s***@users.sf.net
2004-06-22 01:04:42 UTC
I'm looking to buy my first pop-up. The tow vehicle is a 97 Plymouth
Grand Voyager minivan with the 3.3 Liter engine, and the towing
package. I bought this van used a few years back, and it came with a
brake controller.
I know this isn't much of a tow vehicle, so I want to keep the pop-up
as small as possible. I'm looking at a brand new 8' bed Flagstaff (by
Forest River, who also produces the exact same trailer under the
Rockwood label). Dry weight is approximately 1300 pounds.
We really like this trailer, and can get it for the unbelievable
price of $4,100, which includes a 3-way fridge, furnace, heated
mattress pads, etc. (In comparison, the going rate for 8ft trailers
similarly equipped seems to be $5,500 to $6,000 in this area.) The
reason for the "fire sale" pricing is that this well-established
trailer dealer wants to get out of the pop-up business to concentrate
on what they do best - heavy duty horse trailers, toy haulers, and
utility trailers. This pop-up is the last on the lot, and the last
they'll ever sell.
Trouble is, the pop-up has no electric brakes. I've learned from
reading thru this group that brakes are a GOOD THING, and I don't need
to be convinced.
This trailer expert of course is telling me that he's never heard of
anyone putting brakes on such a small trailer. He's checked the axle
on the pop-up and confirmed it will need a new axle that will accept
the brakes. Presumably he will order the axle from the
manufacturer(?).
But then he's saying that he would definitely not go with a 7" brake.
(He says a 7" brake is pretty useless - if he's going to put brakes on
this trailer, he'll put on effective brakes.) He's going to research
it, but he thinks he'd go with larger wheels - to 13" from the stock
12" - in order to accomodate a larger brake.
He's going to research all this and let me know what can be done in a
day or two. Even if it costs $600 to install a new axle with brakes
on this trailer, which is his guestimate, the price still would be
almost a $1000 less than any of the competition.
In your experience, should I:
A) Buy the trailer at $4,100 and find someone else to do the brakes.
B) Let this trailer guy do what he thinks is best regarding wheel size
and brake size and trust him to do the right thing.
C) Forget the whole thing and buy a similar trailer with factory
installed brakes for between $5,500 and $6,000
If A, where in the world can I find someone who can install brakes on
the new Flagstaff? Flagstaff/Rockwood dealers are almost non-existent
in this area.
B worries me too, because the trailer-guy is telling me he's never
seen brakes on such a small trailer. I'm a bit worried that if
there's a problem, he'll give a big "I told you so", instead of
support. On the other hand, they seem like completely honest people
who've been in the trailer business for over 30 years, and who are
running a thriving business.
Thanks in advance...
Grand Voyager minivan with the 3.3 Liter engine, and the towing
package. I bought this van used a few years back, and it came with a
brake controller.
I know this isn't much of a tow vehicle, so I want to keep the pop-up
as small as possible. I'm looking at a brand new 8' bed Flagstaff (by
Forest River, who also produces the exact same trailer under the
Rockwood label). Dry weight is approximately 1300 pounds.
We really like this trailer, and can get it for the unbelievable
price of $4,100, which includes a 3-way fridge, furnace, heated
mattress pads, etc. (In comparison, the going rate for 8ft trailers
similarly equipped seems to be $5,500 to $6,000 in this area.) The
reason for the "fire sale" pricing is that this well-established
trailer dealer wants to get out of the pop-up business to concentrate
on what they do best - heavy duty horse trailers, toy haulers, and
utility trailers. This pop-up is the last on the lot, and the last
they'll ever sell.
Trouble is, the pop-up has no electric brakes. I've learned from
reading thru this group that brakes are a GOOD THING, and I don't need
to be convinced.
This trailer expert of course is telling me that he's never heard of
anyone putting brakes on such a small trailer. He's checked the axle
on the pop-up and confirmed it will need a new axle that will accept
the brakes. Presumably he will order the axle from the
manufacturer(?).
But then he's saying that he would definitely not go with a 7" brake.
(He says a 7" brake is pretty useless - if he's going to put brakes on
this trailer, he'll put on effective brakes.) He's going to research
it, but he thinks he'd go with larger wheels - to 13" from the stock
12" - in order to accomodate a larger brake.
He's going to research all this and let me know what can be done in a
day or two. Even if it costs $600 to install a new axle with brakes
on this trailer, which is his guestimate, the price still would be
almost a $1000 less than any of the competition.
In your experience, should I:
A) Buy the trailer at $4,100 and find someone else to do the brakes.
B) Let this trailer guy do what he thinks is best regarding wheel size
and brake size and trust him to do the right thing.
C) Forget the whole thing and buy a similar trailer with factory
installed brakes for between $5,500 and $6,000
If A, where in the world can I find someone who can install brakes on
the new Flagstaff? Flagstaff/Rockwood dealers are almost non-existent
in this area.
B worries me too, because the trailer-guy is telling me he's never
seen brakes on such a small trailer. I'm a bit worried that if
there's a problem, he'll give a big "I told you so", instead of
support. On the other hand, they seem like completely honest people
who've been in the trailer business for over 30 years, and who are
running a thriving business.
Thanks in advance...