Is your budget not enough to purchase a custom made Drop Frame Trailer? Well, this must be your lucky day because I’m going to share with you 4 effective tips for buying second-hand and save big bucks during the process.
Tip #1 –Go for the basic essentials
If you are inspecting some second-hand drop frame trailer models at a local dealer, I recommend you go for the basic essentials that must be present such as the material of the floors, whether it’s wooden or aluminium, tyres, brake and visible signs of cracks, dents or rust development. Even if you have a limited budget, it’s your right as a paying customer to assess the overall condition of the trailer and if it’s really worth the selling price. Take note of the following issues:
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If the trailer floor area is made from wood, go over and see if they are well-maintained. If not, you might be facing potential decay in the near future. Replacing these wooden floorboards might cost a lot of money.
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If the floor area is made from steel or aluminium, rust formation could later weaken the structure foundation of the drop frame trailer.
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Buying a second-hand trailer could mean having to deal with old or worn tyres. If you discovered some of the tyres aren’t of the same size, this could be an alarming issue when you are off on a long distance trip.
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If you really want to check the overall performance of the drop frame trailer, request the dealer to hook it to a vehicle. The brakes and wiring should be functioning well. Make sure it’s also a perfect fit to your vehicle.
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Another part of the drop frame trailer is the hitch mechanism. See to it that it’s in good quality condition and has been properly maintained.
Tip #2 – Get the drop frame trailer history
If you don’t want to end up buying a stolen trailer or with unpaid finances from its previous owner, request the dealer to give a detailed history. For your peace of mind that the trailer is free from past obligations, verify if this trailer is registered. Go and visit the official page of Australian Government and enter the 17 digit serial code of the trailer you are planning to buy.
Tip #3 – Perform relevant research
Don’t just be happy with the claims of your local dealer. Perform relevant research of similar second-hand models advertised for sale in various selling sites. You can also do online search from reliable second-hand truck and trailer dealers and get a free quote.
Tip #4 – Talk to an insurance broker
Lastly, before you make any drastic move of buying a second-hand drop frame trailer, talk to a trustworthy insurance broker in your area and seek his or her professional advice on this issue, especially if you have intentions of getting it insured afterwards.
If you are really on a tight budget and can’t afford to buy the latest model of drop frame trailer, be willing to consider other options like a second-hand trailer. Why? Aside from bigger savings, there’s a possibility you might stumble on a seller in need of cash and willing to sell a well-maintained trailer at a cheaper price.
Request a quote online with Truck Insurance HQ for your Drop Frame Trailer insurance or if you have questions that you need answered first, our team of experienced brokers can assist, give them a call on 1300 815 344