Dry Van Floor Sag

This is why a lot of places that load heavy won't accept trailers over 10 years old.

I would guess that there are at least some stress fractures in the cross members, probably a broken bolt or two and I wouldn't rule out side wall damage either.

I'd say spending more than $2.50 is too much.

 

Did you just by chance, take a laser level and measure the sag?

It may be to a point that it is too much work and replace the trailer.

 

I would place the trailer out of service immediately and have it inspected by a certified trailer mechanic . The cost to inspect, repair and or replace will be a whole lot cheaper than having a catastrophic without warning collapse with a forklift and operator in it!

 

But what will you see when you open things up? If the floor is sagging, there is a problem. It could just be the floor boards, but I wouldn't bey on it.

Either way a new floor will cost about $6,000 in materials and $3,000 in labor. A 10 year old trailer sells for $8-10,000. I'm just spitballing numbers, so I could be way off, but even dropping $4,000 into a 20 year old trailer isn't going to ever pay off.

 

I would be looking at the Yellow/CFI trailers that are blowing out at the auctions.

Should be able to find a newer well speced one for a fair price.