Cheap trailer buying guide?
Discussion
Been borrowing a basic 6x4" trailer to move garden waste, bulky furniture etc but it's time to buy my own.
I've been looking on Facebook etc and can see quite a few cheap ones (i.e. £200), but I've no idea what makes a good or bad one.
Is it just if it tows ok, it's ok?
Or do I need to be thinking about spares, chassis condition, suspension etc?
Reasonably handy but have no idea what I'm looking for.
I've been looking on Facebook etc and can see quite a few cheap ones (i.e. £200), but I've no idea what makes a good or bad one.
Is it just if it tows ok, it's ok?
Or do I need to be thinking about spares, chassis condition, suspension etc?
Reasonably handy but have no idea what I'm looking for.
Going full piston heads here but I'd aim for something galvanized from one of the mainstream manufacturers (ifor Williams, Graham Edwards, bateson, indespension to name a few) it'll last almost forever and if you ever need spare brakes, cables or lights you know they'll be available, plus you'll always be able to get back what you paid for it which you can't guarantee for some rusty paint peeling DIY effort.
The only time I'd entertain a cheap £200 trailer was if it was in the 750kg unbraked category, in which case you only need to check general condition, lights, tyres and wheel bearings.
The only time I'd entertain a cheap £200 trailer was if it was in the 750kg unbraked category, in which case you only need to check general condition, lights, tyres and wheel bearings.
Shirley you buy on condition? Rust or lack of, condition of lights bearings etc as previous poster has said. Condition of tyres? Do you have somewhere safe to store it? My friend stores his rear garden and uses some old axle stands and a dugga-dugga to remove/replace the wheels and put them in the garage between use. It's an anti-theft measure and keeps the tyres out of the elements and sunlight.
As above, buy on condition and suitability (size, design, etc). I bought a cheap (I think it was £60) home-made box trailer from somewhere which specialised in second-hand caravans and it's still going strong 10 years later, despite having been left out in the rain for the whole time since. At some point it will need refurbishing (the wood panels stripping off, the metal frame repainting, and then new wood fitting) but for what it cost it's hard to complain.
Things to think about:
Things to think about:
- How much weight do you want to carry? If over 750kg (including the trailer) you'll need one with brakes.
- How high do you want the sides? High sides are useful for carrying small oddly shaped things but low sides are easier to get things in and out of.
- Do you want a drop-down tailgate for ease of loading?
- Does it have the correct electrical connector for your car? There are two types - 7-pin and 13-pin (although you can buy an adapter).
- Do you need a cover/lid for it? Useful for anything which might tend to blow out of the trailer while you're driving along.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 17th May 07:38
I bought a 6x4 galvanised Caddy trailer with a cover for £40 off Gumtree a couple of years ago. Replaced the tyres due to age (paid £15 each for wheels and tyres off Ebay) and have a perfectly functioning trailer for £70
Keep looking, there are still bargains to be had, you just have to be quick !
Gumtree, Facebook, Shpock etc
Keep looking, there are still bargains to be had, you just have to be quick !
Gumtree, Facebook, Shpock etc
If it's a cheap homemade one, it's worthwhile checking it has proper trailer suspension units, bearings, wheels etc.
If it's bodged together with an old axle from a caravan or old car, you may struggle find the right parts should they need replacing.
Structure wise, check it has a metal frame of some sort which isn't too rusty - rotten wood panels can be easily replaced, but it's harder to fix the main structure.
If it's bodged together with an old axle from a caravan or old car, you may struggle find the right parts should they need replacing.
Structure wise, check it has a metal frame of some sort which isn't too rusty - rotten wood panels can be easily replaced, but it's harder to fix the main structure.
I've bought a few cheap "tip run" trailers over the years. Key for me is for it to be able to carry an 8x4 ply sheet.
Take a trolley jack and spin the wheels and check the bearings. Can be a bit of a pain identifying and sourcing new ones.
Tyres can be expensive. So try and get one with decent ones.
Then just check the chassis for any serious rot. Anything else is easily/cheaply sorted.
Should be able to find something locally for sub £200 if you are patient. Keep your eye on FB marketplace.
Take a trolley jack and spin the wheels and check the bearings. Can be a bit of a pain identifying and sourcing new ones.
Tyres can be expensive. So try and get one with decent ones.
Then just check the chassis for any serious rot. Anything else is easily/cheaply sorted.
Should be able to find something locally for sub £200 if you are patient. Keep your eye on FB marketplace.
Krikkit said:
If you're buying really cheap then as above - by condition - check for rust and usable tyres. Budget for stripping and maybe even replacing the hubs/bearings if they're ruined.
^^^+1Tyres deteriorate with age. Replace if in doubt & get yourself a spare wheel.
