Car hauler trailer help.

So guys, now that I have a truck with a 7k tow rating, and a driveway to keep it. I am thinking of buying a car hauler to buy, fix, and sell cars on the side. I am looking for any advise, knowledge, or info on one for sale. Any help or understanding about what I should pay, what to look for, what to stay away from would be helpful.

Thanks in advance
Bill

Well, first of all don't pay too much. When you are looking keep in mind there are several area dealers that stock new trailers, and a 16ft Big Tex 70CH (7k gross rating) goes for around $2600 brand new.

For a fixer upper except to spend around $1000 to $2000. Maybe less if you come across a deal. I paid $1000 for my current one, which is a 1993 Big tex 70CH 16 ft. Granted it needed a bit of wiring and it needs a bit of welding, but nothing structural is wrong. Just research the price of things and decide what you want to tackle workwise.

Hit craigslist and search for "car trailer" in the general all section search bar. People post them in every section. There are a lot of garbage homemade trailers out there, avoid those. I had one for while, it was ok and I got a lot done. But it just didn't tow as nice. Also avoid the landscape trailers and equipment trailers people try to pass off as car trailers. Landscape trailers have a rail around the sides that just gets in the way and may not allow you to open the doors on the loaded car. Equipment trailers have a higher deck which makes loading a bit tougher, and are usually heavier.

You may also find in your searching a car trailer thats a few years old, that the guy has installed a box and winch on. Could be a good buy if you can afford to lay out the coin all at once. The factory built car trailers usually have stake packets on them so you can build stake sides and use it for house things. Helps to convince the other half on your new purchase.

Here's a few searches to start you off

http://nh.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=car+hauler&sort=rel&srchType=T

http://nh.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=car+trailer&sort=rel&srchType=T

Trailers make good tree magnets, get one that can take a moderate hit.
Test fit N97s before you buy.
Put the rear wheels of the truck under sturdy ramps to make it easier to load low cars.

I thought you were already buying, fixing, and selling cars



Sorry for assing up your thread, carry on

V8Killer wrote:

I thought you were already buying, fixing, and selling cars



Sorry for assing up your thread, carry on

I was until they cut my overtime 5 months ago, and laid off almost the entire company in three layoffs, the last two layoffs in the past couple weeks. Or since I bought the truck. Unemployment may be around the corner.

And thank you Eric. That is what I was looking for as far as info is concerned. I was looking on CL under "auto transport trailer" and coming up empty

Watch the spelling. Sometimes gems like this enclosed "trailor" turn up.

Go buy a new trailer, don't screw around with used. Been in the trailer business for 25 years, used car trailers are usually beat to shit.