Going to look at a used trailer, what to check / look for

kernal · May 21, 2013

Going to look at a 2004 20' trailer tonite. I'm sure the tires are probably original and will need to be replaced. What else should I be looking for? I'll test the brakes, check for crack in rims, welds, deck board condition. Check axles and the springs. I've read thru a bunch of threads already but wanted to be sure I check everything.

Thanks, Scott

Soundguy · May 21, 2013

look for loose hubs. check brakes / wireing / lighting.

all things you will need to account for in price.

check coupler condition as well.

look for bowing / overload signs..e tc..

aczlan · May 21, 2013

Check what the price of a new trailer is as well as new parts (ie, if the brakes, axles, coupler, etc need to be replaced, how much will that run) and make sure you don't pay as much as a new trailer in buying a used one and bringing it back up to "roadworthy" condition.
The tires are probably due to be replaced just due to age no matter how good they look.

Aaron Z

kernal · May 21, 2013

new around here is 3500, asking price is 1300.

aczlan · May 21, 2013

kernal said:
new around here is 3500, asking price is 1300.

You can buy a lot of parts for $2200...

Aaron Z

kernal · May 22, 2013

Well, trailer was in decent shape, so it came home with me. It is a Quality brand trailer, 20' deck, 5" channel with 3" cross members, 4" frame to coupler. Looks like they call it their skid steer trailer. Tires date code says 03, so they will need to be replaced. Brakes are weak but I could hear them working. Fenders have a couple small rust holes, nothing major. No d-rings will have to see about adding those, or just using the stake pockets. Axles are 4000 lbs, and the title lists the weight at 2600, so plenty of capacity for my 2320. It is a little longer than what I was looking for originally.

deezler · May 22, 2013

Hmmm. Sounds ok for your uses, but pretty bunk for a "skid steer" trailer. 2x 4000 lb axles = 8000 lbs - weight of 2600 = just 5400 lbs of load capacity? For a 20' trailer? Yikes, that would be awful easy to overload by driving a big machine onto. Most skid steers are going to be over that, especially with attachments.

Nonetheless, good price, so congrats. I'd like a trailer like that also (but with 5k or 7k axles).

aczlan · May 22, 2013

deezler said:
Hmmm. Sounds ok for your uses, but pretty bunk for a "skid steer" trailer. 2x 4000 lb axles = 8000 lbs - weight of 2600 = just 5400 lbs of load capacity? For a 20' trailer? Yikes, that would be awful easy to overload by driving a big machine onto. Most skid steers are going to be over that, especially with attachments.
Nonetheless, good price, so congrats. I'd like a trailer like that also (but with 5k or 7k axles).

Looks like this is the mfg: Dealer Brand Equipment Trailers, Car Hauler Trailers, Landscape Trailers, and Gooseneck Trailers they rate it as being able to carry 6800# with 1200# on the hitch (that's a lot of tongue weight).

Aaron Z

kernal · May 22, 2013

I'm wondering if the axles are really 5K's that they list as 4's. They "look" like every other 5 K, 6 bolt axle. Anyone know how I can tell for sure?

aczlan · May 22, 2013

Should be a tag on the axle listing the manufacturer model, serial, and possible weight rating.
It appears that the 10k version weighs 300# more than the 8k version, so there are some differences between the two.

Aaron Z

Oliver1655 · May 23, 2013

Before buying new tires, you might consider pricing heavier axles / rims to allow you to carry more weight. You mentioned weak brakes. This might just mean you need to adjust the gain on the brake controller or take the hubs off & clean rust of the braking surface. A twenty foot trailer is handy to have. It will allow you place attachments or supplies in front of your skid loader / tractor.

Have fun with your great buy! :cool2: John

kernal · Jun 15, 2013

Well, after taking it all apart..
4 new brake assemblies at $65 each. Replaced all bearings and races, another $80. Rewired the truck connection with a premade whip and junction box, another $70, and finally one tire had a broke belt in it, and other wouldn't pass inspection, so I went with 4 new ones, $450. So as I figured, buying a used trailer means putting another thousand into it. As others say on the forum, be sure you take that into account before buying a used trailer. I'll get pics tomorrow.

Soundguy · Jun 15, 2013

sometimes it don't pay to buy used.. unfortunately..

schmism · Jun 16, 2013

Soundguy said:
sometimes it don't pay to buy used.. unfortunately..

He didnt say what he paid for it? (did he?) I know what my $500 needed when i bought it... but then again i paid $500 for it so.....

kernal · Jun 16, 2013

I paid 1200, thought I put that in an earlier post. Also I'm lucky enough to have a buddy who owns an auto garage, and has borrowed my dump trailer a few times. So knowing he will get some use of this trailer if needed, he helped with replacing everything, and mounted the tires. i looked at a few used trailers in the 2000+ price range. Spending that when new is 3500, IMO would have been a mistake.

kernal · Jun 17, 2013

Everyone likes pictures right. Plenty of room up front for my Grapple, etc, or any rear implement I may get. Would be nice to have pallet fork mount.. And

INDIANA ROWE · Jul 3, 2013

I know this is a trailer forum... However, have you ever wrote anything about your grapple? I have a 2520, and have been wondering about one as of lately.

kernal · Jul 8, 2013

My grapple gets a lot of use, most recently moving trees and concrete pieces at a buddies, now that I have a trailer. Plenty of other threads on grapples, and I thought I had one at some point. It's first use was clearing brush behind the house, worked great for pulling out vines etc.