Need help finding a used trailer in my area

[Judaeus Apella]

I don't even know what it's called for that I'm looking for. It has to have walls like a truck bed, so we can tow stuff like loose dirt, gravel, rocks, bags, etc, without falling out. And it needs to be the same size as a truck bed, so we can get our money's worth when buying a truck load of material for a set price per load (not per pound). It also has to be used and within 45 minutes drive time.

I'm having a hell of a time finding something used. We CANNOT afford something new, there's just no way we can do that. I found something on craigs list but I'm not impressed. Doesn't look like its in very good condition. :(

http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/1875200035.html

If you know how to help me, my zip is 23060. We live in the Richmond Area of Virginia. I could really used some help with this.... I've tried the usual places I know of like ebay and craigs list... but nothing much really, and nothing at all on ebay.:(

[STEvil]

that trailer wont haul much weight wise if you choose to haul something heavy like gravel.

You can get trailers made out of the rear half of the frame of a pickup that work ok but you have to be careful not to go over the legal load limit without having electric brakes on the trailer..

[little_scrapper]

Build it yourself. Just buy the axels and build a bed/frame on it/them.

[Zytek_Fan]

http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/1876298041.html

Just throw some more boards on the side, reinforce the sides a bit and it should be good.

[Judaeus Apella]

$650... we can't afford that, that's why we're looking for something used. We can a afford a few hundred though...

[Zytek_Fan]

$650... we can't afford that, that's why we're looking for something used. We can a afford a few hundred though...

That one in your OP would work if you can afford to throw a heavier duty axle and leaf springs on it.

[Judaeus Apella]

Doesn't the floor board look a little rotted though?

And that would probably end up costing as much as the one you posted. :(

If we had the money, I'd buy a bare one, and just add the walls to it, but that would cost too much. We just spent probably over $350 on lumber for another project... and can't afford to spend another 600 on something else. :(

I really wish I could find one of those truck beds converted into a trailer, but used... I love those. But I never see any of those around here. I'm sure making one would cost too much. :( Do the math. Add all the parts I need, tally it all up, and see how much it would cost.... the answer is a lot, more than we have to spend, most likely as much as that $600 trailer or higher.

[Zytek_Fan]

Doesn't the floor board look a little rotted though?

And that would probably end up costing as much as the one you posted. :(

If we had the money, I'd buy a bare one, and just add the walls to it, but that would cost too much. We just spent probably over $350 on lumber for another project... and can't afford to spend another 600 on something else. :(

I really wish I could find one of those truck beds converted into a trailer, but used... I love those. But I never see any of those around here. I'm sure making one would cost too much. :( Do the math. Add all the parts I need, tally it all up, and see how much it would cost.... the answer is a lot, more than we have to spend, most likely as much as that $600 trailer or higher.

If you have the tools to build one, you might be able to do it for about $300.

I was looking at building a steel headache rack and steel in my town was pretty damn cheap, so I'm sure it'd be cheaper in the Richmond area.
40 feet worth of 2"x1" tube was around $50 IIRC.

You could get a new trailer axle from a farm store or metal supplier, or you might be able to source an axle from a wrecked trailer from a wrecking yard.

[Judaeus Apella]

Well... honestly, the problem is I don't have the time. I have another pressing matter. I need to pick up some gravel dust to finish the front stairs... they're torn out, the neighbors are unhappy, and I don't have the time to put that project off, so I can complete a different one in order to finish that one. :(

This sucks. If I had known this was going to happen, I would have put this off till fall when the weather was better so I could actually work outside without passing out, and we had already bought a trailer. And we're not paying someone $80 or so dollars to deliver $27 from half a mile away. Literally, they're right down the street a few blocks away. I could ride my bike there. :mad::mad::mad:

[Zytek_Fan]

http://richmond.craigslist.org/grd/1876400437.html

Throw some sides on it, and you'll be good.

[Judaeus Apella]

We don't have the money for more lumber, plus the parts, and most likely that needs new wiring and lights. If it was just the wiring and the lights and maybe a flat tire, I'd go for it.

[Zytek_Fan]

Hmmm.

Do you have anybody you could borrow a trailer from?

[Judaeus Apella]

The guy next door has one, but we wouldn't dare ask him... we're just not comfortable asking him.

[STEvil]

$575 obo: http://richmond.ebayclassifieds.com/trailers-rvs/center-cross/2010-titled-4x8-tilt-trailer/?ad=4794032
$450.. no picture but may be worth looking into. http://richmond.ebayclassifieds.com/trailers-rvs/chesterfield/utility-trailer-custom-made/?ad=4340364

Just need to make some sides for either of these.. they're out of your area a bit though maybe.

