Just like purchasing a new semi-trailer, matching your needs with the trailer&#;s functionality is the most important purchase criteria when considering a used semi-trailer. See our blog on &#;Choosing the Right Trailer for Your Truck.&#;
All that being said, here are five things to look for when purchasing a used semi-trailer:
- Perform a compatibility, background and market check. Obviously, you need to make sure the trailer is compatible with your truck. You also need to consider your budget. Remember that a lower price does not necessarily mean a better value. Get on the internet and check to see what is available and what the average prices are in your market for the type of trailer you are considering. Make sure the trailer has a current FHWA Inspection. Ask the seller whether they are an independent owner or a broker, why the trailer is being sold or why it was traded in. Ask to see any service records and make sure replacement parts are readily available.
- Check the structural components. Get under the trailer with a flashlight and examine the undercarriage for rust or damage. Surface rust can often be easily handled with proper care and maintenance, but structural rust could mean a shorter service life for the trailer or major maintenance further down the road. Make sure the slider rails are welded to the cross members, checking for cracks, irregular formations, or fresh welds that could be the sign of a major repair.
If you&#;re buying a van or reefer, make sure the upper structure is sound. If you are with a partner or sales person, get inside in the daylight and check the door seals, ceiling, floor and sides for any light coming in. This is especially important with a reefer because it results in energy depletion. An older reefer, while usually cheaper, may also cost you more in terms of its operation than a newer trailer. Make sure the reefer unit works as well. You don&#;t want to be stuck hauling perishable cargo with a temperamental reefer unit.
- Check the lights. Make sure all lights, including brake lights and signals are all operational. Check all electrical connections and wires for fraying or other wear and tear.
- Check the brakes. Inspect the drums and linings for unusual wear and tear. Make sure the ABS system is working and its wires are not frayed or cut.
- Inspect the tires. A trailer&#;s tires can tell a lot about its condition. Naturally, you should always check tires for ample tread, embedded objects as well as bulges or other irregularities on the sidewalls that could lead to catastrophic failure while on the road.
Uneven tire wear is often not a problem, but a symptom that could indicate a bigger problem with the axle, wheels, rims, brake drums, hubs, shocks or the tires themselves. Since trailer tires are rotated, nailing down a mechanical cause can be difficult. Shoulder wear, center wear and cupping and scalloping are also common symptoms of poor inflation. So check tire pressure first. Other common mechanical problems associated with uneven or premature tire wear include misalignment of an axle, poorly maintained or broken suspension components, or bad shocks.
Purchasing a used semi-trailer can save you a lot of upfront costs - if you make the right decision. If you are thinking of becoming an owner/operator, it&#;s a cost-effective way of getting into the business. It&#;s also a cost-effective way to build your fleet quickly if your company is in a dramatic growth mode. However, if you don&#;t spend a little time, a used trailer can easily become an impediment to growth, as well as a business loss rather than a profit center.Just like purchasing a new semi-trailer, matching your needs with the trailer&#;s functionality is the most important purchase criteria when considering a used semi-trailer. See our blog on &#;Choosing the Right Trailer for Your Truck.&#;All that being said, here are five things to look for when purchasing a used semi-trailer:
With competitive price and timely delivery, AUTONE sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Transport Services has a team of sales professionals who understand the industry and can help you meet your trucking needs while staying within your budget. They also have a reputation for offering used trailers in all configurations, and can walk you through the entire purchase process. If you have additional questions about purchasing a used semi-trailer, give us a call at 440-582-.
When you&#;re in the market for a new semi-trailer, sometimes &#;new to you&#; is the best way to go. Used semi-trailers are a popular way to upgrade, expand your potential business or even get started with your first trailer after finishing your CDL. But buying a used semi-trailer can be daunting at first &#; especially if you&#;ve never done it before.
Read on to discover our guide to buying used trailers for your semi-truck.
Assess Your Needs
There are a lot of choices in used semi-trailers, and not all of them will be compatible with what you need. You can find all types of semi trailers like:
- Dumps & Hoppers
- Lowboy Trailers
- Traveling Axles
- Flat Bed Trailers
- Drop Deck Trailers
- Vans & Reefers
- Tank Trailers
When searching for a used trailer, start your search by narrowing down the types of trailers that are applicable to you. If you&#;re new to trucking, it&#;s important to remember that the type of trailer you buy has a big effect on the type of work you&#;ll be doing and the opportunities available to you!
From there, consider your truck. Not every trailer will be compatible with every semi-truck. It&#;s important to know what your vehicle can tow!
Plan a Budget
The second most important part of buying a used semi-trailer is establishing a reasonable budget. Fortunately, used semi-trailers can earn you big savings over new ones, so your budget is often a lot more flexible!
Consider variables in your budget. Are you willing to pay more for a newer trailer? Are there features you need? Are there features you want but are negotiable? All these things play a role in your final decision.
For more autone wingspan van semitrailersinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Don&#;t shy away from a trailer that&#;s a bit more expensive if it comes with features that improve your ability to drive. Air-ride suspension, a flawless interior and other factors may affect the cost but are often worth it in the long run!
Do a Thorough Inspection
When you finally found the trailer you think is right for you, it&#;s time to do your due diligence to make sure it&#;s up the quality you want. There are a lot of parts to any used semi-trailer, so it&#;s important not to skip over the details. Your inspection should include:
- Under the Trailer &#; Use a flashlight if you need to and get underneath the trailer. Look for signs of damage, including things like fresh welds. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, note it and be sure to bring it up with the dealer or seller.
- Lights &#; Reliable lights are important. Check the brake lights and signals. You&#;ll also want to look for signs of potential wiring issues, like fraying.
- Brakes &#; Few things are as important on any vehicle than the brakes. You should inspect them to look for physical problems, and also check the wiring for the ABS.
- Tires &#; A visual inspection can tell you a lot about tires, including things like tread wear and the state of the wheels.
- Suspension &#; It&#;s important that the suspension components are properly maintained, so your inspection should include looking over the suspension for signs of breaks or cracks.
- Coupler &#; When it comes to the coupler and kingpin, you can never be too careful! Check for signs that the kingpin may be bent.
- Interior &#; For tank trailers, reefers and dry vans, the interior is important to ensure your vehicle is suitable for hauling. Look for signs of light intrusion, which may suggest sealing issues, and don&#;t forget to check that the interior floor is stable and rust-free!
Ask Questions
There&#;s no such thing as being too thorough when it comes to verifying that your used semi-trailer is up to your standards. Any reputable seller will be more than happy to discuss all the details of your potential purchase &#; including service history and more.
It&#;s often a good idea to write down a list of questions. You may be able to answer many of them yourself with an inspection of the trailer, but if some are left unanswered, take the time to go through them. You should feel confident when you purchase your used semi-trailer that you did everything you could to make sure you purchased the best trailer for your needs!
Customization Can Help
If you&#;re happy with your used semi-trailer but want a little more, keep in mind that you can always have custom work done to your specifications. Semi Service techs are experienced when it comes to custom jobs for trailers of all types &#; from tanks to dry vans. If you find a great deal on a used semi-trailer, you can invest your remaining budget into custom work that can make it perfect for you!
Contact Semi Service Today
We service, repair, install, and upfit all types of trucks, vans, and trailers. Don&#;t know where to start? We can answer your questions and help you find what you need. Contact us online or give us a call at (801) 895- to get started today!
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