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Advice buying 12 ton tag

Duke

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Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
366
Location
PA
Can't afford and airbrake trailer and it would probably be more than I need since I'll only use it 15-20 times/year for short hauls between jobsites. I'm using it for a backhoe and a high reach.

So I'm looking for an electric brake, 12 ton tag, tandem axle that has good value for the buck. :usa
 

Ford LT-9000

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Nov 17, 2005
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B.C. Canada
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Rolling around in the dirt
I would prolly try find a used tag trailer first you definatly want air brakes on the trailer especially with a single axle dump truck. Many contractors in my area are the same the trailer gets 4 times a month.

Good Luck and hows the business going I haven't seen you on the net since the TDS site.

How is the 7spd working in the truck was it a good swap ?
 

Duke

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
366
Location
PA
I would prolly try find a used tag trailer first you definatly want air brakes on the trailer especially with a single axle dump truck. Many contractors in my area are the same the trailer gets 4 times a month.

Good Luck and hows the business going I haven't seen you on the net since the TDS site.

How is the 7spd working in the truck was it a good swap ?

Fine thanks! how's it going for you? The truck is working/running great.

The reason I don't want air is the expense. I don't have gladhands run to the rear and an airbraked trailer costs like $2,000 more.

I just don't have the need for the world's best trailer, so I'm trying to find a good electric brake trailer for ocassional use.

I guess if i found a good used air-brake trailer, i might consider it.
 

jimmyjack

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Jan 20, 2007
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656
Location
rhode island
if u find a good price on a air brake trailer ,u can just drain the air out of the trailers air tank and it will free wheel, ive done that before when i drove a truck without air to the back. i was used when all the other trucks were busy it worked not that safe but it worked :beatsme :my2c
 

Ford LT-9000

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I see they show a sale price on the fixed deck beaver tail trailer and it seems like a good deal.

For the amount of use you say your going to put on a trailer the tilt deck or the beaver tail trailer would do you fine.
 

jmac

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
740
Location
Central NY
Duke, I have the exact trailer you are looking for 1 year old 12 ton backhoe Pro by Econoline. I need a 20 ton. I am looking to get around 4k for mine.
 

Duke

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
366
Location
PA
Duke, I have the exact trailer you are looking for 1 year old 12 ton backhoe Pro by Econoline. I need a 20 ton. I am looking to get around 4k for mine.

Is it the tilt deck, or the ramp style trailer? Anything you don't like about it?
 
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jmac

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
740
Location
Central NY
The ramp style. Nothing that I can think of. I can't use it to haul my 33k lb excavator so I need a 20 ton with air. I have used it to haul 20k machines and it does fine.
 

Duke

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Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
366
Location
PA
The ramp style. Nothing that I can think of. I can't use it to haul my 33k lb excavator so I need a 20 ton with air. I have used it to haul 20k machines and it does fine.

Check your PM's.
 

CM1995

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Jan 21, 2007
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13,344
Location
Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
:my2c

Hello everybody.

Econoline in my opinion is not a good trailer. These trailers are made here in AL and I have a couple guys that work for me that worked at this plant. They use mobile home axles, wheels and tires on the smaller trailers. The neck and hitch of their trailers are cut and welded instead of formed from one piece. Overall the quality of materials reflects in the sales price. Their motto is quantity not quality - just get the trailers built and out the door.

On the other hand, I have a Betterbuilt 25 ton tag that is a very well built trailer. They are also built in AL.

My personal favorite is Trail King. They are pricey but I think they are the best. I have a 12k TK tag that is 10 years old and is still pulling nicely without a lot of maintenance.

Sorry to get off topic. Check around on the prices to run air to the rear of the truck. I am currently looking for a used single axle to mount a flat bed dump and one used dealer I went to said they can run air and glad hands to the rear of the truck for $300.
 

Duke

Senior Member
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Feb 16, 2007
Messages
366
Location
PA
Don't get me wrong, if I could find a nice used 12 or 15 ton airbraked trailer I would run air to the rear and buy it.

Problem is, most trailers start to look beat after only 3 years if left outside. It's hard to find a good quality used trailer that doesn't need paint or repairs that make it cost more than a newer cheaper one.

I wish I had more money to spend on one.....maybe used w/ air IS the way to go...... :beatsme
 

jmac

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Feb 4, 2006
Messages
740
Location
Central NY
CM1995

Hello everybody.

Econoline in my opinion is not a good trailer. These trailers are made here in AL and I have a couple guys that work for me that worked at this plant. They use mobile home axles, wheels and tires on the smaller trailers. The neck and hitch of their trailers are cut and welded instead of formed from one piece. Overall the quality of materials reflects in the sales price. Their motto is quantity not quality - just get the trailers built and out the door.

I would agree that Econoline is not the best trailer made, but at 6k brand new how bad can it be. I have had mine for one year and almost looks like it did the day I bought it. I have used it to haul 18k dozer and it has done fine. I have borrowed my friend’s Eager Beaver 40k and I can't tell any difference in the two as far as stability or braking with an 18k dozer on it. I would say that the trailer is worth $6k any day taking into consideration that others are at the same gvwr go $10k. I would think that the Econoline would last 10 to 15 years anyways. I guess it would depend on how long you want it to last. I have found out that as soon as I bought mine I needed a bigger trailer because I bought a bigger excavator. So after I buy a 40k tag this summer I will need a lowboy the next year. Another thing that I consider when buying a trailer is the trailer takes the most abuse of anything you use. No mater who makes it the paint will be all scratched and trailer will have rust on almost the day you drive it home from the dealer.
 

CM1995

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Jan 21, 2007
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13,344
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Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Well - you get what you pay for.
 

thejdman04

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2006
Messages
582
Location
Illinois
I wouldnt drrive around w/no trailer brakes:( to many iditos on the road. If you have good trailer brakes eletric is fine, until the plug at the end of the truck get s a bit of corosion or one of the pins doesnt make contact. Im not a big fan of electric brakes, or hyd brakes, imo air should be used on everything including cars. I dont like ramp trailers AT ALL. The company I work for has some roll backs (like car wreckers), and you dont realize, how strong the parking brake isnt until you try holding it on a10% grade. Or when the wood deck is oil saturated, it rains, the water pushes the oil to the surface, now you have an oil slick. Ive had it where park pins brake when youg et off the machine and are chaining it down, as the machine rolls away. Tilt decks no matter what brand stink imo.
 

Countryboy

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Jun 8, 2006
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3,276
Location
Georgia
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Load Out Tech. / Heavy Equipment Operator / Locomo
Problem is, most trailers start to look beat after only 3 years if left outside. It's hard to find a good quality used trailer that doesn't need paint or repairs that make it cost more than a newer cheaper one.

Just get you a can of spray paint and touch up where needed. When I first bought my trailer it was a big deal for me when I got the "First Scratch". I repainted the whole side that day. After a couple more scratches though, painting half the trailer gets old quick. If you get some good paint, like Krylon, then it will last longer between touchups as far as fading goes.
 
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