I was quite literally about to buy 7x14 PJ dump, now I think I should do more research on that matter

I just bought a new 7x16 Iron Bull Dump trailer which is 16K rated, it has the oil bath Dexter axles. I get it home go to load my 9k Kubota kx-040 mini excavator and the tires bottom out on the fenders. Called the dealer, they asked for pictures to submit to IB, and Iron Bull has not returned their call. I went and contacted Iron Bull about this issue and they have me measure the fenders and frame send them the pictures, had to call them back. They said they did not put the fenders in the right location so they offered to cut off the fenders and reweld them 2 inches higher and not repaint the trailer but use touch up paint or they will send me 2 inch Leaf spring blocks (lift kit) Dexter Axel does not advise lift blocks on their equipment. Also on one side the hangers are about an inch over outside of the frame, one side the fender is about 1/2 inch higher than the other side. I even asked them to just swap out the trailer, and I would be a happy loyal customer, but I get sent a copy of their warranty stating they can offer options to address the issue. I WOULD NOT BUY AN IRON BULL. Thank GOD the dealer is taking this unsafe literally DUMP of a trailer back. I have pictures if anyone is thinking about buying anything from IRON BULL CRAP.

I just ordered a big name trailer and getting it next month. You just pointed out all I need to look for before I drive it off the lot. Thank you. This video is better than 99% out there. Good job for being honest

I been reading and watching a lot of reviews on dump trailers. That's why l will only buy a Diamond C trailer because your able to see how they go about building them on their videos. I purchased one in 2021 and getting another one next week. I know they cost more but l'm happy with the end product.

Thanks for sharing. Pj was once a great trailer company. I kept your video in mind when I visited the dealership yesterday. Sloppy welds and piss poor powercoating.

Thanks for that! I'm about to buy a dump trailer that will also be hauling my (retired homeowner) mini-ex. I will definitely be doing close-up inspections and be ready to walk away.

Thanks for the review, sir. I was looking at these. Appreciate your honesty. Thanks for taking the time to help the rest of us. 👍

I have a PJ landscape trailer- you are spot on regarding the powder coat. Mine was a pile of rust in 2 years- like sand off prime and paint rust. Emailed and contacted dealer- no response.

Thank you for the warning! I was considering PJ with the same exact specs that you have but with 48" high walls and now I have to do more online research for a different brand.

I was going to buy a pj trailer in 2021 and when I was about to leave the dealer I saw the gates of the trailer were bend and the gates didn’t close properly I’m so glad I notice that before I leave i when into the office and get my money back and leave that crappy trailer there since then buy a Big Tex no problem at all with those trailers thanks for your video I appreciate it

Thank you, good video.I have a PJ trailer that is 10 years old and has rust to the point of unusable. I can say mechanically I have haven't had any issues with the lift or pump, but within months it started the rusting. Then brakes didn't work, then rear door hinges cracked and had to be replaced. It made it ten years as a contractor and used a lot! But I will never buy a PJ again. I am now looking for a new one and a hell of a lot more digging and research this time. I will literally turn it in for scrap once I get my new one setup.

I bought a Kaufman 14x7 15K dump 22May2022. I looked at several including PJ and Big Tex. The savings buying directly from the manufacturer was a no brainer. My skid steer rides nice in the bed. The under body ramps are perfectly located. I am a private owner. I use mine to haul gravel, base and boulders. I gotta say, Kaufman makes a decent trailer. I do wish I had wireless remote for dumping. Thanks Kaufman Trailers. So Glad I don't have the problems you are having.

Thanks im about to buy a 14ft. Dump trailer and pj has one that i like..but this video helps a lot on what i have to look for 👍

Pj trailers got acquired by a big company some years ago. This is the same company that aquired big tex trailers and took there quality down. That company owns several trailer companies now. Powder coat paint is where most companies cut corners. Most now offer primer under paint as a add on option, it does help the paint stay on better. I personally would prefer a implement paint with a hardener add, this should hold up better and is a repairable paint job. Hauling rocks in a dump trailer is going to beat the paint off the floor in the trailer fastest then you think it should. No im not defending pj trailers, that trailer should have never left the dealership without those problems being fixed. This is a poorly built trailer that should have never left the factory but it did. Now because the dealer didn't address the problems shows how bad of a dealer they are. I wouldn't buy anything else from them because they don't stand behind what they sale.

