Trailer???
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bigtiller
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Is that an old trailer house frame and axles? If it is, that would be a red flag for me. There is no title, so it is probably home made but why didn't the guy get a salvage title for it? If I could buy it really cheap and use it off road, on the farm I would. Other wise I would walk away.
Diamondpilot
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Price means everything. Its probably rated at 18K and would guess it to be 3.5K empty leaving 14K or so for a load.
If bought right it could be a steal. Just register it as homemade.
Chris
If bought right it could be a steal. Just register it as homemade.
Chris
topbuilder
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I would look into the process of obtaining a title and registration for your state prior to buying it. Some states make it very expensive. The axles are a red flag for me as well. Load rating, have they been shortened...
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
Asking price would have to be about 1/4 of a factory made trailer before I would even think about it. Cost of getting someone's home made job safely and legally on the road could be high.
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Thanks for the help gentlemen. In NC you can register it as home made. The process is straightforward. It occurs quite often since South Carolina does not require a title and some folks buy SC trailers. I know those axles could be mobile home axles. Quite a few of Hudson trailers utilize this type of axle but they are Dexter heavy duty trailer axles. It caught my eye too. IMHO I want trailer axles but I know lots of guys around here running mobile home axles with no issues.
The owner stated that the trailer was heavier than he needed. No issues other than that. If those axles check out and the price is OK I may bring it home. It is 16' with a 4' dovetail. As well as it is built, if it was homemade, why would someone utilize mobile home axles unless they just had them available.
The owner stated that the trailer was heavier than he needed. No issues other than that. If those axles check out and the price is OK I may bring it home. It is 16' with a 4' dovetail. As well as it is built, if it was homemade, why would someone utilize mobile home axles unless they just had them available.
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Thanks Pat for the info. That type of trailer is not cheap. What value would you place on it if it? I know what he is asking and I have a number in mind that I think is fair.
tractorshopper
Veteran Member
In South Carolina, we don't register trailers, so the fact that it is not registered or titled is normal here. It doesn't mean that it was home made. It could be made by any major trailer maker and would not be registered.
A very rare few actually will register their trailers, but only because they haul out of state regularly and other states require registration or will give you a fine even if your home state does not require it. Then you have to pay annual taxes and get a license plate for it. That's why nobody does it. I only know one person that has one of his trailers registered. He had to go back to the maker that he originally purchased from (Pace), to get a certificate of origin so he could register the trailer. People in SC buy and sell trailers here all the time with no certificates, bills of sale, or registrations. I don't have any title or any such document on my tandem axle trailer either.
The question is, can you get a document to register it in your state having bought it out of state. Does NC require registration? I'd call your DMV to see what is required and see if you can get some documentation from the seller that allows you to do what you need to do to be in compliance in NC.
A very rare few actually will register their trailers, but only because they haul out of state regularly and other states require registration or will give you a fine even if your home state does not require it. Then you have to pay annual taxes and get a license plate for it. That's why nobody does it. I only know one person that has one of his trailers registered. He had to go back to the maker that he originally purchased from (Pace), to get a certificate of origin so he could register the trailer. People in SC buy and sell trailers here all the time with no certificates, bills of sale, or registrations. I don't have any title or any such document on my tandem axle trailer either.
The question is, can you get a document to register it in your state having bought it out of state. Does NC require registration? I'd call your DMV to see what is required and see if you can get some documentation from the seller that allows you to do what you need to do to be in compliance in NC.
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Thanks David. I don't know if it is a factory or home made trailer. I will find out later today. It does seem to be built very well and in excellent condition.
tractorshopper
Veteran Member
That thing has a very beefy frame and ramps. It appears as you said to be in very good shape. I'd guess it would easily fetch $3-4k or more.
jlgurr
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I live in NC and not too long ago titled a homemade trailer at the DMV. Like this scenario I found a DEAL. DMV would not title with mobile home axles so I replaced with "real" axles. 
it was not expensive, less than $200 including lifetime tag IIRC.
