Used flatbed trailers: how old is "old"?

[tracer]

I"m looking at some ads here, and been talking to various dealers and even found out what my GE Capital wants in terms of downpayment and contract length... I decided to buy used, and since steel trailers are practically impossible to find,I might as well go with a combo design.

This is from the ad by a local trailer dealer. No prices indicated, no pictures. Which of these might warrant further investigation? Which of these are too old?

2003 Fontaine 48' combo flat 10'1"
1999 Eagle 48' combo flat 10'1", rack and tarp kit
2000 Chaparral, 48', tandem axle, 10'1" spread
1999 Reitnouer 48' Maximizer flat 10'1" spread, rack and tarp kit
1999 Chaparral, 48'

[heavyhaulerss]

Which of these are too old?

are you kidding? none are too old. I still have my first trailer. a all steel transcraft 94' 48 by 96'' and still working everyday.

[tracer]

Which of these are too old?

are you kidding? none are too old. I still have my first trailer. a all steel transcraft 94' 48 by 96'' and still working everyday.

Thanks heavyhaulerss ... then from that ad you'd go after the cheapest trailer in decent shape?

[heavyhaulerss]

then from that ad you'd go after the cheapest trailer in decent shape

yes. dont forget to take in consideration tires, & other wear parts, like cam. cam bushings, slack adjusters, brake chambers e.t.c.

[tracer]

dont forget to take in consideration tires, & other wear parts, like cam. cam bushings, slack adjusters, brake chambers e.t.c.

Good tip ... I'll have a mechanic in our shop take a look at it before I sign on the dotted line.

[Jumbo]

We still have a 87 double drop in the fleet. They just redid it for the second time. All new wiring,air lines, floor, new axles and sandblasted and painted. Still a nice trailer.

[jorlee]

Old is when it still has stainless steel brakes lines, and doesn't have spring brake chambers. Now that's old. Pulled it two years ago. Trailer shop estimated the age from 65-70's. Now that's old.

[GMAN]

I still have a 1995 Fruehauf flat bed. It is in great shape. The only thing it could use is to be sandblasted and painted. It still makes money for me. 8)

[tracer]

We still have a 87 double drop in the fleet. They just redid it for the second time. All new wiring,air lines, floor, new axles and sandblasted and painted. Still a nice trailer.

Must make good money with the DD

[tracer]

I still have a 1995 Fruehauf flat bed. It is in great shape. The only thing it could use is to be sandblasted and painted. It still makes money for me. 8)

'95 ... wow. I printed the entire inventory of the dealer I'm dealing with. Out of 34 trailers of tandem flats of various makes and models, they list:

1989 - 1
1993 - 2
1994 - 1
1995 - 1
1996 - 3
1997 - 1
1998 - 3
1999 - 6 **
2000 - 5*
2001 - 0 must have been a bad year
2002 - 1
2003 - 8***
2004 - 0
2005 - 0
2006 - 1
2007 - 0
2008 - 1

So, looks like this particular dealer has better choice in 1999, 2003, and 2004 models.

[GMAN]

I would be more concerned about the general condition of the trailer than the age. I have seen newer equipment that has been beaten up and is worn out and older that was well maintained and is in good shape. You can sometimes get a better deal on an older trailer. I would probably still be able to get somewhere between $8,500-10,000 for my '95 Fruehauf if I decided to sell it. That trailer has paid for itself many times over. One thing about flat and step decks is that they seem to depreciate down to a certain level and then the value maintains itself.

[Heavy Duty]

In 1980 I had a 38 foot flatbed that was titled as a 1937 Spencer, pulled it for several years.

[Jumbo]

We still have a 87 double drop in the fleet. They just redid it for the second time. All new wiring,air lines, floor, new axles and sandblasted and painted. Still a nice trailer.

Must make good money with the DD

I just pulled it to Fla. and back with a 12' high 36,000 pound generator. This last redo they installed air ride. Pulled nice. I just asked the shop today about the oldest trailer we have and of the nearly 300 trailers in the fleet we still have 35th one ever bought. And thats 30 years in business

[Walking Eagle]

It's not how old the trailer is but how it has been maintained or what you do with it. My main trailer is a 89 RGN that I lituraly bought for scrap value. It was sitting in a field with no wheels or tires and one of the three axles gone, daren't even step on the deck cuz it was so rotten. Paid $650 for it. Drug it into the shop and totally dis assembled, and I mean totally, took off stuff that wasn't probably even supposed to come off. Re built everything then came time to decide what to do with the frame as far as paint. Watching the mechanic that has a shop next door throwing "stuff" in the back of his P/U and not even marking it decided to try Rhino bed liner. Shot Preened the whole thing and had it sprayed on. After two and a half years the only marks on it are a few Cat tracks along the side rails. For about $10,000 I got a trailer that T/K would charge $65 to $70,000. The jeep and stinger I bought for it are showing Road Rash just from normal wear so when I take off in December they are gona get the same treatment.
Basicaly look for the best condition and don't worry about age unless your finance company does. And KEEP IT UP, easier to fix stuff that might be looking bad at home that on the road.

[Bandit102]

I just got a really great deal on a 2005 Wilson 48X102 with headache rack, side kit, aero tarp. Damn nice trailer. NONE of the rails have EVER been bumped and the deck looks like I'm hauling the first load ever on this trailer. They are out there. I sure looked at a lot of 2005 to 2007 models that were beat all to hell before I found this one. I'd say age don't matter at all compared to the overall condition of the trailer.

[GMAN]

I usually look for a while to find the right equipment for the price I want to pay. It can take weeks or months to find the right trailer. I have seen some older trailers that have been very well maintained and new ones that are junk. I have seen the same thing with trucks. Age has little to do with the condition. Don't get in a hurry. Plan to take your time. You will get much better value for your money and take some stress off by not getting in a hurry.