Georgia trailer builders..

[CoventryKid]

Hi from the east coast of Canada:

I'm looking for a 7x16 TA cargo trailer to convert for camping. Most of the dealers in Canada (and some manufacturers in central Canada (Ontario) want an arm and a leg for "stock" trailer.

I am interested in having the wheels inside the trailer like Mark519's trailer build.

There are many builders in Georgia. I like the ones that have sites where you can build your trailer with the various options. Right now I am looking at Diamond Cargo's offerings.

Being from north of the border, should I be concerned about dealing with a company in the southern states? Some Canadian trailer suppliers do not have too many nice things to say about buying a trailer from a GA builder. Probably their attempt at FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt).

My wife and I are planning a driving vacation down the east coast so it would be perfect timing to pick up a suitably equipped trailer on the return trip.

PS: I recently purchased a GMC high top conversion van from Florida and imported it into Canada, so doing the same with a trailer does not bother me. I'd just like to know a bit more about other people's experiences with Diamond and other Georgia builders.

Thanks for any advice and assistance.

Doug

[khigh]

I feel like I should feel somewhat insulted.

Is that a dig on Georgians or Southerners in general?

Being a lifelong Southerner and most of that in GA, I'm not sure what the problem might be. I've heard disparaging stereotypes on everything from education to tooth count, but I thought in the end we were supposed to be a hospitable bunch.

I'm in GA myself and starting my CT journey. My "beginner" post is located at viewtopic.php?f=42&t=60297 and there are at least four "builder" dealers linked along with some conversation that there are not near as many plants as their are people claiming to be plants - most are dealers or probably more accurately "licensees". I've been doing most of my option planning with Southern Trailer Depot linked on that thread.

The trailer you mentioned came from trailershowroom.com and is a Lark builder/dealer. To be honest of all the places I've looked at, I've never seen recessed wheels on a 7' trailer anywhere else, so if that's important to you, you might want to start there.

Let us know what you find out - I haven't locked in a builder/dealer yet so any info would be helpful.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hi CoventryKid

There is nothing wrong with a cheap GA trailer to haul your tools around, I had a Lark like Mark519 as my first trailer and love his build & mother of all generators.

If you wanna make a quality stealth trailer - into an RV like & use it in Canada in the winter at -30 below, then I would recommend a wood frame - CarMate.com trailer Made in Leeper PA
its double the cost of GA trailers - you get what you pay for bro :
if you build your house on brick foundation in GA - no problem, do the same in Canada & freeze to death.
the fact is people shop 95% for price & 5% for quality over here. GA = $3500 CarMate =$7,000+ for 7 x 16
I added 2100 watts solar to mine and can heat & cool my trailer with 100% solar
you can follow me here or for many more details at :


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

Welcome aboard & enjoy your GA trailer
I know that as there is a 95% chance thats what your gonna get.

Cheers OTTCT

[jwhite]

http://www.trailershopper.com/
this is a great website has everything you could ever want

[khigh]

OverTheTopCargoTrailer - that's interesting about the different build qualities. I didn't know they were that widely varied as to be worth double.

I got the impression from the original poster that he was being warned off doing business with Southerners on some sort of other weird level which was the part I didn't understand.

One thing I don't have to worry about is freezing while camping - quite the opposite, actually. When I start going (pardon the phrase) "over the top" with my planning, I remind myself that I mostly just want to upgrade from a tent, not "all the comforts of home".

But if insulation is the concern, then yeah, I can see there being some major differences in regions.

[CoventryKid]

Sorry, I didn't mean to offend, khigh! I was merely passing on what some dealers here in Canada appear to resort to to get you to buy their product. Southerner are great!!

Other than Lark thru Trailer Showroom, the only other builder I've found is Diamond Cargo. The Trailer Showroom wants $125 for the narrow axle, Diamond Cargo $250. I did find one builder in Ontario, Canada who will build a trailer with inside wheels, but his starting price was $8,000 Cdn.

I just like the idea of not having to constantly be aware of the extra width because of the wheels sticking out. Like parking against a curb, I don't have to remember to leave the van a foot or so out from the curb. Maybe I'm all wet, but as a couple of sofas are going to sit over the inside fenders in my plan, I figured why not.

