What happened to this trailer and how challenging to fix

[GON]

Looking at this Featherlite gooseneck trailer at auction. It is what I am looking for a enclosed light weight gooseneck. My F350 has a gas V10 and is older, so I want to keep weight down (it is not one of the big diesel pickups).

Came across this trailer. I can't figure out what happened to it, but of course can see it. One thing that catches my eye is the hump the floor at the location of the sidewall damage. It may hold a clue of what happened.

Hoping some BITOG members might share what kind of accident happened, and what it might take to repair- or if the trailer appears not reasonable to repair. I need the trailer functioning and safe. I am no so concerned about cosmetics.

 

[Zaedock]

It looks like it hit a pole during a turning maneuver. Either a pole or sign at a gas station or something.

I believe the Featherlights use integrated chassis construction. Aluminum repair can get expensive. I weld, but would defer to my friend who welds aluminum for a living. I would probably pass given the damage and age ('04) My $.02.

 

[hemitom]

Jack knifed the trailer ?
Pole strike or barrier of some type ?
Not worth fixing looks like main beam is maybe done to many cross members bent busted , most likely never be able to run true always have tire wear issues, i may be wrong but those pictures show lots of damage.

 

[GON]

Thanks Gents for the replies. I won the auction at $1550 USD, which at Copart means $2200 USD out the foor. I did not meet the reserve. The Seller countered at $4900, then $4500 (they had an original buy it now at $5500). I don't expect the Seller to accept my winning bid.

Never thought how critical a square frame means under load to tire wear.... Even at 1550/2200 likely a high risk. The trailer is near my home, and rarely see something like this- so took the risk......

 

[hemitom]

I don't know if you could even fix that damage for $5000 and thats doing all the work yourself.
plus the cost of buying at $2200 . whats a similar trailer in good condition worth in your area ?
For me its to high a risk , if the seller doesn't accept i would definitely walk away..
i would think its value is in scrap metal only ??

 

[mk378]

That's totaled. The other bidders were thinking remove the axles and other hardware and sell the rest for metal.

 

[BISCUT]

Whoever has the skill set to fix this I tip my hat and say God bless ya! I agree with mk378 this is a parter and scrap metal turn in.

 

[thastinger]

that is scrap metal

 

[GON]

Thanks for the replies. I did not know a trailer (aluminum) frame was so expensive and challenging to repair- I do now. This style of trailer, enclosed aluminum gooseneck and somewhat hard to find and priced out of my budget. When I saw this just 50 miles from my home, I took a big interest.

The Seller at the Copart auction might me an individual, instead of a insurance company. He keeps counter offering me at 4500, which I reject. His last counter was at 4300. The way copart works, if the Seller reserve is not met, the Seller can accept the winning bid, counter, or just cancel the Buyer's bid. In this case, the Seller won't cancel my bid, but just keeps counter offering. And is counterting late into the night. Insurance guys give one counter offer, then cancel the deal. They don't care to play games. I don't care what this Seller is doing, except he is tying up my money and time why he won't cance; the sale. nor accept my winning bid. After getting some good replies to this thread- I hope he cancels the sale do to reserve not being met.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Run away if he cancels your bid. It’s worth’s value plus what the axles would be worth. Way too much damage to mess with. If you knew how to weld aluminum I’d say a max price of $500 is about right.

 

[c502cid]

In case it's yours for good, I'll just throw this out there. I'd cut out the section that is damaged, weld it back together, and make it a shorter trailer. If cosmetics are a secondary concern, you could still have a very functioning trailer. The key is to make sure the axles are straight. to the frame.

 

[mk378]

Except that the top rail and the roof are mangled for about 8 feet. You'd end up with a really short trailer, and the front-back balance would be off. Seriously not worth messing with.

 

[GON]

Final update- Copart rule say Seller has until 8pm Pacific time to accept my non Seller reserve winning bid. The Seller made a offer at $4,000 which I did not respond to. The bid cancelled out. It was relisted for auction next week, it has only been open for pre bid 90 minutes, and the current bid is $2500. Beats me.... but I am off the hook. And my Wife might be of been very unhappy with me bringing that damaged trailer home........

 

[meep]

Looks like he was perhaps reversing in a turn and caught a pole mounted atop a cement pedestal.... my guess, but the damage is so bad.... there had to be some blind/speed involved. That’s really rough. Even repaired, I’d never be able to trust it with a load.

 

[GON]

Thought to update this thread. Ended up finding out the used trailer market is crazy high. Searched for about six months, every used enclosed gooseneck sold quickly.

Found a Featherlite enclosed aluminum gooseneck 600 miles south of me. Price was reasonable, so paid for it in full sight unseen. Picked it up last week and super happy. Has two doors AND two ramps- a rear and side ramp. I will convert this to a cargo trailer.

 

[BeerCan]

Glad it worked out for you. That original trailer would have been a nightmare.

Enjoy the trailer, are you moving horses?

 

[GON]

Glad it worked out for you. That original trailer would have been a nightmare.

Enjoy the trailer, are you moving horses?

Thanks. No not moving horses. Household goods. I am military(like you) and move every two-three years, Because of COVID, moves are getting all screwed up. I have a 20 foot enclosed cargo trailer, but not nearly enough capacity to store our household goods. In past years I would need two Penske 26' box trucks too move. I am going to see if I can move us using two cargo trailers, one open car hauler, and two utility trailers (and some good tarps). Send my Wife to our Daughter (and grandkids)in Denver while I navigate a unknown move. We are in Utah now, likely heading to FT Bragg NC or FT Jackson SC. Time will tell.

Just could not find a reasonable price on a used enclosed gooseneck. I saw one, flew to Oklahoma City, it was sold before I got off the plane in OKC. Found two in Amarillo, they were sold before I could get there also. The trailer dealer in OKC said they can't get new enclosed goosenecks because of COVID related production issues. So companies that always buy new are now buying used. Enclosed used goosenecks can be tough to find a buyer- not much demand. But not in the current covid environment.

So I ran out of options and started looking at horse trailers as a alternate. They lose some capacity, but appear better built than many enclosed cargo trailers. This Featherlite 9615 has a modular interior. All the horse stuff is plug and play- meaning it can be easily removed, and reinstalled as needed.

Finally- might be a good time to sell a used trailer. In Utah used are selling for more than what new trailers sold for two years ago. Sell your new one now- put the money in the bank, and maybe buy a new one in 2023 with the money in the bank. I know it sounds crazy.... I still can't believe the prices.

Finally, on the 9615 featherlite, I only found two for sale nationwide (one I purchased). The other is for sale in Ocala Florida. They are asking $15,900 for it. I think it is overpriced by many thousands- but gives a sense of the crazy used trailer market.

 

[PimTac]

There is a reason the trailer market is booming and it’s not the one you might think of at first.

I’ve seen a few of those types parked around along with other types of trailers, RVs etc. Cheap houses.