Buying a trailer....secondhand vs. new and galvanised vs. painted

[gromit]

I'm about to be gifted a small car trailer but need to replace my box trailer before the floor drops out of it......

Is it me or is it about the same price for a new box trailer as it is for a secondhand one ?
My current one is an old 7' x 4'6" complete with hoops & canvas. Cost $350 secondhand about 15 years ago, replaced the front & rear tailgates, welded some patches in the floor, re-wired, fitted new lights, new tyres, and brush painted. I did some temporary repairs to the rusty sections on the sides but it now needs some major work such as new sides & floor. Probably all up it cost about $500 plus my labour fixing it up, problem is I don't have the time at the moment.
Can't get a 7' x 4'6" locally now (would like to keep the hoops & canvas) but a 7' x 5' is between about $1,200 & $1,400 new, secondhand they seem to be $600 - $1,000 or higher.
For the sake of a few hundred dollars it seems to be cheaper to buy a new one with a warranty rather than a secondhand one with an unknown history.

Not sure about galvanised, probably only an issue if you want to weld to it in the future. As it will live outside it could be an option.
Seems that some come in from China, not sure at this stage if that is a concern or not but would prefer locally made.

I mainly use it for collecting Lilydale toppings, collecting Land Rover parts, tip trips etc. so it spends a lot of time parked up.

Any feedback or suggestions welcome.......

Colin

[bblaze]

I just built a 8x5 single axle with aliminum checker plate floor, sides and tail gate etc (that cost $600), main fraime is 75 x 50. Cost a bit over $2500, so in my view the cheaper trailers must have had lots of corners cut
cheers
blaze
ps I have seen some of the cheaper trailers with non compliant tow hitches

[Mick_Marsh]

How quick do you want one?
Keep your eye on the auctions.
Truck and Machinery auctions (http://www.manheim.com.au/trucks-machinery)

Here's a nice one:
Custom box Trailer 6X4 Trailer (Box/domestic) For Auction in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria - Manheim Auctions (http://www.manheim.com.au/trucks-machinery/5177253/custom-box-trailer-6x4-trailer--box-domestic-'referringPage=SearchResults)

[Homestar]

I sold my trailers for general work like this but I’m lucky enough to be able to grab one from work any time I like. If you’re only using one a few times a year, hiring as needed saves both space and money. I know a bloke that can get you a good deal when you need one... [biggrin]

[Stuck]

Not sure about galvanised, probably only an issue if you want to weld to it in the future. As it will live outside it could be an option.
Seems that some come in from China, not sure at this stage if that is a concern or not but would prefer locally made.


The way that I see most box trailers made these days is from pre formed side panels attached to the floor plate via a piece of angle. If the one you're looking at is like that, galvanizing is the best option given that a painted finish offers no protection for the "black" steel that's shielded from paint cover on the overlap where both the side panel and the floor plate meet that piece of angle as opposed to gal which is a hot dip process with a fairly solid degree of penetration right way around the trailer.

[gromit]

I normally need a trailer at short notice hence a rental isn't always convenient. It also gets used for the occasional weekend away.
The one that I'm using now was a simple/cheap one that I fixed up and with some minor repairs has held up for another 15 years.

I've looked at some online so maybe a trip to a few dealers next week to look at build quality.


Colin

[rangieman]

I normally need a trailer at short notice hence a rental isn't always convenient. It also gets used for the occasional weekend away.
The one that I'm using now was a simple/cheap one that I fixed up and with some minor repairs has held up for another 15 years.

I've looked at some online so maybe a trip to a few dealers next week to look at build quality.


Colin
A word of warning be very wary as now the worlds largest photo copier is importing trailers and parts to our shore`s exp one mob Opposite Sth Gippy Hwy [wink11].

I know you would know what to look for but the build quality of trailers and suspension and other major components has taken a major dive with the influx of crap imported into oz:bat:

[gromit]

I've been reading manufacturers websites and looking for Australian made.
Some say Australian assembled others talk of 'an office in China'.
Time to physically visit a few......

Colin

[ramblingboy42]

having had two trailers rot out on me in 30yrs, I would get a new one fully gal dipped.....you can prime and paint it yourself cheaply if you want it a pretty colour.

I've had to cut out , rustproof , refloor and repaint both of mine and had the first one been gal dipped , the false economy of the cheaper buy would have been fully realised by now.

[gromit]

having had two trailers rot out on me in 30yrs, I would get a new one fully gal dipped.....you can prime and paint it yourself cheaply if you want it a pretty colour.

I've had to cut out , rustproof , refloor and repaint both of mine and had the first one been gal dipped , the false economy of the cheaper buy would have been fully realised by now.

Seems a lot of the fully galvanised trailers are Chinese made.
The 'Sunraysias' are Indian or Chinese copies, fitted with new Indian/Chinese tyres.

Currently looking at a Carac painted trailer. They haven't made them for about 4 years but someone in Dandenong is making them for them. Secondhand Wheels & tyres.

My roughly repaired & re-painted trailer has lasted 14 years.
If I had the time a new floor & sides would give it a new lease of life, instead I'll sell it on c/w hoops & canvas top.


Colin

[Slunnie]

There are a lot of Chinese trailers coming in. They have the drawbars welded on locally. The Chinese worry a lot about the price and everything is costed down to the cent. We cant build a trailer (ex GST and no labour charge) anywhere near the cost of an import. Depends on what you want, bullet proof or cheap.