I have a 99 Wilson curtainside trailer that I still owe about $4000 on and have put around 12 grand into it Replacing the curtain's, Valences, Air bags and other miscellaneous repairs. It needs new doors and new pillars in the back.. The estimate came up to about $6300 . Including the purchase price I'm into the trailer 22k already. The company I'm leased onto gives me an extra 10% for having a trailer so I can make any money I spend back by keeping the trailer. At this point I have made over the 22k by having the trailer. here is my conundrum. Do I continue putting money into this trailer or do I put that money towards buying a new trailer?
How much is a new one? There’s really no right or wrong answer. If you don’t mind the maintenance on an older piece of equipment go that route. If you don’t mind making payments on a new one go that route.
I guess it would depend on the shape of the rest of the trailer. If the air tanks and lines, wiring, brakes and tires are in decent shape it would be worth fixing.
If the trailer is structurally sound, I would keep it. After all the repairs are done you will be good for a while.
Unless you're buying a brand new trailer, you're just going to be starting all over again with same repairs eventually. At least with your current trailer you know what's been done, what it's going to need and who did the work. Another used piece of equipment and it's all another history mystery.
Keep what you've got. Trailers are in short supply at the moment. Even if you can find one you'll pay dearly for it. Wabash has an 18 month waiting list for new trailers.
For as old as the trailer is it's in decent condition structurally. Typical rust but not To the point where it is affecting the structure of the trailer. The electrical is in pretty good Condition because I upgraded all the lights to LED.Is the worst part of the trailer is the aluminum floor in the middle between the frame rails. There are a couple holes that I had to cover with steel plate and from what I have heard from some manufacturers they do not make this type of decking I have in my trailer anymore so I can't replace it. That is the main reason why I am having a hard time justifying putting more is putting more money into this trailer.
I guess it would be worth while to look at truck paper and see what some of the newer used units are going for.
