Car Trailer Guys - Come On In

With the pandemic, it seems like none of the trailer dealers have anything capable of transporting cars in stock. And for a new one they're quoting a 4 month lead time, if they're taking orders at all. Needless to say, prices are way up as well.

In this kind of bind, does anyone have any suggestions on where else to look for them? There's rarely any on the usual used sites, and they're gone almost immediately. And if/when you do hunt one down, how do you tell what is a fair value? Do they just not depreciate at all? There's sketchy wooden home built flatbeds with no title going for crazy money.

Depends on what you’re looking for exactly.
A friend picked up an 18’ econotrailer from PA. I think he paid just under 3k after adding better tires, spare and mount, d rings etc

With the prices on gas RVs will be going REAL cheap. Buy one, maybe a 24 foot,gut the back of it out ,make a ramp out of the rear wall and use it to haul a car. And probably room for a bed

Expand your search. They hold their value assuming they are well maintained.

You live near three huge cities. You might have to drive a little ways but it should be fairly easy to come across something at a decent price.

DSG2003Mach1 said:

Depends on what you’re looking for exactly.
A friend picked up an 18’ econotrailer from PA. I think he paid just under 3k after adding better tires, spare and mount, d rings etc

Click to expand...

Wow was that new or used? Manufacturer direct?

I'm just trying to find a bare bones single enclosed auto transport, but I'd even settle for an open flat deck one at this point. I don't really need a 40' tri-axle fifth wheel with built in generator...though those big overkill ones are the ones you can find.

Real Time Recon said:

With the prices on gas RVs will be going REAL cheap. Buy one, maybe a 24 foot,gut the back of it out ,make a ramp out of the rear wall and use it to haul a car. And probably room for a bed

Click to expand...

That would be fun, although RVs/campers are apparently setting records selling as well. Another pandemic side effect.

velocicaur said:

Expand your search. They hold their value assuming they are well maintained.

You live near three huge cities. You might have to drive a little ways but it should be fairly easy to come across something at a decent price.

Click to expand...

That's helpful to know about the value.

And believe me, I've been regularly searching those areas as well.

SecondhandSnake said:

Wow was that new or used? Manufacturer direct?

Click to expand...

new open trailer with open middle of the floor. the rest i dont know

Good luck.

Bought my last few from racing junk.

It's a fairly base trailer but it's cheap.

7 X Carry-On 16 Car Hauler 7K Trailer - TrailersPlus Louisville (VIN:4YMBU1622MG086059)

16' GT-XT 10,000LB equipment trailer - A&R Trailers

Car Hauler | PJ Trailers in OH | Flatbed & Enclosed Trailers in Dayton, OH | Tegtmeyer Trailer: Cincinnati and Columbus, OH Trailer Dealer

velocicaur said:

It's a fairly base trailer but it's cheap.

7 X Carry-On 16 Car Hauler 7K Trailer - TrailersPlus Louisville (VIN:4YMBU1622MG086059)

16' GT-XT 10,000LB equipment trailer - A&R Trailers

Car Hauler | PJ Trailers in OH | Flatbed & Enclosed Trailers in Dayton, OH | Tegtmeyer Trailer: Cincinnati and Columbus, OH Trailer Dealer

Click to expand...

I'll have to give some of them a shout. I didn't even think about searching Columbus, OH, but it's not a bad idea. I just hope some might have actual stock and not the "Oh we're slated to get that one 1-2mo from now" I keep getting from the local dealers.

How much have they gone up?

I bought a new 18' long, 2' dove tail steel deck double axle with brakes on both axles and d-rings for $2250 back in 2018..

As far as a 'fair deal', it's literally just what you're comfortable spending.

lilcoop03 said:

How much have they gone up?

I bought a new 18' long, 2' dove tail steel deck double axle with brakes on both axles and d-rings for $2250 back in 2018..

Click to expand...

Yeah, those deals aren't around anymore.

My wife found a pretty damn rough open trailer the other day for $800, I told her to check on it and 45 minutes later it was gone.

lilcoop03 said:

How much have they gone up?

I bought a new 18' long, 2' dove tail steel deck double axle with brakes on both axles and d-rings for $2250 back in 2018..

Click to expand...

The prices aren't that bad, it's the availability. They'll quote you a great number...for a trailer you might get in September. Maybe.

SecondhandSnake said:

The prices aren't that bad, it's the availability. They'll quote you a great number...for a trailer you might get in September. Maybe.

Click to expand...

Man, that trailer out here would be $3000.

I guess I'd have to travel and wait if I wanted another.

AustinJ427 said:

Man, that trailer out here would be $3000.

I guess I'd have to travel and wait if I wanted another.

Click to expand...

FYI I bought it from Caravan trailers in GA. I live in SC. He met me with it at the SC border. I gave him cash and he didn't charge me sales tax since we did the transaction "out of state". Great buying experience

I ordered an enclosed trailer from Trailex and probably won't get it until November

Techworks Trailer Sales, Inc. of Elkhart, Indiana
I have had good luck with these guys. Ask for Jeff.

I picked up an open 18 ft steel floor car hauler a couple weeks ago. I ended up driving to OKC which is about 6 hours away from me. I searched high and low and its hard to find them in stock. The place I went to is called Custom Trailer Sales out of Oklahoma City. They had quite a few in stock in the 18ft to 20 ft range (easily 6-9).

Check out their facebook page or call them. Their trailers are more on the custom end so while they are great quality the price is also higher. I ended up paying 3600 for mine but its steel diamond plate flooring, recessed D-rings, dove tail, ramps pull out from rear, 15 in wheels, tear drop fenders, brakes on one axle, and some custom pin striping on the sides...... lol. For what I will be doing with it this is perfect.

The demand for trailers is insane. I previously had a 16 ft trailer from 2000 and it was showing its age for sure. I listed it for 1500 and I had 30 calls the first day about it. I bet I could of gotten 2k for it which is what I paid back in 2000.