Buying a Dry VAN HELP

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...post/265807-sale-2006-utility-53-dry-van.html

This is a dry van for sale by a fellow TTR member.

 

Desert trailer in Phoenix has good trailers. Just bought an '07 Vanguard. It's in great shape & no rust.

 

Hi Rich, I don't know, van trailers are a dime a dozen, especially if you can get away with a 48'. Someone not long ago here, got a good deal on a 53' for $2500. I've never had anyone ask how old a wagon is, ( and I've pulled some junk, especially the RR stuff) their main concern was if it was clean and dry and no holes in floor. Remember, most people couldn't tell you the difference between an old wagon and a not-so-old wagon. All wagons are pretty good, air ride will run you a little more, but if you go with spring ride, which some drivers prefer, make sure to check suspension( broken springs, track rods) and check the pin plate, as I've seen some beaters where the plate was actually sinking, and check the supports that are riveted to the bottom rail. ( no missing rivets or bent supports) If you can, get a roll-up door, (old freight hauler wagons) it saves a lot of time, especially in a multi stop deal.

 

99% of brokers don't care, but much of that 1% offers the best paying loads. Commodities you may not be allowed to load with a 10+ year old trailer:

paper
metal coils
chemical totes
auto parts

Additionally union docks, especially in the Northeast, have rules against older trailers.

I think generally the individual order spec matters more, though I don't have high regard for Hyundai and Vanguard.

Private party classifieds. These forums, craigslist, truckpaper, etc

Northern, CA you say -- I'll be selling mine in the spring for a new trailer...

 

I have 99 wabash. Strong trailer. And I receive a sticker this year. If you keep in good shape you can run any trailer. If I will buy another one. It will be brand new wabash. I will not but use one. It's my opinion .

 

If you want older strick vans are cheaper than newer and older wabash

 

Make me an offer on my '06 that's posted in TTR classifieds. Everything is negotiable. I won't get mad at you. Promise you won't find one in better shape. It's got minor bumps and scrapes but mechanically first rate. Still have a few minor issues I intend to correct before selling and will show receipts.

 

You are in California and you can not find flatbed loads? Quit trying to cross the country and look more locally, pound on doors. A friend of mine just landed 120 loads from Montana to Texas because he knocked on a door. These were not on any load boards. I very rarely leave the state of Montana and I am only 10 hours a week short of what I was doing in the summer.