Complaint Review: Kaufman Trailers

I have read all the comments on Kaufman trailers and have something to say.  They have always been poite when I have a question.  As for tire complaints... like others have said, you were given an option to upgrade to US made tires.  Other companies do the same thing.  PJ and Big Tex do the same thing.  I can't speak to the chrome wheel or battery issue other than to say I'd have waited to pick up my unit and hand over the cash unless the trailer had all the items on the trailer that I paid for.  With as many trailers that they have on their lot at the factory, I am pretty certain they could have found you what you wanted.  Also, these complaints are pretty old.  Probably should be removed.  Considering how long they have been in business and the sheer numbers of units sold and delievered, less than 10 complaints are exceptional.  I believe this is a case of sour grapes.  I have purchased trailers for several other competitors, and can say that there were issues with all of them.  The only one I really feel that I did not get the factory support I should have was with a PACE trailer that I had custom built and because of time constraints, I needed to accept the unit without giving them an opportunity to resolve it.  So bad on me.  

As for direct sales.... when you think about it, they are actually doing this so they can CONTROL the sames process and subject the customer to dealers that may not have their customer's best interest in mind.  So if I save a few bucks that is OK in my book.  But any claims to using faulty steel or parts is pure BS.  Come forward with your name, and present your evidence to support your claim.  I doubt your credability if you are not willing to stand up like a man and call them out publicly.  Once again, I think that smells like a FAKE message or sour grapes.  The bottom line is they have been around for a long time, they would not have been around if they were not up front, honest, and made a decent product.   I commute 100 miles every day and see a lot of trucks pulling trailers on the road, and I'd say that over 75% of them are Kaufman trailers.  

So if you are reading these comments, just be aware that out of thousands of trailers sold, and only a handful of complaints here, that should tell you something.  Do your homework, buy the best product you can afford, and get the upgrades when they are available.  Remember that all trailers are pretty much alike.  They buy their parts from the same vendors, they all employ people that are not exactly brain surgeons.  Stuff happens.  To all manufacturer's products.  It is all in the customer service you get after the sale.  If you have an issue, your attitude when calling has a lot to do with how you are treated.  So be aware.   

I've had the similar issuse's with them as well had serious problems with there trailers not overloaded or mistreated all they did was give me the run around. I just cut my lose and sold for less than what paid for it and bought from another company havent had a problem out of new trailer kaufman won't get my money.

Kaufman Trailers is not cheaper because they use cheaper material, they are cheaper because they sell factory direct to the public. Every time a Big Tex, PJ, or some other manufacture you are referring to sell a trailer they do it through their dealer network. It does not take rocket science to figure out that a dealer is going to mark up the trailer at LEAST 20% over what the manufacture sells it to them for. 
As a owner of several Kaufman Trailers, I can personally attest that their trailers are built just as well as any trailers in the industry. Yes their tires may be imported, but if you look on their website they do offer USA made tires as an upgrade. As a consumer it all depends on how you are going to be using the trailer. Get all the facts before saying Kaufman trailers are built cheap. They are built just as well as any other trailer in the industry, they are just doing the public a favor and selling them direct.

Very Satisfied Customer

If you do your research, you will find Kaufman carhaulers are some of the cheapest ones made. Thats why so many people buy them and have problems. I have a transport company and use this type of trailer. I know people that have the kaufmans parked in the back yard because they are breaking down. Having said that, you should take some responsibility for buying the cheapest thing you can find to use for a commercial trailer. There is no such thing as US made trailer tires or bearings that come standard on a new manufactured trailer anymore. We have driven them all out of business by buying the cheaper trailers manufactured with cheaper, lower quality import parts. There are only a handfull of axle and tire combos available to manufacturers anymore, and they all use the brands available to them. The reason for the poor quality materials available to manufacturers is people like this guy that are not willing to pay more for a better trailer. Eventually the more expensive, better quality parts and trailers are harder to get because the consumer wants the cheapest thing they can find. I have found a few brands of trailer that will last under the abuse transporters put on their trailers, but they cost more. Check ebay or craigslist for used trailers before you buy. Chances are, if you see a lot of a certain brand for sale and "hardly used", there is a reason for it. If you cant afford to buy decent equipment new, buy better quality used. If the price is significantly less than other brands on similar items, its probably built using lower quality materials or less materials. Big Tex, Take-3, Sun Country, EZ-Haul build some good 3-4 car haulers. Just for fun, weigh a Take-3 and a Kaufman. The Take-3 weighs more because they are built with thicker tubing, deck plates, etc. 

The bottom line is, Buy the best you can afford and dont blame someone else when cheap crap breaks.

A couple of notes for shoppers. Appalachian Trailers, Trailer Baron, and Kaufman Trailers is owned by Robb Kaufman and they only offer a one year warranty on their trailers.

Both of these complaints talk about tires on trailers.  No surprise.  Kaufman trailer regularly buy seconds and "made in China" tires for their trailers, it is common knowledge.  It is shocking that a company would put people..sometimes families on the road knowing that they aren't safe...with NO intention of making it right.  Drive carefully people!

I could not have been treated better by these folks and the quality of the single car trailer I bought was much better than trailers costing $1000 more.  My sales person went over every detail of the trailer with me, asked if I had anything I didn't like.  All paperwork was ready when I got there.  People who have seen the trailer cannot believe the quality or the price.  The attitude of everyone working there was absolutely exceptional, truly a well run and caring small business.