Tag: used trailers

Advice for Buying a Used Trailer

Considerations for Buying a Used Trailer

If you’re looking to buy a trailer, buying a used one from a trailer dealership can be a great option. Dealerships often have a wide selection of trailers to choose from, and they can offer financing options to make your purchase more affordable. However, there are some important things to consider before buying a used trailer from a dealership. So, we’ve put together some general advice on buying used trailers.

Determine Your Needs

The first step in buying a new or used trailer is to determine your needs. What will you be using the trailer for? Will you be towing it long distances, or just using it for short trips? What kind of cargo will you be hauling? These are all important questions to ask yourself before you start shopping.

Once you know your needs, you can start looking for trailers that fit those needs. This will help you narrow down your options and make the buying process easier.

Research the Dealership

Before you buy a used trailer from a dealership, it’s important to research the dealership itself. Look for reviews and ratings of the dealership online. This will give you an idea of their reputation and whether or not they have a history of selling reliable trailers.

It’s also a good idea to check the dealership’s website to see what kind of trailers they have in stock. This will help you determine if they have the type of trailer you’re looking for. You can find all the new and used trailers for sale at Country Blacksmith Trailers on our website!

Truck hitched to a trailer with an ATV in the back.

Inspect the Trailer

Once you’ve found a trailer that you’re interested in, it’s important to inspect it thoroughly before making your purchase. Look for any signs of damage, such as dents or scratches. Check the tires for wear and tear, and make sure the brakes are in good working condition. If you’re looking at a used cargo trailer, it’s also a good idea to check the interior of the trailer. Look for any signs of water damage or mold. Not only can these be a sign that the trailer is damaged, leaks can also cause damage to the items stored inside an enclosed trailer.

Ask for Maintenance Records

When buying a used trailer from a dealership, it’s important to ask for maintenance records. This will give you an idea of how well the trailer has been maintained over the years, and whether it has had any major repairs.

If the dealership doesn’t have maintenance records for the trailer, you may want to consider looking elsewhere. Without maintenance records, it can be difficult to determine if the trailer is reliable.

Check the Warranty

Before you buy a used trailer, check to see if it comes with a warranty. Many dealerships offer warranties on their used trailers, which can provide peace of mind and help cover the cost of any repairs that may be needed. Some trailers may also still be under a manufacturer’s warranty.

If the trailer doesn’t come with a warranty, consider purchasing one separately. This can help protect your investment and ensure that you’re getting a reliable trailer.

Close up two men shake hands at office negotiations.

Negotiate the Price

When buying a used trailer, don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. Many dealerships are willing to negotiate, especially if the trailer has been on the lot for a while.

Before you start negotiating, do your research to determine what a fair price for the trailer would be. This will give you a good idea of how much you should offer. If you’re looking for an affordable trailer, you can find cheap prices, good trailers and great deals on our discount trailers page.

Ask About Financing Options

Finally, when purchasing any trailer from a dealership, you should ask about financing options. Many dealerships offer financing to help make your purchase more affordable. At Country Blacksmith Trailers, we offer both traditional financing options and rent-to-own trailers.

Before agreeing to any financing, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the loan. You’ll want to know the interest rate, the length of the loan, and any other fees that may be associated with the financing.

Buying a used trailer from a dealership can be a great way to get a reliable trailer that meets your needs at an affordable price tag. Before you start shopping, determine your needs, research dealerships, consider financing options and make sure you’re ready for a well-researched decision on a new-to-you trailer.

By following these tips, you can be sure that you’ll get a good deal on a trailer that will last you for years to come. If you’re ready to start shopping, you can browse the best used trailers for sale Illinois has to offer at Country Blacksmith Trailers!

Buying Used Utility Trailers

Is your truck bed not enough to haul your stuff? Or maybe you want to upgrade from your current trailer. However, with upgrading comes cost and new trailers can be expensive! Yet, we find out renting frequently can be costly along with the burden of filling out paperwork, dealing with trailers in poor condition, and then returning equipment on time to avoid penalties. There is a better way to get what you need within your price range and avoid the pitfalls of renting. Buy used! The question then becomes, what should I look for when buying a used utility trailer? We have compiled some great tips to make you a pro at picking.

Picking Used Utility Trailers

We’ve written an article about how to choose a good utility trailer and we’ve included some of those points here. You need to have a solid idea of what you need your trailer to do before picking one out. In addition, when buying used, the condition is key to getting both value and reliability. Keep these factors in mind when shopping around, and that will keep your decision making balanced between what you want and getting what you need.

