Trailer tire kicking

Thinking about buying a used trailer? The key to a worry-free purchase is knowing what to look for when going over every inch of the trailer.

Buying a used trailer can be intimidating with most used trailers on the market sold “as is.” That doesn’t mean you should worry, but you should certainly go in prepared.

Perhaps the biggest motivation to buying used as opposed to new is to save money. With used trailers, that price tag will tell a big chunk of the tale of the trailer.

“The price usually reflects the condition. Often, a person wants a deal and wants to work on it. That’s fine. Just make sure you know what you’re getting,” said Jason Church, branch manager of Arrow Truck Sales, Kansas City, Mo.

“Know what you’re getting” might be easier said than done for some people, but Church explains that with various trailers there are particular areas of the trailer that need close attention to find out if it will wind up being more trouble than it’s worth.

No matter the type of trailer you are looking for, Church said there are five areas you should give a close look.

Tire condition. Look at the tread depth and how the tread is wearing. If there is an alignment issue with the trailer, tires will show wear on the inside or outside. If that unusual wear shows up, Church said to hook the trailer up to a truck and follow it down the road to see how it tracks.

“Tires tell a lot of the story,” Church said.

Cross-members. Cross-members sit on the frame and the trailer floor sits on the cross-members. Church said you should check each and every cross-member, both sides and all the way across for corrosion or rust and damage. Blown tires and other problems cause bends in the cross-members. Any rust or damage would need to be fixed before putting a load on the trailer, he said.

Corrosion. Suspension, air tanks and brake chambers are common places for caustic chemicals to take a toll on components.

Belt line molding. That’s what attaches the trailer to the cross-members. Dents and rubs are OK, Church said. If it is broken or cracked, it needs to be repaired.

King pin area. You need to make sure the swing clearance is OK for your truck. Most are 36 inches. Make sure the main plate doesn’t have any major damage and that it looks intact.

Dry vans

Going inside, look at the ceiling, Church said. If you see patches, that’s a good sign that the trailer has been maintained and the previous owner took care of a problem. You should not see any daylight that will cause a water leak, which will damage your load.

The floor is usually wood or steel. Look for damage from a forklift or anything else that may have punctured or cracked the floor. Those should be repaired to protect from water entering the trailer and damaging the load.

“Water is a big enemy of dry vans,” Church said.

Reefers

Obviously with refrigerated trailers, the reefer unit is the most expensive component. You’ll need to make sure you’re buying enough cooling unit for the loads you haul. It’s a discussion you need to have with the seller, because cooling needs for fresh flowers are much different than what it takes to keep ice cream frozen.

Bring in a reefer specialist, especially if you’re not mechanically inclined or savvy about reefer units, to hook up to the unit for a pump down test to find leaks in the compressor or lines. “Run hours” are also a consideration. They will be lower than “on hours,” but once an engine hits 28,000 run hours, unless there is documentation that the engine has been replaced, you need to have it checked out before buying, Church said.

Water is again a big enemy. If the roof or sidewall is cut through, it needs to immediately be repaired. Once water enters the wall, the insulation acts like a sponge and holds the water, and it will not come out. If you see patches on a trailer, Church said to get it weighed to make sure you aren’t buying a water-logged trailer.

Like dry vans, inspect the interior from top to bottom looking for cracks or damage. The rear door and seals also need a good look. The doors need to be aligned, and you want seals that are in good shape and seal tightly when closed.

Flatbed

While tires and suspension again require a close look, the floor is a big deal on flatbeds and step decks.

Church said you want to see a good bow in the floor when looking from the side. If it’s flat, especially with an aluminum floor, that’s a problem. If it’s a steel construction, that’s not as big of a concern. Church said that if there is damage or punctures to the floor, it shouldn’t be a problem if it’s patched properly.

Lastly, Church said you should look at the sliding winches. Operate the winches and make sure it slides. It’s not a big deal if one doesn’t work because they can be replaced. However, you’ll want to know it before you buy. LL