Introduction
Are you in the market for a good used trailer? If so, make sure you watch this entire video! You don't want to accidently buy a stolen trailer!! In Part 1 of my trailer series, I will give you some "red flags" or warning signs to look for when searching for that great deal on Craigslist or Market Place. If you know what to look for and what questions to ask, buying a used trailer can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars!
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Content
Hey guys, it's the chad and today I want to talk to you about buying new or used trailers.
Most of us would love to go to the store and buy a shiny, new trailer, but we can't either.
We can't afford one or two you're cheap like me, and you just can't justify spending that money.
If your option is buying used, make sure you watch this whole video and follow my tips to ensure that you don't buy a stolen trailer news can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, but a couple months down the road if the police come and sees your trailer, you've lost it you're out your money and you've got legal problems, so I've got several tips to help you save time money and, most importantly, to keep you safe when you go out and buy these used trailers.
So many of us that are looking for a used trailer are going to turn to craigslist or marketplace.
Looking for that sweet deal, that's what I did when it was time for me to buy this 5x8 utility trailer.
But before I meet some dude at 10 pm on a tuesday night at a denny's with 700 bucks in my pocket, which obviously I didn't do I did my research and hopefully after watching this video, you guys do yours too.
If a deal sounds too good to be true.
Well, it probably is here: are some warning signs to pay attention to when you're buying that used trailer? So number one should be the price once you find that good used trailer, do a quick google search of the year and make and see what one of them costs brand new if somebody's asking four hundred dollars for a two thousand dollar trailer and like new condition, yeah, that's a red flag, I'm not saying that it means it's specifically stolen, but that should lead you to follow up questions.
So number two is to ask questions.
If somebody has a poor description, ask them the year the make the dimensions if they can't provide you that basic information? Well, that's another red flag.
Number three ask for a picture of the vin number title bill: a sale mso if this is a stolen trailer.
This is where communication will end they'll, just ghost you and number four.
I definitely question trailers that are photographed at nighttime in the rain.
The snow or something that's posted at 3 am not to say that the seller's not an early riser but they're, probably not if you do decide to take a look at this trailer in person, and you have some warning signs once you go, ask a buddy to go with you and ask the seller to meet you in a public place.
If they won't well, don't say I didn't warn you last thing I want to see.
You do is get robbed now if they do agree to meet you in a public place.
The first thing I'd look for would be the vehicle identification number.
Now, that's generally going to be on the driver's side of the trailer it'll either be up on the front neck or tongue or on the side of the trailer itself.
Now the vin number can either be stamped engraved on an actual vin plate, a vin sticker or some type of warranty label.
Now, if the seller has some type of paperwork, I would verify that the vin number on the side of the trailer matches their paperwork, but in a lot of states, if a trailer doesn't meet a certain threshold of weight, you won't be required to have a title registration or even a bill of sale.
Now that you're taking a closer look at the trailer, if you can't find the vin number or a vin sticker, well red flag if you go through and notice damage to the trailer tongue or that the safety chains have been cut well, yeah red flag, if you go through and see rivets or rivet holes, but no vin plate again, that's a big red flag, but probably the most obvious would be.
If you see any kind of grind marks, where a vin number used to be well just find any reason to get the heck out of there.
There's no reason why a vin numbers should be ground off the trailer or the vin sticker completely removed.
I do understand that mother nature is going to weather these decals, but they still should be on there.
If you have no way to identify the trailer that you're looking at or you've got several red flags, it's just time to get up and walk away.
You don't want to find yourself with legal issues down the road just to save a couple hundred bucks to me.
It's definitely worth spending the extra money to make sure I'm buying a trailer that has the correct paperwork, good vin numbers or some proof of legitimacy.
So let's say you did buy a used trailer already and there were some warning signs, but you have no idea if it's stolen or not.
What should you do? Well, you can call the local police department or a non-emergency number and have them check the vin number for you now.
It would be unfortunate if it was stolen, because you would lose the trailer and the money you paid for it, but you'd be doing the right thing by getting it back to the previous owner.