Sent from my iPhone 2.0 using TractorByNet
it was not expensive, less than $200 including lifetime tag IIRC.Sent from my iPhone 2.0 using TractorByNet
First: Wow. That is a heavy duty trailer for a 16 footer. What are you planning on hauling with it?
I am one of those few who has registered trailers (equipment and utility) as I may travel to another state. My tractor dealer is in NC and I have family in Ga. The SC DMV told me it was a one time charge and no annual fee. Annual fee time will be this fall for the new trailers so will see how it goes then. So for less than $100 per trailer I can take a trailer with its permanent plate anywhere I please with no travel interruptions.
I am one of those few who has registered trailers (equipment and utility) as I may travel to another state. My tractor dealer is in NC and I have family in Ga. The SC DMV told me it was a one time charge and no annual fee. Annual fee time will be this fall for the new trailers so will see how it goes then. So for less than $100 per trailer I can take a trailer with its permanent plate anywhere I please with no travel interruptions.
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Went and looked at the trailer this afternoon. It is nice. It has two new tires on it, brakes on two axles, 10" I beam main frame, 20' total including 4' self cleaning dovetail. Got him down on price to what I consider reasonable. He would even throw in the adjustable pintle receiver. I don't really need this heavy of a trailer but my 4610 SU tires are set out is too wide for a 82" trailer. Had to do that to facilitate the ROPS. Still debating to buy or not. If it was titled it would bring a whole lot more. His asking price was 2K.
Diamondpilot
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What were the axles? If MH I would walk. If Budd type trailer axles I would give $1500 and convert the hubs to standard 6 lugs. That would cost about a grand for 7 tires, 7 wheels, and 6 hubs.
Chris
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
That is what I was thinking Chris. I asked him if they were MH axles or trailer type and he did not know for sure. What type of ID would I look for on the axle to show that is a trailer axle? I had that exact number in mind Chris and we got really close to it. I''m going to give him a call tonight to confirm the axle type.
Get underneath and look at how the brake backing plates are attached to the axle tubes. Usually, welded on means MH axle, bolted to a flange means HD trailer axles.
A weaker clue would be the tires. They may say "For mobile home use only." Some states won't register one with MH tires, as you are violating one of the equipment restrictions, just like having a 5K coupler on a 10K trailer.
Unbraked axle: Many states require brakes on all axles if the gross trailer weight is over 3000lbs.
Bruce
PS: Looks like NC has a performance test for those over 4K. See part "f" and then part "e".
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-124.html
A weaker clue would be the tires. They may say "For mobile home use only." Some states won't register one with MH tires, as you are violating one of the equipment restrictions, just like having a 5K coupler on a 10K trailer.
Unbraked axle: Many states require brakes on all axles if the gross trailer weight is over 3000lbs.
Bruce
PS: Looks like NC has a performance test for those over 4K. See part "f" and then part "e".
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-124.html
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Thanks Bruce. I am trying to verify axle type. I may end up driving my truck up there and check the axles out. The owner is honest and up front about it. It is very well made.
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
Just found out that the axles have not been cut. Owner will check hub backing plate tomorrow. One thing that I noticed was that on the front of the frame you can see where an manufacturer ID tag was attached. It was not on it so I don't understand why it was not there. The rivets were still on the frame. The trailer has the build quality of a factory made unit.
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
A couple years ago I bought a new 20 ft PJ equipment trailer 14k rating 8 lug LRE tires brakes both axles dovetail ramps, for $4100. $2000 for no-VIN, no-registration, no-name axles is too much. A 10 inch I beam frame is huge overkill on 16 ft trailer unless hauling maybe uranium or gold.
OP
Turbys_1700
Elite Member
I appreciate your advice Pat. I have priced similar trailers and they are in the 5K to 6K range. You got a great buy on your PJ. The ones I have looked at like yours are higher than that around here. Similar built trailers with 18 K axles have 8" I beams. That 10" certainly is a lot of frame.
Here are some similar links:
