I have a "Kristy" that i purchased about 5 years ago and have never had a single issue with it. It's a 6 x 12 single axle, drop down ramp and side door.

I'm going to keep an eye on this as I am going to get a bigger one in the near future.

 

Thanks for the response, I'm looking for a new Trailer and have researched online of course but thought i'd see what others in the trades are using. I Will build it out to suit my needs so i'm just looking for a plain trailer. I've enjoyed seeing the pics of other's on here and will probably incorporate some of the designs i've seen.

 

Depends a lot on what area you live. Around here car mate and proline are the nice ones to own. I went for the car mate over proline just because the contractor edition is a Very nice trailer and has some nice options over a standard trailer.

 

I've had two Pace trailers. No problems, great trailers.

Here's a tip - I was going to buy the top level trailer. Went to my local Pace dealer and priced it out - $10,000.

He told me "now I'll build you a trailer". He started with a mid level Pace, added an extra brace at the front for weight capacity, and a whole bunch of other upgrades.

I got the trailer I wanted for $7500. He saved me $2500 bucks because of his experience and his knowledge of what a contractor needs in a trailer.

So try to find someone who KNOWS how to build a trailer. Save you some bucks and you'll get a great trailer. :thumbsup:

 

Thanks again for the responses. I will do alot of research before i spend my money it's hard enough to earn it and way to easy to spend... So i'll be diligent in my purchase.

 

Make certain to purchase one that can handle twice the weight you THINK you'll load in it.

 

I prefer one of these:

 

You are in Tennessee so I recommend you check out a Freedom Trailer ( in Georgia)..half the cost of anything else these guys run..I have a 7x16 V-nose..car hauler heavy duty frame..rated for 7200lbs ..twin axles..electric brakes..16" walls and floor..3/4"plywood floor 3/8" wall..drop down ramp..choice of color..diamond plate on the V and LED's..I researched a long time before I ordered mine ...love it and sorry I waited so long..total price including delivery to Orlando $3800!!!!!!!
Message me for website..don't want to advertise in my post.

 

Can you provide website for purchase of trailer?

 

If you move your trailer alot its probly best to get a narrow one but if your jobs last long periods its nice to have a wide one that extends over the wheel wells. also if you need to haul material barn doors are nice because if you need to poke it out the back you can still shut the doors with a strap. thats all the advice i really have. I have a feather lite and it has done me well.

 

Thanks for the reply's

 

I've also decided to buy a new truck after the holidays so i may go with a 7x16 or 7x20 trailer now just so i don't have to upgrade again in 2-3 years as i'm doing now.

 

I bought a United Trailer about a year ago and so far I'm very happy with it. It's a 7x14 tandom 7000 lb. and I paid $4,200 for it new.

 

Are those aluminum walls & shelves? Very nice, where did you get them from & how much?

Thanks

Nhi

 

I have a Mirage 7x12. I have no complaints with it. Mainly have it because that is what's sold locally and price was right

 

Like Katoman, I'm partial to Pace American, as I have an awesome dealer local to me. I've had a Summit 8X16 for about 9 years now, and I have no complaints considering the amount of miles it gets, as well as the abuse it sees from a crew of 4-5 concrete/masonry guys. It's well built, easy to maintain & repair, and the parts are cheap.

 

I also have a united trailer.

 

I couldn't recommend a manufacturer. But I could give you some great maintenance and other tips. You're always going to want a bigger one so get the right size. Go with a 10k GVWR minimum. 16" oc floors and sidewalls. Translucent roof is nice. I have one and it makes a huge difference. I also painted my hole interior white as soon as I bought it. When you get the thing new, take it to a shop that does bed lining. Have them coat the entire underside and wheel wells of the trailer. The salt and crap practically destroyed my trailer in only 5 years. Led lights. I have a weight distributing hitch on my 7x12 7k trailer because they way I have to load it the tongue can be 1000 lbs while the trailer is only 6500. Lastly, follow the recommended maintenance schedule of the trailer brakes. They need to be adjusted and cleaned at least once a year. If you don't you could end up like me "rolleyes"

 

Another bit of advice is see if you can find one or order one with extended height, I'm 6'-2" and I wish I had waited and gotten a taller one. The next one will be at least 6' 6" tall.