Now one thing I would do or highly recommend if you buy it off craigslist or marketplace screenshot who the seller was and what address you picked it up from that way, you can always prove that you didn't steal the trailer and the police know where to begin their investigation.
If you guys know of any other warning signs to look for when buying used, trailers type them down the old clickety clack, while you're there smash the like button and subscribe.
That way, I can keep making more videos like this, for you for free, so stick around for part two of my trailer series next time we'll be talking about ways to prevent your trailer from being stolen, how to stamp them or mark them.
That way, you have the opportunity to get it back in case it ever.
Is I appreciate your time thanks for watching you.
FAQs
How do I make sure my trailer isn't stolen before buying? ›
NICB's VINCheck is a free service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB member insurance companies. To perform a search, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is required.
How can you check if a trailer is stolen? ›If you are in any doubt, stay well clear. Note the serial number of the trailer and contact the manufacturer to confirm that the seller is the registered keeper before you purchase. Ifor Williams Trailers provides this service free of charge and can also confirm if the trailer has ever been reported stolen to them.
What you should know before buying a trailer? ›- Know Your Size Needs.
- Choose the Right Type and Materials.
- Determine the Right Loading Capacity.
- Consider the Length of Your Trailer.
- Don't Forget the Axles.
- Determine Your Budget.
- Understand Towing and Hitch Needs.
- Inspect the Suspension.
If you're traveling, camping, or just grabbing lunch while towing your side-by-side, your trailer is the easiest target—it can be gone in minutes if you're not careful. Plus, your awesome side-by-side is more likely to attract determined thieves when it's on display on the on a trailer.
Do trailers have hidden VIN numbers? ›For towable recreational vehicles, travel trailers and fifth wheels, you will find the VIN number metal plate or on the Federal certification label. The label is typically on the left front corner (lower roadside) of the RV somewhere near the bottom of the sidewall.
How do you know if an item is stolen? ›Check the serial number of your item:
Have it Back incorporates nearly all freely available serial numbers. Utilizing this database, you can verify before or after purchasing an item if said object has been marked as missing or stolen.
One of the most common — and most important — questions we hear is, “How long does a trailer last?” That entirely depends on the quality of the trailer, the type of trailer, and how well you maintain it. However, we will say that an average high-quality enclosed trailer will last between 10 and 15 years.
How long is a good trailer? ›The video should be visually interesting and have suspenseful music playing in the background. Trailers are typically two minutes long, but some can be as short as 30 seconds or last for more than 15 minutes. You can create your very own trailer template with this free software.
What questions to ask when buying a trailer home? ›- How Old is the Home?
- What Materials is the Home Made From?
- What Condition are the Plumbing and Electrical Systems In?
- What Signs of Wear and Tear Does the Home Have?
- Can I Get a Proof of Title Certificate?
- Does the Home Comply With Local Regulations?
Often the thieves are simply stealing them and selling them to pawnshops. Some are sold unwittingly to law-abiding citizens; others are sold directly to unscrupulous lawn/construction businesses, often with tolls still on them.
What is the best way to track a trailer from theft? ›
The best way to combat trailer theft is to install a GPS trailer tracking device. Without a GPS tracking unit, recovering your lost or stolen trailer is difficult, and there is a good chance that you may never get it back.
Do hitch locks prevent theft? ›Hitch locks should be secure and sturdy enough to prevent potential thieves from separating your trailer from your vehicle. The lock's primary function is to prevent anyone without the key to the lock from lifting the receiver off the hitch and disconnecting your trailer.
What do people do with a stolen trailer? ›Often the thieves are simply stealing them and selling them to pawnshops. Some are sold unwittingly to law-abiding citizens; others are sold directly to unscrupulous lawn/construction businesses, often with tolls still on them.
How do you secure a trailer to the ground? ›- Trailer Wheel Lock. A trailer wheel lock or a boot lock locks the wheels, so they can't be moved, essentially making it next to impossible to haul away the trailer.
- Install Trailer Couple Locks. ...
- Use a Chain and Padlock. ...
- Use a Ground Anchor. ...
- Get a GPS Asset Tracker.