I've finally focused my trailer search one particular unit that sounds okay. It's a ... 1999 Great Dane combo flatbed with a hard to find front axle slider. The salesman on the phone said tires are at 60% :cry: They want Cnd$10,500 but will probably agree to 10 grand (practically same amount in U.S. funds). I'm gonna look at it tomorrow by myself. If I like it, I'll have to bring it to our yard (of the company I'm leased to with the truck) where the Shop will check it out. Our maintenance manager said it's better to get a trailer that's 2002 or older but "if the the shop says it's okay, we can talk about this 1999 trailer."
I know I"m supposed to check for cracks in the frame, and the shop will check (probably) the brakes, electric, and air lines. Is there anything else I should worry about?
I haven't decided yet what to do about the tarping issue - I can either order lightweight tarps from Peak Tarps and tarp the old-fashioned way, or install a brand new QuickDraw tarping system ($17,000) and let the financial company pick up the tab. $27,000 for the package is not bad, as a brand new combo trailer (without any tarps) goes for ... 32 grand. With 15% down, the payments on a 36 mo purchase contract will probably be around 500-600 bucks (with QuickDraw).
Any comments will be appreciated.