Build your own or buy ?
- Thread starter paul2112
- Start date
volleyball
Well-known member
Mine looks like this.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Invisible metal is hard to come by, and very expensive.
No ****, mine looks exactly like that.
Except I have a tire mounted up by the tongue.
Depending where you live buying a used one would be cheaper than to building your own. Axles and DOT inspection would make it very unattractive. When Pa allowed Mobile home axles I built 2 and the DOT inspection meant that your local insp mechanic did the special construction paperwork and scrutiny of the trailer. Today it is a lot harder and more expensive to build trailers
lol. I went to buy a 20 FT piece of 5 inch channel today and they wanted a bazillion dollars for one. I passed on that.
I was hoping I could build me an invisible trailer to prevent theft of the trailer.
Chad
that really depends where you are at.
In ohio, a home built trailer only needs a weight to be tagged and registered.Car haulers may be different, I dunno. Mines an old boat trailer
OP_ I would seriously be digging around used. Ive seen trailers just as nice with a winch for $1800. And they were not painted a stupid silver color
SouthCoastMudder
Well-known member
That's a nice trailer! From what I have found there is so many trailer mfrs around Texas the prices are generally cheaper to buy them, look into maxey trailers, they're made somewhere around you, good prices and built strong.
volleyball
Well-known member
Now that you have uncloaked it, it is better to give an opinion.
I have a similar used trailer. a 7 ton tilt bed. I got it worn out. Was told it needed new wood, which was true. But it also needs a couple new crossmembers, and rewelding in some stress areas.
It would be impossible to buy the metal in it for what I paid. The time is another thing.
I don't need mine today so it is getting done when I have the time. Because of that, I can sell it and make some good money off of it. The guy that I got it from has his own company and was very busy and didn't have the time so he bought a new one.
So if it is on your spare time and you aren't in a hurry, you could build it for way less. Save yourself 70% of their profit. Which isn't as much as you think
I have a similar used trailer. a 7 ton tilt bed. I got it worn out. Was told it needed new wood, which was true. But it also needs a couple new crossmembers, and rewelding in some stress areas.
It would be impossible to buy the metal in it for what I paid. The time is another thing.
I don't need mine today so it is getting done when I have the time. Because of that, I can sell it and make some good money off of it. The guy that I got it from has his own company and was very busy and didn't have the time so he bought a new one.
So if it is on your spare time and you aren't in a hurry, you could build it for way less. Save yourself 70% of their profit. Which isn't as much as you think
my state has got stiff on homemade trailer, it use to be anything you drag was free but then they found a tax base. ne tag every year, and to have a tag its needs a serial number. a mfg serial number. it has got so bad, i sold my trailer for $100 just to keep away from the hassle
ishiboo
Well-known member
It's almost always cheaper to buy new than build your own. Used is substantially cheaper.
Strouty
Well-known member
Unless you have the material or you need a totally custom trailer, buying new is the best way to go. Most used trailers are so closely priced to new and will either need tires, bearings, brakes, or worse all of them. At least in Texas you should not have rust as an issue.
volleyball
Well-known member
Being in Texas does change things as it seems there are so many builders that there is enough competition to get a good price if you haggle well.
I would think if you buy at summer vacation time or winter holiday time would be the best time, if you can wait.
I would think if you buy at summer vacation time or winter holiday time would be the best time, if you can wait.
Strouty
Well-known member
Tons of trailer builders in Tx,and don't let anybody **** u and many have tried it on me,a car trailer MUST have a title,MUST, and don't let that i will buy a tag for a homebuilt an put on it ****,DPS may do some stupid ****,but they aint stupid.The tag denotes weights in code for what weight trailers should be hauln.
Half the trailers sold by one dealer i know,are to replace customers stolen trailer,if its a car trailer insure it,i do,costs $100 bucks a year.cheap,lessens the worry factor.
Ive had folks try an sell me shop built car trailers,sir,do u have a title? ah hell u don't need no title,just get a homebuilt tag,sir,U have a stolen trailer,yes u do,once its pawned off on u Ur at risk,ole bill had a trailer sittn in the driveway,guy drove by,saw his stolen trailer,cop shop 3blks away,3 cops standing on the doorstep,u steal it?no sir,swap meet buy.3yrs ago,end of story,lucky no go to jail,watched trailer drive off with old owner,don't be paranoid,but ask questions,and wheres the ******* title ?
You are getting better, but could you separate your thoughts a little more. You write like I think when I am drunk. I am learning to translate as is, but sometimes I need help.
I think that is an aluminum trailer, based on the size of the structural members and the front section looks like an extrusion. That would explain the color and also the price. $4500 for aluminum would be about right.
rockinacummins
Well-known member
Personally I would look for a nice used one. I always crawl underneath and see just how heavy they are built. You can also usually tell how well the thing has been taken care of by doing this. Used ones ain't too expensive around here if you just look for them. Good luck!
Even assuming you already have all the tools needed and you don't highly value your fab time, the cost of materials would be the deciding factor. As others mentioned very seldom it is cost effective to build one from scratch given all the used trailers out there. Even if you need to do a bit of painting or bearings a solid foundation is a good start.