I had purchased a trailer from Kates a few years back. All was good. Time for a new trailer so I checked with them. Salesman said their prices are so low () they couldn't negotiate. When questioned about the total he FINALLY told me about the $200 doc fee, Which is total BS. I found the same model trailer for $600 less and NO DOC FEES. I did have to drive an extra 100 miles but the savings were worth it. read more

The guys at KTS are awesome. I was in from New York for an Antique show and my tires on my trailer and wheels needed replacement. I called at 8am and Sam said bring it in we can help. Hunter in sales hooked me up with two new tires and wheels mounted on the trailer. They both made it very easy and now we will be safe for ride back to NY. Thank you! read more

Purchased a brand new Rice trailer from Kates. Had been searching around for some time for a trailer for my SXS, and while I could certainly find trailers that fit the need, and were at times quite a bit cheaper, I was going to have to drive a bit to go get them, so I decided to stay local, and purchased there. Trailer did not come with a spare tire, so I purchased the optional spare tire at $150 and purchased their tire warranty as well for the whole trailer, and a vehicle towing it. Fast forward almost 2 months later, and I was on a trip 4+ hours away and woke up in the morning to a flat tire on the trailer. No big deal really, but when I went to change the tire, I realized that the tire was not an exact match (same size though) to the rest of the trailer, and in fact, the wheel was mildly different as well... When I enquired with Kates about that when I went in to use my tire warranty, I was told that they don't buy the manufacture spares, because they can get them else where cheaper. It was also a slight better ply tire (it was). When I pressed that I bought a new trailer, and would expected the optional spare tire would match, I was just told that most people wouldn't worry about it??? Am I just crazy? Sure, on a used trailer, this might be expected, but on a brand new one??? When I purchased the spare, I was not advised that it would not match the rest of the trailer, and was not given the option to by the trailer manufacturers spare.. Oh, and don't expect to get a match if you have to use the warranty either.. I called Rice to inquire about this issue, and they advised that there isn't much they could do from their end, except sell me a matching spare, but they agreed they didn't like the optics of what was happening, and would make some calls (no idea if they actually will or not).. Their optional spare tire price quoted to me was $125 (I paid $150 for Kates)... So, I love the trailer, the over all sales process was okay, but apparently I'm not the norm, wanting everything matching on a brand new trailer?? Should have been told it wouldn't match, and should have been offered the option to order one from Rice that would (understanding there would be a wait on that). Frustrating experience, that I'm not sure will bring me back.. Tire warranty is supposed to cover the truck pulling the trailer if it encounters a tire issue as well, but, it will not be acceptable to accept a non-matching replacement (in my head, shouldn't be on the trailer either) if that ever occurs... read more

In 2022 I purchased a Haul About enclosed trailer from Kate's. Within a couple weeks the flip out ramp on the drop-down door broke off as the screws that went through the hinge to hold it down pulled out of the plywood. Next the side panels separated causing them to flap in the wind. Next the fenders began falling off. I carry a box of self tapping screws and a Milwaukee impact driver in the truck at all times so when I see them flapping loose I can put some more screws in them. Almost immediately this trailer began scrubbing off tires. They would wear badly on the inside of the tires to the point of showing wire and not at all on the outside. I thought this was very unusual but I am not a mechanic and didn't realize what was happening, combined with the fact that the local tire shop also telling me "enclosed trailers are hard on tires". After putting on the 3rd set of tires, we noticed the wheels were leaning in badly at the top. As Kate's is 3 hours away, I had my local mechanic take a look. He said the threads on the ends of the axles that hold the axle hubs on were coming apart and the nut would never stay on. That I would need new axles. You could grab the top of the wheels and move them side to side. They were very loose on the hubs/bearings. At some point going down the highway the wheels were going to fall off. On top of running expensive tires, this is a major safety risk to have a wheel fly off at 60 mph. We had to park the trailer. My mechanic did what he could to try to tighten the hubs back up so I could carefully drag the trailer to Kate's. They called me days later to tell me they have fixed the loose side panel on the trailer but had done nothing with the axles. I had to insist they check them. They call back days later to tell me there is nothing wrong. I reminded them that the wheels were leaned in badly and at risk of falling off the trailer. The said they would look again. They called me back saying nothing was wrong with it. The wheels were flopping on the ends of the axles and eating the tires off from day one but they refuse to even acknowledge anything is wrong and will provide no help at all. I am stuck with a 1-1/2 year old $10,000 trailer that I spent $3000 adding a vinyl wrap to, and I can't even use it. This trailer is inoperable. Kate's does not stand behind what they sell. If you by an trailer from them, you will own it and its problems. Buyer beware. Hunter told me there was a warranty. Jose told me they wouldn't do anything for me. So the trailer sits at Kate's. Its totally useless. I own some businesses in western Illinois. I have purchased a lot of equipment in my life. I loved driving to Kate's and looking at all the trailers they would have on the lot. This is 1 of three trailers I purchased from them the last couple years. I am extremely disappointed and have never felt so taken advantage of. read more

Kate's Trailer Sales - Car Dealers Near Me - Arthur, Illinois