Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Why is it when searching for an enclosed trailers on craigslist am I finding that a brand new trailer from a dealer in-stock is up to $1000 cheaper than another small brand from as little as 2 years ago from a private seller? Is it the lack of business from contractors and landscapers that drove prices down recently? is under $2000 for a new 6x12 double door rv lock no-bar v-nose reasonable or is there something majorly wrong?

I found that used trailers were selling for as much or more than what a new one cost,I am guessing they may have paid way to much for it new and they think they can still get alot for it used.
For me I wanted one that was taller than a stock trailer so I went with a factory built trailer.
Ebay is a good start they have alot of them for sale so you can get an idea what to pay for one.
Ebay also has all the custom RV products you need to build it out they way you want,if your not buying on ebay now I would get a account because they have everything for RV's.

this a good place to look for trailer companies.
http://www.trailershopper.com/

As Jwhite posted, sellers of used trailers often ask the same or more for a used trailer then a new one. When I did multi-month research into CT's before purchasing new, I seen this first hand and not to mention, where I live, there is not a large used CT market either.

Just today on the local CL, a person is selling a used Continental brand 6x12 which he claims has a "few dings". The seller was originally asking $4000.00 but has dropped the price to $3500.00 which is still about $300.00 higher then a comparable new Continental here. The kicker is that the seller is also claiming that the same trailer is $7-10000.00 new and I would surmise that potential buyers who have not done their homework may think that this is a good deal.. The same applies to regular camper travel trailers. Sellers of these trailers think that their 3-5 year old (or more) travel trailer has not depreciated and is worth the same as they paid when purchased new...

My experience is similiar to BC's. I looked for two months in a three state region for a decent used CT. Finally I spec'd one out at a dealer and got the options I wanted for less. Brand new and a warranty to boot. Did they make me a perfect CT? No, the colorblind taillight wiring and shoddy insulation (now corrected) didn't make me happy. But the used ones I looked at had build quality issues, wear and tear, and badly executed mods.

I buy mostly used vehicles, but used cargo trailers were not a good deal IMHO.

I've never had good luck looking at used ones.. At least not lightly used.. You can find 7-8 year old beat up trailers for cheap.. Most people with a 2-3 year old trailer want almost as much money as a new one cost.. In some cases more.. They probably bought them from local dealers and paid full retail plus tax.. Then expect to sale them for a few hundred less then they paid. You also have to remember prices vary quite a big brand from brand.. Trailers from pace, wells cargo, feather lite cost a premium price compared to other brands.. Some of its brand name but some of it really is build quality.. So if see a certain model used you need to compare it to the same model new. Just going on the size is not really fair.

8ball_99 wrote:I've never had good luck looking at used ones.. At least not lightly used.. You can find 7-8 year old beat up trailers for cheap.. Most people with a 2-3 year old trailer want almost as much money as a new one cost.. In some cases more.. They probably bought them from local dealers and paid full retail plus tax.. Then expect to sale them for a few hundred less then they paid. You also have to remember prices vary quite a big brand from brand.. Trailers from pace, wells cargo, feather lite cost a premium price compared to other brands.. Some of its brand name but some of it really is build quality.. So if see a certain model used you need to compare it to the same model new. Just going on the size is not really fair.

You raise a good point about comparing size to size as a 6x10 cannot be compared to a 6x12 which cannot be compared to a 7x14 and so on, regardless if the CT is new or used.

As for premium prices vs brand names, yes this is also true. My research and checking many, many C brands for build quality also revealed that price does not equate quality nor does brand name equate quality.

Of all the CT brands (new and used) I checked and examined, only 2 showed above average build quality vs close to same size and pricing models. These 2 brands were Haulmark and Wells Cargo. I went with the Haulmark due to the quality vs price as the similar equipped Wells Cargo which cost almost $800.00 more did not have enough build quality difference to warrant the price increase as compared to the Haulmark.

Getting back to the used vs new question. Like any purchase, the best decisions come from educating yourself on what you need,what features you are looking for in a CT, how much you can afford and what a new vs used CT is comparatively worth in your market area.

No matter what you get, I strongly recommend a V nose for the ease of towing and that is not always available on a second hand trailer.