I'm currently working at a semi-trailer sales, service, leasing company and I can honestly say EVERYONE needs to thoroughly inspect any trailer before signing the paperwork. We constantly get trailers straight from the factories that we spend thousands of dollars fixing and correcting so we can sleep at night before selling to customers. You would think a BRAND NEW trailer being picked up at the FACTORY would go through some sort of once-over but you would be wrong. If you're not a mechanic, pay one to check over any trailer, even ones that are brand new! You'd be surprised and disappointed by what is wrong with brand new trailers at every level.

Good video I know exactly what you mean, I bought a big Tex and had to junk it after four years , I was looking at PJ trailers and then I talked to a guy at a tire shop who is having tires put on next to me ,he told me his PJ trailer was junk , so I ended up buying an iron bull , from Norcal trailer sales in Redding California , had trouble with the brake assembly , I talked to the warranty department , about my issues and they laughed at me , I ended up talking to iron bull in Texas and they made everything right, the trailer has been great so far , buyer beware .

Bought my 2021 PJ, 12', two axle dump trailer used and is also rusting to hell. I know.. I know.. I live in Michigan and we use salt, but still, it's crazy how rusted it is already.. I agree, it seems that the sides have been caked on with powder coating but the bed has minimal. This summer I plan on sanding the entire bed and repainting it. Wish I would have done more research before blindly buying a PJ, believing that my money was buying a top end trailer.

The EPA has made rules about powder coating. I was told the quality of todays powder coating is not much better than regular paint. When I buy a new trailer I look at the quality of the wiring, some trailers look like little children wired them. that is a good sign not to buy. I have about 12 trailers, the older trailers are the better quality. In 2000 I bought 2 new Towmaster lowboy trailers, I sold one, the other one was sent back to the factory for repairs, they put plates over the frame. The frame rusted thru in many places, the under frame tool box door rusted off. We junked the trailer and replace it with a 1960's Freuhauf lowboy that has no rust holes in it and is still in use.

Great video. We won’t buy a pj now. Will just keep fixing ours. Thank you.

I'm looking for a dump trailer to, thank you for letting us know how bad they are and what to look for when we go to the trailer outlets.

I’ve got a 2021 pj dump just like this, only with a 14’ bed instead of the 16’ like yours. I run a small landscape company and beat the snot out of it. From hauling my heavy equipment, to huge stone and rock slabs… There great trailers…I own multiple different brands…love the pj. No matter the brand..the powder coating is gonna peal…

Yeah, I've bought a few PJ trailers for my business. CAM is my my preferred brand. As far as the paint, it's pretty common, I own a 70K 5th wheel RV and it has the same paint/rust issues. I needed to slap some oil based paint on areas of concern. As far as the rear jack support needing a helping hand to lower and raise, that's BS, they should've corrected that before letting it out of the factory. Leaking axles, that's a Dexter issue. Still, you shouldn't need to deal with it. Wiring, again, you shouldn't need to deal with it. The dealer should have done a better job checking the unit before they sold it to you. Today's workforce sucks, something we all need to realize. The future isn't bright. That's life.

wow thanks for info I had a big tex loved it sold it to go bigger was considering PJ now IDK

Glad I found this, I was seriously considering one of these

I’ve heard time and time again that PJ’s are hit or miss at best. You nailed it on buying from a small up and coming company. That’s what I ended up doing for a buggy hauler 2 years ago after hearing issues with PJ. Iron Bull seams to be another good dump.

Thanks for the info. You just helped me dodge that bullet.

I do appreciate you sharing this

Wanted a diamond c at first and there was no dealer close by and closest one said it had to be ordered, nothing instock. So i had a top hat dealer near by and had what i needed. I end up getting top hat and i am very happy with my my purchase . My paint is great even though i live up north with salt and gravel on road. The sizzor lift lifts the load even though i put 14k in trailer. Only thing i wish i gone with is a 16k or 20k axles but will switch them out later when i got time and funds.

Diamond C is the only Trailer. I would ever buy. Very high quality and they listen to their customers.

I bought a Big Tex after hearing from many sources they are the best... well the quality if my trailer falls right in line with yours. My biggest peeve is the welding wire sticking out, and painted over, that impales you when youd least expect it. This kind of quality is everywhere now.

I bought a UK12 utility trailer and I have noticed the same issues with powder coating. I thought that a simple call would solve the issue but I never received a call back. I called and emailed both dealer and PJ themselves and to this day I haven't received a reply. I bought the trailer because I had read very good reviews online and also great feedback from current owners but it seems to be it's not that case anymore. I wish diamond C made utility trailers, I'd buy one in a hearbeat.

