[Zio]

Hey guys I have been looking for a cheaper car trailer lately and they have been hard to find. I do not have $2500+ for a new one right now. I came across a 18ft trailer with a dove tail and a full diamond plate deck. it is 84" wide (I have a hard time fitting my car on a 76" wide deck) with ramps stored under the trailer. The problem is the trailer needs work. One fender is bent a little (still covers tires) and the other has a small rust hole in it. I can live with the fenders for now. The trailer needs to be rewired. It does have trailer brakes on one axle, but they have not been used for a while because it was wired with a 4 pin connector. It will need new tires in the near future and two of the wheels are bent out a little.

First off what causes the wheels to be bent out like that because I see it on alot of trailers? Second is it expensive to fix? The deck and frame are solid on the trailer. Do you guys think it is worth putting some money into a trailer like this? Any opinions would be great.

thanks
Tom

 

[LeoP]

It would be to me, but I can do all the work it needs myself, Can you? Not being sarcastic, just asking.

 

[Zio]

Yeah I can do all the work my self that is not a problem. Do you know why the trailer wheels seem to be bent? Is that the bearings just going bad?

 

[bulb122]

Yeah I can do all the work my self that is not a problem. Do you know why the trailer wheels seem to be bent? Is that the bearings just going bad?

Is the axle bent? Perhaps the trailer was severely overloaded at one point. Just a guess....

 

[novaderrik]

are the wheels sticking out a little bit at the top- like 1/2" or so?
if so, that's normal- the axles are made with a little bit of camber so that when the trailer is loaded, the wheels end up straight up and down. look under the tailer from the back, and you should see the axles kind of arched up in the middle about an inch.
and rewiring a trailer is easy- they have compete wiring kits with lights and a plug for around $20 at Wal Mart or any number of other places.
as for the fenders- i wouldn't worry about it. if you ever use the trailer, they will get bent up a bit.

 

[68bye]

Tires toed in or out, the guy hooked a tire on something and yanked hard to get around it instead of backing up. Bent spindle, replace axle.

Positive camber, normal. .....to a degree. (literally, one degree)

Negative camber, overloaded, check for bent or broken leaves in the springs. Maybe worn out bushings, too.

Like Derrick said, wiring is painfully easy. There is a national standard to trailer wiring. It's always printed on the package of the plug you buy. FOLLOW IT! That way if you ever rent a trailer, or hook to someone elses trailer, everything will work properly.

You didn't say how much you were going to pay for this. My neighbor just paid $1800 for a brand new, never used Top Hat car trailer. 18', stowable ramps, full wood deck. Shop around. There are deals out there.

 

[Zio]

sorry I forgot to mention that he wants $700 for the trailer. The tires are sticking out at the bottom and in on the top. They are on seperate axles on different sides. That is the main thing I am worried about. I can fix any of it my self, but don't want to spend more than I would on a trailer in better condition. Thanks for any opinons/help.

Tom

 

[chevelless502]

sorry I forgot to mention that he wants $700 for the trailer. The tires are sticking out at the bottom and in on the top. They are on seperate axles on different sides. That is the main thing I am worried about. I can fix any of it my self, but don't want to spend more than I would on a trailer in better condition. Thanks for any opinons/help.

Tom

If you can get it bought for that and its a steel deck and all it needs is some wiring and a few tweaks thats a good deal. All that you mentioned wrong seems pretty minor. Like all have said go to walmart and buy a light kit. You can even splurge and get the LED kit for abit more too if you want.

Andy

 

[68bye]

I'm just affraid it may need axles. I spent $900 for new axles, wheels and tires for mine about six months ago. If it looks like an elephant sat on the trailer, I'd probably look elsewhere. $700 is a great deal. If you don't have to replace anything major. It can quickly add up when you start buying large components.

Let's say worst case........

Trailer- $700
Replace two axles because the spindles are bent enough to wear tires very fast- $600
Four tires- $300
Light kit-$30
Wire kit with new connector- $30

Total- $1560

Was it a good deal? Like I said, A BRAND NEW one can be had for $1500-$1800

Ultimately, it's your call.

 

[Rmchevelle]

Was it a good deal? Like I said, A BRAND NEW one can be had for $1500-$1800

I think it depends on which part of the country you're in. I cannot find a new trailer in this part of the country for $1500-$1800 anymore, not even a wood deck trailer. Prices currently start at about $2200 for a brand new car trailer. My take on this is, that the southern part of the country has a lot more trailer manufacturers than up North. If you live up North you likely will pay more for a trailer because it had to be shipped. Also, trailers have gone up quite a bit in price because of steel costs.

Zio, offer the guy $500 and see what happens. It does sound like the axles are bent.

 

[Zio]

I live about 2 minutes south of Chicago. The guys told me his bottom dollar was $700. I am still debating what to do.

 

[blubu]

I would buy it and I cant weld The wires and plug need changed anyway.
Wheels to sounds like Unless it needs the axle jacked back in place.
Tires wont be a problem I would change both and fenders
I can even replace those bolt on

 

[forcd ind]

it could have bent axles-they bend just outside where the springs are, usually if you hit a huge pothole while it is loaded-as i remember, axles were not that expensive, try a boat store or rv shop, prob dexter axles, or go online
even go online and look at trailers, there are some good deals

 

[Dave Birdwell]

Dexter axles are made in the town I work in. Good stuff, sold all around. Look in the Auto-Rv magazine, you should be able to find something here in Indiana or Illinois that is new and inexpensive. I just bought a used 24' enclosed trailer that needs reskinned for $1500, and that's with the Reese equalizing receiver. Deal are out there, and it's a buyers market right now. Look online, www.auto-rv.com go to trailers.

 

[LeoP]

I paid 2700 for a new trailer pretty much like the one you're talking about back in 02.

 

[70ChevelleRagtop]

First off what causes the wheels to be bent out like that because I see it on alot of trailers? Second is it expensive to fix? The deck and frame are solid on the trailer. Do you guys think it is worth putting some money into a trailer like this? Any opinions would be great.

thanks
Tom

Too heavy of a load having been carried on the trailer (assuming the tilt is outward at the bottom of the wheel/tire and and inward at the top )