 

Perfect thread, for me.

I'm also thinking about getting a trailer too. I looked at the commercial from Trailer Plus and it seems like Interstate trailers are pretty solid.

This is how my company operates, please advice the size I should go for (sorry it'll be quite ... long):

- All my guys drive their own trucks to the jobsite every day. Some of them carpool. I know getting one van for each crew is the best way. But I don't see myself doing it in the near future (5-7 years) yet due to financial constraints.
- All the guys trucks have tool boxes, their own tools (all hand tools, impact driver & skilsaw). I supply bigger tools (vacuum, table saw, miter saw, ladders, compressor, etc) and most of the nail guns (brads, finish, frame, siding, etc...)
- Most of the work we do are residential remodels: kitchen only, bathroom only, k&b, whole house remodel; About one room addition in every 2-3 years; about 1 custom built house every 2-3 years.
- We do everything in house, except stucco and pour concrete
- We mostly run 2-3 projects at the same time. Very rarely 4 (maybe 3, and 1 quick project got squeezed in the schedule once in a while)
- Projects last 1 week - 10 days in average. Whole house remodels (for flippers & property management company who buys & fix everything to rent out) usually take 3-4 weeks.

In the past, I would have a crew get to job site with all the main tools to get started. I'd slowly bring more tools as needed. For materials it's the same thing: I'd bring some in first to get started, then buy as needed. This is where the problems come in: I would ususally have to go back home (30-45 mins drive on average) to just get something for them, maybe a brad nailer, maybe a hammer drill, etc... Sometimes I would have to go from 1 project to HD to buy supplies & go to the next project, so on and so forth. Waste of time, not effiecent, etc...

SOOOO, I think the trailer might be a perfect answer to my problem. :clap: But I don't want too big of a trailer, I think. Because what I'm thinking of putting in it are the following. Please advice otherwise, or help brain storms:

+Tools
- Clean up tools: vacuum, broom, trash bags, pick up tool, plastic (to cover), runner (project floor), zip poles
- 1 10" miter saw
- 1 compact table saw
- 1 set of hand tools (back up, just in case if any one forgot anything): pliers, screw drivers, impact driver, prybar, hammer, torch, etc... (one tool bag worth of space)
- common use guns: 1 brad, 1 finish, 1 framer
- thinset mixer
- tile saw
- skil saw
- small hammer rotery drill
- paint sprayer
- paint rollers & trays
- paint extension poles
- Dewalt 4.5 gal, wheelable compressor
- Granite tools: track saw (it's a miter saw & 2 tracks) - Blue Ripper Junior; one bag of diamond tools (wet polisher, small circular saw, diamond pads, 4 clamps, epoxy, color tubes, etc)
- saw horses: thinking about foldable, not my favorite, but save space
- t-square
- 6' level
- 6' ladder
- small ladders: 2
- Extensions
- air hoses
+ Supplies:
- Plumbing: enough 1/2" & 3/4" coper & gas fittings (some of each for 90, t, coupling etc..); shut-off valves, supply lines, p-traps, etc..
- Electrical: common parts: wire nuts, cover plates, receptacles, switches, some boxes, 1 roll of 12-2, 1 of 14-2.
- Framing/sheetrock: 3" screws, backer board screws & nails, drywall screws/nails, etc... (a little bit of everything)
- Caulking: painter, k&b, roofing, window & door
- Screws & anchors: assortments of those

(This is a quick ... first draft. Will be fine tuned a couple more times before "final inspection" :laughing: )

In other words, main target is to have:
- enough tools to do a k&b or a whole house remodel (for this we usually do new laminate/wood/carpet, paint inside & out, replace a couple of doors & nobs, tile floors, replace bathroom fixtures, replace kitchen cabinets & counters & floors, replace/install new light fixtures, new recessed lights, replace windows, etc).
- And stock all common parts so I don't have to keep running to HD every day, sometimes a couple of times/day
- but still stay compact because I need to park the trailer at jobsite (most likely will be on customer's driveway) for the duration of the project.

So what you guys think? What's the smallest size trailer I can accomplish this with? I drive a f250 but my guys drive tacomas (4) & tundra (1). I'll love to have a 7x14 but I think it'll be too big to be parked in drive way. If I can fit in a really small trailers, I might be able to buy a couple of them, one for each projects (maybe 2).

