Utility trailer dealers in Middle Tennessee

[TripleDigitRide]

Know of a trailer dealer in the Middle Tennessee area with competitive prices?

I think I'm going to be in the market for a utility trailer in the near future. Buying used may be my best option, but I don't want to buy without looking at new trailers first.

I'll be looking for something like a 6' X 12' tandem axle. I haven't decided on dovetail or electric brakes.

I'll be looking for something similar to this:

[TGO David]

This guy over in Triune... [link]

This guy in Christiana right next to the Barrett firearms plant / Outpost Armory... [link]

This guy out in Lebanon... [link]

Just as a caveat, I haven't dealt with any of these people but they are all businesses that have been around middle TN at least as long as I have and I know folks who have bought from the place in Lebanon.

[56FordGuy]

I'd avoid a used trailer. By the time you put tires on it, fix the lights, maybe a coat of paint on top of the costs of the trailer, you're usually pretty close to the cost of a brand new one.

Check BJ's Trailer Sales on 109. What do you plan to haul on it, and tow it with?

*Edit* Dave beat me by just a hair.

I've been woefully unimpressed with Gator trailers. The paint is usually poor, and the wiring on the ones I looked at would've been sorry on it's best day. I have one of BJ's trailers, and it's a quality product for the weight/ price. BJ's has great service, too.

Edited March 1, 2012 by 56FordGuy

[gregintenn]

I bought one several years back from Moore Brothers Tractor and Implement in Gallatin, on 109 South, near the river. They sell the cheaper, angle iron frame trailers, but that was all I needed. Their price couldn't be beat. If you want a nicer, tube frame trailer, I'd also suggest BJ's, further south on 109.

[TripleDigitRide]

This guy over in Triune... [link]

This guy in Christiana right next to the Barrett firearms plant / Outpost Armory... [link]

This guy out in Lebanon... [link]

Just as a caveat, I haven't dealt with any of these people but they are all businesses that have been around middle TN at least as long as I have and I know folks who have bought from the place in Lebanon.

Thanks for the links, David.

As of right now, if my plan comes together, I plan on hauling motorcycles and ATV's. I suspect most won't be in running condition, so I my install a winch, in the event I find myself loading a heavy hunk of steel rolling on flat tires and/or I don't have anyone to help.

Edited March 1, 2012 by TripleDigitRide

[broylz]

i bought mine here is clarksville at red river something or other on kraft street. they said they were made out in east tennesse soemwhere iirc.

what i like about mine is its build alot more sturdy than others in its class and the cost was right about the same. i got a 6x10 tilt bed single axle but its built out of square tube instead of the typical angle iron and a wood floor. was very close in price to the 5x8 mesh bed things you find at lowes.

[TripleDigitRide]

Oh, I'll be towing it with an F-150 with a tow package.

[quietguy]

The name escapes me, but there is a place in Big Sandy or Holliday that builds trailers. They used to sell direct, and would custom build whatever you want.

The guy that runs the little saddle shop in Triune seems to be the best to deal with, if he has what you are looking for.

As previously stated, I would stay away from used trailers right now. I haven't seen any deals lately that wouldn't cost you more in the long run.

[Guest bigbovine]

The one on HWY109, BJs , is a great place with lots of stuff to look at. Got it all from big to small and cheap angle to the good stuff.

[Guest bigbovine]

I also have a 16 footer that needs a lil wood that I may be interested in selling. Right now my brother is using it and has said he wants to buy it, but I will get a pic of it if you want.

[10-Ring]

Another +1 for BJs. I bought my trailer from them almost 10 years ago. They were very easy to deal with and after 10 abusive years the trailer is still holding up great!

[swim615]

Middle Tennessee Trailer on Nolensville Rd will have the best pricing and are good trailers as well. I have bought 2 from them.

http://www.middletennesseetrailer.com/?page_id=31

Edited March 2, 2012 by swim615

[TripleDigitRide]

I happened to be in Triune today while running my route. As I passed, I noticed only 3 trailers in the lot, so I kept going.

