Buying a trailer

[Mr Steve]

I know next to nothing about trailer shopping.  I'm looking to buy a 7x12 or 7x14 enclosed trailer.  Are these things a haggle item?  If so, how much flexibility can I expect?  The places I contact all act like everyone just comes in and buys at full marked price then has them install the e-track etc. at whatever they decide to charge.  It's incredibly difficult to even get someone to ballpark it.

[R J]

You can always make a offer on the item.

What do you plan on using the trailer for?

[Mr Steve]

Figured with rising gas prices we'd cut out the chase vehicle.  I'll pull it with the valk to help any of our Harley riding group home if needed.   

[R J]

You are planning to pull a 7X12 or 14 behind a Valkyrie?

I'd suggest you think again on that.      Not in the best of your interest to try and drag an enclosed trailer behind the Phat girl..

[MacDragon]

He has to be kidding... just wanted to see what reaction he'd get.  You ARE kidding ... aren't you Steve... Steve   STEEEVE...

[rmrc51]

I had been looking for a 7X12 trailer to haul my Valkyire Trike in when we go out-of-state. I wanted an aluminum construction due to it's reduced weight and no rusting problems. But, these things are EXPENSIVE! Especially if you begin to add some options.

Just by my comments you can tell I still haven't bought one and I hardly ever see one like I described being sold used.

[scoot]

Aluminum trailers usually aren't any lighter, normally. Because of the added weight to make them as ridgid as a steel trailer. Alot of dealers would like to sell them because of the added cost. About the only thing you gain is it won't rust, however most trailers aren't exposed to the elements enough that cause them to rust.
 You can haggle with them on cost, options,wheels. I usually have gone right to the manufacture (quite a few just a couple hours from home) and got better deals.

[rmrc51]

Aluminum trailers usually aren't any lighter, normally. Because of the added weight to make them as ridgid as a steel trailer. Alot of dealers would like to sell them because of the added cost. About the only thing you gain is it won't rust, however most trailers aren't exposed to the elements enough that cause them to rust.
 You can haggle with them on cost, options,wheels. I usually have gone right to the manufacture (quite a few just a couple hours from home) and got better deals.

That's a good point regarding weight. I'd still prefer the aluminum due to the the non-rust issue. Most of the manufacturers I've seen are in PA. Not a bad ride if i ever decide to get one.

[KW]

Personally, I’d go with aluminum sitting on a double axle . . .  I don’t know where you're at, but when I was shopping for one a few years ago, I found that northern Indian was BY FAR the cheapest area to buy a trailer.  There are a couple REAL factory outlets there and I was able to haggle a little bit as well. It’s roughly a 2 ½ hour drive for me, so it wasn’t bad, but the cost savings would have made the drive worth it even if it was an overnight trip

[bscrive]

I have researched these trailers to death.  The aluminum trailers won't rust but they do corrode.  The other problem with aluminum trailers is that they tend to break/collapse where the springs are attached to the box frame.  The reason they break is from metal fatigue.  If you do not have a tig  welder it can be expensive to fix.  You also have to make sure that if the trailer is not 100% made of aluminum that 3M tape is place between the steel and aluminum or it will corrode.  I decided on getting a steel one.  Easy to fix if it does break and the weight is pretty much the same.  The aluminum trailers that were significantly lighter were not made very well, thin walled aluminum.  If you are going to be hauling it long distances, you should look at a V-nosed trailer.  They can push a lot of wind and the V-nose helps considerably.  A 6x12 fits my Valkyrie real nice.

[old2soon]

F Y I here where i reside we have two yes count em 2 weekly sale papers. With the economy still in the crapper (at least here it is-no MATTER WHAT the idiots in d c try to tell me ) we have an awful lot of used equipment for sale and far far to many farm auctions(boneheads in d c-are ya payin attention-where ya gonna get food after the farm land is GONE?? ) and a lot of this stuff goes well below list or not. Buying used or second hand-get yourself educated so ya knows what you be gazing upon. The two banks here in town post about once or twice a month with repoed stuff cars truckd trailers m/c etc. There are other avenues besides new. If ya absitively posilutely gotta have new-really try indiana where a lot of that stuff is made. Hope some of this at least helps a little. RIDE SAFE.

