15yr old trailer - yay or nay?

[Overgrown Pony]

Would you risk buying a 15yr old trailer?

It's a Richardson in great, solid condition (according to the owner, I've not seen it yet). Had its floor replaced at the beginning of the year.

Is it a daft idea to even go look at it? If worth a look what would you think is a fair price?

Cheers

 

[OldNag]

I would. I have just bought one far older than that!

Do you have someone mechanically-minded you could take with you?

 

[marmalade76]

Ditto! Mine is twenty five years old! I know this 'cause my friend had it from new and I've known it most of it's life. It has had a new floor and other replacements/repairs but the main structure is galvanised steel, ali and fibreglass and is still in excellent nick

 

[Vodkagirly]

Mine is a 1984 information so double the age. It has had its floor and a panel replaced. It has been regularly serviced and I think that makes all the difference. Last year it needed less at servicing than the 2 far younger trailers getting done.

 

[Theocat]

As long as they're looked after properly and parts replaced as necessary, I'm not convinced they have a 'best before' date. Mine is fifteen years old and I reckon I'd easily get £2300 or so for it. The trailer servicing people told me last year they'd shift it for £3000!!!

 

[ROG]

Take a mechanic with you or at least someone who has very good knowledge of looking after trailers

You would need a B+E licence for that trailer

 

[wench]

Mines 40 and still works fine

 

[CrazyMare]

Mines 14 or 15 years old. Had it from 2 years old. Wouldn't even think twice about its age

 

[Gift Horse]

My Ifor is in it's 20s. It's been looked after and serviced regularly.

 

[pennyturner]

I'd rather have a 20 year old Rice/Richardson with a new floor than a 10 year old IFOR with the original ally floor.
Buy on condition. If you can, tow it yourself, then drive behind it when it's towed. Do the wheels all line up true?

I had a 1950s richardson as my first trailer. Had problems getting replacement studs for the wheels, but other than that it was solid. I think it was the original floor - 2" oak and no rot! :O

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

One thing is tyres, a full set will cost over £200 and car tyres won't do. a huge thread on this a month or so ago.

 

[OldNag]

Yep I found that my "Good to go" trailer I travelled 60 miles to see had 3 car tyres (perished) and one trailer tyre. I bought it and promptly spent £200 on new tyres.

 

[Overgrown Pony]

Thanks so much for all your replies.

I will take your advice and get it checked by a mechanic that works with trailers before I was to buy it.

Cheers

 

[SuperH]

I've had my trailer 15 years, it was third hand when I bought it. I'm not sure how old it is without looking it up but has been well looked after and for me that is the key thing. I would go for an older better maintained trailer than a newer neglected one.

 

[honetpot]

Trailers are a bit like sweeping brushes, they never wear out as long as you replace the floor and the tyres. Mine is a new one, its about 30 years old.