Thanks! PJ scratched off my list!

I live in Salt heaven Michigan 3 years old turning into rust bucket. Replaced Jack month old with one that would actually pickup the trailer. Weld cracks through out. Gas shocks 3 months IF you run out of battery on the way down dumps oil out of reservoir, Battery charger craped less than 1 month. Wiring harness sucks reattached broken loose butt conectors

Welcome to the PJ club. Not sure what happened to PJ Trailers. We are experienced the same things with our 2016 model trailer where the bed halves meet in the center bottom there is 1/ 8th inch difference so we could not slide buckets across the inside of the bed, without them, tipping over, some of the worlds look if he and where the wires are run through the frame there are no grommets. We should’ve looked it over more carefully when we got it from the dealer instead of just driving it away. Ours was $10,000 for a 7 x 14, 14,000 pound trailer, we also have a 7 x 12 10,000 pound trailer from 2010 or earlier. The build quality was much better pre-2010

I would have walked away and left that trailer at the dealer the second the lights weren't working.

The quality issues are probably related to being post-covid with our messed up economy still in turmoil from having money gushed into it. Take a look at what the RV crowd is saying. Several years ago I bought a Big Tex LX14 with sloppy welds etc but not rusty. I won't say that my trailer is designed better than yours except I prefer leaf springs. I DO like those aft jacks/stands (yes, you mentioned they stick), which I don't have. I have to be VERY careful dumping heavy objects and sometimes block the back of the trailer so that the tongue doesn't lift the back of my quad cab long bed 4X4 ram diesel; on a slope that will terrify anyone (never mind why I know). I would like it if the inside of the dump trailer used stainless steel, and I would happily pay for it.

I have a pj just like that one I’ve had to take it to the dealer 3 times know about brake issues. They also don’t let you know that you need a cdl for that trailer. So 5,300 for cdl license was very hard to swallow. Thank you for your video

i bought a PJ 3 years ago brand new. never noticed issues with brakes while empty, but once it got loaded to 20k, i found out only 1 wheel had been wired up. the other 3 were not even connected. i will never buy another PJ

That sucks bro... I just bought a Texas Pride 16ft GN n I dont have any of the issues you have. I do wish I had a step to see into the trailer but I guess I should have requested for one. Just like you I drove 10 hours to pick it up but I feel it was worth it.. well hope your trailer hold up for you. Good luck

My opinion , you have never left the lot with this trailer.

PJ'S USED to be decent trailers. Not any more. Our trailer is a 2019, 22k#, 16' gooseneck. Shortly after purchasing the trailer we received a note in the mail. Do not use the trailer, it's not safe to use, a problem with the hydraulic system. I called up the dealer and asked them about it. It took over a year to receive the replacement parts. The trailer was being used all along. The powder coating under the dump bed has been flaking off in large sections. Welds in some spots are just fully. The electrical and brakes have been reworked. Pretty sad!

Thank you for sharing 👍🏽

I had a 14’ PJ. Never thought it was a top of the line trailer, just a good value trailer. I had zero issues with mine in Minnesota (salt)but it was a few years ago so maybe they were better back then. Dude, I feel bad for you that is just ridiculously poor workmanship.

I bought a 14k, 16 ft gooseneck dump trailer. I have the same problems with the way the trailer was built. My biggest issue is that I can not load any where near the front of the trailer. I must make sure that am at least 4 ft back from the front build head with the load. If get 6k of stone and it is beyond the 4 ft mark, the lift system will not lift the bed and dump it. Have to assist the bed by prying up on the bed to help it dump or I will have to dig the front out with a front end loader. I have just found it to be a poor design when it comes to dumping the load. Will never by another again.

The vents on your hubs are plugged. Clean them and it won't sling oil. Where are they? Look at the rubber cap. See the little hole in the center? Take them out and push a tooth pick through it. Cleaned.

I’m lucky I only paid 10,000 for mine 7 x 14 PJ piece of junk trailer ha ha. I agree most of the worlds are crap but luckily all my lights work in the center of the bed is my main complaint for the two sheets of steel line up, there is an 8 inch offset on the older trailer I have from pre-2010 the rear doors open against the bed much closer the new trailer, the door stick out and block Traffic or the sidewalk. Lesson to be learned is to examine something thoroughly on a warm sunny day in the daylight before putting money down on it, luckily I got mine one hour away

I got a diamond c 14ft dump trailer. I paid the same as yours and couldn't be happier.

I put load equalizing bars on mine, which is a great addition. I also pull mine with a Dooley 2014 ram which has a 28,000 pound trailer rating too many guys out there or pulling these large trailer with single wheel trucks that is a recipe for disaster, if you get in an accident and you were over the limits of your vehicle will take all the responsibility of the insurance company willl drop you off

I can't believe you paid $20k for that trailer! We paid $10k for a used 14k 2018 7x14 PJ Dump Trailer last year. New in 2018 it would have been a $6-7k trailer. We have had some flaws with our trailer which can be seen in our 4 year review video but defiantly none of the powder coat issues you have shown. Overall we are happy with our PJ Trailer. Sorry for your poor customer experience.

I have also had the same issue with powder coated things. Not just PJ but when it starts to come off it comes off in sheets. I bought a Appalachian trailer from the manufacturer last year, cost $1500 less than localy and dosnt have any of these issues you show.

Thanks for the information I'm looking to buy one ,

Bought a brand new cargo trailer a year ago,same shit,we pulled inner walls down to insulate cause we use it as a camper,all the beams inside rusted,I think they leave all the metal outside before they build and never prepare before coating,12000.00 dollars, hard to get quality stuff anymore.

We must travel in different circles, everyone I know considers PJ the harbor freight of trailers, cheap throw aways

Bro they got you!

I am not a big fan of oil bath wheels. The dealer should have checked out the trailer before delivery. I just looked at a PJ and the handles would not move. Generally these trailers are commodity tools that get damaged in use. I am not a big fan of powder coating for many reasons. A big reason manufacturers use powder is to avoid voc requirements. My suggestion is touch up paint. If you keep it painted it will last and in use the paint will get damaged.

I have heard this about PJ trailers. You need your money back. No brakes and lights not working is ridiculous. Doesn't look like any mill scale was cleaned off before paint and I have heard that you have to pay extra for primer if you want it.

This trailer reminds me of Big Tex trailers. I just posted a video on my Big Tex 70PI - 18 trailer that is doing the exact same issue with rusting. Like, severe rusting, because the metal was not prep correctly so 100% of the paint underside has peeled off. I live in a "salt on roads" environment and my trailer is used in the winder 1-3x's a year. To try to prolong the life of the trailer, I had it under coated with NH Oil. A product heavily used up here in New England because of road salt and pre-treatment on roads called a "Salt Brine" which is more corrosive than salt. What happen to the pride "Made in the USA"? Big Tex is made in Texas, never again will I buy a trailer made in the South.

pj is owned by big Tex and their trash to the runs in the powder coat is just seam sealer under the powder coat and the torched part on the frame is because they put the torsion axle perch on wrong beat to always buy local if possible pdq in Florida builds badass trailers one at a time no mass production trash !

Mine is exactly the same l buy one on 2008 that one was the best heavy duty trailer now l get a new one and is the worse trailer l see very week and the lights every ones on a while have to opening up to work on it and super expensive now is a light duty

I compared a PJ to an Iron Bull, the Bull beat it 20 to 1. Sidewalls are thicker on the Bull, the PJ sidewalls are about as thick as your car door.

You should have returned the trailer when you went back to fix the brake lights. Thank you for the review.

Some of the same issues from Kraftsman. From a commercial standpoint, it's been frustrating for us.

I'm not looking to purchase a new trailer, but the same applies to a used trailer ! Thanks for one heck of a vidio. The D.O.T. might be interested in the oil-bath wheel bearings? Are they even safe? At this point you have to keep up on maintaining it, get it oil guarded, like a "krown" product? Change out the wheel bearings to be safe ! It's not your fault, Don't let it become your fault ! Fix it, paint it ? With metal shield, brush on, called "P.O.R." I think the name is close? I don't know if it comes in colors? Just black. P- paint, o- over, r-rust. Good luck to you. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻. ✌🏻🤘👍🏻🤬🍁.

They manufacture trailers in Dunn North Carolina feel free to send the owner pictures of the problems he's having see what happens and let us know

Wow. Very visible on camera. I was considering a low pro dump. Not anymore! This is the third pj I’ve seen this week that’s awful.

My dump trailer was rusting when it was new ... same thing: "powder coat" but apparently no prep on the steel

Looks like a 13 year old shop class student did I those welds.

