FINDING, FIXING, AND SELLING SMALL TRAILERS

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Townsfolk, on the other hand, seem to be more concerned with the cosmetic aspect of a vehicle (although there are, of course, exceptions to all of these general rules). City and suburb dwellers are usually willing to pay top dollar for trailers they can use to haul lawn clippings, furniture, motorcycles, riding mowers, and such . . . but will often ignore a bargain if it doesn't have an attractive two-tone paint job. They also generally prefer light- to medium-weight trailers that look sharp and have fenders, taillights, easy-operating ball hitches, and locking tailgates.

Finally, there's a category of customers that I call the "hobby haulers". These people use trailers to transport everything from artworks to motorized water skis, and are often willing to pay premium prices to get exactly what they want. They also tend to be very demanding. In fact, such buyers are likely to request a custom paint scheme to match an already owned car or truck, or any of a number of other frills that can run into lots of time and money on your part . . . especially if you don't have the skills and shop equipment necessary to tackle tasks like welding and automotive-type spray painting. Since I recondition trailers primarily as a hobby, I pass up the hobby haulers . . . but these individuals could represent a lucrative market for anyone who can take the time to satisfy their whims.

FINDING AND BUYING USED TRAILERS

Once you know your market, you can go about finding the raw material . . . that is, trailers that can be readily put into shape. I locate most of my fixer-uppers by prowling the streets and alleys around town, and by keeping my eyes open when driving along country roads. If I happen to spot a likely candidate, I simply stop and ask whether the owner is interested in selling. (Auctions make good hunting grounds, too, and are also economical sources of the materials — such as paint and plywood — that you'll need to prepare your wares for resale.)

When examining a prospect prior to making an offer on it, be thorough. In order to be sure of a reasonable profit, you must learn to shy away from old broken-down "dogs" that'll require too much labor to be worth your while. (Just how much repair work is too much will, of course, depend upon your talents and upon just how the hobby and business aspects of your enterprise balance out.) I make sure that any trailer I purchase has a good solid floor that isn't rusted or rotted through . . . sides that can be easily strengthened if they aren't sound already . . . and bearings and axles that are in good working order.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print