Doghouse, you going to visit that place called ILOCA?

Rambler,
No, the place I'm going to is up near the twin cities. I chose to fly into O'Hare because its cheap, and I wanted to go for a nice drive to see Wisconsin.

Well,...the Benson weighed in at 10,560lbs, it was in better shape, but length and weight were not going to work,.....so I bought the Chapparal 48'/96" weighing in at 8,660lbs.
Its a decent trailer, no real structural issues,2 toolboxes,virgin rubber, new brakes, no bulkhead,no chain pots,a few puncture holes in the floor.

Did the ad state the Benson weighing 8800 lbs? IF so did you take the trailer to scale it or did the seller "fess up" in person?

The seller was very up front,..it was the Benson factory that said it weighed 12,000lbs and the seller thought they were wrong,...he thought they were at least 1,500lbs over (I thought they were 2,500lbs over), and we went and weighed it at the local scale,...it turned out to be about 1,500lbs less than what Benson said (and they used the VIN #).
It was still too heavy,..my tractor weighs in around 20,500lbs and I need to be able to have flexibility on my carrying amount.
If the trailer is around 9,000lbs, I can scale 50,000lbs, that's the goal.

As far as the seller,..he was very low pressure and a nice guy, so thats why I stuck around to look at the other trailer.

wait till you add all your securement equip. tarps, chains, binders, straps, coil racks, rubber mats, dunnage, that all adds up quick.

if you stay under 32000 ibs. for a light wait you will be fine!

If I tell myself I have a goal of being able to scale 50,000lbs, thats just a goal, in reality I will be in the 48,000lb area,.....but I have to stay on the "keep it light" theme for now, because the "driver comfort" theme got me a bit heavy :lol: .

Doghouse, I have a 48'x96" Fruehauf spread axle, 3 boxes (2 for chains and straps, one big aluminum for tarps), aluminum/steel hybrid, sliding winches, wood floor in FAIR shape. Rest of the trailer is in good shape. I am willing to make a deal on it; I just bought a newer trailer that I couldn't pass up do to the fact the guy selling it has lost his mind and is selling it $5000 under market price. Were it not for that, I'd be pullin' mine. With my International sleeper truck and all the gear in it, I am right on 32000 and I have BIG fuel tanks. Just a thought. IT's for sale. If you are interested PM me and I will send you some photos.... I was askin' $8500 but will come down some. :roll:

Thanks Mountain, but I bought a flat last week.

Good deal, glad you found one. Best wishes in the new venture.