I stopped by BJ's on my way home from work. Since my truck is already set up for them, I think I've decided to go with the electric brakes. He had 2 that are roughly what I'm looking for. One was one of their (I guess they build their own) brand, and the other was of slightly lesser quality. And the one of lesser quality – while being a brand new trailer – comes with used/cheaper tires. I don't recall the brand name right off the top of my head. Although I would likely opt for the trailer of better quality, I was hoping it wouldn't come with a $2000 price tag.

Came home to browse Craigslist. I came across an ad for a trailer that was close to what I'm looking for. It appeared to be a business, so I called the number to inquire about other possible configurations. The number was for the guy in Triune. I mentioned passing by because I saw only 3 trailers, and he informed me that he keeps most of the trailers at a different location.

He doesn't have what I want, but can order one for $1639, out the door. That includes a dovetail and electric brakes. Because I was an idiot and didn't stop while on company time , I'll have to make a trip out there to at least get a look at the quality before placing the order. Based on the pictures, it almost looked to be the same brand that I saw at BJ's. It would be 7-10 days from time of order before I could take delivery.

I obviously have some more searing to do, and a whole lot more thinking. Thanks for all the help thus far.

[TripleDigitRide]

Middle Tennessee Trailer on Nolensville Rd will have the best pricing and are good trailers as well. I have bought 2 from them.

http://www.middleten...com/?page_id=31

Thank you for the link. I see one that's close to what I'm looking for. I may run out there tomorrow.

[TripleDigitRide]

FYI, you can get a much better deal at Gentry's in Triune on a TNT / American Eagle trailer than you can at BJ's on 109. Much better. This is especially true if you're willing to wait until Gentry's is already making a trip to the manufacturer.

I haven't yet decided on brand, but thought I'd share that info.

[56FordGuy]

It sounds like Gentry's purchases a trailer, marks it up, and resells it. Nothing wrong with that.

BJs builds theirs right there. Does Gentry's offer any sort of a service department? BJs put tires on my trailer with about an hour's worth of notice, and still beat everybody else I called by about $60.00 per tire. The box on my trailer that holds the brake away battery was broken, and they gave me a new one for free.

I like the folks at BJs. They're a local business, and they have treated me very well.

[TripleDigitRide]

It sounds like Gentry's purchases a trailer, marks it up, and resells it. Nothing wrong with that.

BJs builds theirs right there. Does Gentry's offer any sort of a service department? BJs put tires on my trailer with about an hour's worth of notice, and still beat everybody else I called by about $60.00 per tire. The box on my trailer that holds the brake away battery was broken, and they gave me a new one for free.

I like the folks at BJs. They're a local business, and they have treated me very well.

Gentry's doesn't build their own trailers. They sell a few different brands; one being one of the brands that BJ's is selling. BJ's sells other brands besides their own.

While showing me my options at BJ's, the TNT brand trailer (same as Gentry's) was brand new, but came with used 2 ply car tires instead of the 6 ply trailer tires . Not only that, it didn't come with brakes or the breakaway system. The same brand trailer at Gentry's comes with everything mentioned above and new 6 ply tires, for a much lower price.

With that being said, if I decide to spend the $500+ extra on the trailer made by BJ's, I would definitely be getting a far superior quality trailer. There is no doubt they build a quality product. But when comparing apples to apples, Gentry's is much cheaper.

Unfortunately I'm not sure my budget will allow me to spend the extra $500+ right now. If I was certain I could spend the extra money AND still afford to purchase everything else I need to buy for my next venture, I'd drop the extra coin in a heartbeat. As everything is today, I'll probably have to start with something cheaper and upgrade in the future.

I'm not sure if Gentry's offers a service department. Even if they did, they would probably be too far away to use for that purpose. If they'll work on it, I'd probably use BJ's for any service needs.

