Any enclosed trailer experts here?

[speeder]

Of course there are, dumb question. There is every type of expert imaginable on this forum.

A friend is offering me his enclosed trailer for a price still to be determined but wants to give me a good deal. His dad paid a lot for it because he had it built to spec, that is not really going to factor into the price, though. It's a 20' trailer from 2013 and it's currently partitioned inside but that could be removed. I would want it for storage initially but possibly for hauling a car in the future. It has 2x3500 lb. axles, so it can haul about a 4k lb. payload.

My question is this; I'm seeing brand new enclosed trailers on eBay for surprisingly cheap, like $4-5k. Maybe they are bare bones, IDK. My friend paid a lot more for this one w a circuit board inside, A/C, partition, etc. He used it as auxiliary storage and work space, he had a high-end wood shop.

My cost on this would probably be close to the price of the cheap ones on eBay, maybe a little less. It is 7 years old but has basically zero towing miles and looks like new, in and out. Would this be a good deal @ $4k?

Photos:

[speeder]

Here is an inexpensive one on eBay for reference:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-5x20-8-5-x-20-V-Nosed-Enclosed-Carhauler-Motorcycle-Bike-ATV-Cargo-Trailer/392642096100?hash=item5b6b4aebe4:g:OCYAAOxycSdR3ik N

[speeder]

A quick look on the website of the manufacturer shows that their trailers are a LOT more than the ones on eBay. Not sure if that is because they are better or just a marketing thing. The trailer business is not transparent, need to really research. I'm starting here w you guys.

https://garrettcustomtrailers.com/inventory/new/

[rfuerst911sc]

My opinion at 4K that is a decent deal and at 3.5K would be even better . Does it have brakes on both axles ? Not all do . The AC alone is about 1K in value the electrical breaker box is a nice addition . Are the tires good ? Check for dry rot I doubt they are worn out from mileage but just sitting in the sun can kill them .

Trailers are pretty basic in design but like anything else there is a reason why some are cheaper than others . Some of the differences may not be readily noticeable. This trailer may have brakes on both axles or a frame made of heavier steel . The skin that makes up the walls and roof may be thicker gauge . Are the lights LED or conventional ? It all adds up .

[ckelly78z]

At 7 years old, the tires need replaced regardless of miles, they will start age cracking/fail when you need it most. It looks like a good quality trailer, and with the addition of A/C, the full 8'6" width, and the circuit breaker box, is probably worth the $4000....offer $3500.

[cabmandone]

Buy the new one IMO. It has a rear ramp door. You'd need ramps for the one your friend has. The new one has new tires and new brakes. Depending on how much the old one has been pulled, the electric brakes probably need attention and the tires should probably be replaced if they're original. Plus the new one you linked is a v nose and will pull easier with less wind resistance.

[Racerbvd]

I was just going bring up the ramp door.
If you plan an hauling a car you need to be able too drive it in and ramps aren't cheap..

[jhynesrockmtn]

As others have said, that is set up as a cargo trailer, not car hauler. You would need ramps, hold down points, etc. The lack of a ramp door would be a no for me. I've looked on and off for them to haul and store the race car. The interior mods are nice for what he was doing but not helpful for hauling a car.

[jwasbury]

good advice so far on the thread. I will 3rd the comment about tires. Trailer tires are the worst pieces of crap ever mounted to wheels. Lucky if they last 5 years regardless of mileage. My racing friends suggest replacing every 3-4 years regardless of miles, or else you have blowouts at the least opportune moment.

Used trailers are cheap and a dime/dozen. Check out racingjunk.com classifieds and see what's what.

[911boost]

Agree on the tires and lack of a ramp. It would need to be a smoking deal to make it attractive.

I bought Goodyear trailer tires this time around for my toy hauler and 14 foot trailer, will see how they hold up.

[DonDavis]

Are those wood panels covering the strap anchor points/rails system?
I would certainly want access to those to secure large vertical items.

I don’t 4K is too bad, but I imagine all the wood should go away. I doubt you’ll be hauling around an office.

