Which Cargo Trailer To Buy

[SweetLou]

I need to get a Cargo Trailer that is 12 x 7 or 8. There are so many brands and I have done my research but what I really wanted was opinions on whether to get a Tandem or single axle. It might carry some weight in the future but mostly it will travel 1500 ea trip back up to WA each year, then return 1500 mi. It needs to be dependable and stout.
Brands seem to settle with Wells Cargo, Pace, Featherlite. Torsion Springs, or leaf. If any one has experience or opinions on this I would like to hear them.

[discovery4us]

tandem, torsion, 8 foot wide, and extra height. Mine is 6'6" interior height and my next one will be 7' or maybe 7'6" interior height.

Mine is a Carson. Previous owner didn't treat it very well but it is holding up well.

[Bedlam]

Is this trailer to be double towed behind your fifth wheel or just behind the truck? I suggest matching the wheel and body width to the vehicle to which it is primarily attached for the best handling.

I tow a 20' enclosed Interstate Car Hauler which is 8' wide. I wanted the ability to carry toys or a car, so I have dual 5200 lb torsion axles. I feel the torsion axles are much easier on your trailer and load since each wheel can move independently of the others. I run three lengths of e-track on the floor and run four strips vertically on each long wall. I do not have an escape door on the left side, but I can get in and out of my vehicles without one. My right side door has an RV style latch allowing opening and locking from the inside.

[GTO66]

I have three trailers all with tandem axles the only way I would have a single axle is if it was used only for local hauling. A flat at interstate speed with a single axle is usually not pretty. Trailers are like generators you get what you pay for.

[MFL]

I towed a single axle 8.5x12' enclosed cargo trailer for several years. It lacked in cargo carrying capacity, and even with a radius front, pulled hard for it's size. It had wheels under, but with torsion suspension.

I upgraded to the all aluminum 7x23 pictured. It has spring assist doors (two finger lift) front/rear. Also has entry door, other side. The advertised/not scaled wt, is 2,200. It has all LED lighting inside and out. It has finished white ceiling, and walls. It is low to the ground, with torsion suspension, wheels outside, not under, and a 3,800 CCC.

This is a super nice tow, even in wind, with no WDH. Tows much easier than the 8.5x12 that I had. With the V-nose, I can fit 3 long tracked mountain sleds, and lots of gear.

OP should not make the mistake of short and wide, as IMO, longer and say 7' wide, just works better in my experience.

Jerry

[bid_time]

While you are negotiating, make sure to get the price to have E-Track installed. Worth it's weight in gold.

[mowermech]

I have a 7X14 to carry our two ATVs. It is a tandem axle, and I would not have it any other way. IMO (based purely on my experience), a tandem tows better and is easier to back up.
Braking is not an issue in this state, because the law (MCA 61-9-304) requires brakes on ALL wheels of a trailer of 3000 lbs. GVW or more, and a trailer must have a breakaway system that will hold the brakes applied for at least 15 minutes if the trailer breaks completely away from the towing vehicle.
It is worthy of note that any vehicle being towed in driveaway or towaway operations is exempt from that requirement, IF the combination of vehicles can comply with the provisions of MCA 61-9-312, Braking Performance Requirements.

[RoyB]

This is just me thoughts but I would want one with a side door up near the front tongue area, maybe one window and of course the full drop down door in the rear for loading.

Google Image

Sooner or later you know you are going to use this trailer for a camping trip so the area in front of the side door across the front should be made something permanent like a work bench area or possible a kitchen area...

You can install the fold down beds on the inside walls or like some of them have is a drop down ceiling bed platform in the rear...

You can drop the rear door down and raise the end up level with the floor and make a great patio sitting area... Or a work area...

Dual axles will of course help big time with tongue weight problems...

Lots of views on-line what others do with their cargo trailers...

Roy Ken

[nevadanick]

I have had Mirage and a couple of Victory trailers all with leaf springs and they have served me well with thousands of mi on all of them. I put good tires on them right after buying them. Look at trailers plus for sizes and pricing. My current trlr is a Victory 8.5x20 that has been a workhorse.

[mkirsch]

Tandem axle rides better. Think of it this way: When you come across a pothole, only one wheel is in the pothole at any given moment, while the other wheel is on level pavement. This reduces the effect of the pothole by more than 1/2 vs. a single axle trailer. When a single axle hits a pothole, it launches into orbit because the entire weight of that side of the trailer falls into the pothole, whereas that weight will be supported mostly by the wheel on level pavement on a tandem trailer.

[gmw_photos]

I had a Wells Cargo when my son and I were racing motorcycles. I had them build it custom for me as I wanted a side door and a ramp rear door which at the time was not standard on the size I wanted.

My only big suggestion is to buy one that is tall enough you can step in and out of it without banging your head.

[GottaRunGottaCa]

I am currently looking for a 7 x 14 so I can haul two full dressed Harley's, I have a 6 x 10 now with interior height of 6'2" and it's just getting to difficult putting both Harley's in there.
When I started getting quotes on them I was told by several dealers that the 7 x 14 was only $100 more than the 7 x 12, I'm going to have one built so it will handle the weight of three bikes (just in case), so it will have tandem axles, most single axles will have a maximum GVW of 3K, floor joist will be 16" on center and interior height will be 6'8", as far as which manufacture to go with, there is so many that I would suggest finding one with a 5year warranty.
Good Luck with your search.

[Dave_H_M]

Well there is something i learned from the school of hard knocks. :S

The number of axles do not mean much. I went to a manufacturer in Sikeston MO to get my 16 foot flat bed. Duuh, first thing they asked was what capacity axles you want. Ole Dave thought thought 3K axles were plenty that day.

Since then I have always run into issues with the trailer being too puny for the load.

So I think what you are gonna haul and what safety margin you want is the first step. Then there is the issue of brakes. I got them on both axles.

[tinner12002]

I would also get the dual axle as it will pull better and probably put less weight on hitch. Also if you think that a 12x7 will work go with a v-nose for the extra free space or if you think that size will work step up to 14x7...as you can't have too much room. Either way I would go with a v-nose.

[Jaxom]

All aluminum construction recommended for rust proof operation.
2 axles will ride more stable and have a built in safety factor for tire blowout concerns.
Torsion axles WILL ride smoother, but will not equalize the weight between the 2 axles, if weight is a concern.

[ktmrfs]

I've got a pace with close to 50K miles on it. converted it to a home built toy hauler, living quarter trailer when I got it. 7x14. It's been absolutely trouble free.

Neighbor has had two Pace larger trailer for his go cart buisiness. He has put 100K + miles on each, again trouble free.

Our son's work trailer for hauling motorcycles and quads around the state for state parks is a Pace, again close to 100K miles on it. held up well, again trouble free.

All the above have the torsion axles.