should I? - Diesel Forum

Deeregreen · 10-23-2007, 03:34 PM

I will be selling my gooseneck in the next month. Should I spend the money to put on new brakes and repair small problems or just sell the trailer as is. All the dealers tell me that spending money on a used vehicle your going to sell is crazy. The brakes are 5.5yrs old and work fairly well. I also have 2 leaking axle seals and two lights that don't work.

CaptRon · 10-23-2007, 06:53 PM

Sell it "as is". You will not recoupe the money and time that you will put into it.
Price it accordingly and let the new owner worry about it.

CaptRon

Deeregreen · 10-23-2007, 08:04 PM

Thanks Ron, that's definately the way I'm leaning.

fulltimer50 · 10-23-2007, 08:27 PM

On the other hand you might have a harder time selling it if it needs work.

short_stuff · 10-23-2007, 10:25 PM

Not if it is priced right and the buyer thinks he's getting a good deal. If the seller expects to get top dollar for it, then, yes, you're right, it should be in as good condition as you can make it without breaking the bank. But, if buyer and seller both think they are getting a good deal, then sell it 'as is'.

short_stuff

mndorf · 10-24-2007, 12:20 PM

Fix the lights, it's cheap and easy and you know where to start. The buyer sees the lights go on and is happy.

Don't worry about the brakes if they now work good enough, the buyer will accept it.

The leaks are a tossup - not too hard or expensive for either person. With brakes still usable good seals will bring better money because there will be no obvious immediate repairs.

Bruce

Deeregreen · 10-24-2007, 10:17 PM

I think I will fix the seals. I could fix this trailer back to 'like new' and price for $8,750 or not repair and as $7,500. I think the cheaper price will well even though the higher one would be a better deal. Alot of people have a set amount they want to spend and this should be in there price range and they could redo the brakes at a later date. At least that's the ideas I've come up with over the last couple of days. All input has been greatly appreciated.

Picked the new trailer up today. 30' with 5' dove dual tandem axle aluminum. Pulling it home the 70 miles from Louisville I didn't even know it was back there. I can't wait to get to the scales tomorrow and see what the weight difference is. I'm guessing 3K lbs.