used trailer cost?

jprice · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:05 pm

I'm getting close to that point in the build where I'm going to need a trailer.
I know I can build a cradle for it, but I figure it's easier to just put it on the trailer after I flip.

I'm looking around CL and ebay, and find a wide range of prices.

Those of you who bought a used trailer for your boat, how much did you pay for it? (including any money to get it "running")
I'm just trying to get an idea of how much I should expect to spend.
Thanks.

ttownshaw · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:46 pm

I think I paid around $700 for a donor boat/motor/trailer. Invested in three radial trailer tires (added a spare) for $95/each, replaced bearings (about $20 I think), bought new LED lights on clearance but haven't installed yet, new self-made bunks (about $40), new winch ($30), new bow roller ($11), added a folding tongue (not sure but around $180), have purchased a gallon of metallic implement paint (on clearance for $12) to make the trailer look nice (but have yet to paint it. Will replace bearings/races again this year (I replace them every other year...cheap insurance). All in all (averaging my initial investment) I think I'll end up having about $650 in the trailer.

Bill Edmundson · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:30 pm

You can buy used trailers from coastal boat dealers. Many people don't buy trailers on the coast. They keep their boats on lifts and rent trailers for major service or to run from storms.

The trailers are good from the start.

Bill

neel thompson · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:54 pm

I paid $700 for a 3500# Loadrite roller trailer, 2000 year model. I just finished putting about $300 in it to repace all of the u bolts and regular bolts. I replaced both springs also. When I bought the trailer it had a new axle and two new wheels. I found it on Craigslist under "boats". I think you should consider putting your boat on a cradle after the flip to keep it as low as possible while working on the topside. You can build a decent creadle for under $100. It also works well to strap the cradle to the bottom of the boat prior to the flip, and then when she is right-side-up, she is ready to go!!!! Just a suggestion. If you check the "Gentry Build Continued" thread, you will see in there somewhere a picture of the cradle I built, strapped on for the flip. .....Neel

Feckless · **Posted:** Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:33 pm

Paid $700 for a donor boat and trailer. $250 later had a running motor outa the deal. I recommend using the cradle, it keeps the boat lower so the deck can be done without standing on a step ladder all day.

darthplywood · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:53 am

i paid 300 for a galvanized trailer on craigslist. I had to replace: tires, fenders, lights, winch, rollers, leaf springs, bunks and u-bolts. by the time it was all said and done i spent a grand total of about 1000 bucks on everything (including the trailer).

At the time i purchased my trailer they had brand new Karavan trailers for sale on ebay that were from a boat manufacturer (i think Maxum or Bayliner) that had gone belly up. They were running for around 1300.00.

In hind sight, i would have just bought the new trailer. By the time i replaced almost everything on my trailer, what i would have saved in labor would have made the added expense worth it for the new trailer.

jeffh · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:58 am

I got lucky: In Feb, 2011, I was able to buy one of the last 2006 Karavan trailers from a closed Maxum Boat factory. It had a folding tongue and originally retailed for something around $1800. I bought it for $750 from a surplus dealer who bought all 300 from the closed factory.

red · **Posted:** Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:31 pm

jeff theres a galvanized trailor on cl for 299 in hiram it was posted yesterday call him he will probably take 250

jprice · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:12 am

Thanks for the info guys, this is good stuff.
Although now you've got me thinking if I should just go the cradle route and wait on getting the trailer.
decisions, decisions...

Red, do you have a link to that listing on CL? I looked, but didn't find it. Maybe it sold already?

jeffh · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:01 am

I used a cradle with four large casters. It was shorter than the boat and made spinning the boat around in the garage a breeze. Once you get the boat onto the trailer, you don't have that option unless your garage is really deep. I placed dollies under the wheels of my trailer which made moving it around the garage a little easier, but the tongue and then the engine really made the entire rig too long to spin it around.

I bought a shop crane from Harbor Freight and Sam W who also has a Malahini and I lifted the boat from the cradle onto the trailer. This photo shows one of the wheel dollies I use. It makes getting the boat right up against the wall easy so we can get cars in.

darthplywood · **Posted:** Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:43 am

i definitly reccomend the cradle. I was getting ready to move from TN to GA right around the time i was flipping mine over which forced me to put mine on the trailer for the sake of relocating it. It would have been much more hand to have it lower when i was finishing it up.

Glen-L.com

used trailer cost?

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