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What is an old trailer worth to the average guy?


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I have a well worn 2000 Haulmark 24-foot closed trailer.  Because of my age I've decided not to pull it long distances anymore.  That might be a mistake, but I am 83  years old, and many friends think I shouldn't pull it up I-95 and around Washington and Baltimore anymore, from Florida.  I think I can, but my wife can't drive the the Suburban with the trailer.  Maybe I should give in to her.  It has new new tires with one trip and kept covered all the time.  The suspension is only few years old, featuring slip springs instead of the original torque axles.  When they rubber got old on the torque axles I was blowing out tires one after the other.  The local trailer build/rebuilding company told me the torque springs were worn out.  So he installed "slip springs" which keep the trailer low and no more blown tires.  The trailer needs paint as 22 years outside parking has really taken a toll on the white paint.  I have level bars and an anti-sway bar, and also a heavy duty hitch.  The trailer also has a driver-side second entry door.  Anybody have an idea what I should ask?  I'm open at the moment.  She is still serviceable with good brakes and lights.  Dynaflash8 Sebring, FL (suzybelle39baby@gmail.com)

Edited by Dynaflash8 (see edit history)
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Does it have the 7500 pound axles and 16 inch wheels? I think that makes a big difference for a 24 footer.

 

We have a very heavy 20 footer, built in 1994, with the heavy duty axles and wheels. It’s so old school it belongs in the AACA museum.

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11 hours ago, alsancle said:

Does it have the 7500 pound axles and 16 inch wheels? I think that makes a big difference for a 24 footer.

 

We have a very heavy 20 footer, built in 1994, with the heavy duty axles and wheels. It’s so old school it belongs in the AACA museum.

No, still has 15 inch wheels.  I think it does have 7500 pound axles though, but not sure anymore.

 

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Earl,

 

Your (now sold) trailer had a pair of 3,500 lb axles for a combined gross rating of 7,000 lbs

 

You surely got your use out of it - congratulations on your many years showing and touring

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15 hours ago, Marty Roth said:

Earl,

 

Your (now sold) trailer had a pair of 3,500 lb axles for a combined gross rating of 7,000 lbs

 

You surely got your use out of it - congratulations on your many years showing and touring

Marty,

That old trailer had well over 100,000 miles, with newer axles and springs.It probably means this is my last Sentimental Tour with our '39 Buick in attendance.  The trailer body was really getting shaky too.  I would have attempted to pull it to Gettysburg this year, but everybody warned me against it, and Judy was really against it.  Of course, Judy would have supported any decision I made.  One problem is, she doesn't drive the Suburban with the trailer.  It's important to note I'll be 84 a month after the tour.  It was REALLY a hard decision to make.  We're going to take another load of Buick parts to Hershey in October with the Suburban and then we'll sell that too.  I don't think I can afford to pay to have my GNSenior '39 Buick hauled someplace and then hauled back, more than once.  My car is supposed to be on the plaque, so it would be embarrassing to ride with somebody else this time.  Doug & Ronnie Seybold offered us a ride in their '40 Buick, but I think that has to be the next time if we're still living at 85 and 84.  Maybe somebody in Florida or South Georgia will do the 2024 Sentimental Tour, but both places are long drives on I-95, I-75 or I-10.  The guy who is hauling it is a longtime AACA member.  In over sixty years membership I've never run across many, if any, bad people in AACA.  I remember one restorer guy long ago who was kicked out, well before I was on the Board.

Thanks for the kind words Marty. 

Edited by Dynaflash8 (see edit history)
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Earl,

 

You, and Judy are always welcome to share our ride.

It would be hard to imagine you two not being on tour,

or dancing to the band - especially when they play "Sentimental Journey".

Founders Western PA 2010 1937 Buick 088.jpg

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On 4/12/2022 at 6:43 PM, Dynaflash8 said:

Anybody have an idea what I should ask?

A lot of times people ask about buying and selling prices here but no one ever really tells how much they pay or get so it's a hard thing to figure out.

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What is wrong with someone telling the price an item sold for, especially if they took the time to ask a group how much the group thought it was worth because they didn't know? Then everyone knows how the market is doing.

 

Obviously not easy. I see it all the time on here and elsewhere throughout the hobby. Tradition of secrets I guess.

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18 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

A lot of times people ask about buying and selling prices here but no one ever really tells how much they pay or get so it's a hard thing to figure out.

I let a local handyman have it for $2500 with hitch, load bars or sway bar.   Think any at Hershey would want those things?

