Happy Thanksgiving from Kaufman Trailers!

November 25th, 2009

Each year on the day before Thanksgiving, the employees of Kaufman Trailers are treated to a Thanksgiving Bar-B-Que dinner.  What a delicious meal we had today!  Lexington style BBQ, scrumptious potatoe salad, awesome baked bean dish, yummy pies, and a frozen turkey for each employee!  Thank you to the management team for your kindness today!

 

Kaufman Trailers wishes a Happy Thanksgiving to all our customers, suppliers, and business associates.  The Kaufman office will be closed for the remainder of this week, and will re-open on Monday, November 30.

News & Information

New Office Area is Open for Business

November 25th, 2009

For a few weeks now the new office addition has been in use. It has been a wonderful change for the employees and customers, making the reception area much more inviting and comfortable. Here are a few pictures to show the excellent work performed by the talented construction crew.

The new front entry.

 

The new reception area is quite spacious with lots of natural light.

 

 

 The old part of the basement was also remodeled with new tile, and a fresh coat of paint.

News & Information

FALL COLORS

October 22nd, 2009

As I scanned across the trailer ‘farm’ today, the splash of color in this picture reminded me that fall is upon us, and in many places the leaves are already a brilliant display of red and orange.  Some customers have even reported significant snowfall amounts.  I was also reminded that it’s time for end-of-year purchases for tax reasons.  If you are considering a new trailer for a business tax deduction, now is the time to place the order.  This will allow plenty of time to build the trailer, and get it delivered in 2009.

News & Information

Inside Views of Office Addition

June 11th, 2009

Full deck tilt car hauler now available!

May 22nd, 2009

Kaufman Trailers now offers a full tilt deck trailer for hauling vehicles.  Click here to view the specifications, price, and photo; then call 336-790-6800 to speak with a helpful sales consultant.

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Building Project Update

May 22nd, 2009

The past two weeks have shown significant progress to the office addition.  Here are a few pictures that show the excellent work that is being accomplished.

Outside walls with two windows replaced on the old part.

 

  Who are the two young men on the roof?

 

  None other than Bob Wilson (“Hi, Brianna and Tyler“); and Dave Smith (“Hi, Dorcas and James“).

Kaufman Corporate News

Construction Continues!

May 8th, 2009

                                       

These guys did an excellent job on the foundation, and retaining wall. 

                                       

A one day break from the rain gave a chance to get the concrete poured.

Kaufman Corporate News

Office Expansion Underway

April 20th, 2009

The long-planned office addition is finally getting ‘off the ground’, and the Kaufman office staff is eager to see and utilize the finished product.  This project will make the sales office more user-friendly for the the sales department, and for the customers who visit our facility. 

Dave Smith and Bruce Hartley digging the footer.

Kaufman Corporate News

Buying a used trailer: 10 things to check.

February 28th, 2009

     In today’s economy, the natural thing to do is look for ways to save money.  This applies to the individual who is shopping for a trailer.  Conventional wisdom says that buying a used or pre-owned item will indeed make things easier on the budget.  This is true in certain cases, but definitely not all.  Sometimes purchasing “used” turns out to be the exact opposite due to repairs and upgrades required to make the equipment operable and safe.  Here are ten things to consider when comparing the cost of a used trailer with one that is brand new:

  1. Tires: look for cracks, plugged holes, matching size, and correct capacity.  A trailer, like a chain, is no stronger than its weakest link.  Make sure the tires can carry the load you intend to haul on the trailer.  Replacing tires can quickly reach several hundred dollars.
  2. Brakes: ask the seller about the brake function on the axles.  If possible, inspect the pads, shoes, drums, rotors, and magnets.  Sometimes a seller will do a complete brake job in preparation for selling the trailer.
  3. Bearings: this is also a good time to make sure the bearings are lubricated and seated properly.
  4. Suspension: check the leaf springs and spring hangars for cracks, breaks, and repairs.  These are all indicators that tell if the trailer has been overloaded or if the axles have shifted due to a sudden impact with something on the ground.  If the trailer has torsion axles, be sure the rubber inserts are intact.  Uneven tire wear may be caused by incorrect axle alignment.
  5. Frame: carefully inspect the frame for cracks and repairs.  These will also indicate if the trailer has been overloaded or built improperly from the beginning.
  6. Electrical: make sure the lights are working.  A trailer with no lights is an accident looking for a place to happen.  If they do not function, find out why.  It may be as simple as replacing a bulb, or a blown fuse on the truck.  Bare wires shorting on the frame, or wires routed incorrectly will lead to additional expense.
  7. Floor: a trailer floor is probably the simplest component to replace.  However, redecking will involve the cost of materials and labor.  Materials include new deck boards and fasteners, while the installer must know how to fit the lumber properly, drill new holes through the crossmembers, and reattach the wires underneath.
  8. Ramps: the ramps should be designed to load almost any equipment the trailer is rated to carry.  A checklist for ramp inspection includes length, width, straightness, cracks/repairs, strength, and how they are attached or stored on the trailer.
  9. Previous ownership: be sure the trailer is not stolen or borrowed.  Determine if the VIN is stamped on the trailer, and matches all related paperwork.  Irregularities with the title may be an indication of stolen equipment.
  10. Price: there are rare occasions where a deal is so good it would be foolish to pass it up.  But this is the exception.  Most of the time used trailers are priced very near the cost of a new one factory-direct from Kaufman Trailers.  By the time repairs and upgrades are calculated, it makes better economic sense to purchase a new trailer that is covered under warranty. 

Bonus: axle placement – a used trailer with the axles in the wrong position will be very difficult to load properly or tow safely behind a vehicle.  Having the tongue weight too light or too heavy will lead to frustration, hazardous circumstances, and uneven wear on the trailer components.

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Email from a customer:

February 24th, 2009

Thank you Kaufman for a great transaction in purchasing my new 30ft flatbed gooseneck. I’ve only towed the trailer for about 400 miles, but I love the way this trailer pulls behind my 03′ F-250 4X4. I did have an issue with bad vibration but found out that the tire pressure was set at 99 PSI. Once I lowered the pressure there were no other issues. I also love the flip over style ramps with the ability of adjusting them in our out depending on what I am loading. The trailer tracks perfectly, and I know that I will get many years of service from this unit. The next time I buy a trailer it will be from Kaufman.

Sincerely,

John M. Rambo

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