[Flat6Valk]

I use my trailer a lot.  a very big and huge lot.  So here goes my opinion.  I have a haulmark 8 x 16 I use to haul my carpenter tools and Valkyrie when I am out of town, which is most of the year.  My trailer is 6 years old now.  paid 5200 out the door.  dual axle which is the best by far to have (dual axles) for safety incase of a flat tire.  that happens often in my experience.

I haul the Valkyrie, 3 job boxes ,and various other items.

It is steel construction and a little heavier and I think stronger and longer lasting.

I use a ramp door.

You will experience a huge drag down of mileage on your tow vehicle, but I dont see anyway around that fact.  buy the best strongest trailer you can get/afford.  It will pay you back in safety.

[ptgb]

Somewhat of trailer "junkie" as I have owned probably 10 in the last 10 years. Mostly open trailers of various sizes, for various uses, but I have owned 2 enclosed; just recently sold my 6x12 and bought a 8.5x16. It has almost gotten to the point of intervention! When we go past trailer(s) for sale, my wife tells me I can't even look  

Here are my experiences:

- Sold my 6x12 so I could go bigger to haul a trike and 2 other motorcycles. We usually ride (*insert disclaimer here, so as not to have people think we trailer our bikes like a bunch of girlies   ), but like to have the convenience of trailering, if needed, mostly because of cold, etc.

When shopping for a new trailer, I was in the market for a 7x16 or 8x16. I found out quickly that the prices were getting up there. I was told by all dealers I interacted with that parts costs have gone through the roof lately (2 months ago). Axles, wheels/tires have all doubled. Steel prices 25%. Back when I purchased my 6x12, I went with John's Trailer Sales out of Toledo, Ohio... he was at least $750 below everyone on everything; not this time. Prices were the same as everyone else. Seemed that northern Indiana (is/was the trailer/RV capital of the US) wasn't offering the good "factory direct" prices anymore either.

- The used market is alive and well and there are bargains to be had. You will have to be willing to travel a bit for a good deal. I was lucky to find one about 60 miles from home for a good price. It is an 8.5 x 16 and has all the bells and whistles (rivet-less, ramp rear, ramp side, man door, dovetail, etrack, wired for AC, etc)... it would run over $7500 new. It was only about 4 years old and is in impeccable condition. I got it for much less than that. It helped that the seller used to own a Valkyrie, I used that to my advantage as he had other offers that were just a tad higher than mine (from people much further away).

I guess the reason that I am telling you this is, with patience and a willingness to travel a bit, you can find real nice used stuff at fire sale prices.

-  Steel vs. aluminum? I don't think the aluminum supports it higher cost (much higher I think). The 6x12 I had for about 7 years, was stored outdoors. Never had any problems with corrosion. Mind you, you are going to get surface rust underneath, but nothing major. If I planned to keep it any longer I was going to POR 15 the underside and the hitch area (minor surface rust). As said previously, aluminum isn't all that much lighter.

- Go bigger than you think you will need. Maybe that's why I have had 10 trailers - didn't take my own advice. I mostly have traded up, sell the last smaller one, throw in a little extra $ and move up to a bigger one. You can avoid this by thinking bigger is better (within reason, of course). I now have the big enclosed and a 6x10 flat bed for mowers and such.

- To answer your original question - everything is negotiable, even new stuff... make them an offer, the worst they can say is "no". Used is much easier to haggle.

[da prez]

We have bought a few used and two new trailers in our time. If the used price is good enough, you can do the repairs to your spec's. Also , all the trailers got undercoated. Be sure to check all the wiring and make the repairs before you use , and be sure to check the bearings and brakes and service as necessary.  just my two cents worth.
                                                                da prez

[rmrc51]

Well, all these posts convinced me that Aluminum isn't the way to go.

If anyone knows of a V-nosed, dual axle, 6X8 or 6X10 with a drop down ramp for sale at a decent price, let me know. 

[Mr Steve]

He has to be kidding... just wanted to see what reaction he'd get.  You ARE kidding ... aren't you Steve... Steve   STEEEVE...

Yes, I am kidding    The valk will not be towing it.