$550 http://delaware.ebayclassifieds.com/trailers-rvs/wilmington/5-8-trailer-tilting/?ad=5067741&msg=OUT_OF_AREA
$250 http://hagerstownmartinsburg.ebayclassifieds.com/trailers-rvs/martinsburg/dico-trailer-4x8/?ad=5050620&msg=OUT_OF_AREA


Check this once a day http://richmond.ebayclassifieds.com/trailers-rvs/?catId=100136

[Judaeus Apella]

Thank you Stevil for the time you spend looking for those.... but it has to have walls so we can transport loose material like dirt and rocks. :( :( Some of those are really nice though. If I could find a good one for cheap, I could use some lumber on it.... but not for those prices. :( And it has to have a tailgate...

[wdrzal]

You better first do your homework with the State DOT laws for trailers........maximium weight......single axel or 2 or more required ........are electric brakes required for the weight you intend to haul.....what class hitch is needed........just a few thoughts for starters.

[STEvil]

Thank you Stevil for the time you spend looking for those.... but it has to have walls so we can transport loose material like dirt and rocks. :( :( Some of those are really nice though. If I could find a good one for cheap, I could use some lumber on it.... but not for those prices. :( And it has to have a tailgate...

plywood/2x4 walls are easy to build, hinges are cheap to build a quick tailgate.

[Judaeus Apella]

How much would the load weigh in one of those pull behind 4x6 or 4x8 trailers, I was hauling gravel dust? And no I don't think they're going to fill it all the way up. They just give you one scoop with a loader, and charge you $27... a loader of about this size or maybe just a tad bigger:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Wheel-loader02.jpg/800px-Wheel-loader02.jpg

[wdrzal]

Most supply yards have scales and sell their product by weight. It's fair for you and fair for them. those who sell by the "scoop" have to charge more because there is always a little error & it's always going to be in their favor.

To find out how much a scoop weighs you need to know the cubic yard capacity of the bucket & the weight per cubic yard of the material.

[Judaeus Apella]

Well there really isn't anyone else in the area and for the amount you get for a price at that place, at least around here, is totally unheard of. I've NEVER found anywhere else that can match them.... unless you want to spend the difference on gas money and drive way out in the middle of no where, which is just a pointless waste of time. (Remember you're hauling a lot of weight, and that = less mpg). Even if it was $5 more, its worth it cause they're practically next door. Takes like 3 minutes to get there.

[STEvil]

A full scoop from one of those (appears to be a 2-3 yard bucket) is not going to fit on a single axle trailer.

weight of gravel (roughly) per cubic yard: 1.27 tons (2835lb's) http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_a_cubic_yard_of_gravel_weigh
weight of stone dust (roughly) per cubic yard: 1.3 tons (2912lb's) http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_yards_of_stonedust_are_in_one_ton

[Judaeus Apella]

They never give you a full scoop. With the GMC Sonoma I used to have, he only put like half of a scoop, it wasn't much.... so I don't remember where I was going with that. Oo

Here, just go with this. They give you what ever you can fit in a pick up truck bed (I don't know what the exact rules are) for a flat fee of $27, or $18 per ton of gravel dust. (I just found this out)

I can't help thinking of that joke from family guy with the two scoops of raisins falling from the sky and destroying everything. ROFL

[Zytek_Fan]

Rent a truck from Budget or Ryder and have them fill it with what you need.


Return it with remnants of gravel and concrete :rofl:

[Judaeus Apella]

WTF they want $85! It cost less than that to have it dropped off by the place we want to buy our stuff from... and its still a rip off. This sucks.

We've decided that its okay to spend between 300 and 400 on a trailer, but no more unless it already has walls on it. We'll put some money towards mounting some plywood on it, but I have to ask first. Do I need anything else other than some bolts and plywood or do I need some kind of hardware to mount it properly so its not dangerous?

Also what trailers have to have lights? I've seen trailers that don't have any. Is it just when the rear lights are obstructed?

[STEvil]

Bolts and/or self-tapping screws will be fine. You may want to put some 2x4's behind the plywood to add strength so it doesnt bow outwards and just break.

Lights will depend on local laws..

[Zytek_Fan]

Just basic brake/tail/indicator lights should be fine.

[Judaeus Apella]

Hey! We found a solution! Home Depot has a rent a truck for $20 for the first 75 minutes and $10 for each following hour, but you're not charged for the first 75 minutes if you use a Home Depot credit card. :D Its a Ford 350 Super Duty.

http://www.deltamediallc.com/BlackFriday/graphics/homedepottruck.JPG

In the mean time we're waiting for our hitch to arrive and in the future we'll find a used trailer. :)

[Zytek_Fan]

Oh good deal there! Looks like a nice dump bed on it as well.

[Judaeus Apella]

There's a catch. LOL You have to have a receipt that proves you bought $100 or more in merchandise within the past 10 days or less, in order to rent the truck, so I guess you could say its only a courtesy service for valued customers. But we needed to order come rugs anyway, so we're good. :D I'll either use it tomorrow or the next day.

[wdrzal]

I see you got the gravel and front steps done.........................:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Judaeus Apella]

LOL, that's definitely not me (we have a farm style porch)... but I feel a "you know you're a red neck..." joke coming. :rofl: