Topic: considering buying a used trailer. What to look for?

[BLACKDOG]

thinking about checking out a used trailer that I saw the other day.  Dual axle, electric brakes.  It is just the frame, the deck needs to be replaced, guy is asking $350 obo for it.  It appears to be a 16-20 foot trailer, didn't stop to look real close. 
1) if its in decent shape, good price?

2) what should I look for, as far as the brakes, axles and such are concerned?  Never bought a trailer before, so I'm kinda lost here.  I know to look for rust, bending, twisting, etc. of the steel, but thats about it.  Any help is much appreciated!

[Rockcrawlintoy]

make sure the brakes and lights work

[79coyotefrg]

take a bottle jack jason  and  jack up each wheel  and  see if the wheel bearings  are toast,  simple  wobble test

besides that  ,  you dont want  mono leaf  springs,  they are junk

make sure it has a 3 - 5 leaf  spring pack

does it have brakes  on both axles??

does the jack work??  does the  hitch  work ?? this is  the best kind of hitch  fora bumper pull trailer

these kind suck

if  all is  good  $350  is a steel of a deal

[BLACKDOG [OP]]

take a bottle jack jason  and  jack up each wheel  and  see if the wheel bearings  are toast,  simple  wobble test

besides that  ,  you dont want  mono leaf  springs,  they are junk

make sure it has a 3 - 5 leaf  spring pack

does it have brakes  on both axles??

does the jack work??  does the  hitch  work ?/

if  all is  good  $350  is a steel of a deal

Not positive.  I didn't stop (on the way to moonrocks, already running late)

Only info I have is price, electric brakes, and a phone number

What do you mean by mono leaf springs?  Just one leaf per axle? 

[BLACKDOG [OP]]

make sure the brakes and lights work

Kinda my question, how do you go about checking trailer brakes?  Just hook it up and take it for a spin? 

[Toymin8r]

For $350.00 it's a smokin deal.  you can replace the lights/wiring, the brakes, and bearings for about $100.00 so don't let any of that stuff scare you away.   The cost of steel is so high nowadays it makes new trailers cost a fortune.

[79coyotefrg]

For $350.00 it's a smokin deal.  you can replace the lights/wiring, the brakes, and bearings for about $100.00 so don't let any of that stuff scare you away.   The cost of steel is so high nowadays it makes new trailers cost a fortune.

this is a very good point 

What do you mean by mono leaf springs?  Just one leaf per axle? 

yes some trailers  and all trailer houses  use  just one  THICk  leaf spring    its like 5/8 - 3/4 inch thick

[YouBet]

I just picked up a trailer similar to that one. It has the decking though. Tandem axle, 19', brakes, lights don't work, missing a fender, and the ugliest puke yellow paint you've ever seen and I paid $500 for it and was happy to do so. Id say buy it!

[Tool Pimp]

Take a 2" and 2 5/16" trailer ball with you 

[KYOTA]

do all the stuff posted above and yeah for $350 you can throw some $$ at it if you had to and still be way ahead. did anyone mention tires? look at the tires and see how they are wearing and the load range (preferrably at least D's)

[*** YELLER ***]

length is also important.... you dont want a trailor thats to short, you end up with problems ask MINI whats the mininum length that you all would recomend for his EX cab truck








 

[83yota]

look at the tires from the ft and rear make sure they line up. general rule (not always) 5 lug is 7k 6 lug is 10k and 8 lug is at least 12k watch for bent axels they suck (i know) check the brakes to make sure they are not froze or not working at all. new lights are easy and i would sugest doing it anyways to make sure you like the way the wiring is ran and spend the extra money on leds and PUT PROTECTION AROUND THEM