New here, expedition trailer question

[chiplee]

High all,

I'm new here, but I've been lurking for a while shopping for a used offroad trailer. I'm kind of starting to wonder why they command such a premium. Every time I see one that meets my needs the price just kinda' blows me away. I get supply and demand, have an MBA, etc, but I mean really? An empty box with suspension, brakes and a special hitch is $10K? I could buy a decent 4th gen 4Runner for that. Any venders or folks who've homebuilt able to comment on things I'm not considering that would drive production cost up? I'm open to the possibility that I'm just naive, but if it's just a 200% mark up business I think I'll teach myself to weld instead.

 

[AFBronco235]

The same reason why most people who think that modded off road rigs with ridiculous lift height should cost twice as much as it should. Either that's what they invested in it, or the wife/girlfriend/whatever wants it sold, so the owner overprices it to prevent the sale.

What features are you looking for?

 

[Macdadmorgan]

200% mark up... I think your being a little short sided. The man hours that go into building these are staggering, with domestic manufacturing... Well you have an MBA.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, you get supply and demand !

I don't think so-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[summerprophet]

It is indeed a matter of supply versus demand. What is business school would have been called a Niche market".

Here is the deal:
There is not enough demand for these to be mass produced. Each trailer is usually constructed by one or two skilled craftsman who know the value their work. If you don't think there is value in what they do, ask ANY welder in your town what their hourly rate is. Welders are in high demand in this country. Add to that mechanics, possibly mechanical engineering, automotive painting, sheet metal fabrication and in the higher end models, finish carpentry.

Add to the fact that raw metal prices are skyrocketing, and it becomes pretty clear that people aren't making a killing selling these, but they are probably doing the same or maybe a little better than if they were selling their skills to an employer.

 

[PCO6]

No offence but if you decide to teach yourself to weld, and I have no problem with that, you shouldn't start with a trailer.

 

[TactilTex]

No offence but if you decide to teach yourself to weld, and I have no problem with that, you shouldn't start with a trailer.

By the time he got to the point of completion he'd have to go back and grind out his first welds.
No need to ask how I know this.....

 

[chiplee]

The same reason why most people who think that modded off road rigs with ridiculous lift height should cost twice as much as it should. Either that's what they invested in it, or the wife/girlfriend/whatever wants it sold, so the owner overprices it to prevent the sale.

What features are you looking for?

Not sure, but I think I could get by with just a box to put stuff in and a RTT. I'd like to be able to raise the tent for sleeping so a normal annex works, and then lower it for transit, but I haven't seen any great solutions for that.

It is indeed a matter of supply versus demand. What is business school would have been called a Niche market".

Here is the deal:
There is not enough demand for these to be mass produced. Each trailer is usually constructed by one or two skilled craftsman who know the value their work. If you don't think there is value in what they do, ask ANY welder in your town what their hourly rate is. Welders are in high demand in this country. Add to that mechanics, possibly mechanical engineering, automotive painting, sheet metal fabrication and in the higher end models, finish carpentry.

Add to the fact that raw metal prices are skyrocketing, and it becomes pretty clear that people aren't making a killing selling these, but they are probably doing the same or maybe a little better than if they were selling their skills to an employer.

Makes sense. Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

No offence but if you decide to teach yourself to weld, and I have no problem with that, you shouldn't start with a trailer.

What if I started with a pro built frame and did the rest? Are you worried it wouldn't be roadworthy if I was learning when I made it?

 

[b63215b]

I agree with some people on here. If you don't have the skills to create it yourself one should pay a premium for it if they can't. I can tell you I have less than $500 in materials for mine (minus the RTT) but can't even count the hours involved in it.

One might also ask themselves why an MBA or a masters degree cost $20,000-$30,000. It does because you can't get one on your own.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[kmlacroix]

Do you want a expedition grade trailer or just one that will work well on rough roads/trails? Read through to trailer forum. There are many ways to build/buy a trailer.

 

[Martyn]

Quite a few people have used the same financial analysis to start trailer manufacturing businesses, most of them are now out of business.

I don't wish to be unkind or rude, but what the heck are they teaching in business school?

 

[chiplee]

I agree with some people on here. If you don't have the skills to create it yourself one should pay a premium for it if they can't. I can tell you I have less than $500 in materials for mine (minus the RTT) but can't even count the hours involved in it.

One might also ask themselves why an MBA or a masters degree cost $20,000-$30,000. It does because you can't get one on your own.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Interesting comparison. Hadn't ever considered a person's ability to make something as a factor in what it "should" cost. That's always been strictly supply and demand to me. Ability/willingness/time to build your own is more of an indirect factor, as it ultimately impacts demand.

Do you want a expedition grade trailer or just one that will work well on rough roads/trails? Read through to trailer forum. There are many ways to build/buy a trailer.

I don't expect to spend more than 3-5 days out at a time, so probably the latter. Yeah, I'm leaning toward a Dinoot DIY for now. I have an old 4x8 utility trailer I could convert pretty easily. I have a pretty solid baseline of fab skills that should work.

Quite a few people have used the same financial analysis to start trailer manufacturing businesses, most of them are now out of business.

I don't wish to be unkind or rude, but what the heck are they teaching in business school?

They teach a lot of things. My concentration was strategic leadership though. Seemed to go well with my career as an F-18 pilot before I retired from the Marine Corps. I think it helped me land the federal government job I have now, but who knows? I certainly don't use it for business, or for trailer shopping.

 

[1Louder]

Not sure, but I think I could get by with just a box to put stuff in and a RTT. I'd like to be able to raise the tent for sleeping so a normal annex works, and then lower it for transit, but I haven't seen any great solutions for that.



Makes sense. Thanks for the thoughtful reply.



What if I started with a pro built frame and did the rest? Are you worried it wouldn't be roadworthy if I was learning when I made it?

Crappy welds are easy. Good welds not so much. I had a lot of help with my trailer from folks that knew what they were doing. Because of that I was able to some of the easy welding on my trailer. No way I could have done all of the difficult stuff. I was able to work out of a friends shop. Not saying it is impossible in your garage but unless you weld for a living or a serious hobby I think the cost of investing in the proper equipment to build your trailer would not be worth it. Maybe you can find a shop in your area that you can use. I have heard of a place in Phoenix where if you take a class you can then get signed up to use and rent their equipment. It just depends on what you are attempting to build and the level of complexity required. Free advice.... Your mileage may vary..

 

[PCO6]

What if I started with a pro built frame and did the rest? Are you worried it wouldn't be roadworthy if I was learning when I made it?

Basically yes so starting with a properly built frame, axle, suspension, etc. would go a long way toward solving that problem. I'm not sure what the licencing requirements for home made trailers are in California but that should solve that concern too. The requirements in Ontario are ridiculous. Almost anything is permitted ... which is not good.

 

[Martyn]

They teach a lot of things. My concentration was strategic leadership though. Seemed to go well with my career as an F-18 pilot before I retired from the Marine Corps. I think it helped me land the federal government job I have now, but who knows? I certainly don't use it for business, or for trailer shopping.

Well that makes more sense. By the way I forgot to welcome you to the Portal

To give you some cost comparison on trailers do a search for Australian manufacturers, look at their pricing and then compare it to pricing in the USA. They sell more trailers in OZ than in the USA so the demand is high but so is the price. In the US Off-Road trailers are in low demand and there are few suppliers, but in comparison the trailers have a low price.

Be interested to hear from people as to why they think that is.