Anyone else in Southern California?

Larryrsf · #1 07-03-2014, 06:19 PM

I feel lonely here! The prices we see for nearly everything are outlandish to this group. My boat trailer overhaul cost $2500! And the owner of that place said it is worth $6000+. Just a steel dual axle trailer fit for a Wellcraft V20 Steplift.

I asked the owner about the prices you guys discuss and he said there might be a market for bringing trailers here from the East Coast, but the cost of doing that quickly equalizes things.

Larry

phatdaddy · #2 07-03-2014, 09:43 PM

actually, around here, you can't give away a steel trailer. i know they are big on the west coast.

Destroyer · #3 07-03-2014, 09:53 PM

Used dual axle, GALVANIZED steel trailers in good condition bring anywhere from 1 to 2 thousand around here. Personally I wouldn't have anything else... (but that's mostly because I can't afford an aluminum trailer so it makes me feel good to say that)

spareparts · #4 07-04-2014, 07:34 AM

I can sell you a brand new, 5k lb tandem axle aluminum I beam with brakes for $3200, getting it there is another issue. Just stand on the corner with a sign like every one else in California, wont take long to pay for that trailer

smokeonthewater · #5 07-04-2014, 08:58 AM

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bod/4512504416.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/4516341571.html

Here are a couple I found in your area in 5 minutes on c/l

I ALSO found quite a few really good deals on other boat stuff... Things I could easily double my money on if they were here....

Larryrsf · #6 07-04-2014, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bod/4512504416.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/4516341571.html

Here are a couple I found in your area in 5 minutes on c/l

I ALSO found quite a few really good deals on other boat stuff... Things I could easily double my money on if they were here....

Well, not quite. The first one is in Ensenada, 100 miles deep in Mexico. NOBODY in San Diego goes there unless they are a Mexican, at least fluent in Spanish. They would require a cash deal--and if locals thought you were carrying $2k in cash.. the Policia would be the first to rip you off. A few years ago our Mexican painter went down to Baja to buy a bar-- and was killed with a knife because the locals learned that he was carrying cash.

The second one has many unknowns, wheel bearings? Winch, hitch, bunks, rollers, lights, etc. etc. I see rust in key spots. And by the time all those questions are answered-- you're back at $5000.

My guy had several good rebuilt trailers that would start at $2000, but by the time we fit one for my boat, it was up to $3000. So it seemed smarter to have mine rebuilt. FIRST, I own it, no title transfer necessary, and we would absolutely know the vitals were good. He will install all new springs, axles, bearings, bunks, LED lights, hitch, winch, jack, and much else. He's delivering it today.

I will store it across the road here behind my neighbor's house. Everyone in this neighborhood has at least 2 acres, he has 10 acres. When I pull the boat out I will store the boat and trailer there. Its safe. It was visible in his open field there for 14 years unmolested. It will not be visible from the main road up there. Water and power are available. So I will be able to paint the bottom and other maintenance.

Larry

Larryrsf · #7 07-04-2014, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

actually, around here, you can't give away a steel trailer. i know they are big on the west coast.

Understand. Now they sandblast to bare metal and repaint with epoxy paint, almost as good as aluminum or galvanized. It doesn't rust through.

Even then a prudent owner flushes anything that was in sea water with fresh water. I will do that.

Larry

smokeonthewater · #8 07-04-2014, 06:22 PM

It makes no difference what you paint a tube steel trailer with because they rust from the inside out...

Those were what I found in 5 minutes.... If u are happy w ur trailer then good but your prices don't look to be particularly higher and I don't feel their is any real market for eastern trailers transported to your area.... I could buy a used trailer there for a out the same as anywhere else...... I suspect new ones too if a person knew where to shop.

Just like anything else... Example here I can get 12 oz of r134a for $12 at O'reillys with my account discount OR I can get it off the shelf at rural king for $6.99 with no discount OR I can get 30 or 35 lbs for $99 which comes out to just over $2 for 12 oz...

Larryrsf · #9 07-04-2014, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

It makes no difference what you paint a tube steel trailer with because they rust from the inside out...

Those were what I found in 5 minutes.... If u are happy w ur trailer then good but your prices don't look to be particularly higher and I don't feel their is any real market for eastern trailers transported to your area.... I could buy a used trailer there for a out the same as anywhere else...... I suspect new ones too if a person knew where to shop.

Just like anything else... Example here I can get 12 oz of r134a for $12 at O'reillys with my account discount OR I can get it off the shelf at rural king for $6.99 with no discount OR I can get 30 or 35 lbs for $99 which comes out to just over $2 for 12 oz...

I learned that the trailers out of Ensenada are notorious, just cheap crap sold to the unwary.

It IS possible to get really good value in Mexico, in Tijuana in particular, but you need to make your deal on this side and let them take it to Mexico and bring it back. I got used tires mounted on my trailer wheels like that. $40 for almost new tires! But I took the wheels to Escondido. He took them to Tijuana. Upholstery, car body work, routine dental work, and much else can be had for a fraction of what you would pay here. But beware of going down there yourself. Mexico has become dangerous since the drug cartels began using every possibility to transfer drugs to America. They are ruthless and the police down there are corrupt, grossly underpaid. Their legal system is a joke, just a network of bribes. So Craigslist ads for things that would entail a trip to Ensenada should be ignored. The LAST thing a gringo should do is drive down there with serious cash in his pocket!!

I like that Perry Henry Trailers has been doing this 30 years and was willing to show me his invoices paid for wholesale purchases. I certainly don't begrudge anyone making a fair profit on both hardware and labor. I picked him because he has impeccable references, hundreds of them! I would expect that every past customer is strongly referring him to their friends. I will.

He said the same thing you did, i.e. that either square or round tubular steel in water is a joke, a rustout waiting to happen. So they use open channel iron that can be treated on every surface with epoxy paint.

larry