[Mr Steve]

Personally, I’d go with aluminum sitting on a double axle . . .  I don’t know where you're at, but when I was shopping for one a few years ago, I found that northern Indian was BY FAR the cheapest area to buy a trailer.  There are a couple REAL factory outlets there and I was able to haggle a little bit as well. It’s roughly a 2 ½ hour drive for me, so it wasn’t bad, but the cost savings would have made the drive worth it even if it was an overnight trip

I am only looking for a double axle.  There are great deals in Indiana, Georgia, FL, PA, and Texas.  The trouble is that I am in MA and it's another $1000 whether shipped or I drive to pick it up.  That "getting it here" extra cost quickly wipes out any savings or bargains you get by shopping there, that distance also makes me concerned about any possible warranty work.  A few people mentioned the used market, that is very slim here in NE for the 7x14 double axle trailers.

As for those who suggested that I make an offer, that is a given, I just want to be educated enough to make a proper offer, not a lowball one (quick way to get them to stop taking you seriously)  or one too high.  I was hoping someone knew the general markup in this field so I could make that educated offer.

[Mr Steve]

Somewhat of trailer "junkie" as I have owned probably 10 in the last 10 years. Mostly open trailers of various sizes, for various uses, but I have owned 2 enclosed; just recently sold my 6x12 and bought a 8.5x16. It has almost gotten to the point of intervention! When we go past trailer(s) for sale, my wife tells me I can't even look  

Here are my experiences:

- Sold my 6x12 so I could go bigger to haul a trike and 2 other motorcycles. We usually ride (*insert disclaimer here, so as not to have people think we trailer our bikes like a bunch of girlies   ), but like to have the convenience of trailering, if needed, mostly because of cold, etc.

When shopping for a new trailer, I was in the market for a 7x16 or 8x16. I found out quickly that the prices were getting up there. I was told by all dealers I interacted with that parts costs have gone through the roof lately (2 months ago). Axles, wheels/tires have all doubled. Steel prices 25%. Back when I purchased my 6x12, I went with John's Trailer Sales out of Toledo, Ohio... he was at least $750 below everyone on everything; not this time. Prices were the same as everyone else. Seemed that northern Indiana (is/was the trailer/RV capital of the US) wasn't offering the good "factory direct" prices anymore either.

- The used market is alive and well and there are bargains to be had. You will have to be willing to travel a bit for a good deal. I was lucky to find one about 60 miles from home for a good price. It is an 8.5 x 16 and has all the bells and whistles (rivet-less, ramp rear, ramp side, man door, dovetail, etrack, wired for AC, etc)... it would run over $7500 new. It was only about 4 years old and is in impeccable condition. I got it for much less than that. It helped that the seller used to own a Valkyrie, I used that to my advantage as he had other offers that were just a tad higher than mine (from people much further away).

I guess the reason that I am telling you this is, with patience and a willingness to travel a bit, you can find real nice used stuff at fire sale prices.

-  Steel vs. aluminum? I don't think the aluminum supports it higher cost (much higher I think). The 6x12 I had for about 7 years, was stored outdoors. Never had any problems with corrosion. Mind you, you are going to get surface rust underneath, but nothing major. If I planned to keep it any longer I was going to POR 15 the underside and the hitch area (minor surface rust). As said previously, aluminum isn't all that much lighter.

- Go bigger than you think you will need. Maybe that's why I have had 10 trailers - didn't take my own advice. I mostly have traded up, sell the last smaller one, throw in a little extra $ and move up to a bigger one. You can avoid this by thinking bigger is better (within reason, of course). I now have the big enclosed and a 6x10 flat bed for mowers and such.

- To answer your original question - everything is negotiable, even new stuff... make them an offer, the worst they can say is "no". Used is much easier to haggle.

A number of people have said to go a little bigger than you think you need.  I think I need 7x12, so I guess it is 7x14.  A buddy has a 7x16, that I know is too big for my needs.   The trailers I am looking at (7x14 double axle vnose, rear ramp, side door, 3/4 pressure treated floors, and 3/8 walls in this area SRP at $4595 - $5000 before mods (etrack/elect/etc)).  I'd guess the more mods done the more haggle room, but I was wondering what might be built right into the base trailer.

[ptgb]

A number of people have said to go a little bigger than you think you need.  I think I need 7x12, so I guess it is 7x14.  A buddy has a 7x16, that I know is too big for my needs.   The trailers I am looking at (7x14 double axle vnose, rear ramp, side door, 3/4 pressure treated floors, and 3/8 walls in this area SRP at $4595 - $5000 before mods (etrack/elect/etc)).  I'd guess the more mods done the more haggle room, but I was wondering what might be built right into the base trailer.

