Since this is a great place for experienced opinions....what is you all's about the viability/financial sense of having my @ 10-12 yr. old, 14'x5', CM stock combo ,steel, BP, trailer, repainted/refurbished? This trailer has, and does, fit my personal needs very well-I have one riding horse to haul, and also have miniatures, which I drive. Usage is fairly occasional, never heavy; I can put my buckboard, back-to-back trap, or one or two of my two-wheeled carts(all mini-sized)in, along a pair or more of the minis-so it really works for me-plus I really couldn't afford to go "up" in features(but then, I really don't want/need to, I don't think.) The floor is good(I clean it out after EVERY haul,never leave wetness, pull the mats out every so often and check...there is starting to be some rust, but not REAL extensive--YET(thank goodness for this ole dry country!)This trailer is still running on its original, 15" radial tires, which are still in good shape and have reasonable tread-I rotate them, have the bearings done at the recommended mileage, and park it one direction in the summer, another in the winter, to minimize sun exposure-AND usually cover the most-exposed tires. Has anyone here had a trailer refurbished/repainted? If so, what was your experience? Should it be sandblasted? What else?(Looks to me as if some caulking,etc., needs to be stripped off, and primeing, etc., redone?before repainting? What kind of paint/finish is best? Reasonable in price, but lasting? I kept this trailer in the barn aisle when it was new, and *could*(and likely, would, after the investment in the work!)keep it inside again, so could keep it as *nice*as possible after it was worked on...I haven't checked the prices on this trailer, new, nowadays, but *might*be able to afford, with payments, to just replace this one with another of the same(though I might go with a 6' width if I did-and yes, I know I sound really old-fashioned-but it's because I AM!!)though I am more inclined toward the repaint/refurbish. Which, in you all's opinions, would make the most long-term sense-fix this one up, or try to sell/trade it in, and replace?(I don't really expect to even own 'another' trailer.)

  Thanks in advance....

  Margo C-T

  Would love to hear you all's thoughts on this subject

If it works for you, just repaint it.  I have a 20ft trailer and the estimate I got to sand blast, recaulk, prime, undercoat and have 2 coats of automotive paint put on was $1800. (I wish we were back in NM, the humid, salty air here is murder on steel!) That would be much cheaper than buying a new trailer. 

Oh, you said the trailer has the original tires.  Mine did to and I had all the tread on them, but the sidewalls were cracking.  I started blowing tires this year and just replaced them all.  So make sure you are keeping an eye on them for dry rot.   It's no fun changing a tire on the side of the highway at 110 and 70% humidity.  Trust me, I had to do it on my way to NM this spring.

Thanks for the input, Terri! Yes, I am aware that I need to watch tires of this age closely, and I am doing so-try to keep room in the budget for tire replacement at any time,now that they've reached this age. However, so far, there is not a hint of sidewall cracks, etc.

  Appreciate the info; I was kind of thinking it might be in that cost neighborhood. Anyone else with thoughts/experience on this?

  Best to all,

  Margo