How can you tell a good egg trailer from a bad one? It takes a keen eye, but here are some tips.
If you have been in the market for an egg trailer, you may have noticed that once a trailer is listed, they go quick. Sometimes, they go too quick, which leaves little room for discretion. Due to the lack of trailers in the market, there is usually a scramble to purchase whatever is available. For that reason, it is extremely important that you are prepared with the right information to ensure that you can spot a good egg from a bad egg. I have compiled a short list of features that can tell you quickly if a trailer is worth purchasing.
What was the previous owners long term storage like? It is completely within your right as a buyer to ask the seller how they have stored their trailer. There is a vast difference between a properly winterized trailer from a non-winterized trailer. The time, care, and attention that goes into winterizing a trailer is a sign that the previous owner cared about the trailer. Over time, a trailer that has not been winterized will develop problems. Another sign of care is if the previous owner has stored it inside, purchased a slipcover, or a tent to keep it protected from the elements. However, it may take a little more probing to get the full picture. Some questions to ask if it was stored outside are:
How does the ensolite look? Peeling? Ripped? Dark and dirty? Always ask for more photos if you can’t visit the listing in person. Ensolite doesn’t lie, and damage will tell you if there are more problems like leakage or mold. I found mold behind the ensolite inside the kitchenette, closet, and benches of my Boler, so I removed it. Thankfully these places won’t be seen regularly, so we plan on using a different type of insolation here. Therefore, bad ensolite shouldn’t be a total deterrent, but if it beyond repair, you should see this reflected in the price.
Are there signs of rust underneath? If so, there may be more extensive structural damage, since the axel can cause the rest of the fiberglass body to flex and twist. With some time, you can assess the true damage of the axel by using this handy formula. But if you are viewing the trailer in person, bring a flashlight and get ready to crawl underneath. While vintage trailers will most likely need a full or partial axle repair, a newer trailer shouldn’t have signs of rust. Again, if a newer trailer does have serious amounts of rust, or welded joints that have separated, make sure the price reflects this since these repairs can cost well over $1000.
- Photo by Sara Driediger -
Boler Tip: Go for a viewing in the rain! Or, if that isn’t a possibility, ask to spray the exterior with a hose. While this may seem strange, it is because I almost purchased a trailer that was riddled with holes. It was newly renovated, (which mean it was priced extremely high) and the owner assured me that I should have no worries about the trailer. We went to take a look on a sunny day, and I left feeling unsure. A week later, on a whim, we asked the owner if we could stop by for another look. He said he would be out of the house but would leave the trailer unlocked for us. It had rained all day, and when we arrived, the entire inside of the trailer was soaking wet. The ensolite, the cushions, and the floor were covered in water. We walked away from that very quickly.
After this experience, I was worried that I would never find a good egg. In my Blog Honey, I bought a Boler!, you can read about why I decided to change my approach and found the perfect trailer for me.
Do you have any stories about dodging a bad egg? I would love to hear them.
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