Opinions on this trailer please

I know somebody with a trailer. I am borrowing it at the moment. Anyway, it's been around since the 80's, and the bloke that owns it is convinced that it needs replacing, to the extent that he's going to sell it to a scrap metal place when the rego runs out. I offered to buy it, but he wasn't convinced that it is safe enough to sell to anyone but scrap metal. The body and chassis of it is fine. Small bits of surface rust in a few places, and it could do with a new coat of paint. Or not. It's a trailer. What he is concerned about is rust on the wheels/axle. There is a bit more rust here, but I have had a look, and I reckon it's still fine, and wil be for a while. If not, then I think I could replace the springs/axle/hubs without too much trouble. Certainly I think it's worth a heap more than scrap, and I intend to press the point and get him to sell it me. I thought I would ask for opinions here first because you guys probably know a heap more about it than I do. I have photos of the springs/axle/wheels concerned, so you can see what we are talking about. I can take more photos if need be

What do you think?

Attachment 295642Attachment 295643

Doesn't look too bad to me, but I'm no expert. I've just re floored one worse than that.:rolleyes:

All looks fine to me, axle appears to be a solid one rather than pipe with sub axles.

Only thing I can see that might be a prob is where the end of the spring leaf rubs on the trailer chassis, might need to weld a new wear plate to chassis, so apart from that, I reckon it's good for another 20yrs.

IMO it looks OK not a lot of diference to mine that is only a few years old
If you are worried about how the springs will work lever them apart and soak with one of the garage door lubes in a spray can.
Repack the whell bearings,kill rust on what's needed and Bob's your uncle so to speak :U:2tsup:

In my honest opinion, if he took it to the scrap yard, they couldn't get their money out fast enough and would probably laugh at him as he was leaving the yard.
Sure it looks a bit rusty, certainly no more than a lot of other trailers around.
Tell him the scrappy would only give him about $50 a tonne for it, but you'll be kind to him and take it for $150:D AND NO COME BACK TO HIM.
Kryn

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Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

In my honest opinion, if he took it to the scrap yard, they couldn't get their money out fast enough and would probably laugh at him as he was leaving the yard.
Sure it looks a bit rusty, certainly no more than a lot of other trailers around.
Tell him the scrappy would only give him about $50 a tonne for it, but you'll be kind to him and take it for $150:D AND NO COME BACK TO HIM.
Kryn

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Agreed.
If he took that to a scrap metal yard, it would be towed out at the end of the day by someone working at the yard (and truth be known, even if they didn't have a use for it, it would go on ebay that night).

I've traded in trailers worse than that, that the owners thought were too far gone and with a quick once-over, have gone back into years of service.

Make an offer, promising him that you'll fix up his concerns, and show him before it goes back on the road. Or even offer to get a Roadworthy check. But don't let him take it to scrap.

Can I be the scrappie....I'll take it for $50:U

Well. he isn't going to do anything until the rego expires in the new year, but I don't need a trailer until then so it's all good. I offered him $100 - $150 for it, and he seemed a bit surprised and pleased that somebody would pay that much for it. We'll see what happens then. Thanks all. From talking to him today, I know the bearings have been redone not too long ago. The three tires are all pretty new looking. The floor is pretty new - steel floor replaced with plywood. It could do with repainting, but it's not too bad. All the lights work. We'll see what happens

Thanks all

It will be the best buy you have ever made. +1 to all the suggestions above. I would love to be the scrappie.

Hats off to the owner for considering road safety though... to many dodgy trailers on the road these days.
Yonnee - great suggestion about fixing up and showing the owner again for his peace of mind. :2tsup:

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Originally Posted by petersemple

Well. he isn't going to do anything until the rego expires in the new year, but I don't need a trailer until then so it's all good. I offered him $100 - $150 for it, and he seemed a bit surprised and pleased that somebody would pay that much for it. We'll see what happens then. Thanks all. From talking to him today, I know the bearings have been redone not too long ago. The three tires are all pretty new looking. The floor is pretty new - steel floor replaced with plywood. It could do with repainting, but it's not too bad. All the lights work. We'll see what happens

Thanks all

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Considering the tyres alone, $150.00 would be more than fair. If he put it on ebay, I would think it would go in excess of $250.00 easy!! I've seen trailers worse than that go for $150 in QLD that need tyres, new floor, new sides, new tailgates and new lights!

Yeah whats been suggested and a good look at the welds for cracks, possible rust issues. Buff and check on any doubtful areas.

Gees my trailer wheels dont look any better than that on the inside!!

Not many leaves on the spring, but hey for that price.

Guess you cant accuse the guy of being dodgy!!! If more people where half as particular as this guy, we would legally allowed be able to do a lot more in the backyard than we currently can.

Its +1 on the buy it if u can.

It would be a shame to see and reasonably good trailer like that go to scrap. Plenty of life left in it I think!

Make an offer and get a road worthy, then everyones a winner!

Simon