Get FinancingTips For Buying A Used Semi-Trailer
If you find yourself in need of a trailer, buying used can save you a significant amount of money or get you a trailer that’s larger and/or more feature-packed than new trailers in your price range. That being said, there are a handful of things to consider before you pull the trigger on a pre-owned unit. We spoke with Albert Therrien, founder and CEO of Cleveland, Ohio,-based Transport Services, to get some deeper insight into the process of buying a used trailer. Therrien has 47 years of experience buying, selling, and renting new and used trailers, so as you might imagine, he has more than a few observations on the topic. The following tips and recommendations can help ensure your new (to you) trailer doesn’t slow you down.
Know Your Needs
The first step in buying a used semi-trailer is figuring out exactly what you need. It’s a good idea to find out if the truck is compatible with certain kinds of trailers or if there are any special considerations you need to keep in mind while conducting your search.
Budget
Another big part is determining your budget. Visit the Trailers section of TruckPaper.com to browse the trailer listings, paying particular attention to prices and ages of the trailers. From there you can start to build your short list of must-have features. There are features that many consider optional, but we want to caution you against automatically disregarding trailers that have pricey features. For instance, trailers equipped with air-ride suspension may cost more, but they’re generally more stable at speed and easier on tires over time. Spring suspension-equipped trailers may be less expensive to maintain and offer plenty of ride stability; however, this is dependent on the state of the trailer. If you plan to take jobs hauling freight from a third party, keep in mind that some require air-ride trailers.
Choose between five to ten trailers to compare and use these to determine how much you’re willing to spend for a unit that meets your preferred model year, feature and size requirements. Keep in mind that there’s a big difference between a lightly used or refurbished older trailer and a heavily used newer trailer, so examine the listing photos closely for clues that tell the whole story.
Length
Trailer length should be another primary consideration. If you’re replacing a trailer of a given length, did that trailer meet your needs, or would something a little longer be ideal? If you frequently left large portions of the trailer empty, you may benefit from downsizing to reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency as well as maneuverability.
Get To Know The Trailer
The next step is to begin narrowing down your options. This is the ideal time to reach out to the dealer or seller for specific information not covered by the listing description or photos. Inspecting the trailer in person is always the best option, but not always viable. If you can’t perform a personal inspection, start a dialog with the seller and get specific. Don’t be afraid to request additional photos, short video clips, or the service history.
Safety
Ensure your trailer has passed a recent safety inspection and been cleared for the road. If not, does the price reflect this? For every trailer you’re interested in, do your best to determine the state of the tires, including tread wear and wheel condition. Also, check or inquire about the brakes, electronics systems, lighting (brake lights, turn signals, running lights, etc.), and auxiliary electrical capabilities where available. Determine the status of the suspension, frame integrity, and whether the trailer is weather tight and how tightly the doors seal.
Flooring
Flooring is another important consideration. Aluminum flooring tends to result in a trailer that’s lighter, but wood flooring lets you secure loads to the planks and eventually replace the boards when they become worn. Aluminum flooring is also adequate for hauling sand, soft dirt, and gravel, but concrete blocks and debris will require steel flooring, which can increase the cost and weight of the trailer considerably.
Reefer Unit
If you’re looking for a reefer trailer, pay particular attention to the age of the refrigeration components. Typically, sellers will be able to tell you the number of hours the refrigeration unit has been active. An average trailer of this type can rack up between 1,200 and 1,500 hours per year.
Red Flags
If the trailer has any potential signs of trouble, such as a worn-out suspension, cracks in the frame, rust on the sidewalls, a reefer unit that has gone more than a year between inspections or tires that are badly in need of replacement, these things should be reflected in the price. If any of these items crop up during an inspection, the fact that you weren’t informed about them up front can be another red flag.
According to Therrien, the most obvious items you should check first are the tires and brakes. When it comes to less obvious problems, Therrien stresses the importance of closely inspecting the kingpin and the surrounding assembly. Most modern trailers have kingpins made of carbon steel, and as a result, rust can be a real problem. It’s also hard to see because these components are usually covered in grease, and hard to view in daylight because of the location of the kingpin underneath the trailer. Other things to look for on the kingpin and assembly include nicks, deformed parts, and bends in the kingpin itself.
Therrien also suggests paying close attention to the dolly legs. Most trailers let you raise and lower the dolly legs at a low or high speed, but if the gears have become damaged –a common problem with used trailers– often times you’ll only have access to one speed. Ensure the dolly legs raise and lower, and that you have access to both speed modes.
Therrien also has a word of advice for those looking to buy a preowned sliding tandem trailer that may have been sitting for a while exposed to the elements. Before you agree to buy, make sure that rust doesn’t interfere with its ability to slide freely.
Know The Seller
At TruckPaper.com, many of the listings have website links or phone numbers that you can use to find out more information about the seller. If this is the first time you’re working with a seller, investigate them thoroughly before committing to the purchase of a used trailer, and don’t be influenced by an extreme sense of urgency by the other party.
Even when everything appears above board, you should still be wary regarding a handful of payment methods, such as money orders. We strongly recommend use of an escrow service such as Express Secure Pay, our preferred provider for large purchases. An escrow service provides peace of mind by holding your funds until the terms of the sale have been executed to the satisfaction of both parties.