Bear in mind that a lot of council waste sites won't accept trailers unless you've got a 'Permit to tip'.
Ours are all like that, but the permit I have is free from the council & allows a certain number of visits to the site with either a trailer or a van over a set period.
Some items are also chargeable & the tip operatives will collect this when you arrive at the tip. For hardcore/rubble they have a small plastic bucket & it's £3 per bucketful!. Card payment only at all ours too.
Multiple trips or a large trailerful is likely to see you turned away as they will consider it to be 'commercial waste' & you will be directed to one of the few sites that has a weighbridge & charged on weight.
paintman said:
^^^+1
Tyres deteriorate with age. Replace if in doubt & get yourself a spare wheel.
Bear in mind that a lot of council waste sites won't accept trailers unless you've got a 'Permit to tip'.
Ours are all like that, but the permit I have is free from the council & allows a certain number of visits to the site with either a trailer or a van over a set period.
Some items are also chargeable & the tip operatives will collect this when you arrive at the tip. For hardcore/rubble they have a small plastic bucket & it's £3 per bucketful!. Card payment only at all ours too.
Multiple trips or a large trailerful is likely to see you turned away as they will consider it to be 'commercial waste' & you will be directed to one of the few sites that has a weighbridge & charged on weight.
None of that going on here - you get councils with a grip on reality at one end of the spectrum and at the opposite end places like Paintman goes to or Buckinghamshire. If they tried charging me to use the tip which I’m already paying for with my council tax I’d be fly tipping on the town hall steps. Tyres deteriorate with age. Replace if in doubt & get yourself a spare wheel.
Bear in mind that a lot of council waste sites won't accept trailers unless you've got a 'Permit to tip'.
Ours are all like that, but the permit I have is free from the council & allows a certain number of visits to the site with either a trailer or a van over a set period.
Some items are also chargeable & the tip operatives will collect this when you arrive at the tip. For hardcore/rubble they have a small plastic bucket & it's £3 per bucketful!. Card payment only at all ours too.
Multiple trips or a large trailerful is likely to see you turned away as they will consider it to be 'commercial waste' & you will be directed to one of the few sites that has a weighbridge & charged on weight.
Thanks for the replies - it looks like it's a bit more straightforward than I was worried about.
For reference, this is what I was using and hoping to get again:
For reference, this is what I was using and hoping to get again:
Darkslider said:
The only time I'd entertain a cheap £200 trailer was if it was in the 750kg unbraked category, in which case you only need to check general condition, lights, tyres and wheel bearings.
Sorry, I should've been clearer, that's the exact market I'm after!SkodaIan said:
If it's bodged together with an old axle from a caravan or old car, you may struggle find the right parts should they need replacing.
I think this is probably my biggest worry - the above trailer was homemade and so had no max weight plate or anything which was a bit dodgy. I guess if I get one with a plate on it I have something to go on to find spares.Dog Star said:
paintman said:
^^^+1
Tyres deteriorate with age. Replace if in doubt & get yourself a spare wheel.
Bear in mind that a lot of council waste sites won't accept trailers unless you've got a 'Permit to tip'.
Ours are all like that, but the permit I have is free from the council & allows a certain number of visits to the site with either a trailer or a van over a set period.
Some items are also chargeable & the tip operatives will collect this when you arrive at the tip. For hardcore/rubble they have a small plastic bucket & it's £3 per bucketful!. Card payment only at all ours too.
Multiple trips or a large trailerful is likely to see you turned away as they will consider it to be 'commercial waste' & you will be directed to one of the few sites that has a weighbridge & charged on weight.
None of that going on here - you get councils with a grip on reality at one end of the spectrum and at the opposite end places like Paintman goes to or Buckinghamshire. If they tried charging me to use the tip which I’m already paying for with my council tax I’d be fly tipping on the town hall steps. Tyres deteriorate with age. Replace if in doubt & get yourself a spare wheel.
Bear in mind that a lot of council waste sites won't accept trailers unless you've got a 'Permit to tip'.
Ours are all like that, but the permit I have is free from the council & allows a certain number of visits to the site with either a trailer or a van over a set period.
Some items are also chargeable & the tip operatives will collect this when you arrive at the tip. For hardcore/rubble they have a small plastic bucket & it's £3 per bucketful!. Card payment only at all ours too.
Multiple trips or a large trailerful is likely to see you turned away as they will consider it to be 'commercial waste' & you will be directed to one of the few sites that has a weighbridge & charged on weight.
k?
My grandad had one of those Erde trailers and it stood up to his abuse. He would collect his brand new car with a cream interior in the morning and drag a lawnmower up the rear bumper and into the boot in the evening. He trashes everything so I can vouch for these trailers as his one outlasted his driving license. They can be purchased second hand in very good condition for WELL under £200 online.
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