Buying a Used Live Bottom Trailer: Inspection Checklist This checklist is valid for any brand of live bottom trailer Questions to ask: 1: Reason for selling? 2: Does everything work? (does it need anything?) 3: What was it used for? (some materials wear more/ are more corrosive) 4: What maintenance/service has it had? (new parts, regular maintenance, repairs?) Research 1: Cost range for specific brand 2: Are parts easily available? 3: Mark down the VIN, some manufacturers may be able to provide information by phone Bring • • •
Flashlight to see darker areas This checklist Pen
Tub Inspection Little things can add up, and it is easy to spent thousands on things you didn’t expect to. This checklist covers many of these things, in hopes to save you money. Cracks (Corners have a lot of strain, as well as around the landing gear if improperly used) Seals (If seals are bad there is a higher chance of a bad conveyor, as well as the cost of replacing seals) Seal plates (Check for wear) Dents (Dents can be a good sign of what was hauled, and could mean conveyor damage, or cracks, this being said, some dents are normal in a used trailer) Repairs? (Check for new parts, or patches, and see if repairs were done properly)
Belt (Belt replacement can be pricey, check for rips or worn grooves, grooves generally wear by seals) Lights (Lights are generally cheap, but a light out could also mean faulty wiring) Truck to trailer Connections (Check for condition and compatibility, plugs and hydraulic connections may have to be changed for compatibility) 5th wheel pin (Over time the 5th wheel pin and plate can wear, check for wear)