A used trailer can save you a thousand dollars or more over a new one, but only if it is road-ready and legally sound. Whether you’re shopping at Grizzly Trailer Sales, another southern Idaho lot, or a private seller on the classifieds, the same ten checks will help you spot problems before you pay for them. Below is what to inspect, followed by five local places to start your search.
What should I check before buying a used trailer?
1. Does the VIN match the paperwork?
The VIN (vehicle identification number) stamped on the frame or tongue should match the title or bill of sale exactly. In Idaho, only utility trailers with an unladen weight under 2,000 pounds are exempt from titling, so heavier trailers need a title in the seller’s name. A missing or ground-off VIN is a reason to walk away.
2. Is the certification label still there?
Trailers built for road use carry a manufacturer’s label listing the GVWR, which is the most the trailer can safely weigh when loaded. That label tells you what the trailer was actually built to carry. Without it, you’re guessing at capacity.
3. Is the frame straight and solid?
Get low and sight down the frame rails and the tongue. Look for cracked welds, bends near the coupler, and rust scale that flakes away under a screwdriver. Winter road de-icers are hard on steel, so pay extra attention to crossmembers on trailers that have seen years of Idaho winters.
4. How old are the tires?
Tread depth doesn’t tell the whole story. The four-digit DOT code on the sidewall shows the week and year the tire was made, so “2419” means the 24th week of 2019. Many tire makers suggest replacing trailer tires after about six years, even when the tread looks fine, because the rubber breaks down with age.
5. Are the wheel bearings healthy?
Jack each wheel off the ground, then spin it and rock it side to side. Grinding, roughness, or play in the hub usually means the bearings need service or replacement. Ask the seller when the bearings were last repacked.
6. Do the brakes meet Idaho requirements?
Idaho requires brakes on any trailer with an unladen weight of 1,500 pounds or more, and those brakes must apply automatically if the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle. On electric-brake trailers, test the breakaway switch and make sure the breakaway battery holds a charge. These systems often go unchecked for years.
7. Do all the lights and wiring work?
Hook the trailer to your tow vehicle and test the running lights, brake lights, and both turn signals. Idaho requires at least two tail lamps mounted between 20 and 72 inches high. Brittle wires, corroded plugs, and splices wrapped in electrical tape are the most common failure points.
8. How are the deck and ramps holding up?
Walk the whole deck and feel for soft boards, which point to rot underneath. Check that ramps fold and lock without binding. On metal decks, look for cracks around the tie-down points.
9. Is the suspension sagging?
Leaf springs should sit evenly on both sides with no cracked leaves. Worn shackle bushings and uneven tire wear often mean the axle is out of alignment.
10. Is the coupler hardware sound?
The coupler should latch firmly onto a ball of the correct size, and the tongue jack should crank smoothly. Safety chains should be free of stretched links and should hook up without twisting.
Where can I shop for a used trailer in southern Idaho?
- Grizzly Trailer Sales
- Classic Car Sales
- IMCO-Idaho
- MSS Trailers & Trucks
- Diamond H Trailer Sales
1. Grizzly Trailer Sales
Grizzly Trailer Sales is run by Trell Whitehead and Matt Hope and has yards in Rupert and Montpelier. Both carry used trailers alongside new ones, so you can inspect a used unit and then compare it directly with a new model before deciding. Recent used inventory has included utility, tilt, and deck-over trailers from brands like Big Tex and Snake River, priced from about $1,800 to $8,750 when this article was written. The company says each used trailer is checked against its standards before it goes on the lot. Financing can be started online, and Saturday visits are available by appointment.
2. Classic Car Sales
Classic Car Sales is a Burley dealer that sells trailers along with vehicles.
3. IMCO-Idaho
IMCO-Idaho is a trailer manufacturer located in Rupert.
4. MSS Trailers & Trucks
MSS Trailers & Trucks is a trailer business in Soda Springs.
5. Diamond H Trailer Sales
Diamond H Trailer Sales is a trailer dealer in Montpelier.
Buying used with confidence
A used trailer is worth buying when its paperwork is clean, its frame is sound, and its brakes and lights meet state requirements. Tires and bearings are the most common hidden costs, so price those into any offer. Bring a flashlight, a jack, and your tow vehicle, and give yourself a half hour to go through each item on this list.
If you want to put this checklist to work on a real trailer, stop by Grizzly Trailer Sales in Rupert or Montpelier and look over the used inventory with the team.