So I'm just about sold on buying a PJ Trailers http://www.pjtrailers.com/detail.cfm?ID=C5
18' w/dovetail, 7k GVW trailer for miscellaneous hauling of cars, building materials, and an upcoming local household move. It's a nice trailer with 5' ramps, powdercoat finish, sealed beam lights, 4-wheel brakes, breakaway battery/brake actuator, etc.

I can buy cheaper, flat deck trailers for right around $2,000, but for the extra $400, I figure the features on this trailer are worth it.

For the most part, I'm not planning on exceeding the 7k# GVW, but I might want to throw a 6-7k# load on it at some point. I think the trailer weighs a little over 2k#, so I'd be exceeding the trailer's GVW by say 2,500# max. From what I've heard, axles, tires, and everything else tend to have a decent safety factor, and as long as I'm not taking a long highway trip with it, I would be fine.

However, this trailer comes with a 2" coupler , and most 2" hitch ***** are rated at 5 or 6k#. I've heard that the ball is rated at a 4 to 1 safety factor. Granted, there's a pretty big safety margin, but it still bugs me that a 7k GVW trailer has a coupler that uses a ball that will be rated at 6k#. This trailer is priced at $2399. A similar, 10k GVW (with 2-5/16" coupler) is about $1,000 more. So far, I've visited Olympic Trailer in Fife who has the PJ I like, Truck Town in Gorst who carries Spectre Trailers, and Freeway Trailers in Fife. MCI Welding in Oregon makes custom trailers, and for around $4k, I could get a custom built 10k# GVW that tilts. What do people think?

1. Don't worry, load that 7k GVW trailer & 2" ball up!
2. Buck up to the 10k GVW trailer w/the 2-5/16" coupler.
3. Really buck up for the MCI Welding custom tilt trailer.
4. Go see (insert your choice of trailer dealer or custom trailer builder near Seattle/Tacoma, WA) here.

Advice & ideas would be much appreciated!

 

Tell them you will only take the trailer with a 2 5/16 ball on it as all your others are already that and you dont want to change *****. If they want to make a sale they will get one for you. seems like there is only a couple bucks difference in coupler costs.

 

The coupler is welded (almost positive) to the tongue at the factory in Texas, and I'm looking at the trailer at a dealer in Washington state, unfortunately. Thanks for the idea though.

 

2 5/16 is in the options area

 

But it's not on the lot here in Washington. That's the manufacturer's web site link in my post, and I'm looking at the trailer at a dealer a couple thousand miles away from the manufacturer. The dealer carries the 2" coupler model on the trailers they buy and stock.

 

I bought a PJ trailer brand new it was made very well I would buy one again for sure. I drove 2 hours to buy it

 

http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-3923-va51831.aspx

 

Your new trailer could be on their next load......

 

Thanks, Zach, for clueing me in. I had tried a few retail places & web sites but was finding 6k# ratings on all the 2" *****. Southwest Wheel didn't have a ball in a long enough shank for my 1" thick drawbar platform, but I did find one on Etrailer.com. Guess I didn't look hard enough the first time. Thanks again!

 

You could always go with a gooseneck.

 

Just out of curiosity, what is Ball Platform Thickness as shown in the chart? I'm guessing the flat part under the ball that the drawbar is sandwiched between it and the lock washer under the nut??? If any of that made sense!

 

PJ's are made in Mexico from what I saw when i went to look at them. But they do look like a quality unit. I'm in the same boat. I could probally do a
7k(3500lb axles) trailer but know I would come close on the overwieght sometimes. a next step up would be 5200lb axles which seem to be few and far between. 7k axles are the next step up which are way more common. I have been thinking about going the 14k route. I hate to be counter productive with a trailer thats too heavy. Plus plate prices go up. One thing that I can add if you buy a quality trailer name you can use it and sell it for the same price when you want to move up.

 

i got a 10K 2" ball from Northern Tools

 

Jaxom: You got it on the ball platform thickness. Since I have a really heavy duty draw bar with a 1" platform and (1-1/4" diameter hole), I need the longer shank to fully engage the nut. The trailer comes with beefy safety chains, but I'd rather not test them out.

MoparMarv: The literature & local dealer imply that the trailers are made in Texas, but hey, it wouldn't surprise me if they were actually made in Mexico...not much is made in the US anymore. Maybe they put the PJ decals on in Texas. That's interesting that you don't see much in the way of 5,200# axles on the trailers there; there are lots of trailers of all types around here with them.

whitebuffalo: Northern Tool doesn't have the 1-1/4" shank diameter I need for my drawbar, but thanks for the tip. At least Etrailer has an 8k rated one iin the right configuration. I'll keep looking around though.

 

yeah, i couldnt remember the diameter, its been a while. hopefully that 8k one will take care of your prob for you. good luck!