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20 minutes ago, alsancle said:

 

I was thinking 2-3k so that seems like a fair deal all around.

 

20 minutes ago, alsancle said:

 

I was thinking 2-3k so that seems like a fair deal all around.

It's early alsancle.  I sold it WITHOUT the hitch and stuff.

 

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Thank you for posting the selling price. Seems like so many things in the hobby have one wondering "How much is that?" and price never gets divulged.

 

That kind of money would have made it a nice storage unit for my lawn stuff and overflow. My lot is fairly good sized but living in the village would have got me in trouble for sure.

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  • 2 months later...
On 4/24/2022 at 7:18 AM, Dynaflash8 said:

I let a local handyman have it for $2500 with hitch, load bars or sway bar.   Think any at Hershey would want those things?

    I would say you did very well on that old trailer.   I think the buyer did too.   Best deal when everyone is happy.

    I'm still towing our 2002 aluminum Aluma car trailer,   Still love it.

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On 4/24/2022 at 7:18 AM, Dynaflash8 said:

I let a local handyman have it for $2500 with hitch, load bars or sway bar.   Think any at Hershey would want those things?

DUH, HE DIDN'T GET THE HITCH LOAD BARS OR NO-SWAY BAR, BUT HE DID GET THE BALLS ON THE TRAILER FOR THOSE.  I THINK SOMEBODY COULD GUY THOSE PIECES AT A  TRAILER SHOP.

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Even for a well used enclosed trailer that sounds cheap. They are a lot more than that up here. Last cheap one I looked at near me was $7500.00 and it sold almost at once. And a rather rough old thing at that.

Reasonably new, decent condition ones are usually at or close to the 20 G mark.

 

 

Edited by 1912Staver (see edit history)
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On 4/13/2022 at 5:29 AM, alsancle said:

here are a bunch of haulmarks that have sold at auction:

 

https://www.utilitytrailerstoday.com/listings/auction-results/haulmark/cargo-slash-enclosed-trailers/612

 

Didn't see one just like yours,  but you can get an idea.

 

Unbelivable how cheap some of those trailers sold for. Those $400.00 sales would be $3500.00 + all day long around here. { and sold in the first hour they were offered }  Mind you many seem to be 2500 - 3500 miles away and probably not capable of making the trip home even empty.

 Been looking for about 4 years now, the cheapest I have ever seen was a rough to start with and seriously crash damaged one for just under $3000.00. Sold within an hour of going up on CL.

 Specifically looking for a 16 Ft. enclosed for my Lola race car. In decent condition they are all $12,000 - $20,000. { even 10 years or more old.

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A good deal on a "quality" used trailer would be about half the price of a new one.  Just be careful to inspect when you buy.  I recently saw an enclosed car trailer made in GA that made only one trip from GA to OR and it didn't hold up well at all.  Floor supports were bent (maybe overloaded) and the floor itself was only 3/4" particle board that flexed just from walking on it.  Top was flat and would not hold up to snow loads.

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  • 1 year later...

Earl when we moved from Florida to Texas 15 years ago I sold my enclosed 20 ft Haulmark with well over 100,000 miles to a local lawn guy for $1500 so I think you did OK.  Lets face it at our age (I'm 84) it's more important to get rid of sh--!!  I lost two friends younger that me in the past month.

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  • 4 weeks later...

An old thread, to be sure.

That said, I just dumped a ton of money ($5,000+) into a trailer built in 1986. New fenders, brakes, wiring, door hinges, weatherstripping, tires, drip edges, spring shackles, tie-down D-hooks, lights, breakaway brake switch/cable .... Was it worth it? In my opinion, yes. It's built like the proverbial brick s--t house, and pulls so easily. Very narrow, which makes it easy to see around in mirrors, and a long roof taper.... both giving it a smooth slipstream behind the Avalanche 2500.  Not only were the cost of repairs a tiny fraction of the cost of a new trailer, in my opinion, it's better than a new trailer. May not be fancy, but I don't need fancy.

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I spent 5 hours (including getting my power washer to actually work) cleaning ours.   My dad had it custom built in the early 90s for his Mercedes.  Heavy duty wheels and axles but only 20 feet which is a bit of a problem for the bigger prewar cars.

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On 8/7/2024 at 11:21 AM, alsancle said:

...but only 20 feet which is a bit of a problem for the bigger prewar cars.

At least it has what appears to be a front 'escape door' for tie-down access.

