Used HD trailer market

[Mobuck]

I seem to be chasing a ghost in the attempt to purchase a trailer to fit my needs. The truck I bought last December has added a new level of towing capacity that we're hoping to take advantage of.
First "need" is a "don't need"--I don't need a new trailer. Every crossroads trailer dealer has NEW trailers of every size and shape. C-list is choked with NEW trailers.
Second "need" is 23-25K# capacity--I bought a 250 bu grain box for an exceptional price at an auction and intend to use that on this trailer to haul grain in the fall. 250 bushel of soybeans weighs 15K so the trailer cap has to be adequate to carry the tare weight plus 15K.
Third "need" is electric brakes since my "new to me truck" doesn't have air brakes and I'm NOT going down the road @40K gross w/o brakes on every tire that touches the pavement.
Fourth "need" is the capability to haul one of our bigger tractors 40-50 miles should one need to go into a JD shop for repairs.
Fifth "need" is more aesthetic but still important. I'd like to find something that doesn't embarrass me by it's looks. I've dragged some pretty goofy looking "conveyances" back when I was broke and making do with what I could cobble together but I'm not in that spot these days.
I've looked at trailers as far as 200 miles away only to find rusted out, trashed out, welded up, twisted frames, and over weight dinosaurs too heavy to even pull home empty with a tonner pickup. I realize that the guys who buy this type of trailer don't intend to let them just sit around and that quite often the trade-ins are already spoken for but drawing a 200 mile radius from north MO includes a LOT of ground. Guess I'll keep looking or I may have to bite the bullet on the "looks" category and buy the one closest to home.

 

[gramps]

I have never looked for a trailer of that size. Horse trailers, yep, but that was back in the 90’s. Frustrating, good luck!
gramps

 

[onehandgunner]

Goose neck equipment hauler ? Back in the day I would pick up a copy of used equipment publications. Texas always seems to be a good spot to look. I have a 16k tongue type but my dogs have claimed it as their "fort" for ambushing one another. Do not look in an area that has a booming construction trade. Good luck.

 

[Mobuck]

"Goose neck equipment hauler ? "
That was my thoughts but Tom doesn't want to change anything on the truck. So it's got to be:
Pintle hitch under 24' deck with either removable ramps or short dovetail & folding ramps--unquestionably the "hens teeth" of the used trailer world.
Yes, you're correct about the construction boom. Interestingly, even though many of the contractors are switching to GN trailers and turbo-dsl dually pickups, the tongue hitch trailers are still in high demand.

 

[contender]

Your issue is a regional one.
Farming areas, and the associated equipment command higher prices for good used equipment,, while more suburban, and township areas w/o the serious farmers sell such stuff cheaper.
Locally, we have a lot of apple farmers, and it keeps good equipment associated with that up there, as well as any excavating equipment. Excavating equipment is used a lot in building developments, so it is a busy business.
Try concentrating on areas closer to bigger towns & such where farming isn't a bigger way of life. A 200 mile radius,,, (roughly a 3 hour drive one way,) should be expanded a bit. And if you find something worth checking out,, make a day of the trip to look at it,, by planning other stops to offset the trip a bit. Gun shops, pawn shops etc make good side stops.

My BIL does this a lot. He wanted a boat,, so he checks the stuff around the coast & down to Florida. He drove 8 hours to buy a boat, and got it for a lot less than locally. He did the same with a box van.

 

[onehandgunner]

Mobuck the only pintle hitch trailers I see belong to state, county, city road crews. And of course the ARMY. You should have bought a BIG RIG and a float. Try STATE auctions. I remember a used construction equipment yard near NOCONA (?) Texas but that was 20 years ago.

 

[hittman]

I've got a number of friends who use a variety of trailers in their work and personal life.

They tell me that most times, USED is not the best value. At least not here in the Midwest.

 

[clintsfolly]

The most expensive trailer I ever got was the one my dad gave me!

 

[Bull Barrel]

When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was for hauling motorcycles...

 

[Mobuck]

"When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was for hauling motorcycles..."

OK, it could be interpreted that way.

 

[krw]

Unless ur at the right place at the right time (which I never am). Buy new. New means new tires, good brakes, led lights that work, ramps which aint bent up and work properly. Hardly ever find good used trailers where I live.

 

[Mobuck]

Unfortunately, the black ink of the equation ends at about 30-35% of NEW price so new isn't an option.

 

[krw]

Luck of the Irish to ya. 35% cost of new in SW Ark will give you lots to work on. Good luck

 

[Mobuck]

Well, I've got time on my side since I won't actually need the trailer until fall. My "psuedo-Son" is an auctioneer and knows people all over the state of Iowa, Tom's job takes him from the Texas panhandle to South Dakota to Minnesota, and I cover the local area frequently.
There's a trailer manufacturing place about 65 miles away that might build me a basic unit(frame/suspension/hitch) to my specs and I add a deck (or don't) later.

 

[TCGuy]

My wife and I recently bought a cargo trailer, and we ended up buying new because all the used stuff was trashed, and the prices being asked were almost as much as brand new. It was a no brainer.

 

[exavid]

"When I saw the title of this thread I thought it was for hauling motorcycles..."

OK, it could be interpreted that way.

Must mean Harleys.

 

[tinman]

Ok, someone has to say it...........if ya own a Harley, sooner or later, your gonna need a trailer. :roll:

 

[mjpchief]

I have a nephew in the business of trucks and trailers here in Fairfield, Illinois. His business is called Vaughans Equipment and his number is 618-842-3500. Ask for Josh. If it's out there he can find it.

 

[Mobuck]

I may have lucked out. A guy I know sells "re-purposed" trucks(fleet trucks stripped, painted, and ready for the buyer's bed). Yesterday as I passed his lot, I noticed a trailer about like my original size/type expectations. I stopped and looked it over today and called the guy this evening. He said it's priced(well within my budget) but he'd listen to lower offers as he'd like to have it off the lot. I didn't ask if it has a MO title but he's a legit vehicle dealer so I'm willing to bet he's got the title.

 

[Mobuck]

Trailer purchased. Far above average for the age (1994) w/o the typical rust and bends even retains all the stickers, factory ID , and load rating plates. Tested the brakes and all work. The primary downside is the tire condition and size. I wasn't expecting to find good tires on a trailer that had been parked for 3 years and made my offer to reflect the lower value. I got 1/2 way to a full set of new tires on the reduced price and even with a $1000 cost for tires will be $2000 under budget for a good trailer just the size I wanted.
I have a lead on a set of C-list tires/wheels that are basically new and priced dirt cheap so the $1000 tire cost may end up significantly less.

 

[onehandgunner]

Good for you. Now you can park it in a Burger King lot and admire it while you have lunch. Don't try and take it to the DRIVE UP WINDOW..

 

[Mobuck]

Nah, it's not going to lunch @ BK. Once I get it home and get the tire thing addressed, it may get used a little to move equipment or supplies during planting time and maybe haul some hay. Then we'll start the transformation into the primary purpose by removing most of the floor and adding a 275 bushel center dump grain box.

 

[david knutson]

Google and see if there's a Richie brother auctions near you,, I've hauled a lot of their equipment clear across the country people seem to get a pretty good deal and be able to pay my Freight. also I noticed that proxibid has an equipment section might look in there

 

[Bull Barrel]

Don't forget....use tires rated for trailer use. Much better sidewalls.