looking to buy a used trailer... advise?

cburgin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
statesville/boone NC
i want to spend around a $1000 dollars since thats about all i have:popcorn:. anyway, i want something between 16-18 ft and as light as possible. any brands, styles etc i should be looking for? this is my first trailer so any help would be great before i start my search.

i will be towing a 82 yota with tons, 40s, dual trannies and a full body (mostly) with my j10! thanks guys. chad
 
You're probably looking at an open deck wood, but $1k won't really get you something ready to roll unless you're really lucky, or it's a hackjob.. and since you're towing it with a j10, you'll want brakes on both axles...

$1500 should get you a ready-to-run trailer with brakes on both, having real trailer tires, not crappy car tires.
 
my brother in law has a trailer he'll sell. not sure the actual size...but i did tow my Subaru WRX on it, no prob...with room.

he'd probably sell it CLOSE to what you're wanting to spend (more...but, not THAT much more i don't think)

oh, and he's in taylorsville and/or hickory so it's close enough to see if need be.
 
my buddy bought a trailer not to long ago. he got a brand new one for $1500 and that was including intrest for payments? its 16ft rated at 7000k pounds with brakes on one axle so i might go that route, just looking for ideas. also, i am upgrading the j10 to j20 components... 3/4 tons axles, tcase, leafs, brake system etc. i will also be running bags in the rear!
 
Rich,
I would think with a little time and effort one could easily find a used trailer for that price.

If you keep your eyes on craigslist they will pop up even in the $500 range. They aren't there every day. And they dont last long but an open eye and a full pcoket can net a deal.

May need tires or similar and I always recomend re-wiring any trailer cause I aint seen 1 OEM much less a backyard job thats up to MY standards.

Don't totally discount home made trailers.

Some are hack jobs some are very nice. If properly designed and crafted they can be just as good any manufacturer.
 
I stand by what I said, I haven't seen a trailer with the deck in good / excellent shape, brakes on both, with TRAILER tires (and maybe a spare) for $1000 that wasn't running mobile home wheels, or the rest of it looked like total ass..
 
ok, so you buy a $800-$900 trailer is a 'good deal'.
Assume you need new tires since your getting such a 'good deal' .. (ST205/75R-15 $85 at northern) = $340 (+tax and mounting fees)

New brakes - Ill assume it needs brakes replaced on 1 axle and brakes added to axle #2 (assuming you can even add them some require you find/buy the flange - (goto tractor supply) :D..
(http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200329383_200329383)
$200 per axle complete kit, bearings seals etc.. x2
$35 -break away box (cause most older ones either don't have

How much we up to ?

$340 tires
$400 new brakes complete
$35 break away
$800 trailer
$1575 total for your 'good' used trailer..


Seriously I'd see about financing a new trailer, most have the basic starter trailer in the <$1800 range.. You will be so much further ahead.. unless you find that smoking deal we hear about all the time...


just my .02
 
yeah i might just go with the one my buddy got i will try to get him to post some pics in the next few days. i could probly swing $5-600 more just really didnt want to
 
Rich said:
running mobile home wheels
Click to expand...

Ever seen a Hudson bros. heavy equipment trailer?
They all run "mobile home style" wheels. and they make one of the beefiest trailers around.

All Im saying is, I have a home built trailer. spent around $400 in the total build. It is perfectly safe and has literally tens of thousands of miles hauling vehicles.

BTW 14.5 trailer tires go for $50 on ebay.

I think there is a fine line here. There is some major crap out there and I would steer clear of it. But I have known several owners of "real trailer" companies. And I would put my design, fab and welding skills against theirs any day. Your stance Rich is that every flunky hired by a trailer builder on his first day is a better than you me or anyone elsse who doesnt work for a trailer manfacturer. Very few of them (none on the east coast that I am aware of) are using robotic assembly line quality welders. Most are hiring tech school students and paying $12/hr to start. A home builder with the right tools and time can build a quality trailer for way less than what they sell for. I would imagine there is nearly 100% margin in every commercially sold trailer bought.
 
I'm the guy with the $1600 trailer, not 1500. Don't remember the name brand on it, don't even know if it has one.

I was in a pinch and this was the best deal I could find. So far, not a complaint. It tows well, and I dont even have my truck brakes set up yet. Seems to be of decent craftmanship. I will say some of the welds aren't the prettiest. But I think it will be fine for the towing I do. I'll try and post some pics this evening of it.
 
SkyHi... My trailer is a homebuilt.. I never said anything against a good one.
 
Rich said:
SkyHi... My trailer is a homebuilt.. I never said anything against a good one.
Click to expand...


Cool I apologize for mis understanding ya.
I've had the opinion for a while you thought trailers had to be bought.
 
I bought mine used for $1600 had 2 new tires, 2 good tires,+a spare. brakes had been replaced and bearings. i did rewire it, 7k trailer. Used trailers in good to great shape sell for about the same price as new ones. they hold there value very well. i have since put tires on it i paid $44 dollars a tire form a tire distributer, there maxis tires. I also believe one can build there own trailer but blue prints are higly recomended
 
i don't see how you can economically build a trailer yourself these days with the prices of steel. especially once you factor in all of your time.
 
I bought my trailer for a grand, then ended up having to replace the hubs and brakes so I guess I ended up paying 1300ish total. However, having brakes on only one axle didnt last long and the brakes wore out, i just bought the parts to put brakes on the other axle, and new pads for the current brakes which now puts my trailer cost at like 1600ish
 
make sure it's got decent tires on it, i bought a new trailer that i thought was a smoking good deal and then later on realized that it came with dry rotted car tires on it....
 
I just bought on off ebay from a guy in charolette for 1350 a big tex 16ft. Be patient and check ebay iwanna ads local paper you'll find someone with a nice trailer that needs cash quick.
 
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