And sorry for the long post. I'd just like to lay out everything so you can understand my situation better before giving advices.

Thank you very much for helping out.

Nhi

 

Perfect thread, for me.

I'm also thinking about getting a trailer too. I looked at the commercial from Trailer Plus and it seems like Interstate trailers are pretty solid.

This is how my company operates, please advice the size I should go for (sorry it'll be quite ... long):

- All my guys drive their own trucks to the jobsite every day. Some of them carpool. I know getting one van for each crew is the best way. But I don't see myself doing it in the near future (5-7 years) yet due to financial constraints.
- All the guys trucks have tool boxes, their own tools (all hand tools, impact driver & skilsaw). I supply bigger tools (vacuum, table saw, miter saw, ladders, compressor, etc) and most of the nail guns (brads, finish, frame, siding, etc...)
- Most of the work we do are residential remodels: kitchen only, bathroom only, k&b, whole house remodel; About one room addition in every 2-3 years; about 1 custom built house every 2-3 years.
- We do everything in house, except stucco and pour concrete
- We mostly run 2-3 projects at the same time. Very rarely 4 (maybe 3, and 1 quick project got squeezed in the schedule once in a while)
- Projects last 1 week - 10 days in average. Whole house remodels (for flippers & property management company who buys & fix everything to rent out) usually take 3-4 weeks.

In the past, I would have a crew get to job site with all the main tools to get started. I'd slowly bring more tools as needed. For materials it's the same thing: I'd bring some in first to get started, then buy as needed. This is where the problems come in: I would ususally have to go back home (30-45 mins drive on average) to just get something for them, maybe a brad nailer, maybe a hammer drill, etc... Sometimes I would have to go from 1 project to HD to buy supplies & go to the next project, so on and so forth. Waste of time, not effiecent, etc...

SOOOO, I think the trailer might be a perfect answer to my problem. :clap: But I don't want too big of a trailer, I think. Because what I'm thinking of putting in it are the following. Please advice otherwise, or help brain storms:

+Tools
- Clean up tools: vacuum, broom, trash bags, pick up tool, plastic (to cover), runner (project floor), zip poles
- 1 10" miter saw
- 1 compact table saw
- 1 set of hand tools (back up, just in case if any one forgot anything): pliers, screw drivers, impact driver, prybar, hammer, torch, etc... (one tool bag worth of space)
- common use guns: 1 brad, 1 finish, 1 framer
- thinset mixer
- tile saw
- skil saw
- small hammer rotery drill
- paint sprayer
- paint rollers & trays
- paint extension poles
- Dewalt 4.5 gal, wheelable compressor
- Granite tools: track saw (it's a miter saw & 2 tracks) - Blue Ripper Junior; one bag of diamond tools (wet polisher, small circular saw, diamond pads, 4 clamps, epoxy, color tubes, etc)
- saw horses: thinking about foldable, not my favorite, but save space
- t-square
- 6' level
- 6' ladder
- small ladders: 2
- Extensions
- air hoses
+ Supplies:
- Plumbing: enough 1/2" & 3/4" coper & gas fittings (some of each for 90, t, coupling etc..); shut-off valves, supply lines, p-traps, etc..
- Electrical: common parts: wire nuts, cover plates, receptacles, switches, some boxes, 1 roll of 12-2, 1 of 14-2.
- Framing/sheetrock: 3" screws, backer board screws & nails, drywall screws/nails, etc... (a little bit of everything)
- Caulking: painter, k&b, roofing, window & door
- Screws & anchors: assortments of those

(This is a quick ... first draft. Will be fine tuned a couple more times before "final inspection" :laughing: )

In other words, main target is to have:
- enough tools to do a k&b or a whole house remodel (for this we usually do new laminate/wood/carpet, paint inside & out, replace a couple of doors & nobs, tile floors, replace bathroom fixtures, replace kitchen cabinets & counters & floors, replace/install new light fixtures, new recessed lights, replace windows, etc).
- And stock all common parts so I don't have to keep running to HD every day, sometimes a couple of times/day
- but still stay compact because I need to park the trailer at jobsite (most likely will be on customer's driveway) for the duration of the project.

