I have been lurking on Craigslist for a while now, looking for the "diamond in the rough". I found this utility trailer. I am going to look at this afternoon. What should I look out for before I buy? Seller claims a clean title, which seems to be uncommon on Craigslist. I'm not terrible with a welder. Just need to know what to look for, I've never owned a trailer before.
Considering a project
- Thread starter Thelgord
- Start date
looks like a pretty good deal. The utility box alone is worth double what the seller is asking if its in good shape. Id check the seals on all the doors, ask if they lock, if you get a key. check the welds on the tongue, check the lug nuts, tires, lights and maybe the wheel bearings if you plan on hauling it a long way home. If its already registered, that will save you a little bit of time and money.
So I pulled the trigger and brought it home with me. The frame is a bit bent where the jack mounts.
A view of the inside, yes that is a vice mounted on the tailgate. It came with the trailer. The rear half of the roof lifts and slide back just about halfway.
The front opens too!
Yes, that is wood. The only wooden "part". It flips up, but there is no way to hold it up, yet.
Some more pics.
The "top" of the boxes lifts open as well. Sorry, I didn't get a pic of that. Didn't realize it until I was in the house.
Dimensions:
Total Width: 80 Inches (6'8")
Total Hight (from ground): 83" (6'11")
Total Length: 14 Feet
Box exterior: 8'4" long x 80" wide (4'1" wide inside)
The rack is 14 inches above the box and is 8' 6-1/2" (102") long. It is 69" wide on the outside and 67" between the rails. It is steel and seems very strong.
The pro's:
The con's:
Also, the floor of the bed is around 8-1/4" above the frame. There is also a weird circular hole on the passenger side. I am thinking there used to be a water tank installed in there someway. Not really sure and the seller didn't know. All in all, I am hoping this will make a good start to a great expedition trailer.
A view of the inside, yes that is a vice mounted on the tailgate. It came with the trailer. The rear half of the roof lifts and slide back just about halfway.
The front opens too!
Yes, that is wood. The only wooden "part". It flips up, but there is no way to hold it up, yet.
Some more pics.
The "top" of the boxes lifts open as well. Sorry, I didn't get a pic of that. Didn't realize it until I was in the house.
Dimensions:
Total Width: 80 Inches (6'8")
Total Hight (from ground): 83" (6'11")
Total Length: 14 Feet
Box exterior: 8'4" long x 80" wide (4'1" wide inside)
The rack is 14 inches above the box and is 8' 6-1/2" (102") long. It is 69" wide on the outside and 67" between the rails. It is steel and seems very strong.
The pro's:
- Only $500
- Great base for a prjoject
- Most everything is solid
- Pulled VERY well, better than any UHaul I have ever rented
The con's:
- A lot of surface rust to clean up
- Leafs on drivers side out of alignment (I will be changing out the entire axel so not to bad)
- Rack is a "custom mount" that I may need to change
- Seals on doors are completely shot
- Right turn signal not working (yet)
Also, the floor of the bed is around 8-1/4" above the frame. There is also a weird circular hole on the passenger side. I am thinking there used to be a water tank installed in there someway. Not really sure and the seller didn't know. All in all, I am hoping this will make a good start to a great expedition trailer.
screwball48
Explorer
The hole on the passenger side is probably where the fuel filler went when the bed was mounted on a truck. It looks as solid as a tank and should make for a good build.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Thanks.
It pulls like it's built like a tank. After I removed the rack, I realized how much weight I pulled off the top. Must have been close to 80 pounds of steel. All in all though, I am happy with it.
For the fuel filler, I didn't even think about this thing being on a truck at some point. You are probably correct.
[EDIT]
I do my best proofreading after I click submit.
It pulls like it's built like a tank. After I removed the rack, I realized how much weight I pulled off the top. Must have been close to 80 pounds of steel. All in all though, I am happy with it.
For the fuel filler, I didn't even think about this thing being on a truck at some point. You are probably correct.
[EDIT]
I do my best proofreading after I click submit.
Last edited: