an hour.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

I am starting to think the buy once cry once may be the way to go. Now if I could find a shop to build a custom one that would be the best. I could order it without a floor then so that myself with 5/4 deck boards to save some $$ and get exactly what I want. 2-3500# axles, 6.5x12 with 2’ sides and a rear ramp.

I agree with that thought ..... get something that will be top notch if your budget allows ..... my dad used to say "I can't afford to buy cheap stuff" ....

The ONLY change I'd make is length .... I'd go to a 14' so I could get 2 quads in there ..... and for resale .... the extra 2 feet won't kill the price too much and it's just the same to tow.

In my mind, a 6.5 or 7 x14 is perfect .... everything else - you are spot on .... tandem 3,500lb axles and you are good to go. Wheel outside for me, is better as it rides lower and handles loads better.