Car hauler

[jeff_gates]

I have a neighbor that wants to sell his 16' car hauler for $1700. The tires and wheels have about a year left and some rust, the decking is wood and is about a year old. The wife is worried that we will use it once or twice but I want to do more trail driving. how do I convince her that we should get it vs renting a U-haul hauler?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[hankjr]

uhaul is a crap shoot IMHO. at least with your own, you know the exact condition of it, the tires, brakes, lighting etc.

once you have the trailer, its easier to upgrade as necessary or get a bigger trailer.

Hank

 

[okie4570]

Used trailer prices are crazy right now. Like said above unless it's total junk or an extremely old homemade trailer, it's probably a good deal.

 

[Jeff10]

Hi Jeff,

Having learned from personal experience (several times), I would do the following as a minimum:

1. Thoroughly check all wire runs and terminations.
2. Check the battery for brake back-up/emergency power and disconnect switch and replace if necessary.
3. Check all lights.
4. Check the brakes and replace if worn, rusty, and/or greasy from bearing lubrication.
5. Check all bearings and replace if worn. Replace all seals.
6. Make sure the tires hold the correct air pressure.
7. Carry spares:
- Bearings and Seals (at least enough for one axle)
- Spare Tire (or two)
- Trailer Jack

When considering the price of the trailer you might want to factor these things into the price.

Just my opinion based on experience. It really is a disappointment to have trailer problems on the road.

Jeff

 

[ManTruck]

If it has brakes on both axles and is not junk $1700 is a very attractive price. You should do it especially if you have room to store it while not using it.

 

[gnpenning]

What is the deck width of the trailer? Make sure you can fit what you plan to haul on it.

Used pricing is crazy in my area as well. That has the potential to be a great price for my area.

Not sure what your use is. The u-haul around here is a pretty hit or miss to have a trailer available when you need it. Short notice or emergency use would be very risky. Having your own and maintaining it you will always know what you have and available when you need it. Just don't block it in with snow.

Be careful of the tires you put on it, most new tires don't hold up very well.

 

[Tugross302]

I just rented a uhaul trailer to go to SC in April. I called 10 days in advance to reserve one and they had to find me one. I kept it 10 days total. It cost me $667. I have a perfectly good 16’ trailer of my own but for some reason the brakes won’t work on it when it’s hooked to my Tahoe. They work fine when hooked to my work truck. But I didn’t want to take my work truck. Therefore I rented one with surge brakes. I’m just letting you know how expensive it is to rent one. Also I did the same thing last October but for a shorter time. I think that one was over $400

 

[Remos69]

I looked at renting a uhaul from Southwest Florida to go to super celebration and then to my fishing camp for a total of 20 days. It was close to 1,500 dollars for the near 3 weeks I needed it. I went ahead and purchased a 3yo aluminum 20ft open trailer for $5000. If I use it over the next two years to do the same it will pay for itself. Hauled it over 2500 miles in 3 weeks. If I need to sell it I can probably get close to what I paid for it. I now own 3 trailers, a car hauler, 5*12 lawn trailer and a kayak trailer. Better than before I moved!!!! I had 5 trailers!!!!! Every used trailer I have ever purchased, I replaced the tires and repacked the bearings within a week of purchase, all but the last was a wise move..... The car hauler was a creampuff.

 

[sprdv1]

Used trailer prices are crazy right now. Like said above unless it's total junk or an extremely old homemade trailer, it's probably a good deal.

Would concur as well...

inflation is real these days

 

[FordBronc]

Tell the wife the reason you want and need it is....
1. U haul does not have them guaranteed 100% availability.
2. You always have to rent it/make reservations/hope they have one available, go get it and get it RETURNED on a set schedule. Why let U haul control your Bronco Hauling trail riding schedule?

That one sounds like a good price if the trailer has a # (like a vin) and it matches the paper title or how ever you do it in your state. Remember the addition to your personal property tax $ and annual tags or get life time tags. $

What is the width between fender wells" 82" or 83" Does your rig fit with current tires? No matter you can build wood or metal inner (inside and in between) fender inner ramps/supports so you can drive half on the fenders and half on the added on supports. Make sense?

Does it have at least one elec axle brake? 2300 or 3500 lb axles? 5 or 6 lug axles? Bearing buddies? Take a 4" level and check the axle tubes for being bent/overloaded. Does it come with a spare tire/rim?

2" bull dog hitch is the best. Ck the jack leg, does it have ramps and a lockable place to store them? If the wood it good then go for it, when the wood goes bad you can replace with 3/16 tread plate steel. If you tread right it right, you can make the center removable to have a work place.

 

[FordBronc]

More reasons to get a trailer...haul what you what, when you want, where you want. Stay as long as you want. If it broke on the trail, winch it on the trailer and leave it on until you get it fixed or have to haul it to a place to fix it, its already loaded.