Your going to find many more 7x16's than you will 7x14's... can't say why... that is just my experience when I was looking for them. Really, what difference is 2 feet?

In situations like this www.searchtempest.com is your friend. Just in one minute, using your zip code i found this one:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/2453894920.html

Might not be exactly what you are looking for, but use general terms like "enclosed trailer" and you will get tons of trailers to look at... even within 100 miles of you.

That is exactly how I found mine.

As far as your requirements in a trailer, that is all pretty much standard in the trailer world... ramp doors and double axles are a dime-a-dozen on the used trailer market... again with patience, you will find it... cheap too! 

I have also found that barring a situation like I had, finding a decked out trailer for a good price... I have always added accessories (tie-downs, etrack, etc.) as i could afford to do it. Get that kind of stuff from eBay for big savings.

[czuch]

I didnt trailer this far, not to ride.
I have an open car trailer. I love it.
We strapped a cab-over camper to it  and went full redneck to Colorado one year.

[R J]

I have this trailer in the open 1 bike version.    ALL AIR ride.   floor lowers to the ground, ride on, get off and tie it down.   Raise floor and off ya go.

Expensive, but I haven't bought a new trailer in over 5 years now.    It used to be a new one every other year.  Even tried the Aluminum ones and I think I broke from vibration, every damn piece in it.

http://www.adventuresportsproducts.com/

Click on 'products', then 'hauling trailers in action'.

I love this trailer, just wish I'd of bought the 2 bike version.   Then I could haul mu riding lawn mower out to the shop for service, you know, oil changes, blade sharpening, leveling of the mower Deck and etc.   Now I have to do it on the floor instead of on the hoist.

[Grumpy]

Bargains can be found, bought this a couple weeks ago, 7 X 18 v-nose with 8 inches extra height. Ceiling is almost 7 foot.  Rated to haul 5,200 cargo cap.  With the v-nose gives me 20 foot from the center to the rear door. Has rear ramp door rated at 2000 lbs.  Brand new 2011 Pace American from a Florida dealer, backed with a 5 year warranty from Pace. I spent another $400 and added a heavy duty vinyl diamond pattern floor, also 12 tie downs. Large enough for 3 full dressers, and I still have room in the front to add all the necessity's for a toy hauler. Paid $4200 for the trailer. I have got most of the stuff for the conversion now, Coleman roof air, 3 way fridge. It will be self contained when finished.

[Rams]

While I don't or won't condemn your choice of an enclosed trailer, I personally don't care for them.   I make additional spending money transporting vehicle and cargo around the country.  I used to have an enclosed gooseneck trailer (one car size) and a custom built two car dove tail open gooseneck.  I sold the enclosed trailer because it was not cost effective.  It simply costs more to push all that air and most of my clients didn't want to pay additional $$$ but wanted the security and protection of the enclosed trailer.  I honestly didn't lose much business.

I now only use my open trailer and it's made me a quite a bit of spending cash.

As for your intended use, here's what I did.  It looked kind of silly transporting my Valk on a thirty-foot gooseneck for whatever reason.  I went out and bought a tandem axle used boat trailer, cut it up and then used the materials to build a 5 X 12 foot open trailer.  All steel, tandem axle and it pulls and transports the load like a dream.  Doesn't catch all that wind and my truck, my wife's jeep and anything else that pulls it barely knows it's back there.  Total cost (not counting my labor) is under $725.  The single largest cost was the tread plate steel floor.  Man that was high!

[Mr Steve]

A number of people have said to go a little bigger than you think you need.  I think I need 7x12, so I guess it is 7x14.  A buddy has a 7x16, that I know is too big for my needs.   The trailers I am looking at (7x14 double axle vnose, rear ramp, side door, 3/4 pressure treated floors, and 3/8 walls in this area SRP at $4595 - $5000 before mods (etrack/elect/etc)).  I'd guess the more mods done the more haggle room, but I was wondering what might be built right into the base trailer.

Your going to find many more 7x16's than you will 7x14's... can't say why... that is just my experience when I was looking for them. Really, what difference is 2 feet?

