In the market for a trailer

[SicMonte]

Well it is time for me to purchase a trailer. I am looking into a 18' steel deck open trailer. I found a Sure Trac 18' steel deck trailer at a local shop for $3195 plus tax and tags. It has the LED lights, dove tail, powder coated black, dual axle with brakes on every wheel. Is that a good deal?



I'm open to options so let me know what you all have.

[SparkyRnD]

make sure to consider craigslist, as you might find exactly what you're looking for, for a whole lot less. Or, spend the same money as above, but on a much better deal.

[SicMonte]

Well I need to buy new do I can finance it. I don't have the cash laying around.

[carguykeith]

Are you sure your car can get on that trailer? Mine could just bearly get on a similar trailer last year and that was with the high nose and no air damn. Now I'm looking at tilt and roll-back trailers so I can add an air damn and maybe even a splitter.

Oh and why not build a trailer instead of buying one?

[SparkyRnD]

I'd be hesitant to buy one on financing. You'll pay a lot more in interest on the note. My philosophy is if I don't have the cash to cover the credit, then I don't buy it. Pay cash for everything, keeps me out of trouble. Plus, if you take that same money and put it into an interest bearing account, won't be long before you can buy a darn nice used trailer that someone else already took the hit on.

[SicMonte]

build a trailer...really? I need this by April 6.

My car fits on trailers no problem with some strategic placement of wood planks!

[Yelcamino]

Doug, I got my trailer from Pro-Line in Roanoke, VA about two years ago for $2500 brand new.

http://www.pro-lineperformance.com/Pro-LineOpen7x18.htm

[SicMonte]

how does your car do with the 2' beaver tail? Im thinking that I will need a 4' beaver tail because my car is so damn low.

[Yelcamino]

how does your car do with the 2' beaver tail? Im thinking that I will need a 4' beaver tail because my car is so damn low.

My Chevelle is pretty low and I don't have any problems getting on/off the trailer. If the approach angle is still too steep for your car, Race Ramps has those nifty trailer loading ramps for low cars.

[howehot]

A trick I have done is placing the rear truck tires on 4x6 blocks, drive up on them. This will lower the approach angle of the trailer. I have a PJ trailers, 8.5x20 with a 2 ft tail, 4 ft ramps, 7k lb axles with brakes, removable fenders, that I use for my business. Paid $2350, 3 years ago but this is in Iowa.

[SicMonte]

What do you all think about a tilt trailer?

[gsxrken]

Douglas, trailers are on CL for $1800 or less all day long if you put some $$ aside. Id personally never buy a new one for twice the money. For now why don't you rent a u-haul for <$75 for the weekend if you're under the gun?

[TheJDMan]

Check out the towing classified section on http://www.racingjunk.com/

[SicMonte]

Uhauls are $54.95 a day...so 200+ for the event plus they are a peice of crap. My car won't fit in them bc my suspension and exhaust hit the center rails.

I'm not buying anything off of Craigslist when I have no issue with buying something new.

[SparkyRnD]

that's cool, and there is something nice about buying new and having a warranty / et cetera. Since I am rarely bucks-up, I tend to use craigslist as a way to buy within my means, as I have no problem picking up a good deal and potentially doing some work to balance it out. But then again, 25 years worth of buying and selling automobiles and related parts have helped me recognize the deals, and the scams and things that are just not worth buying at any price.

[gearheads78]

Be very carefull of used and craigslist trailers. I have had two separate friends with trailers that had bought used taken away in the last year by law enforcement . One finally got it back after 6 months and the other is gone for good. Both were found with grind marks covered buy paint and bondo. Tons of trailers are being stolen and resold with new numbers stamped on them and officers around here are checking them all the time now.

[BuddyP]

For $3200 you should be able to find a nice used enclosed car hauler.

[tazzz25906112]

Doug buying is a good option as is renting... Stop and think about it,,,, how many times a year are you going to need to pull the car and where do keep the darn thing.... U haul and few bucks make for a great option if your not using it regularly buddy,,, just saying food for thought....

[ChassisPro]

One thing you may also want to consider is weight of the trailer. I had an open trailer that my dad and his friend built for me back in 1993. It was built low and it was light (weighted just under 1600# empty). It was the best pulling and easiest trailer to load I have ever used. Unfortunately 2 weeks ago I let a fried borrow it and while he was towing a car he was sideswiped by a semi truck. It broke the trailer frame in 3 different places and bent it like a banana. So I've been looking at new trailers and can not find one that is low and light as what I had. So once insurance settles, I'm just going to build another one like I had with a few modern upgrades.

[gsxrken]

I made a friend an offer- I bought four new tires for his horribly dry-rotted ones and we re-greased the wheel bearings and addressed some bad grounds on the lighting.
Now, I can borrow the trailer whenever I want. So for under $400, I essentially have a trailer... that he stores for me.