Haul brush, put on head board, side boards and a butt board and haul gravel, dirt, sand, rocks. Fire wood. Lumber that new deck you are going to build the wife.

Side business opportunity haul stuff local. Craigslist (truck & trailer) haul gigs.

Now keep in mind you can have way more Bronco than trailer. See the over loaded one that is in a U shaped from being over loaded in its past life? What my son in law HATES to borrow from his cousin. So far only a one time deal, since I have a big trailer.

 

[bamabaja]

Good info from these guys. What is rear of trailer ? Dovetail or straight ? Makes difference in weight of ramps, angle, vehicles u can carry, etc What type of ramps, gate etc ? If it meets ur needs, buy it. Then do ur mods. I put on old tool box, mounted interior winch, lights facing trailer deck, lights in deck floor where I tie down, switch plate for lights, USB outlet and 12V outlet for spotlight. I need to add rear jacks to stabilize rear when loading. Never get done !Thats the fun !

 

[jeff_gates]

The ramps tuck in under the deck from the back. The Bronco does fit, and it has a good size tool box.

Thanks.

--Jeff

 

[knack]

I have a neighbor that wants to sell his 16' car hauler for $1700. The tires and wheels have about a year left and some rust, the decking is wood and is about a year old. The wife is worried that we will use it once or twice but I want to do more trail driving. how do I convince her that we should get it vs renting a U-haul hauler?

Thanks,
Jeff

When you have that trailer sitting at home, I'll bet your wife will find all sorts of things to haul with it. You won't believe the projects you can find yourself involved in when you have a big trailer - and the friends you'll suddenly have.

Also, whenever you have leftover sealers, varnish, etc. Slosh it on that trailer deck. It will stay solid for years.

 

[sprdv1]

When you have that trailer sitting at home, I'll bet your wife will find all sorts of things to haul with it. You won't believe the projects you can find yourself involved in when you have a big trailer - and the friends you'll suddenly have.

Also, whenever you have leftover sealers, varnish, etc. Slosh it on that trailer deck. It will stay solid for years.

LOL, good point..

 

[Jakedog]

Just put your big boy pants on and tell her you're buying the trailer. Don't be afraid of her. If she does get mad, please don't tell her I gave you this idea.

 

[svastano]

LOL!!! That was good!

Just put your big boy pants on and tell her you're buying the trailer. Don't be afraid of her. If she does get mad, please don't tell her I gave you this idea.

 

[El Kabong]

When you have that trailer sitting at home, I'll bet your wife will find all sorts of things to haul with it. You won't believe the projects you can find yourself involved in when you have a big trailer - and the friends you'll suddenly have.

Also, whenever you have leftover sealers, varnish, etc. Slosh it on that trailer deck. It will stay solid for years.

I have wanted a trailer for years. I finally got a 16 footer & love having it. I added a winch & that has greatly improved its usefulness. It has sides, which makes it awkward for car hauling duties, but great for taking a load to the dump. I may modify the driver's side so there is easier access thru a driver's door. My 90 FSB on 35x12.50 15s fits, but just barely. The EB fits easily. My wife was always opposed, but since its arrival she continues to find uses for it.

The most unusual was during a wildfire awhile back. Wildlife Waystation (a local wild animal rescue) put out a call for help evacuating their animals. They take care of injured wild animals & exotic animals that thru whatever means ended up here. Somehow my wife found out & insisted we help. We took the fullsize Bronco with the trailer in tow & drove up into the area. It was like pulling teeth to get past the various checkpoints, but we eventually got to the waystation.

The surrounding hills were on fire when we got there & I was keeping an eye on our escape route. There was a fire official onsite making sure no one stayed too long. They were sending vehicles down into a little valley one at a time to load up as others pulled out. Lots of volunteers with vehicles, but only so many experienced workers to load them up. We were next in line to pick up some chimpanzees. I saw a truck pull out with a bear in a cage. They'd been trying to get him moved all day, but apparently bear cages are hard to come by.

Then water dropping helicopters came over the ridge & doused those surrounding hills. The waystation was saved. The evacuation was called off & we went home without hauling any critters. My wife really got a kick out of the whole adventure. She enjoys telling the story of our crazy monkee rescue mission. The trailer is higher on her list. And she keeps finding animal evacuations that we almost are needed for. I think there's a horse trailer in our future. ;D

It's been really nice to have. As expected I've hauled several vehicles, including one recent trip for a stranded friend who lost a timing belt, loads to the dump (I work in construction), moved large appliances & furniture, but never had a clue as to where my wife would see its use. More than one Bronco has "followed me home" on it. It's a lot lower than a pickup bed, so loading big stuff is easier. I'd encourage you to get it. Even if you find it not worthwhile, I'd bet you'd easily get your money out of it.