What To Look For In A Used Trailer

Are you looking for a dry van?

 

Are you hauling heavy products? The name sounds like it.Anyway in no particular order,landing gear works smooth(not stripped gear) , tiresgood,matching with good tread,no leaky wheel seals,no rust on wheels,all lugs there. No air leaks(holds 100 psi). Brakes work correctly,nopulling or locking up,all lights work,floor structurally sound,no gaps in doors and close tight,secure. No leaky roofs. Basically a trailer that doesn't get you pulled into the weigh station. Would prefer close to new(air ride). Or you can lease them for approximately $30 a day + 5¢ mile or so.JMO

 

You have no trucks now? Or are you adding to an existing fleet? It is far easier
and cheaper to hire a truck than it is to own one. If you already have trucks than
adding one is not a big deal. If this your first truck you might consider getting an
established company to dedicate a truck to your business. They should have
all the permits, insurances, etc required to run a truck.

If you have your own truck than leasing a trailer is definitely a good idea. They
do the maintenance, you have a fixed cost every month, etc.

 

You could also get a stepdeck or flatbed with a sliding tarp system or Conestoga. These optons would give you the ability to side load your product.

 

It should at a minimum have tires.

 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...er-to-independent-thread.265975/#post-4313104

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...advice-on-buying-dry-van.187063/#post-2762616

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/buying-my-own-trailer.225595/

 

Anything bent, broken or damaged. Tires should have no abnormal wear patterns. No leaks. No wiring and hose hanging down or damaged. No obvious cracks or extreme corrosion on the frame. On a van you'll want to make sure all the rivets on the exterior walls are there and not loose/falling out.

 

Hiring a truck is the best way. You also are willing to take on the added liability of running a truck? Think accident and lawsuit.

But, if you are going to do it anyhow, hire a mechanic to look it over since you do not know what to look for.