I too have looked at many trailers none are perfect.
with a used one you take what it is with a new one you decide what it is.
I am probably different than most I will need the factory to do much of the build before I get the trailer,
windows, jacks, RV door with screen, 2 roof vents, entrance step and possibly insulation if when I visit the factory the insulation install looks good.
that's why I'm buying new
but if you find a used one at your price go for it.
pete

When I said just going on size isn't fair. I mint the quality can vary quite a bit from brand to brand. Just for examble comparing a Pace trailer to cargo mate because they are both 6x12 trailers isn't fair. You have to look at everything from the axles to the trim. On paper doesn't tell you much. They can both say treated plywood floor and LED lights. But once you see them in person you can tell the lights on one is much cheaper then the other requardless if they are both LEDs.

The other thing to remember with a used one is tires.. Even more so with a tandem. You take a 2-3 year old trailer its going to need tires much faster then if you buy a new one.. Heck depending on how it was used or even parked it might already need them.. With a tandem axle that can be a chunck of change.

I'm one of those that only buys used if I'm saving a decent percentage over buying new.. If your saving a few hundred bucks on a 3k trailer.. IMO its not worth it. Now if you can get a 3k trailer for 2k then it starts making since. Do NOT go by what they paid.. Go by what you can buy that trailer for new. If he paid 500 more then what one goes for now thats not your problem thats his lol

I think one thing to consider is how you plan on useing the trailer if you are just going to just take some camping gear and go a few times a year you would be ok if you found a used trailer at a good deal.
But if you plan on building it like a factory toyhauler or trailer and have all the comforts of home you will spend quite a bit of money finishing it out = or I did anyway?
I wanted to build a trailer toyhauler that was half the length and half the price,no matter how much to try and figure the cost it will wind up costing alot more.
2 big mistakes I made > I bought the large peel and stick flouring and now it's only a year old is coming up and needs to be replaced I should have used a some other solid type flouring.
The other was buying a portable air conditioner they don't work.

I bought mine used... it's good and bad. One thing you really have to watch when shopping for used trailers is the title. If it's not 100% clean, you might want to run the other direction.

Another is the condition of the tires, axles, and look close for any signs of roof leaks.

If you're comfortable fixing things, then a motivated sell'er can make you a good deal. Mine is 8' tall and 20' long and it was $2900 used. I thought I got a steal. Turned out, those "easy-to-remove" vinyl decals, sometimes take paint with them. So now it need a paint job. The roof, which I hadn't even looked at, partially do the 8' height, turned out to be galvanized. That height that seemed so necessary, could have 6" shorter and it might save a few mpg.

So, it needs paint... and the roof needed to be cleaned and coated. All the hasps were bent or cut, so they needed to be replaced. All in all, I think I paid a fair price for it, not the bargain I thought it was when I saw it.

I might sell this one in a few years when I get more of ti done. Maybe move up to a an aluminum trailer. I had figured I'd be in $6K by the time I'm done. I think it'll be closer to $8K, but the lady of the campsite likes it considerably more than the old tent. So, you know, worth it

For something that ammounts to a hard shell tent, I'm not too worried about a heavy duty frame. If the manufacturer builds the standard shell plumb, tight and correct enough then It'll be purchased. Of course I'll unscrew the plywood walls as soon as I get it to install insulation myself so its a good time to check for defects while under warranty.

We went in with cash in hand and pretty much named our price, they were willing wheel and deal. Why buy used with holes, stickers and someone else's dirt??

I've purchased both ways. I think you can be happy with your purchase either way if you do your homework. That is, make a list of everything you want and determine your budget. Do it like Consumer Reports does. I made a list of things that were inportant to me. Then when I looked at trailers I rated each item 1-10 and tallied the points. It helped clarify what was important to me.

This way, I was able to make the buy/not buy decision right on the spot. Really good deals do not usually last more than one day.

Merry Christmas, Steve

if you're only talking a couple hundred.. that's not enough to worry about. You'll get it ate up somewhere else while you get your trailer like you want it. My concern when I purchased mine used was the condition - not of the roof or walls but the axles and hubs. Everything else I can tinker with. I ended up with a Trailer that is serving us well... even if it looks odd.