Business Plan/ Mentor Needed

Here's what a Utility dealer told me a couple of years ago when I was looking to trade or sell my 2006 Utility. He says, "I can give you something for your Utility, or if you had one a Great Dane, or a Stoughton. Those 3 trailers are quality built and hold their value well. They will always bring better prices on resale. If you come in here with a Wabash, Hyundai, Vangaurd, etc I won't give you much for those units."

So take that for what it's worth. This was a guy that had been selling new and used equipment for 30 years. And I can say from pulling Utility, Danes, Wabash, and Dorsey no doubt in my mind the best built take the most abuse are Utility and Dane. And comparing my new Dane to a buddy's new Hyundai you can tell a difference. He even wishes he had opted for a Utility or Dane.

 

Hope that doesn't have to big a price tag.

 

Just make sure you know what repair costs are involved before buying something like that. It may sound reasonably priced until you get a 5-10k repair bill.

 

Check tires very carefully for improper wear..bring a tread depth gauge. Check shocks for leaks or looseness...listen for air leaks make sure all lights function properly. Check air bags bottom of them there is a metal plate that eventually rusts and bag needs replaced. Go inside it close the doors look for holes where sunlight enters. That will ruin your day with a paper load and it gets wet. Check brakes and drums for rust and pad thickness - measure pads at the ends the skinny part make sure they also are wearing evenly. Check front of it for any damage as this is where forklifts can poke holes through the easiest.

 

Do you have to check all that? No. Should you? Probably a good idea. Do you have any interest in a used reefer?