Trailer Age

The number one factor with any used trailer is age. Even if the trailer is well kept, time, wear and tear will take its toll, especially if it’s been stored uncovered outside. However, most well-built trailers are known to have a life expectancy of 15 years or longer. Keep that in mind when making your final choice on your used utility trailer.

Car with covered tarp on used utility trailers in the roadway in Poland.

Frame and Structure

Steel is cheaper and stronger than aluminum, however, it is also heavier and rusts. Extensive wear could be found on steel trailers along coastal cities or places where roads are salted during the winter. Aluminum may be a better option for that reason if your climate encounters a lot of salt and water. However, if properly cared for and coated, steel can endure for long time as well.

Single vs. Tandem Axle

Single axle trailers are good for some furniture or yard equipment. However, if you think you’ll be doing some heavier lifting with large equipment or dense building materials, go with the tandem axle trailer, which significantly increases your payload capacity.

GVWR

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight that your trailer can hold. This also includes the weight of the trailer itself. If you’re looking to increase payload capacities, search trailers with tandem axles.

Used Utility Trailer Buyer’s Checklist

This checklist is comprised for used utility trailers in mind, however, it could apply to buying new or used trailers of any type. Trailers are a big investment, so it’s wise to take whatever precautions you can to get the best value from your purchase.

Tires

See that the trailer tires are the right size and check tire condition, check hubs, brakes, tread wear, and wheel bearings. Along with checking the tires, look at the axles to ensure they are in good condition. Tires are expensive and the need to replace tires needs to be factored into your cost. If you would like to learn more on tires, read our article Picking, Maintaining & Replacing Trailer Tires.

Wooden used utility trailers, red, parked and left in the grass.

Floor & Frame

Inspect everything you can see on the unit including the bottom, floor and floorboards, loose or missing screws/rivets/bolts, cracks, ramp quality and corrosion. Steel rusts, but aluminum can become corrosive over time as well. Inspect the hitches for wear and tear as well. Make sure that the key components have not be replaced with incompatible parts like weaker hitches or axles.

Electrical

Finally inspect the lights and wiring to verify that electrical is in working order. Hitch up the trailer to a vehicle and ensure the lights, brake lights and turn signals are not missing and are in working order. If your utility trailer has any motorized parts like a lift or jack, operate those components to ensure they are functioning as expected.

Test Drive

If you can test drive the trailer, do it! Listen for any high-pitched humming. That could be from the bearing not being properly sealed or lubricated. You can also get a feel for how the trailer rides and know if it turns properly, vibrates usually, and alignment and brakes (if any) are good.

Mechanical Inspection

If you are not a mechanic and you are able to, drive the trailer to a trusted mechanic to give their opinion or point out any flaws you may be missing. This could be part of your test drive as well!

Purchasing and Financing

After evaluating the used utility trailer of interest, make a checklist of any potential fixes needed. If you don’t know the cost for repairs, call around and get some quotes, then see if the dealer can either take care of it or adjust price for work that needs to be done. You can also ask about warranties or quality guarantees the dealer provides for peace of mind. If cost is keeping you from your potential purchase, also ask about trailer financing.

Used Trailer Dealership vs. Direct Seller

Buying from a dealer has advantages like producing a bill of sale and passing over the existing title. To properly register your trailer and ensure that it’s not stolen or free of liens, you legally need these things. And if you don’t like the model you came to see on the lot, trailer dealers usually carry a variety of other models to browse. You don’t always have these options when shopping from a direct seller on a classified. In addition, trailer dealers may provide warranties or incentivized trailer maintenance plans, along with discounts for onsite service. Many dealers will also take trailer trade-ins, where direct sellers are strictly looking to sell only.

Country Blacksmith Trailers is a trailer dealership you can trust. Country Blacksmith carries dozens of quality used utility trailers from brands like Aluma, PJ Trailers, Diamond C, FLOE, Load Trail, and Top Hat. We also provide our own brand of utility trailers called “eConoBody” which is exclusively offered through us. We pride ourselves in both our quality selection and excellence in customer service. We don’t just sell you a trailer. We are here to answer your questions and assist you from searching to purchasing. And from accessories to service, we’ll help keep you and your trailer rolling on the road!