Hey now that we saw all these issues it would be great to know what action you took with PJ and how they handled this with you. Looking forward to the update

I bought a iron ball flat tech 14 K trailer had good luck with it my brother bought a PJ dump trailer he had good luck with it but agree it was pretty rusted. He had a lot of wells break. I plan on buying a dump trailer. I want a 14 x 7 but I want 10,000 pound axles with a new telescoping cylinder left. I don’t know if I’m buying big tech or iron bull.

Wow, that thing would be a rust bucket in the northeast. I see lots of welding spatter along with the ugly welds. The leaking hubs would piss me off.

If that's top of the line, we're all screwed

I had a big Tex 2022 and the welding was a crab. I had to pay to re weld it all.

I like Sure Trac trailers

👍. PJ and big Tex are owned by Baine Capital. Mitt Romney is one of the owners.

I just bought the same one 2024 and I don’t see any of those mistakes on this one and they used different more heavy duty tires so maybe they took your advice lol

BWise is the trailer to buy. ***They have started making a lower level model. I bought mine in 2016 and it's just now starting to have paint/rust issues. I do live in a road salt area.

Agree 100%, We purchased a PJ Low Pro for personal use, based upon their reputation, the paint on ours is peeling off in sheets, the door hold opens are crap and released when dumping and bent the rear door, the dealer installed some chains for us. We would never buy another PJ.

I purchased a pj car hauler and had to fix ALL kinds of things

You should of checked it over before you drove off with it, I wonder if the trailer was even built in the US

You paid for a big tex trailer since they bought pj out years ago. It's not family owned anymore.

We have a pj mfg in our town and they treat employees like dirt. Their turnover is horrible.

Interesting. In the market for a dump trailer to start a side business and was looking at PJ. For these issues, I should just go buy an off brand trailer from someone else.

It's really a P. O. S. !!! any warranty ?

WOW!! I am originally from Upstate NY and I can tell you, that pile of shit would be rotted through after 1-2 years... I am a iron worker and can tell you that there was no prep work done before the powder coated that steel. Coaters cannot afford to bake the mill oil off as they would have lost a lot of revenue NOT being able to coat many other things while this could bake. Those welds look like a 6 year old did it and never had a single lesson. I'd look for someone to drown it in acid to remove all the BS on it and recoat it yourself with POR-15. Inside the bed can be done with it as well, but nothing other than stainless steel is going to last if the bed is used...

not sure alot of that is powder coating . looks like paint

Beautiful trailer just poorly made especially with a price tag like that buyer should be expecting top of the line. Just to make it worst shitty customer service . I don’t know if you ever had the chance and peak the trailers down at trailer source by the AF base. Good selection of dump trailers.

Pretty much every dump trailer out here. All the same. Try owning one in upstate NY winter. I have a Big Tex… been rock solid mechanically but the paint job was done by a kindergartener with a can of spray paint.

Diamond C all the way! PJ sold out to I think Big Tex. Down hill since then.

IRONBULL!!

My Bri-mar is sorta a price of junk too. The powder coat job is a joke. My 5 year old trailer would look 50 years old if I didn’t shaker can all the places where the powder coat falls off. Some places are perfect but they clearly didn’t clean the oil off the raw steel well enough.. slackers.

looks like they powder coat rusty metal...without preping

Love my pj trailer you got a shit one made on a Monday

Are those the 10k axel’s?

You know you need a class a cdl to tow this empty right??

Looks like a Covid trailer. In a rush and a shortage of materials, skilled labour and lack of possibly chemicals to paint or powder coat properly. I have a 2021 Covid travel trailer. Nothing but problems and shoddy workmanship!!!

If I were you I would demand my money back.

Why did you take it off the yard with so much not working

What A Shame the paint preparation was NOT done with some degree of professionalism, if the people who built it, with any degree conscience, they would rectify the paint job completely to the satisfaction of the customer and their reputation would be installed!!!!!! American workmanship at stake, which to me I always look up to. A New Zealander point of view, from Hamilton, Waikato.

I think this is your problem for buying a trailer sight unseen. If you did any research at all you would know that wiring and paint/undercoat are shortcuts they take. My 2000 PJ is no different, the wiring was crap and so was the paint. At 7:39 you show the leg that was not covered in undercoating.....what's more telling to me is how much rust is on the unprotected surface and U/C applied right over top......no sandblasting down to good metal prior to top coat. The only way to fix this is to take it apart and have the whole thing blasted, primed then 2K industrial paint.....at least another 5 grand. I wonder if you could order an unfinished trailer from PJ and look after the final paint finish yourself?

The trailer looks brand new