 

On 8/7/2024 at 10:43 AM, West Peterson said:

May not be fancy, but I don't need fancy.

Hmmmm, I don't have an oriental rug in my trailer!  :P

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On 8/7/2024 at 10:43 AM, West Peterson said:

in my opinion, it's better than a new trailer. May not be fancy, but I don't need fancy.

A number of times a refurbished trailer can be better than when it was new. Skill in seeing what is there that has value is real important anytime you are buying a used trailer. I bought an 18’ steel car hauler with ramps and winch for $3500. Dual 7500 axles with brakes on each axle. 

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13 hours ago, Turbinator said:

A number of times a refurbished trailer can be better than when it was new. Skill in seeing what is there that has value is real important anytime you are buying a used trailer. 

 

Agreed. We've had the trailer since it was almost new, so I know its qualities. That's why I'd rather fix it than replace it.

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44 minutes ago, West Peterson said:

 

Agreed. We've had the trailer since it was almost new, so I know its qualities. That's why I'd rather fix it than replace it.

There’s just something about a trailer you’re familiar with. Once you’ve found one you like, stick with it. Much better to know what improvements you’ve done yourself than gambling on cheaply built models available now. I’ve got a car trailer I customized for multiple uses I’ll never give up till I can’t use it anymore 

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Gents, Ive had the opportunity to get pointers from gents before me with a lot more experience than me pulling a trailer. Im talking about HD pick up with car hauler, 28ft RV trailer, utility trailer are not all that big, BUT they are to be pulled with caution and safety in mind. I do mind going to fast that I cannot handle an emergency. Id bet all that read this will know we did not get this old by being unsafe drivers. When I see a heavy duty diesel pick up pulling a goose neck RV 35 ft plus on the interstate going way too fast I just wonder.

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2 hours ago, West Peterson said:

That's why I'd rather fix it than replace it.

West, could very well be our parents could have been depression era children that learned how to repair things they needed to live their life. I get made mad when parts are not available I look to have the part rebuilt or even made. Throw away society is not for me. I marvel at real mechanics that fix parts. It amazes me how so many of the members know about science and  how it affects our vehicles and the parts that make it go. Heat, cold, humidity, altitude, rain, snow and all the  rest folks pay no attention. A mechanic told me he has customers that dont know how to raise their hood.

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On 7/22/2022 at 11:57 AM, 1912Staver said:

Been looking for about 4 years now, the cheapest I have ever seen was a rough

1912, Quiz your friends that are older than you if they know anyone not needing their trailer. Sounds like common sense, but you’ll never know unless you ask. Im lucky as I have a friend that is a buyer and seller of antique and vintage power equipment. He comes across a lot useful items I buy.

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I am afraid they are still as hard to find as ever in my area. I am in Canada so it is quite a bit different market for trailers than in the U.S. $8,500.00 seems about rock bottom for a second hand , tandem, enclosed car trailer. But the majority are at least 10 K - 13 K. Barely any cheaper than new. { Canadian $ } But like I always say, it is as hard for a Canadian to earn $100.00 CDN. as it is hard for a person in the U.S. to earn $100.00 U.S.D. The only time the exchange works in the buyers favor is when someone from the U.S. buys a made in U.S.A. trailer in Canada and takes it back home.

Edited by 1912Staver (see edit history)
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On 7/22/2022 at 8:57 AM, 1912Staver said:

Specifically looking for a 16 Ft. enclosed for my Lola race car. In decent condition they are all $12,000 - $20,000. { even 10 years or more old.

Greg, keep an eye on Ritchie Brothers Auctions in Chilliwack,  I bought my trailer there 5 years ago.  It was brand new, never registered.  They had a few at that particular auction, also some used ones, and they went for reasonable prices.  Close enough for you to go inspect before bidding.   Peter 

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9 hours ago, PFindlay said:

Greg, keep an eye on Ritchie Brothers

Sir, to avoid bottom line shock it would be helpful to track down all the fees Ritchie Bros charges. A friend of mine bought a UHaul STYLE car hauler at a good auction price. I can remember my friend being annoyed with the fees charged. Ritchie Bros are certainly entitled to a good fee for their service, but it could be viewed as excessive.

Turbinator

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On 7/13/2024 at 1:45 PM, Robert G. Smits said:

I lost two friends younger that me in the past month.

Robert, losses like that are always sad. I lost a number of pals to Viet Nam, domestic gun violence, drugs/alcohol abuse and car/ truck accidents. Most were not half our age. It happens.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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