Why there's so many homebuilt trailers

[newbury]

I was wondering why I saw so many "homebuilt" trailers on CL.

Could it be because a lot of people decide to use the axles off their home once they set it on blocks?

 

[George2615]

Mobile home axles are really designed for one time or limited use. MH Tires are not legal in NY as a trailer tire. I didn't know that when I built a trailer years ago with 6000lb. MH axles and tires. When I took it to get inspected at DMV they wouldn't approve the trailer until I replaced the tires.

I built 3 trailers over the years. All classified as Homemade. I built them because it was cheaper than buying a trailer since I had most of the materials.

Another reason for homemade may be trailers bought at auctions or private sales with no paperwork. I own one of them too. It is a 24' enclosed trailer made by a company. I bought at auction and had to register as homemade.

 

[oosik]

After a couple years of checking on CL for a appropriate trailer, I built my own. Nice things about doing it yourself - its not so very difficult and you get exactly what you want.View attachment 399861

 

[Wolfy]

Factory built trailers are expensive and many people can not justify the cost, yet still need a trailer.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Factory built trailers are expensive and many people can not justify the cost, yet still need a trailer.

But, unless you have the parts lying around, you can't really build a comparable trailer for what they sell new ones for.

 

[bcp]

People have been building trailers from old car parts since cars began, and they never go away.

Several times a year I see one with wire-spoke wheels, and this year saw one with wood-spoke wheels.

What mystifies me is why there are so many built from old bed frames and water pipe or other random scrap, and so few built from the rear half of a pickup. Probably a 5 to 1 ratio around here.

Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

I towed a trailer once built from a pickup half. Towed awful. CG was too high, suspension too soft, and hitch geometry off.

No thanks.

Chris

 

[Tomtint]

I think there are a fair number of trailers that were never properly registered, thus no title was ever issued and trailer plates likely got swapped to trailers as needed. After a number of years the penalty for not registering, titling and paying sales tax on a trailer, makes it not worth while to do so. Thus they get registered as homemade.

 

[Wolfy]

I agree, unless you have the steel, homemade becomes expensive quickly. And I would not have the time if I did have the steel. Last year I bought a 3,000 GVW trailer that I use to tow garden tractors. The seller did not have a title. But anything here 3,000 or under can be registered as homemade, even though you look at it and can tell it is a factory built trailer.

 

[oosik]

Hmm - - I never thought about registering or titling my homemade trailer (post #3). Its rated at 20,000 lbs and is only used on my property.