Joined: 17/9/2015 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3064
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2026: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2026: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
|
Can't really help too much with the folding tent/caravan points, but the basic trailer chassis has a few points that are quite critical to safe towing/roadworthyness, and are often neglected by current owners.
Tow hitch: Not worn/heavily corroded. Hitch locking mechanism works properly. If braked, then brake activation mechanism AND handbrake lever work properly, and hitch damper works.
Wheel bearings are smooth running with no excessive play. (Needs jacking up to check that!)
Brakes, including handbrake work, and equally well on both wheels. Brake activation cables are not damaged/corroded.
Tyres, no matter how much tread remains, should be under 5 years old (may push to 7 years if in otherwise excellent condition - check date code on tyre wall, AND include the spare! - if over 5 years old, buy new tyres ASAP and before any trips away, and factor in cost on purchase price!), there should be no flat spots on tread, and no cracking on sidewalls (don't forget the back face as well!) or splitting in the depth of the tread. The tyres should be load capable for the trailer weight (check sidewall markings), not unknown for underrated load car tyres to be used where HD trailer tyres are required! Trailer tyres deteriorate through lack of use and standing in one position for extended periods, hence requirement to change every 5 years regardless of remaining tread.
The chassis in general should be corrosion and damage free.
Corner steadies should be free running throughout their extension range and not distorted.
All road/running lights MUST work, and check the state of the 7 pin (one or two plugs depending on age/spec) or 13 pin plug. Tracing electrical faults on lights can be a pain and time consuming (read expensive if paying someone!) to fix.
On the body, any flexible gas hoses should be less than 5 years old (date of manufacture marked on them), and like tyres changed on age alone! All appliances should be periodically checked for gas/electrical safety, and a report of such checks available.
For a £100 or so you can get a mobile qualified caravan engineer to inspect and report on ALL the critical points of both chassis and body. If you know nothing about trailers, then it can be a good investment and save you far more in unexpected bills for faults you didn't spot. Inevitably trailer parts seem to be more expensive than you might expect!
|
Topic: Second hand trailer
