Posted 2010-02-27 1:31 AM (#117061) Subject: Criteria for inspection
Member
Posts: 24
Location: Pennsylvania
I was wondering what type of criteria a trailer must pass to pass inspection. I have decided to sell my older TB size two horse bumper pull because it's much bigger than what I need these days, and I want to downsize to a smaller trailer (I only have miniature horses now, and with only one or two horses showing, I'll just get a miniature horse trailer, and use our smaller truck to pull it, which will save a good bit on gas)
Anyway, my two horse bumper pull needs a little work. It has a ripple type dent in the front of the trailer from a past owner, and some bubbling rust under one window. I listed it for sale for $1500 which seemed like a decent price to me. I bought it last year for that, and put $650 worth of materials into it (new floor, replaced plywood in the walls and ramp, treated the wood, etc) In my area the tiny WW trailers are going for $1000 - $1500 in worse, without a title. The flaws are listed in the trailers ad where I have it posted, it also says it is not inspected.
Now, I had one woman email me without coming to see the trailer and ask me if I would take $500 less. I told her at this point no, because I have 4 people coming to look at the trailer at its advertised price, but I could take $1000 down and the rest of the money within 30 days, but the title and trailer would stay in my possession until paid off.
Now she said she would take it for $1500, but wants me to have it inspected.
Now, I advertised this as a structurally sound trailer that needs some work, and that it is not inspected. I don't know that its my responsibility to have the trailer inspected, and to do so I would need to borrow a truck because the only truck we have that can pull this trailer and has the hook up for its brakes is out of commission with a bad transmission, hence me wanting a smaller light weight trailer. I don't know what criteria needs met to pass an inspection, so Im not sure if it will pass or not. If I thought it might pass I would defiantly have it inspected, but again, Im not going to go through a headache to get a trailer inspected that im selling as a fixer upper.
Sorry for the rant...
Any idea where I could find what criteria it needs to pass?
Posted 2010-02-27 8:15 AM (#117065 - in reply to #117061) Subject: RE: Criteria for inspection
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
As far as inspection, I would think that if the running lights work, the signal and brake lights work, the brakes themselves can be demonstrated to be working, it has safety chains and a working breakaway battery, switch and cable assembly for same,..........should pass. We don't have inspection in our state....
As far as doing it for her, a lot would depend on attitude and other possible sales.....you advertised it as not inspected, and as a purchaser I would take that to mean I would need to verify myself as the purchaser what was working or not and buy accordingly. If you had no other prospects and needed to sell, it would be a selling point for this particular prospect, too. She may just be concerned that she would get there and nothing works etc, too.............
Posted 2010-02-27 3:35 PM (#117075 - in reply to #117061) Subject: RE: Criteria for inspection
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
In PA, to have the trailer inspected, it has to go to a state registered inspection facility, that can fit the trailer and truck under one roof at the same time. The wheels will be pulled and the brake linings will be visually inspected for wear. Using the towing vehicle, the trailer brakes will be checked for proper operation, and using the manual over ride. The "E" cable will be pulled, and again the brakes will be checked for operation.
All the exterior lights will be inspected for proper illumination, including brake, turn, running and any aux lighting such as load and porch lights. Any lighting installed on the exterior of the trailer has to work.
The condition of the tires is inspected, and not just for thread wear. Any faults such as dry rotting or a broken belt will cause an inspection failure. At one time, any rust through of the body could cause a failure. This was a hold over from vehicles endangering the occupants, with leaking exhaust systems and body rust. Now it's up to how much coffee you bring with you, and your willingness to share.
My opinion is to sell the trailer as is, where is, no warranties expressed or implied. It is priced well, and if she doesn't take it, someone else will.
Criteria for inspection
