buying a trailer low budget

[skylarkguy]

Alright, I've been given the go ahead to get a trailer for our up and coming farm...low budget (less than $1200) here is what I'm considering.

Trailer 1. Homebuilt recently by the retired seller, Deck size approximately 6 by 12 feet, 2x6 decking, deck height about 10 inches, pockets for stakes, comes with front board, 5,000lb rated rebuilt axle, and Hydraulic surge brakes. More expensive than the other (and a little over budget) and firm on price.

Trailer 2. Homebuilt in the 1980's for the now retired seller, deck size approximately 6 x 12 feet, 2x12 decking, pockets for stakes, deck height about 25 inches off the ground, 10,000 lb rated axle (former mobile home axle) NO brakes, Less expensive and negotiable on price.

Asking prices are $400 dollars different.

Tow platform...1994 toyota pickup, 22re 4cyl engine, book claims a 3500lb towing capacity.

So assuming I pay the asking price can I put brakes on the one with out for considerably less than $400, Anyone aware of any kits for surge brakes? If I get it for less that changes the equation of course. Thoughts?

 

[Diamondpilot]

If it were me I would buy a new single axle 3500# trailer. You can get one any day of the week for about $1000 and have new, not a cobbled up home built pos that may not be engineered properly and that tows poorly.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

By the way, I had a 86 two wheel drive Yota. 22R motor and towed a 3500# boat all over the place. No issues.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

I agree, get a brand new single axle trailer for about the same price. Or keep looking, home made trailers can be good or bad, not worth the risk...
http://tsc.tractorsupply.com/search...0&method=and&isort=price rev&view=grid&srt=16

 

[bcp]

A decent used one is not much different that a new one in price. Go with the new. There are LOTS of poorly engineered homemade trailers out there.

NEW UTILITY TRAILER 6x12 - $939 (Oregon City)

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Trailer 2. 10,000 lb rated axle (former mobile home axle) NO brakes,

So assuming I pay the asking price can I put brakes on the one with out for considerably less than $400

Most mobile home axle I've seen that were manufactured with no brakes have no flange to mount the backing plate. If it was once a braked axle, it may be possible to restore the brakes.

Bruce

 

[RoMad]

When I was looking for a low budget trailer to haul my tractor a friend of mine who is an engineer and also a stock car racer gave me a good idea. He said to look for a used stock car trailer made out of a travel trailer frame. he said they are fairly light weight and will have brakes.
My son was working with another stock car racer and told him i was looking for a trailer. The guy had just bought a new enclosed trailer and said he would sell me his old trailer.
It is an old travel trailer frame with drop axles, brakes on both and has a 19' deck.
I power brushed the entire frame, painted it with two part primer, redecked it with fiberglass scaffold boards, repacked the wheel bearings and put 4 new tires on it and rewired it with new lights. Total trailer and rebuild about $800.

Now for the other option. A friend of mine bought a nice used ready to pull trailer that is heavier duty, and heavier to pull, from a trailer dealer for $1500 that was ready to use the day he bought it.

 

[jeffsw6]

If it were me I would buy a new single axle 3500# trailer. You can get one any day of the week for about $1000 and have new, not a cobbled up home built pos that may not be engineered properly and that tows poorly.

:thumbsup:

 

[yandeereguy]

if you were closer to me (michigan) a grand would get you a nice j.m.s. dump trailer.. but it's for drawbar and not setup for road use...

But I would definitely suggest a dual purpose dump trailer... and make sure it's a tandem.. a single axle is gonna limit you alot..

 

[two_bit_score]

Alright, I've been given the go ahead to get a trailer for our up and coming farm...low budget (less than $1200) here is what I'm considering.

Trailer 1. Homebuilt recently by the retired seller, Deck size approximately 6 by 12 feet, 2x6 decking, deck height about 10 inches, pockets for stakes, comes with front board, 5,000lb rated rebuilt axle, and Hydraulic surge brakes. More expensive than the other (and a little over budget) and firm on price.

Trailer 2. Homebuilt in the 1980's for the now retired seller, deck size approximately 6 x 12 feet, 2x12 decking, pockets for stakes, deck height about 25 inches off the ground, 10,000 lb rated axle (former mobile home axle) NO brakes, Less expensive and negotiable on price.

Asking prices are $400 dollars different.

Tow platform...1994 toyota pickup, 22re 4cyl engine, book claims a 3500lb towing capacity.

So assuming I pay the asking price can I put brakes on the one with out for considerably less than $400, Anyone aware of any kits for surge brakes? If I get it for less that changes the equation of course. Thoughts?

Do like DP said. You'll be better off in the long run. Really.


.

 

[lostcause]

But I would definitely suggest a dual purpose dump trailer... and make sure it's a tandem.. a single axle is gonna limit you alot..

unless we're talking about different things here, i think a dual axle dump trailer is going to be more limiting than a single axle utility trailer. the smaller dual axle ones i've seen for highway use are usually 6x10 and weigh 2000-2500 lbs empty. the old 22r may be tough, but you're not leaving much payload capacity to work with.