Newbie at viewing a trailer...what do i look for?

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Sophstar

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I am selling my little 3.5 ton box and looking at buying a trailer and am going to view an ifor williams 510 tomorrow with a friend. I have already asked whether the registration paperwork is all present and correct and to see it when we view the trailer.

Any other tips on what I should be looking for?
 
Signs of rust
Signs of rot
Do the lights work
Do the brakes work
Are the tyres worn
Can you open and close everything easily
Are the dimensions correct for your horse?

Would you consider getting it mechanic checked? It cost me £30 to get someone out to look mine over before I bought it.
 
Check the paperwork matches the chassis details

Check for obviuos rust/rot .... key areas are where the wall panels meet the floor, particularly at the back of the trailer

Lift the rubber matting and check the floor (both fro above and below) ... try and dig your key into it, especially at the edges/joins

Hitch trailer up and check all the electrics work

Check how smoothly it reverses

Do an emergency stop and check you don't get a shunt up the backside

Look at the tyre treads
 
My main issue would be whether it had an ali floor or not, once you buy it I would get it serviced straight away and make sure all the brakes etc are in good working order.

Re; the size, an ifor 510 will fit 2 very large horses in so unless you have an enormous percheron or something similar the size shouldn't be any issue.

I think most trailers paperwork gets lost over time if they are older so it wouldn't be a massive problem as long as the serial numbers are visible.
 
Check any paperwork they ahve & check it against numbers on the chassis of the trailer.

Check wheels for damage & tyres for tread & also side wall cracking (This happens alot on trailers that have ben standing for long periods & the sun takes its toll.

If you have a towbar on the vehicle you go there in ask if you can hitch it up & try the electrics by pluging them into your car. Take it for a test tow with your car, obviously take them with you. You should feel if the brakes are working.

Lift the floor mats & have a good look at the floor, have a poke & prod about to see it's sound. Check the condition o9f the side walls where they meet the floor, check for corrosion.

Hopefully it will be all fine & you'll end up with a nice trailer. ;)

Floor is the most important thing to check, brakes etc are easily fixed, they are very basic.
 
Thanks everyone :) The person who is selling it I discovered is my old lecturer from college and she bought it off the local huntsman who had had it from new in 2006 or so and has had it serviced every year, so I'm hoping it's the one for me. I made sure it had an aluminium floor!
 
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