Used Trailer Price

akwells · May 20, 2014

Hi guys. I'm looking for a used trailer to transport at the most, a small tractor like an Allis Chalmers B or IH 140 occasionally to a local show or parade. Rest of the time, it would be mostly building materials or junk.

This trailer is for sale near me (southern Virginia). He is pretty firm at $1500. Needs a new deck (it's non-treated, rotted plywood). 16' long deck, 6.3' wide. Lights supposedly work, but the brakes have never been connected. It has mobile home axles and tires. No breakaway box and its been used as Farm Use, although there is a title. Frame seems to be in very good condition, he says it was sandblasted and painted at some point.

I'm probably not going to pursue it, just because I'm not sure about the mobile home stuff, and I don't really want to have to replace the entire deck. And I don't know about the VA requirements for registering.

But what I want to know is, is that a fair price for a trailer in this condition? This will help me when looking at other used trailers. Seems like prices around here are all over the place.

Rear (High res) http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee365/akwells/Misc/CAM02247_zps132a4243.jpg
Front (High res)
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee365/akwells/Misc/CAM02245_zps38448c86.jpg

mkirsch · May 20, 2014

I think it's overpriced. Mobile home axles and a rotten deck kill the value.

David G · May 20, 2014

Pass on it

smallercrawler · May 20, 2014

I'd pass.

chuck machinist · May 20, 2014

I don't normally plug dealers, but Superior Trailer Sales in Virginia Beach really have it going on. What you end up spending to rehab a trailer can go into a new trailer . I've been there. done it! I broke even after rehabbing a 16'hauler. Used it one year ,and got my money out of her. Never again! Let's face it, why do folks get rid of trailers? Because they used them up, and that is what your looking at, some ones used up trailer. Good luck! Chuck

akwells · May 20, 2014

I had pretty much decided against getting it just because of the condition, even before I heard the asking price. He says he's had a lot of interest, and somebody has offered $1400, I think.

What would you think is a fair price on a trailer in this condition? What if it was in good shape, basically road ready with normal trailer axles, a good braking system, and would pass an inspection?

I really appreciate your insights on this!

Shetland Sheepdog · May 20, 2014

Price what you want new, and then don't pay over 1/2 that much for used, unless it's a real cream-puff!

BANDITFARMER · May 20, 2014

I bought this one at a farm auction for $1600. 18ft flat 4.5ft dove and ramps and 102 wide, 2 7000 lb axels and the brakes even work! The only thing I had to change was the hitch back to a ball hitch. He sounds alittle high on the price, So I would have to pass on it. Bandit

ericlb · May 21, 2014

id pass, first he's way to high for the work it needs, i have a trailer with a tripple mobile home axle set up and its fine, but i know what its built out of, it can haul a d-4 cat, and does so several times a year, we went and replaced all the bearings with good ones ,as well as installed "low boy rated" tires on it, those are getting hard to come up with now, i cant tell what this has for a frame under it but thats a lot of the value if the tounge material is carried throughout its fine if they skimped on the frame, or crossmembers its not, better to look for one all in 1 piece and ready to roll , they can be had for your application for not much more

mkirsch · May 21, 2014

Yeah Banditfarmer, when? Unless you bought that this spring it is not a fair comparison. If you bought it in 1996, what you paid for it is totally meaningless.

Around here, a trailer like that would get run up to about $3500 at an auction, in 2014. People are paying crazy money at auctions for used trailers right now.

BANDITFARMER · May 21, 2014

Well as a matter of fact I did buy it Feb 22 2014 so it aint been that long ago. Everything on the trailer and the trailer I give $1800 for it. AC converted 3pt grader blade the duals and 20 ton shop press plus lots of new plow and disk parts. I do like a bargain! Bandit

D beatty · May 21, 2014

By the time you put brakes (you may have to replace even the brakes that are already on it) the breakaway, deck flooring, and it looks like it needs new jack stand along with your time and labor you could buy a new trailer. Good 5 tons new in that length are going for around $3,700.

john in la · May 21, 2014

That trailer is way over priced.

Not knowing what the frame rails are made of it is hard to get a GVWR for the trailer but even if it is over built a trailer is only as strong as its weakest link.
I would think the M.H. axles are that weak link.

The problem with M.H. axles is you need to change the bearings; hub; brakes; wheels; and tires to have long term use.
Lots use the M.H. stuff but you really need to replace it as the bearings and tires are not made for long term use and from what you said it does not sound like this person has done that.
To put brakes on one axle and change both axles tires wheels and hubs you are looking at about $800 to $1000
If you wanted brakes on both axles that's another $150

http://www.etrailer.com/question-24295.html

Then you got the cost of a new deck. 2x P.T. pine lumber with new bolts and nuts is gona be over $200. And that is a cheap deck. If you wanted a oak beck that will be more.

So now your trailer cost is over $2500
For that kind of money you could get a nice new trailer ready to go.
Kaufman s Trailers

Pops1532 · May 21, 2014

The MH axles wouldn't scare me off but the price would considering the condition.
As others have said you might need to change the bearings. Some did have good bearings but certainly not all. Like ericlb said, those 14.5" tires are getting hard to find. Equipment trailers used to use similar looking axles called UTG axles. There is nothing wrong with UTG axles (which some confuse with MH axles) other than the stupid rim mounting system.
My Dad and I built an equipment trailer using MH axles in 1987. The MH axles have never been a problem. I'll likely change axles or at least go to 6 or 8 lug hubs because of the tire availability issue.

The problem with buying a used trailer is they often need tires, wiring/lights, paint and sometimes breaks. By the time you get a used trailer roadworthy it's often cheaper to buy a new trailer.

A trailer with regular 6 lug axles in that condition, without break away brakes would sell in the $800 range in my corner of the world.

mkirsch · May 22, 2014

Dang Bandit, you did strike gold on that one!

Just goes to show you never know at auctions.

JMS/.MN · May 22, 2014

On any trailer, look for feet under the ramp pivot so the trailer doesn"t lift in front when you drive onto the back. Feet should be angled so the foot is fwd of the pivot bar with the ramp on the ground. Plus, this guy wants too much!

akwells · May 23, 2014

Thanks everyone for your insight. I appreciate it a lot. Very helpful.

Used Trailer Price

akwells

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

smallercrawler

Member

chuck machinist

Well-known Member

akwells

Member

Shetland Sheepdog

Well-known Member

BANDITFARMER

Well-known Member

ericlb

Well-known Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

BANDITFARMER

Well-known Member

D beatty

Well-known Member

john in la

Well-known Member

Pops1532

Well-known Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

JMS/.MN

Well-known Member

akwells

Member

Similar threads