Will be moving cross country in the fall,
thinking of picking up a 16' to 20' cargo trailer that could also use for work later on; What brands should I be looking into & options worth considering? My truck is an 07 3500 dually 4x4,auto, 3.73 gears, 5.9, anything that I should add, was thinking of possibly installing a exhaust brake, recommendations? Thanx!!

 

Think about a 26' instead and check my classifieds.....

 

I would agree that Bigger is Better!
You have the truck to pull it...Make it So!!!

 

I'd go with at least an 8 1/2 by 20 enclosed trailer. It has enough capacity to haul most anything, you can use it as a car hauler, a lot of them have cabinets for tools so you could use it as a mobile work shop. Once you get the basic trailer, each extra foot of trailer lenght costs X amount of money. If it were me, I'd go maybe 30 feet long and get a toy hauler with a small camper in the front. This would be work shop and office all in one. If you're on a budget though, go with a 20 footer.

 

8 1/2 x 20 or24. I have had several Pace,wells cargo,H&H. The H&H was the best hands down. I would say get the ramp door in thr back and a wide door up front.

 

I don't have anything to compare it to but I have a 8.5 x 20 H&H and have been very pleased. It is very well built - maybe to a fault of being heavy.

 

You'll see a lot of trailers over 20 feet with the ramp style rear interior and drop down door for loading a car. I don't like that style but ended up buying one because there was so many of them around.

If you want the strongest setup be sure to look underneath at the frame cross members and main frame rails. Huge difference in construction! Some have whimpy little 2 inch angle crossomembers on 24 inch centers and some have 6 inch channel members on 16 inch centers. Some have brakes on only one axle and some on both axles. My preferrence is 8 bolt torsion axles, but some of the six bolt ones are rated for 7000 lbs each. The 5 bolt ones are 3500 lbs max, I think.

They seem to really hold their value, but I'd still buy used. Especially in the current market. And, as said previously, bigger is probably better, within limits. I found mine on Craigs list and snapped it up. A 27 foot tandem axle with a very strong frame that had only made one trip and still had the dealer plate, for $5,500. Wells Cargo makes really nice ones, but so do a lot of others.

 

I have a 22' +2' v-nose Roadmaster with 5k axles. I haul my car in it and it has held up well. About 5k miles on it. Also added a door on drivers side to allow opening car door (not in this pic).
I would not get 3,500 lb axles. The tires are too small. Don't know how much stuff you have to move but I've helped 2 people move and it fills up fast. Bigger is better!

As for the truck, maybe add EGT and boost gauges, and a brake controller (of course). Your truck will handle it with ease. Braking is not a problem with mine (no exhaust brake), just drive smart.

 

what makes the H&H stand out from the rest?

 

20 & 24' trailers are very common. If you move up to a 26' or 28' model they are far more desireable to guys who stock car or drag race since there is room in the tailer for more than just the car. The 26' & 28' units hold way more of their original value when you re-sell. I would definately get atleast a finished floor. The more options the higher the resale value.

I have a 26' Cargo Mate that was built at the OR assembly plant. Great trailer that has given me 4 years of great service with no issues. Cargo Mate is part of the Forrest River Group who also manufactures trailers under other brands such as Continental Cargo.

 

www.tpdtrailers.com Check them out tell us what you think.