Help pick which aluminum utility trailer...

In market for a utility trailer for varied work, from cleaning up a property or two to loading with boxes or carting motorcycles and mowers. Have lots of towing experience but torn between two models of trailer, mainly because the larger one is just a lights out great deal. If had a full size, i woyld have no doubt.
Going into this search i have been partial to aluminum for obvious weight savings but also usually a higher payload for similar sized steel untit. Below are the two I need to decide between and pulling the trigger by end of this week.
- 13' x 7' single axle with 18" high removable sides all the way adound, 725 lbs, payload 2265, NO brake but can add

- 16' x 6'6" TANDEM AXLE (!) 1150 LBS., payload- 5850(!) Brakes on Both axles
This would not even be a discussion but when i have them add brakes to the single axle...the price of the heavier duty tandem is only 75 bucks more due to a sale on the longer unit!!
I so want to pull trigger on the bigger unit but am i to concerned about brakes being a must have or forget concern about the extra dry weight? Thoughts welcomed.
((Truck 4x4 an will have firestone bags in the cab air control)

 

The lighter one should probably have brakes anyway if you put much of a load on the trailer. I would probably go with the larger one.

 

Bigger unit, get a brake controller. I used to tow my 16 foot trailer without brakes and it wasn't awful but you would notice it.

 

I'd vote larger as well - I'm a HUGE fan of tandem axle trailers when ever possible

 

Thanks for the feedback!! Was thinking tandem but needed a sanity check as never pulled a longish' trailer with any of my Tacomas. (Keep in mind I started at a 12 single plain flatbed but after much research and finding a couple of genuine deals, I got sucked in for more $$!! J

 

It depends what you want to tow. The bigger trailer sounds like the better deal and obviously has more capability. But having more trailer than you need can be a liability. I have a trailer with the same capacity as the smaller one and I'm thinking about upgrading to one slightly bigger. It sounds like you've decided on the bigger trailer and I'm sure it will do well for you.

 

I borrow my neighbors 5x9 trailer all of the time vs using my larger trailer. Bigger is not always better and can sometimes be a pain. My 16’ flatbed hasn’t moved in 2 years. The two you have listed aren’t that much different in size so you have to look to what you are actually moving with them. I prefer tandems over single axle but once again what are you actually moving.

 

Appreciate the feedback and above makes lots of sense. The reason I was leaning towards a tandem is not only the weight rating but from previous experience, when hauling some real weight, it is not unheard of to have a blowout. Obviously the tandem doesnt mean we keep rolling per se but does give a margin of safety to get clear of the highway and deal with it or even slow roll to a good spot to change the tire. I haul varied loads and types of items and the length is more to fit bigger loads of lighter material, not to overload the truck, trailer and/or axles.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

Go with the larger trailer, so you don't limit your hauling options. Brakes on the front axle alone would probably be sufficient, but if it has them on both, all the better. I have an old-homemade 14x6'6" tandem axle flatbed; my Taco pulls it easily and the trailer alone weighs 1600 lbs. Mine does not have brakes (used to, but they quit working long ago) and so far I've had no problems stopping, but I keep a sharp eye ahead of me and give plenty of following distance. I only use the trailer to haul wood chips from a local saw mill for our horse stalls, and occasionally haul a small tractor short distances. NC does not require brakes on trailers 14' or shorter.