A used trailer can be a good deal, as long as you inspect it well. Rust, worn bearings or a debt still registered against the trailer can quickly wipe out the savings. Here is the checklist.
Frame and welds
Look underneath: the tongue, main rails, crossmembers and spring hangers. Surface rust can be treated; rust that swells, perforates or flakes the metal deeply cannot. Look for cracks around welds, especially near the tongue and coupler. A galvanized trailer ages much better than a painted one.
Coupler, chains and jack
The coupler must close and lock on the ball without play. The safety chains must be in good condition and firmly attached. Run the tongue jack up and down.
Axles, suspension and bearings
Uneven tire wear often points to a bent or misaligned axle. Check the springs, shackles and bolts. Lift each wheel and shake it: there should be no play. Spin it: grinding or rubbing means bearings to replace.
Tires
Read the manufacturing date in the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall. A trailer tire more than six years old should be replaced, even with tread left. Look for sidewall cracks and check the spare.
Brakes and lights
Plug the trailer in: all lights and turn signals must work. On a trailer with electric brakes, do a test, check the wiring and the breakaway system.
Deck and body
On a wood deck, look for soft, split or rotten boards. On an enclosed trailer, look for water marks on the ceiling and along the walls, a soft floor near the walls, and check the doors, hinges, ramp and locks.
Hydraulics on a dump or tilt trailer
Raise and lower the box or deck all the way. Look for leaks at the cylinder, hoses and pump, and check the battery.
The road test
Hitch the trailer to your vehicle and take a drive, loaded if possible. It should track straight, without swaying or pulling to one side. Brake firmly: the trailer brakes should respond at the same time as the vehicle’s, without locking. When you get back, touch the hubs: one much hotter than the others points to a bearing or a dragging brake.
Paperwork
Compare the trailer’s serial number with the one on the registration certificate. Read the compliance label: it gives the GVWR and axle ratings. In Québec, search the trailer by serial number in the Register of Personal and Movable Real Rights (new tab): a registered debt can follow the trailer to the new owner. The registration transfer is then done at the SAAQ.
What sets the price of a used trailer
At the same size, a galvanized trailer with stronger axles and electric brakes is worth more than a light, painted trailer without brakes. Age matters less than condition: a well-kept ten-year-old trailer is often a better buy than a neglected five-year-old one. Compare with other used trailers for sale of the same type, size and capacity, and subtract the cost of tires, bearings or a deck to redo.
Used or new?
Add up the asking price and the repairs to expect: tires, bearings, brakes, deck. Compare with a new trailer, under warranty, galvanized and eligible for financing. The gap is often smaller than you think. See our new trailers in stock and our financing options.
Already have a used trailer? Our workshop can inspect it and bring it back into shape.
