Carefully check your tires not only for dry rot but age. If your tires are original, they would be suspect for continued reliability. Unfortunately it is difficult to check the age, because it is stamped on the inside of the tires. If your dealer has a floor jack and a creeper, it is a quick process. Any tire over 6 years old should be on your short list for a change.

Pull the mats and check the floor for pitting and corrosion, especially on the butt side along the wall

Check underneath the trailer, particularly the undercarriage and the frame. Look at the welds at the major junctions, and where the steel axle mounts join the frame.

Check all the doors and windows for proper operation, loose hinges, faulty latches etc. Check that the brakes actually work, and ensure the break away brake function is working. Some states require this for inspection.

Before you leave, check the running lights, and make sure the hitch is secure and operates properly. Look on the roof for missing or broken vents, make sure each one in the stall area opens and closes correctly.

Enjoy your trailer!

Gard

Thanks Gard, that is exactly the kind of information I was looking for!

I will see about a creeper and look underneath.  I already got a pretty good look at the floor as they were power washing the inside when we looked at the trailer.  It had just come in that morning we were at the dealer and it wasn't "for sale" yet, but we looked around at it.  I spoke with the mechanic who had ckecked the brakes and the overall condition of the trailer.  It was used, but looks to have been well maintained  I will but will pull the mats and look again, because that is one pretty hefty check we are writing.  We are financing through our bank so they are cutting us a check so we can pay the dealership ourselves.

I am planning on hauling it around to check brakes and how it hauls down the road before writing that big fat check too.  I have another trailer I can get for the same $$, we just like this one better.  If I find any red flags I will have the dealer fix it or walk away.  All the windows/doors worked, but didn't check the vents.  One of the drop down windows had a broken (ripped) screen, but I can replace that pretty easy- not worth fussing over, most trailers don't even have screens!  My wife really liked that, she has me keep the plexiglass on the nose side of our trailer year round- after all the horses don't want bugs hitting them in the face at 65MHP any more than I do!

I hope the hitch will be fine.  I am going to install it myself- taking Friday off work to install the hitch then make the 2 hour (each way) drive to pickup the trailer.

I'll post pics once we pick it up (if we do indeed go through, as I hope we do!).

Thanks!

Forgot to add: open the awning all the way, checking its operation. Make sure it rolls back and locks up. Get some some extra safety straps, and make sure the dealer gives you the pull rod for the awning.

Best of luck  Gard