Posted 2016-04-06 5:54 PM (#166667) Subject: choosing between two trailers
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Beautiful British Columbia
Which would you choose? Two trailers, same size, both basically the same features. One is brand new and on a really good sale, but an unproven brand (basically only been built for a year), probably entry-level quality. The other is 3 years old but has a LOT of miles (belongs to a shipper), good brand with a good reputation. It is sound but shows some wear, has new tires. The used trailer is about 70% of the price of the new trailer.
Posted 2016-04-07 12:15 PM (#166673 - in reply to #166667) Subject: RE: choosing between two trailers
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Beautiful British Columbia
The quality of build on the used trailer is better. They are both all aluminum so rust isn't an issue. Will check for corrosion on the floor as they're aluminum too.
Posted 2016-04-09 6:43 AM (#166694 - in reply to #166667) Subject: RE: choosing between two trailers
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I think you'd be better served by having an expert inspect the used trailer and then going with it if it passes. The bigger name trailer will be a more sound investment as the name alone will help it sell if you should move on/up to another trailer. You may find more shops willing to work on it. I did some research back in the fall and had two used trailers I was looking to buy but they both would need a side ramp added on. Called around to shops in Texas, Oklahoma and along the path to each trailer. My experience with all shops showed they wanted to know the name and model of the trailer, the size and how big the ramp would need to be. One of the two trailers (different brands) I could only find 1 shop that would work on it, the others wouldn't touch it at all. This finding, of course lead to the "why won't you add a side ramp to X brand of trailer?" Answers from the actual on the floor shop guys were over-and-over the same, that trailer isn't built well enough to have the side ramp added. Made me really leery of the one shop that would have taken on the job, I've since found out they don't do good work. Lesson learned, ALWAYS call your local shop(s) and ask what brand they would pick when used trailer shopping. It's best to have their blessing since they will be the ones fixing things that break! This saved me from buying a(poorly built)trailer that couldn't be modified. I dodged a bullet by making a few phone calls!
Posted 2016-04-10 2:15 AM (#166695 - in reply to #166667) Subject: RE: choosing between two trailers
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Frontier is a company under the ALCOM, LLC family...Since 2006, ALCOM LLC has produced the most diverse, highest quality aluminum trailer line in the industry. With operations based in Winslow, Maine, the company has grown from a staff of 3 full-time employees, working from a 10,000 square foot facility, to a team of more than 150 dedicated craftsmen, sales associates and office personnel. In February of 2010, doors opened on ALCOM's state-of-the-art, 70,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, optimized for modern aluminum trailer production. At present, we serve more than 270 dealerships in 51 States and Provinces, China, India and Kuwait....So I think I'd go with the new trailer and the factory warranty...:)
choosing between two trailers
