Used flatbed trailers: how old is "old"?
 

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'

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?

yes. 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.

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.

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.

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)

Must make good money with the DD :)

'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.