Old trailers - buying/revamping Q's

[alsxx]

I'm on the look out for a winter project and want to try and pick up an old trailer i.e. rice/sinclair/bahill to do up.

I want something structurally sound, happy to do some welding, new floor, wiring and general tidy up. I've spent loads of time reading up about what to look out for, when viewing trailers, however when it comes to telling whether the chassis is ok/needs a little bit of work or is a complete no-no, I have no idea! So how can I tell!? Are there any areas on the trailer that really shouldn't have rust? How much rust is too much etc?

If anyone can share any tips or experiences they have from revamping a trailer please do! Also, if anyone happens to know of any trailer in the kent/surrey/sussex or even essex areas that sounds like what I am looking for, please let me know

 

[dumpling]

Probably no helP at all but I bought a Bahill last year. Had a brand new floor in it and looked really good for it's age. Got it serviced and turned out everything was excellent except the brakes, so we got a whole new breaking system put in, bearing in mind parts where hard to get. Cost around £500.

I've been painting the inside more of a cream than the terrible 80s yellow that was in it before! Would love to get the roof done White but that will have to wait until the bank can afford!

 

[dumpling]

Meant to say, everything on the outside of the trailer was blue, bar the tyres! Got some metallic paint and painted the axle bit silver and the wheels, as I searched high and low and couldn't get a set of wheel trims to fit at all, the bearings seem to stuck out too much.

 

[alsxx]

Thanks for the reply, thats all useful esp re how much brakes cost!

 

[martlin]

I've picked up an old aluminium rice, probably much older than me this spring for under £400, it was in a good nick with a new wooden floor, spent probably another £200 on it, re-riveted the frame, treated all the rust, done minimal welding, new 7 pin, painted the lot in and out.