In situations like this www.searchtempest.com is your friend. Just in one minute, using your zip code i found this one:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/2453894920.html

Might not be exactly what you are looking for, but use general terms like "enclosed trailer" and you will get tons of trailers to look at... even within 100 miles of you.

That is exactly how I found mine.

As far as your requirements in a trailer, that is all pretty much standard in the trailer world... ramp doors and double axles are a dime-a-dozen on the used trailer market... again with patience, you will find it... cheap too! 

I have also found that barring a situation like I had, finding a decked out trailer for a good price... I have always added accessories (tie-downs, etrack, etc.) as i could afford to do it. Get that kind of stuff from eBay for big savings.

I've noticed a lot more 8x16 than 7x14.  My guess is that people who buy 7x14 hold onto them and those who buy 8x16 eventually feel it's a couple feet too big and sell it.    The extra 2 feet is 2 feet too much for me.

I have been using search tempest, saw that trailer, but it's old, beat, and has someone's insignia painted all over it.   I saw a used pro-lite via search tempest that I liked, but apparently pro-lite went out of business.  The rest of the used ones in the area, well, they are priced close to new unless they are very old and well-used.  Besides, the big benefit of new over old is warranty.

As I researched I found that there are a lot of schlock trailers out there.  There are a few places in GA pushing out cheap, nice looking,  but questionable quality trailers.    I almost got hooked by them a couple of times.  Now I'm mainly looking only for well known brands and mainly new, though I will consider a decked out late model brand name.  Unfortunately I cannot find any info about the built in markup in new trailers and it doesn't appear that anybody here knows either.  I'll try lowballing a few places by a grand and see what kind of response I get.

[Mr Steve]

Bargains can be found, bought this a couple weeks ago, 7 X 18 v-nose with 8 inches extra height. Ceiling is almost 7 foot.  Rated to haul 5,200 cargo cap.  With the v-nose gives me 20 foot from the center to the rear door. Has rear ramp door rated at 2000 lbs.  Brand new 2011 Pace American from a Florida dealer, backed with a 5 year warranty from Pace. I spent another $400 and added a heavy duty vinyl diamond pattern floor, also 12 tie downs. Large enough for 3 full dressers, and I still have room in the front to add all the necessity's for a toy hauler. Paid $4200 for the trailer. I have got most of the stuff for the conversion now, Coleman roof air, 3 way fridge. It will be self contained when finished.

That's a nice trailer, shrink it by two feet and you have what I am seeking, although I am now dancing with the idea of a ramp in the v as well as a rear ramp and side door.  I know exactly what is going to happen, I'm going to finally end up with something way outside my original $5k budget.  It's one of those "the more you learn, the more you want" things, besides, it is what I always do and also why I have the valk...it's not the bike I started out shopping for either...

[Paxton]

Try these... 

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcd/2454651984.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/2454421611.html

http://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/2453894920.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/2449918116.html

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/2441573844.html

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/mcy/2453890631.html

[MP]

If you like a ramp in the vee too, be sure to check out snowmobile trailers.  Most of them also run smaller tires, so they are low to the ground, easier to load.  Not so good if you take the trailer off road much.

I like the idea of converting a tandem axle boat trailer.  Nice if want open trailer.

MP

[Rams]

If you like a ramp in the vee too, be sure to check out snowmobile trailers.  Most of them also run smaller tires, so they are low to the ground, easier to load.  Not so good if you take the trailer off road much.

I like the idea of converting a tandem axle boat trailer.  Nice if want open trailer.

MP

Works for me just fine.  I use it for other things also.  Just don't want or need an enclosed trailer, causes the tow vehicle to use a lot more fuel, hard to see around and not as useful in my opinion.  But, you can keep your bike or cargo dry in one if that's the goal.

[ptgb]

I'm looking to buy a 7x12 or 7x14 enclosed trailer...  

Might be a logistical impossibility, but I found this 7x14 in a local Auto Trader edition. This place is out of western Wisconsin, but they were advertising this one for $4295.... decked out really good at the price they are asking... that saw-weet two-color combo is free this month.

Only problem is they are in Wisconsin, they do ship nationwide though, might come in close to your budget numbers.

http://www.beckercustomtrailers.com/trailers/motorcycle/7-x-14-motorcycle-trailer-0

[Sjlbwig]

First post
This has worked well for me. Pace 14ft 3500lb max loaded
Heading to yellowstone and parts west June 23.