So what you guys think? What's the smallest size trailer I can accomplish this with? I drive a f250 but my guys drive tacomas (4) & tundra (1). I'll love to have a 7x14 but I think it'll be too big to be parked in drive way. If I can fit in a really small trailers, I might be able to buy a couple of them, one for each projects (maybe 2).

And sorry for the long post. I'd just like to lay out everything so you can understand my situation better before giving advices.

Thank you very much for helping out.

Nhi

Dude. Sounds like you need 7x16 minimum. You basically do it all, so you've got alot of tools. Don't forget the amount of space that fasteners take up. Also 10k minimum GVWR for you.

 

haha, for real? I thought I can get away with a 6x10 or even smaller, but maybe taller for walk-in access.

I think I'm gonna try to do a mock-up, setting things up on a imagine 6x10, or whatever size needed before buying a trailer. Oh wait, I think I'm gonna set up in my 6.5x12 dump trailer. It has 4' sides right now. Will raise it up to 6-6'6" to see if I can fit most of the big tools in.

Right now I can park my dump trailer perfectly in one side of my drive way, length wise & width wise as well. So worst case senerio, I can still get a 7x12/14 if need to. Crossing my fingers.

To those of you who're using a trailer, how do you use it daily? Is there anyone in similar situation as mine? What supplies do you stock on board?

Thanks

Nhi

 

You should be able to get away with a 7x14 as long as you lay it out well. I have quite a few more tools than your putting into your setup and I can get them to fit with quite a bit of spare room and still have a work bench to work from if needed.

 

I use mine every day and I don't really try to stock supplies, mostly tools with some nails and screws, sandpaper, stuff like that. I can't even imagine going back the the days of no trailer. I have a 6x12 but need larger. It does the job but becomes sort of cluttered after a hard day! I try to stock the tools for the job.

 

I've got a 7x12 with the wheel wells in the trailer. I am a one man show with a decent amount of tools. I can do anything from laying out a foundation all the way to finish work and paint. I don't tile, plumb, elec. I thought the 7x12 was going to be big enough. It isn't. I can almost jam everything I might need at a job for tools into the trailer, but I can't get in the trailer to access stuff at that point. I wish I had a bigger trailer. The thing is a large investment and you want to invest wisely. You will always want bigger

 

Years ago i had a haulmark. 7' x 16' i had it for about 8 years and

never had to do a thing to it. That trailer had torsion axles. 3 years

ago I bought a 8.5' x 16' with a wedge nose and a ramp door.

The ramp door is great for going in and out all day.

It has spring axles. It is a continental cargo I am not happy with the

new trailer. :sad:

The extra width is great but i have already put new tires on it

and will have to again next year. Make sure it has torsion axles if you

get a larger trailer. My $.02 Good luck!:thumbsup:

 

I have owned several Featherlite trailers, I have been pleased with all of them. My current one is for sale if you are interested.

 

Why you're selling it? Size & price? Just asking 'cause you're too far from me.

Nhi

 

Thanks for the replies.

Okay, now I'm gonna be detail with what I'm curious to know: Please chime in.

- how you guys use the trailer: do you pull it back & forth & every where (HD, supply yards, etc)? If park at job site, what's the average time (# of days? duration of the job? or begin of job to unload tools for guys, end of job to take tools back?)
- If you park at customer's, for those who have bigger trailer, is parking space a problem? percentage of problem free parking? security at jobsite if park overnight?
- How do you utilize the trailer at jobsite? I know some of you suggest to leave air compressor in the trailer. What about tools like miter & table/tile saw? Go back & forth the trailer as needed for smaller tools? Is a ramp helping with load/unload (ramp door vs swing doors with seperate ramp?)?
- If don't stock supplies, how you handle supplies for a jobs? (down to a small detail like 1 lb of sheetrock screw, 3 supply lines for bathroom, 1 shutoff valve to replace in toilet, 1 wax ring, 1 p trap downstair, etc....)? Does a trailer help in this respect?
- When park at home, where to park? driveway? rich contractor rear yard?
- truck/trailer wrap: did anyone get inspector visit/stop work for non-permit work because of attention caused by the trailer/truck wrap?

That's it for now. Hehehe. Thanks as always. Pls pardon the long posts. I believe in learning from asking.

Nhi