Buyer Research

2020 Big Tex 70PI Utility — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $2,500–$4,500. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

A solid, popular single-axle utility trailer from the biggest name in the business — the 70PI hauls mowers, ATVs, and light loads, and Big Tex build quality and parts availability are excellent. On any used utility trailer the checks are simple: bearings, tires (age, not just tread), frame rust, deck condition, and lights. A well-kept Big Tex is a durable, high-resale workhorse; verify the running gear and you're set.

What we checked

No public record to reconcile against

We don't yet have a public record to check this one against. Federal complaint records thin out badly on older vehicles, so there is little to check against. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.

Known Issues for the 2020 Big Tex 70PI Utility

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Wheel bearings / hubsMedium

Neglected bearings seize and cause dangerous roadside failures; check for play, grease, and heat after towing.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$400

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Tire age / dry rotMedium

Trailer tires age out and dry-rot regardless of tread; check date codes and sidewalls for cracking.

Repair cost (estimate): $150-$500

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Frame / deck rust or rotMedium

Inspect the frame for rust and the wood deck for rot; both are common on worked trailers.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$1,000

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Lights / wiringLow

Verify all lights and the wiring/connector work — corrosion is common.

Repair cost (estimate): $30-$200

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

  • Bearing play or overheating
  • Dry-rotted / old-date-code tires
  • Heavy frame rust or rotted deck
  • Dead lights

Good Signs

  • Serviced bearings, fresh grease
  • Good-date-code tires
  • Solid frame and deck, working lights

Found a specific Big Tex 70PI Utility?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2020 Big Tex 70PI Utility in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

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