need some trailer advice

looking at an open all steel deck trailer with a box on it ..... but it has "surge brakes" which are hydraulic, the brake system has a leak some were ???? what else do i need to look for ?

Some surge systems had a saftey cable that apply brakes in case of a breakaway. If the cable was attached to a place without enough travel, brakes could be applied while towing. Check the drums and hubs for discolorazation to make sure the brakes have not been burned off and damaged the wheel bearings due to heat. Seen this on many, many of them. Depending on hub style, the hubs could be the sealed bearing type which would have to replace the hub as a unit, lots of the surge kits were.

what is the value of a trailer like this ?

Would depend on size, condition,and what it is worth to the buyer with what he needs it for.
An example my grandsoninlaw has one at my house that has a big box with side doors, a winch with remote and a new group 31 batt, two row tire rack that can easily be used as an observation deck, diamond plate alum floor, split dovetail so you can get under car to tie it down, long steel ramps, long tongue for tight turning or mounting gen. etc, alum Ford ranger wheels with spare. It is wide enough between fenders to haul a super late model.$3000 to move it. He does have a lot in his trailer and is not pushing to sell it. He says he would just have to get another one.

Nick ,I had a Strato's Bass Boat and trailer with surge brakes on it. That was the best braking system I've ever pulled. You never felt them ,they just worked great.The trailer is worth whatever you'll give for it. Myself, I wuoldn't give much for an open trailer unless I was going to be using it for multi purpose hauling. New 24' enclosed are cheap if you'll go pick one up.

Most used open deck 16'-18' trailers up here go for anywhere from $1500-$3000, depending on age, setup & condition. In MA any trailer worth its' weight (3000+ GVW) needs to be titled - a lot of schmucks around here like to try to sell home-built stuff for a mint. They're not all junk, but a non-titled trailer up here isn't worth much. Just a couple things to consider, depending how the market & the law is down there.

Like was said above, pay particular attention to the brakes, and also the axles.

Hope this helps

56Tbird wrote:Nick ,I had a Strato's Bass Boat and trailer with surge brakes on it. That was the best braking system I've ever pulled. You never felt them ,they just worked great.The trailer is worth whatever you'll give for it. Myself, I wuoldn't give much for an open trailer unless I was going to be using it for multi purpose hauling. New 24' enclosed are cheap if you'll go pick one up.

yeah i know ...... you can find these new 24' starting at 3995 .... king american, cargo mate, freedom,forest river,etc ... but are they worth a flip ?????

Nick, I don't know anything about surge brakes, but if you are looking at open trailers take a look at these:
http://www.outbacktrailers.com/
They are up at Steele, across the Interstate from the track. Several of my friends have them. I borrowed one when I bought my cruiser Fairlane and borrowed a different one when I took the T-bird to the chassis shop. Without a doubt they are the easiest to load and best pulling open trailer I have ever towed. I would rather have one of these than a stripped down no-name enclosed. You can beat the price that he has listed on the site if he already has it built and sitting at his shop. Call and talk to Gary. He'll treat you right.

thanks David , just got off the phone with Gary and he is not budging on the price ...oh well maybe i will save up a couple of more weeks .... but thanks for the contact....

and went back with a buddy to look at the other trailer and its too small .. and it has no suspension under the axles

When it comes to open trailers, the best bang for the buck is a Featherlite all aluminum rig like I have. It's lightweight and pulls great, even behind my little 4 cylinder Ranger.

Nick I pm you some info

Doug Rahn wrote:When it comes to open trailers, the best bang for the buck is a Featherlite all aluminum rig like I have. It's lightweight and pulls great, even behind my little 4 cylinder Ranger.

thats way out of the budget ........