Trailer shopping - new or second-hand..?

[diddy]

Hi all,

Thanks to Rog’s excellent advice on the towing thread, I have decided to go out and buy myself a trailer I’m most likely going for a Bateson Derby – I know there’s a lot of people on here that love them!

I assumed I’d get a new one. However, I’ve seen some advertised secondhand at good prices – perhaps the Batesons don’t hold their value as much as the IWs, I don’t know. But anyway, I’m now quite tempted to go for a used trailer.

However, I don’t know anything about mechanical things so I’m wondering whether this would be risky i.e. if I went for something 5 years old, it might have a dodgy floor or some hidden damage from being stored outside or something, and I wouldn’t know.

What d’you reckon - should I reuse and recycle, or save some more pennies and go for a spanking new model..?

Thanks for your advice!

Diddy x

P.S. Please feel free to share your stories of love for the Derby so I can feel better about spending shedloads of cash on one. Or feel free to tell me to forget the Bateson and go for a 403

 

[perfect11s]

All trailers hold there value and personaly if you are thinking of keeping it for a few years
possibly better to buy a new one, then there is a very good chance of having a few years trouble free towing, unless you can find a nearly new at a good saving on new , if buying an older one remember tyres last about 5 years before they start to perish so factor in maybe having to buy new tyres and a service on a used trailer and you might find other problems, yes bateson every time I had an ascot before going to a lorry would buy another, well made and nice to tow... If you are buying used get it checked before you buy or alleast before you use it....

 

[muffinmunsh]

I was going for a new one. Then a friend told me her friend had one for sale she had bought new ... It was only 1.5 years old and in mint condition, towed like new, etc. Everything seemed absolutely fine and very tidy (including their yard). I bought it a year and a half ago and haven't looked back!

 

[Princess P]

possibly better to buy a new one, then there is a very good chance of having a few years trouble free towing,

I thought this, so bought a brand new robinsons requisite trailer (made by cheval liberte).

Am having major problems as it turned out Cheval had a dodgy batch of wood in for the floors and didn't know which trailers had the dodgy wood. Have had the floor replaced by Cheval last week but they messed it up so I still don't have a safe use-able trailer!

I wish I had bought a second hand ifor / rice / bateson etc. You can tell which ones have been well looked after, and there are companies out there that service boxes and trailers so maybe they'd do a pre-purchase inspection for you?

 

[diddy]

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for your replies - nice mix of suggestions there! Hadn't thought of bringing someone in to check if I decide to go secondhand. And also to factor in changing tyres etc. The ones I've seen are a few years old so might well need new tyres even if they've not been used much. I'm thinking unless I come across an unexpected bargain like Muffinmunsh(!) then I might go for new after all.

Princess P - so sorry to hear about all your problems with the floor of your trailer. Hope it gets sorted soon!

Diddy x

 

[ROG]

What is the general depreciation of a new trailer if well kept?

Thanks to Rog’s excellent advice on the towing thread, I have decided to go out and buy myself a trailer

Please make clear to your OH that I did not suggest buying another trailer - LOL