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Home > Forum > Best Hopper Trailer Brand And Why? Wilson, Timpte, Cornhusker Or Other?

Best Hopper Trailer Brand and why? Wilson, Timpte, Cornhusker or Other?

Mar 01, 2024 at 01:20 PM CST
+ 2 - 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

What better forum to ask this question?  ive run and owned them all but Wilson, have pulled a few wilsons and looking at new trailers it appears the wilson may be the best built hopper though it is heavier?  I suppose its a little like Ford vs Chevy Vs Dodge pickup trucks, its a matter of opinion, and what your using it for.  Genreally what are the positives and negatives of all brands that bulk haulers like and dislike about trailer brands? 

For example, Cornhuskers are clearly the lightest but have a tendancy to be built like it. 

Timpte, has its own design issues but a decent trailer

Wilson, probably the heaviest but perhaps the best built

there are a dozen other brands to numerous to list please add them to the list if you have a good brand you like and why.  For example I have a Neville Built custon trailer for bulk seed hauling i really like, its specalized and really only made for 1 purpose. 

Let the debate begin, there are no wrong answers   

Thanks
Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 07:45 AM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Had new 2017 timpte cracked the 3 hopper bad. Tire eating. Had Timpte dealer align it didn't help all kind of issues with the tension springs for the tarp. Front king pin frame broke. Sold it within one year. Run Wilson now.
lot of cornhuskers around most have been welded within 2-3 yrs. if A lot of farm to market and it is gravel. Seems Wilson stands up better

Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 08:01 AM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

This is just a John Deere vs Case IH type of question, at least when it comes to Wilson and Timpte. Cornhusker has the reputation of being too light. It would be interesting to hear from guys who have run an EBY hopper though. IMO specs and dealer support are a bigger issue than brand, at least when it comes to Wilson or Timpte.

Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 07:16 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "This is just a John Deere vs Case IH type of question, at least when it comes to Wilson and Timpte. Cornhusker has the reputation of being too light. It would be interesting to hear from guys who have run an EBY hopper though. IMO specs and dealer support are a bigger issue than brand, at least when it comes to Wilson or Timpte. "

Agreed, hard to say a hopper is too light, but cornhuskers are just so open designed, pack alot of road scup up in the undercarriage. I've found when pulling cornhuskers on windy days empty its almost like pulling them fully loaded. Cornhuskers Not aerodynamic at all. I suppose that factors in some considering 20-30 % of your miles will be deadhead pulling bulk hopper loads. havnt had as much problems with my cornhusker frames as I have my Timptes steel frames surprisingly. I think bolting steel onto aluminum is a big problem. All aluminum or none. Alot of hopper itself work on cornhuskers tho
Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 07:16 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
I think you said it well, Wilson builds the best/most durable trailer but they are a small amount heavier. I looked into getting an eby and even their salesman said they are heavy. About 500 lbs more compared to a wilson with aluminum subframes. Another thing I like about wilson and cornhusker is that they will build a trailer to any spec you want. Whatever length height width, axles hoppers, 3 hoppers, 5 axles, strapless tarp bows, fenders, whatever you are looking for they are willing to try to make it whereas timpte and eby like to stick to the pre determined specs they have set up. All have there pros and cons so like another post said, go with what dealer support you can get.
Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 07:16 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "Had new 2017 timpte cracked the 3 hopper bad. Tire eating. Had Timpte dealer align it didn't help all kind of issues with the tension springs for the tarp. Front king pin frame broke. Sold it within one year. Run Wilson now. lot of cornhuskers around most have been welded within 2-3 yrs. if A lot of farm to market and it is gravel. Seems Wilson stands up better "

My Timptes have alot of welds on them too. Can confirm! Someone commented in another post that dirt and grime gets in-between the sidewalls of a timpte and leads to trouble with electrical as the trailer ages. I looked at mine and can confirm. I think between Timpte and Wilson. It sounds like Wison is a tad better.
Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 07:16 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I've ran both Wislon and Timpte and have a 2018 Timpte now, they both have good and bad so to me its just personalm preferance, I did move an EBY for a buddy of mine, it was empty but it felt like it was half full, Well biult but not my cup of tea.
Replied on Sat, Mar 02, 2024 at 07:16 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

In another thread someone mentioned the outer skin on the Eby is stuck on with 3M tape. I have a nine year old Wilkens walking floor that has the outer skin stuck on. Big trailer. No problems with the skin. Or anything else for that matter. I have no opinion on hoppers.
Replied on Mon, May 06, 2024 at 07:36 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

This is a great question because I heard Wilson was the best. However, I have a 2022 Timpte and we haven't had any issues with her yet. Thank goodness 😅