Need help with buying a trailer for the Humungus Machine

[HUMVEE Driver]

Hey all; not sure if this thread belongs here but it's for my Humungus Machine so here goes.

I've been looking to buy a trailer for a while now, and I think I found one that will work. The only thing I'm worried about is that it's a homemade trailer. Everything seems legit about it, but I'm hoping to get the opinions of people who might know better than me. I want a trailer that is RELIABLE; as I'll be driving it 700+ miles at a time. So should I worry about a home built trailer, or can someone with a little skill build one themselves and not have problems with it?

Anyway, here it is:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/rvs/2163141759.html

I'd appreciate some input on this.

Thanks,
Dave

[MFP1]

I have seen some really NICE homebuilt trailers that i trust more than a 'factory' one (the main MMC trailer was made by one of our skilled metal guys years and years ago, and has crisscrssed the country so many times count is lost). It really depends on how well it is designed and built, how good his welds are, etc. Looks pretty good from the pix, but one has to wonder why he has not had it plated already. That would certainly add confidence to the buyer.....

[Daz]

If it was me, and I wanted it, I'd ask him to get it plated at my expense. No plate, no buy.
If he wants the money for a house, he'll find the time to do it.

[jakejoke32]

DAVE, AS LONG AS IT HAS CORRECT AXELS, OR ATLEAST AXELS RATED TO HANDLE A CERTAIN WEIGHT LOAD, ( NOT SURE HOW MUCH YOPUR MACHINE WOULD WEIGHT NOW WITH ALL THE STUFF ADDED TO IT), ALONG WITH SUITABLE BRAKE SYSTEM, YOU SHOULD BE GOOD. ME AND MY DAD MADE ONE VERY CLOSE TO THE ONE LISTED ABOVE, ADDED A HYRDO PUMP AND RAM TO TILT THE DECK, LIKE A LIFT GATE STLYE PUMP, AS THE CARS WE WHERE HAULING TO CAR SHOWS WHERE LOW TO THE GROUND. BUILT IT OURSELVES, WENT TO AN AUTO AND RV PARTS PLACE, TO GET THE AXELS, AND BRAKING SYSTEM. USED 1" STELLPLATE FOR THE DECK, AND 1/2' SQUARE STELL STOCK FOR THE FRAME. THAT WAS 15 YEARS AGO, STILL GOT IT, STILL ROAD WORTHY.

[.MAD MAX.]

it's only 16'. The width is good but seeing as you have tandem axles on your beast it will not sit properly. When we brought Anns truck home on a 16 foot trailer the back wheels were down on the beaver tail and it hanging over the back by nearly 2 feet. Remember, you will not be pulling your vehicle all the way to the front unless you have some kick ass suspension in your truck and you can get it to sit level. One more thing to consider is whether or not you will be considered as 'overweight' for your state. You may need to get special permits to check into that. I know that they are seriously clamping down on that here and guys are being forced to get commercial permits (money grabbing bullshit system)

[HUMVEE Driver]

A BIG thanks to everyone who gave me advice on this, especially .MAD MAX. I was working last night and I decided to go over the listings and try and narrow it down some more. Then I noticed a new listing, 6 hours old:

CAR HAULER/UTILITY TRAILER - $750 (TROY, MI)
Car hauler/utility trailer. 18.5' x 7', beavertail. Good tires, new wood on top. Ramps. Hand winch. Brakes and lights.


It was perfect! Nice and wide for The Machine's big tires, and with the easy slant on the rear I might be able to drive up it without taking off the two extra wheels. Just what I was looking for, and the price! I thought I'd be paying double that! So I called and got more info; it was factory made, 2" ball, the wood was oak, etc. I knew for this trailer at that price it would be gone FAST. So I tried calling my buddies to come in and cover for me for about an hour. No one could do it until the last guy on my list. I called the seller back, and asked if I could come look at it now. (This was about 8pm at night.) He said sure, and as soon as my friend showed up I raced over there. It was just as good in person, and I happily paid for it. The guy really didn't know what he had there; he could have easily sold it for much more. I wasn't about to say anything! He told me that in the morning three more people wanted to come look at it. You snooze you lose! Was I ever right in moving on this as fast as I could!

There are only a few minor things wrong with it, such as some blubs are out and it needs a handle for the winch. No big deal at all!

I'm so happy with this trailer! Tomorrow I go and see how The Machine fits on it.

So, score one for HUMVEE Driver! Thanks again for the help!

-Dave

[zykotec]

Two days ago, I saw a trailer that would haul that phat humungus vehicle...


nah, just kiddin

[the armourer]

Good score, Dave.

[.MAD MAX.]

That'll work better than the other ones for sure...good find Dave.......keep an eye open for a Mile Marker 9000 lb winch (used by military)...absolute kick as for loading up by yourself

[MFP1]

YEAH DAVE!!!
Couldn't hardly build as good a trailer by hand for that cost. HUGE SCORE!
I would outfit it with a powered winch when the opportunity comes up, you will thank yourself every time you tow.