Semi trailer prices

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Pete, or others, I got a second question. I own a reefer that lost DOT rating. I know it needs new tires and you'd have to go through the brakes. Oher than that, is it hard to get an old trailer re approved?

Karl

Even if you don't have to own one, I notice Ryder rents them for not too bad prices for a day or two. Trailers are cheap, tractors not so cheap.

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

Are you carrying anything that one of these won't handle?

That's my theory, own a basic flatbed to handle most stuff and rent specialty trailers as needed.

Poking around on commercialtrucktrader.com I see plenty of trailers, some not too expensive like:

I'm not sure what's required for reapproval beyond passing inspection. I'm sure a call to a DOT office could answer that.

I've got the exact same thing. I use a 1 ton F350 to pull it. The only reason to go semi is to get more capacity than this.

That's pretty similar to my trailer. probably also a 24,000 rating. Good price on this unit. I'm looking to haul more weight.

Karl, I was wondering about something. You seem to be a pretty realistic, level headed guy and you buy and sell larger machines. I was wondering how does it practically work out, as a source of income.

The stuff that I have in mind, is something like buying a CNC machine for $10k, doing very minor stuff, if any, and selling for $17k. I was wondering how realistic is this, in your experience.

Rather than hearing B/S from people who do not "do it" practically, I wanted to ask you how is it working out for you. I think that we have some things in common, and so, your experience somewhat translates into what I may encounter.

Also, if you know any pitfalls, I would love to hear.

Lots of normal flatbed trailers ~$5k, many with air suspension.

The "Landoll" type trailers are the really nice ones, full hydraulic tilt bed and winch to drag containers or whatever on board, but I haven't seen one for sail under $20k.

You could buy a $5k or so normal flatbed and fabricate your own hydraulic folding ramp tail assembly. That would be a fun project, I picture a double fold setup where you can get something like a 12' ramp and have it only stick up 6' when folded up.

I'm a bit lower end than you're aiming. I buy machines that go for scrap price. Got four running with new controls. For all these machines, I've bought a spare donor. Then stripped it. Sell the carcass and uneeded stuff off.

In my case, I'm way too slow at repairs to ever come out reselling. I'd be careful with your plan. Repair of CNC controls is difficult and expensive. The shops that would buy from you are the same ones that are dropping like flies at a bait station.

I've had good success selling parts and I've never tried real hard.

My son buys cars, four wheelers, snow mobiles, and skid steers that go for scrap. He watches craigs list and several auction sites. He's buying a pig'n'the poke. if he can get it running in two nights - resell. If not partout and scrap. he aims at people that bring cash

-Ben Franklin is our friend.

My 2cents, this level has less risk today.

Karl

OK. I did that sutff a lot too. Half of the stuff that is sold to me as "probably is broken" is not broken at all, or needs a switch fixed or something.

The key determination to make is if the seller is honest. A below scrap price is a great indicator that this is, indeed, the case.

A couple things to keep in mind:

1. Know your market. k machines are too expensive and large for most HSM types, there are fewer and fewer small commercial shops that would be interested in that type of machine, and most of those remaining shops are not in your area.

1. Understand all tax implications. If you're operating a real registered business, you're going to get hit with inventory taxes on any machines you have sitting around unsold. Investigate possible tax breaks for "distressed" industries.

Wow, I'd be REAL careful investing $10K on speculation on a machine. The risk is you fix it up great and then can't find a buyer. Now, if you find a machine, and KNOW you have a buyer for it once it is in good shape, that is a much better position to be in.

Jon

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I can't begin to find the prices you constantly report. But at least dishonesty is the rare exception up here. There are, of course, many that want more than its worth, or want to buy from you for nothing. But that's just cheapskate, not dishonest. I must confess to being a cheapskate myself.

karl

That, and if you are operating as a real business, you get taxed on that machine sitting in inventory with no buyer.

A very old and reliable business practice is that the profit is made at the purchase, not at the sale.

This is how I think about it. "Waiting for a sucker" has never been my business practice.

It is probably an exception here too, but I do not want to run into it.

I've been kicking around an idea of getting an old tractor to leave attached to my trailer. Must be a way without paying enormous licensing fees. Then convert it into a hunting lodge, stick it in the woods and get other people to pay for the land. Probably could rent it out to groups that rent land to shoot and hook animals for a grand a day. Hmmm, lots of cleared farm land, ya could just drive it across the field and park it next to the wood line.

Self contained, and 40' awnings on each side. I think its a great idea. Have only seen a couple of rigs from the 50's and should check on them before the get melted down.

Saw a video somewhere about converting them into mobile homes that really showed the potential, and the rich have them driven out to the spectacles. COOL

SW