Edited March 3, 2012 by TripleDigitRide

[DaveTN]

I saved $1K on my trailer by buying it from a dealer outside the gates of the factory. It was a long trip, but I was going to be in the area anyway.

[TripleDigitRide]

I saved $1K on my trailer by buying it from a dealer outside the gates of the factory. It was a long trip, but I was going to be in the area anyway.

Care to share any further details?

[DaveTN]

Care to share any further details?

I wanted a 12X8 HaulMark Low Hauler motorcycle trailer. At the time it had a list price of $4200. I found one locally and one in Alabama, but they had a $5200 price tag because they said they were “Special Order†items.

I had been talking with one of the HaulMark CS guys about some questions I had. He called me back twice to see if I had found what I was looking for. On the second call I told him I hadn’t bought anything yet because I couldn’t find anyone that had one that wanted to sell it. I asked if he would sell direct and he said he can’t. He told me they had a couple of high volume dealers outside their manufacturing facilities that sold at pretty decent prices. He said, but one is in Florida and the other is in Indiana. I was making a trip to Illinois so Indiana wasn’t that far out of the way to save a grand.

He gave me a contact name at Mobil Structures Incorporated in Elkhart, IN. I called him and ask if they had the trailer I was looking for. He said “I have four, how many do you need?†He was really great to deal with I ask if I needed to put down a deposit and he told me “No, just give me your name, how you want the trailer set-up, and the date and time you will be here; your trailer will be ready.â€

I had some flush mounted tie-downs added to the floor and it was still only $4100 out the door. When I arrived the trailer was out in front ready for delivery. They hooked it up while I paid, I wasn’t there 20 minutes.

[TripleDigitRide]

Anyone have any recommendations for trailer brake controllers. I plan on going with a proportional controller, but there are so many options. Any specifications I should be looking for?

[DaveTN]

I think anywhere you check you will find the Tekonsha P3 widely accepted.

Mounting is my big concern. Time delay doesn’t matter how you mount it or if its level. But proportional controllers need to mounted solid and be pretty straight and level. I’m thinking about buying a new controller because I have an opening in my dash that I would like to use, but my controller (bought before this vehicle) won’t fit in. I’m thinking the P3 might fit. Mine is mounted under the dash and if I hit it getting in or out I have to readjust it. I also wouldn’t have quick access to the manual override if I needed it. Permanent mounting in the dash with good access to the controls would be great.

Edited March 4, 2012 by DaveTN

[TripleDigitRide]

I think anywhere you check you will find the Tekonsha P3 widely accepted.

Mounting is my big concern. Time delay doesn’t matter how you mount it or if its level. But proportional controllers need to mounted solid and be pretty straight and level. I’m thinking about buying a new controller because I have an opening in my dash that I would like to use, but my controller (bought before this vehicle) won’t fit in. I’m thinking the P3 might fit. Mine is mounted under the dash and if I hit it getting in or out I have to readjust it. I also wouldn’t have quick access to the manual override if I needed it. Permanent mounting in the dash with good access to the controls would be great.

Tekonsha is the brand I've been researching. I've noticed many of the new models are self-leveling so no level adjustment is necessary. I'm sure you'd still want to mount it as level as possible, but based on what I've been reading, that may not be nearly as important as it once was.

[TripleDigitRide]

I just got done watching the Tekonsha P3 video, and they mounted it under the dash at what appeared to be at least a 45° angle, maybe even more.

http://www.tekonsha.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=3&parentid=1400&catID=1435∂=90195

[DaveTN]

I just got done watching the Tekonsha P3 video, and they mounted it under the dash at what appeared to be at least a 45° angle, maybe even more.

http://www.tekonsha.....aspx?path=faqs

Q. What angle doe the P3 have to be mounted at?

A. The P3 must be mounted in the direction of travel and should be fairly level from side to side. Front to back the control can be mounted at any angle.