[speeder]

Thanks! I'd considered the tires and ramps but I was thinking about using it just for storage anyway for the time being. The tires are 2013 and have close to zero miles, this trailer went a few miles from dealer to the owner's house and then sat from new until last year. It moved one more time ~20 miles to where it is now. The tires had covers on them and look new. I have two other trailers w the same tires, all have very low miles but the time clock is running...

It does have brakes on both axles and the electrical breaker box w a 220V cord coming out of it, (to plug into external source), then regular 110V outlets on the walls. It's more like a small addendum shop space on wheels than a trailer for hauling at this point. It does have LED lights inside and out. It cost $12k new and as you can see on their website, that is mid-point price for their products. It's in new condition, inside and out.

I was thinking that I could easily convert it for car hauling if I wanted to but I already have an open car trailer that works fine, I rarely use it but it's awfully handy when I do. Thanks again and keep the hits coming!

[ted]

I had a similar version called the Racer, with a ramp door by Carson trailer.

This one with no ramps, no ramp door, no tie downs in the floor, 4k load limit, 15 inch rims with low rated tires.
AC not a big help as there is no generator and the side window makes it too easy to break into it.
Not a fan of the thin wood veneer interiors, after a few years they fall apart and you'll occasionally find loose screws/fasteners on the floor.
Wood floor will soak up oil and will never clean up.

Look for one with a ramp door and ramp extensions, tie down anchors, higher capacity axles and 16 inch rims with larger diameter heavy duty tires.
Aluminum floor and walls preferred.

[ckelly78z]

Old tires will last for a long time just being pulled short distances, but the first time you get them to highway speed on a hot day...BLAM, and then the next one goes BLAM for the added weight on that side.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thanks! I'd considered the tires and ramps but I was thinking about using it just for storage anyway for the time being. The tires are 2013 and have close to zero miles, this trailer went a few miles from dealer to the owner's house and then sat from new until last year. It moved one more time ~20 miles to where it is now. The tires had covers on them and look new. I have two other trailers w the same tires, all have very low miles but the time clock is running...

It does have brakes on both axles and the electrical breaker box w a 220V cord coming out of it, (to plug into external source), then regular 110V outlets on the walls. It's more like a small addendum shop space on wheels than a trailer for hauling at this point. It does have LED lights inside and out. It cost $12k new and as you can see on their website, that is mid-point price for their products. It's in new condition, inside and out.

I was thinking that I could easily convert it for car hauling if I wanted to but I already have an open car trailer that works fine, I rarely use it but it's awfully handy when I do. Thanks again and keep the hits coming!

If you are using it for storage and want power/ac, then go for it. Perhaps use your other trailer tires to move it.

When you go to put it on the road, you will need tires, brakes, wheel bearings and at least re-pack them. Axle seals might be shot. Take a real good look underneath for rust.

I think lack of miles is sometimes worse than regular use.

[Bill Verburg]

It's gonna be tough to haul a car in that thing w/o loading ramps and an escape door, also doesn't appear to have any way of tying a car down.

I'd pass on it

[URY914]

Will that fit in Air Force 1?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by URY914

Will that fit in Air Force 1?

I’ll bet it would! 😺

[greglepore]

On the ramp thing, yes. They are fing heavy. My experience is with horse trailers, but godamn those ramps weigh a ton, even with a spring.

Denis, are you doing a friend a solid or do you need this thing? For junk storage its overkill. Yes, its a very nice well built trailer designed as towable shop space but for what you want, well, you can get a 40 ft used container here for 2k.

The a/c is worth 2k installed. The parts are 1k. Just did that. The panel is a $350 plus a weekend project.

At 4k, if I had the cabbage lying around without a use, sure. But just know what you're doing.

And yeah, the tires-its not uv, it ozone. Don't use em loaded without one of those ramp jacks, cause you'll need it.

[VINMAN]

I dont know what it is but, around here, used enclosed trailers go for very high prices. Almost close to original cost, even for old ones. It pays to just buy a new one.



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