buying a livestock trailer

Muckit

Hey lads

What's the main things to look out for when buying a s/h livestock trailer (jeep type)?

I'm going looking at one tomorrow with a view to buying it.

Thanks

Muckit

whelan1

check its not stolen;)

pakalasa

The main thing is that it pulls straight without the wheels wobbling. You'll need to take it out on the road and even have someone drive behind to look at it too.
After that check brakes work ok. Hard enough to do, ideally need load on it going down a hill on gravel road. When you stop you will see the wheels skidding on the gravel.
Get in underneath it and check timbers are ok and springs are not damaged.

Rest obvious - lights, signs of rust, tyre wear, door hinges not loose etc.

My twopence anyway.

If you only need it for a tractor, can get away with wobbly wheel and poor brakes.:D

snowman707

brakes working and pulling evenly, condition of cables and shoes, wheel bearings, tyres for wear and cuts and cracks, be suspicious of uneven wear , I prefer tubeless

obviously overall condition of body work including have a good look at the floor from underneath , axles and U bolt mountings , springs for wear or broken leaves.

Lights

and last most important the condition of the hitch, check the condition of the coupling for the ball, and if any way worn, allow €100 approx. for a head or up to €350 for a complete unit excluding jockey wheel, important that the jockey wheel is ok also as it makes hooking up much easier

take the trailer for a short spin and see how it follows the jeep, leave all your windows down and listen for rattles, squeaks etc'

Edit

was multi tasking and other posts beat me to it
+1 on whelans advise , if it's an IW it's easy to check the chassis

Muckit

whelan1 wrote: »

check its not stolen;)

Yes your dead right Whelan, it had crossed my mind. It definitely the first thing I thought about.

Surely though if I buy it from his yard and cross the cheque so that he has to lodge it to his account I should be ok?

foundation10

The biggest problem I would think are the brakes. They tend to stick if a box if left idle with the handbrake on for some time. Be sure that the brakes are not sticking. Also ask the seller do they put on the handbrake when idle if so beware the brakes may give trouble. Also check the wheel bearings, if it has a deck check that the dampers are working on the back door these again are costly, check for wear on the hitch, check how the tyres are being worn, this will tell you whether the axles are aligned. Lights tend to give trouble test all, if something is not working it may be more than a bulb.

whelan1

my neighbour bought a horsebox for a ridiculous price which turned out to be stolen:rolleyes:

Muckit

Thanks for the replies lads. I do hope shes a good one. Will check her out well. Let ye know how i get on, fingers crossed.

Muckit

whelan1 wrote: »

my neighbour bought a horsebox for a ridiculous price which turned out to be stolen:rolleyes:

Any suggestions on how not to get caught out?

whelan1

maybe ask a neighbour of the guy selling it ?

pakalasa

How do you check if it is stolen?

You could discretely take a video clip of the person selling it too with a phone. Pretend you're making a call.;)

Bizzum

This idea of video capture/ photo comes up occasionally in work.
The advice we were given was that on private property it's illegal except with the permission of the landowner. On a public place it's legal.
Just a point to be aware of if you are in this position!

snowman707

Re Stolen

Usually if the seller lets you come to his own yard is a sign he is genuine,

the dodgy boys often request at meet at a mart or car park etc and look for payment in cash

as I said in the earlier post if it's an IW Sam Cole will check out if's it was reported stolen

http://www.westwoodtrailers.com/ABOUT_US/Company_Philosophy/Trailer_Authentication_Check.html

Muckit

Went to see the trailer today, was in MINT condition. Met buyer in his own farmyard, (well he went off and started a tractor while we looked at trailer).

Couldn't find fault with trailer. And even though we bid him within €100 of what he'd take, no budge. He'd accept my bid though if I paid cash, so I just felt uneasy about it. I was offering a bankers draft, but got the feeling he wouldn't take it even if he got money he wanted.

There just isn't the same peace of mind buying privately, maybe I'm just too cynical and paranoid for my own good! Now sitting on the couch at home wondering did I miss a good one!:rolleyes:

Bizzum

On something the price of a trailer, if you bid him to within €100,
he musn't want money too badly.
I never like to deal with someone as inflexible as that.
Sometimes though, needs must!