The bulk of our camping in the trailer is going to be fair weather. I don't expect to be camping in the Canadian winter, but for sure we might experience some cold fall/spring mornings, etc. if we start camping too early or late.

Thanks, OvertheTop, I was not aware that CarMate uses a wood frame until I read your build. Any reason why?

So maybe I can ask, what is the advantage of having wheels outside the trailer vs inside? I'll concede that wheels outside won't interfere with floor space inside, but what else? I'm just curious but maybe I am missing something 'cause there are very few trailers with inside wheels. Is it just looks?? better stability?? or??

Thanks!

[khigh]

So maybe I can ask, what is the advantage of having wheels outside the trailer vs inside? I'll concede that wheels outside won't interfere with floor space inside, but what else? I'm just curious but maybe I am missing something 'cause there are very few trailers with inside wheels. Is it just looks?? better stability?? or??

Thanks!

Definitely stability - the wider the track the better it pulls and is more stable laterally in both turning and crosswinds.

Before I even got to that part of your question, I was going to question your initial reasoning with "Are you going to spend more time driving it, or parking it?" (That sounds like something Dr Phil would say). If you have to take one extra run at your parking job to get lined up, the payoff is that whole trip out and back with better tracking.

[CoventryKid]

Thanks, khigh!

I don't want to belabor the point, but will it that much difference?? Thinking out loud, I guess with a 7' high interior height, it could.

Hmmmm, I will have to re-think my plan!

[lrrowe]

I like the idea of more open space in a 6 foot wide trailer. While I am going to have beds over the wheel well area, I was planning on having built in storage under the beds. Lift up the bed and there will be compartmentalized storage. It will also be removable.

Also I might want to have an area over the axle for my batteries. I say batteries (pl) because I am looking down the track and seeing four 6 volt golf cart batteries and a solar system one of these days. I want to keep my options open. Also in my case, I plan on carrying 2 kayaks inside the trailer and want all the floor width I can have.

I am not saying any of these thoughts fits anyone else's needs, but it just wanted to share my plans.

Jerry, I agree with the good thoughts on Car Mate. I have been in touch with the factory direct. I agree they are certainly higher. They just sent me photos of their tube framing for their Advantage model at my request so I can see how the floor frame structure looked and I liked what I saw. I am now trying to set up up a phone call with the factory rep now so I can ask more questions.

I like many still have not embraced the wood uprights they use. They claim they have been using this technique for many many years now with no issues to speak of. I know I can substitute steel uprights with an up charge. For you Canadian buyers, for what it is worth, Car Mate is built in Northwest PA. That certainly is closer to you and just maybe the freight costs offset some of the premium in trailer cost. If I purchase one of theirs, I will drive to the factory and pick it up, even from SW VA.

Hope this helps a little.

[khigh]

Thanks, khigh!

I don't want to belabor the point, but will it that much difference?? Thinking out loud, I guess with a 7' high interior height, it could.

Hmmmm, I will have to re-think my plan!

Oh absolutely if you're adding height you don't want to take away tracking width.

I'm a rank beginner at Cargo Trailer conversions but not at trailer hauling in general. If you add a foot to the height and narrow the track by a foot or more you're getting into driving something akin to a giant sail. It changes the whole tipping point, too.

[CoventryKid]

Khigh:

I have to agree.

My hightop conversion van is almost 7' high and it is a large sail in some of the winds here.

So I can imagine a high, 16' trailer with narrow track will be a sail too.

Sure glad I asked my question! Thanks very much to everyone!

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Bob

I can only say it over & over , wood studs & the plywood on the exterior with screw less exterior , torsion axel with never adjust breaks is what makes it a million dollar combo. It tow's like a ghost - when inside I who am quite big can walk around without putting down jacks. YOU REALLY REALLY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR !! It's much easier to convert & insulate.

To me since I own both , the $7,000 is actually priced to way to low for its value, i would not get metal studs if you put a gun to my head. Show me anyone here that can run a 5,000 btu AC in 100F in full sun cool to 70F inside for a 7 x 18 - needs no heat at 32F WHAT CAN I SAY ??????

Cheers OTTCT