Value of unused trailer?

[slowleak]

An elderly neighbor of mine has a Load Rite roller trailer which he bought new in 1999 and never used. He brought it home, slid it under a project boat in his garage and took sick soon after.
He's been talking about selling off the boat and the trailer. I think he realizes that the project boat isn't worth much, (18' Starcraft Center console), but the trailer is as it was on the dealers lot in 1999, with no miles, no use, no rust.
I've always liked that boat and he's got everything to complete the project already bought, but I'm at a loss what to offer him for the trailer. He had mentioned that someone from a local fishing club had expressed an interest but the guy showed up and offered him $600 for everything. The trailer cost him $1,900 new in 1999, and a new one like it is over $2,500 today.
That's not counting the also brand new Powerwinch he's got for it, or the $800 worth of brand new parts for the boat, including paint materials, seats, and a brand new in the crate 1992 Evinrude V4.

The boat's value is something we'll have little problem agreeing on, but the trailer is my biggest question.
If it were mine, I'd want what I paid for it, especially since a new one is even more money today. When I look it up at NADA they don't allow for the circumstances at hand.
Any suggestions?

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Value of unused trailer?

An elderly neighbor of mine has a Load Rite roller trailer which he bought new in 1999 and never used. He brought it home, slid it under a project boat in his garage and took sick soon after.
He's been talking about selling off the boat and the trailer. I think he realizes that the project boat isn't worth much, (18' Starcraft Center console), but the trailer is as it was on the dealers lot in 1999, with no miles, no use, no rust.
I've always liked that boat and he's got everything to complete the project already bought, but I'm at a loss what to offer him for the trailer. He had mentioned that someone from a local fishing club had expressed an interest but the guy showed up and offered him $600 for everything. The trailer cost him $1,900 new in 1999, and a new one like it is over $2,500 today.
That's not counting the also brand new Powerwinch he's got for it, or the $800 worth of brand new parts for the boat, including paint materials, seats, and a brand new in the crate 1992 Evinrude V4.

The boat's value is something we'll have little problem agreeing on, but the trailer is my biggest question.
If it were mine, I'd want what I paid for it, especially since a new one is even more money today. When I look it up at NADA they don't allow for the circumstances at hand.
Any suggestions?

Although the the trailer has zero miles on it, it is still a 13 year old used trailer with no warrantee and only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If the fellow want's what he paid for it, he can hold out and see what he can get for it. Someone is likely to pay the 1900 for what is 2500 (today) perfect condition used trailer.

Otherwise, offer what you want (above the 600) and see what happens. That package seems like it's worth a pretty decent amount of money, since there is a brand new crate engine in the mix, too. Sounds like you would be buying the trailer, winch, new parts and new engine, with an old boat thrown in for good measure.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Value of unused trailer?

I would go somewhere between the NADA Average retail and the price paid. It has been sitting there for 12-13 years, so it may have some age issues, even though it is un-used.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Value of unused trailer?

even if its unused, the rubber starts to deteriorate from day one. the tires will most likely need replacing.

However with that stated, if you like the boat, trailer, etc. and he has everything to finish the project, offer him $1500 up to about $2k for everything - boat, trailer, motor, parts, etc.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Value of unused trailer?

Is the boat fiberglass or aluminum? Trailer painted or galvanized?

 

[superbenk]

Re: Value of unused trailer?

I'd think an offer of $2000-2500 would be a good deal I you get all that stuff with the boat. Even if you don't restore the boat, you'll make the money back on eBay for the parts.

 

[slowleak]

Re: Value of unused trailer?

The trailer is galvanized, 2400lb GVW, and the boat is aluminum.
I'm really not sure why the boat is even apart, the original deck wood is all in good shape and there's not so much as a scratch on the hull. He has some sort of composite decking panels all cut and drilled to fit that have to be painted, and the transom is done in all aluminum and composite, some sort of composite material. He said the goal was to make the boat completely weatherproof for life.
The motor was bought back when he started the project as a year end left over, its still in a wooden crate in the corner of the garage.

What kind of age wear would I look for on a trailer? The tires look brand new, they've been bagged and protected from the light and the garage has a heated floor, so its not even seen weather or temperature changes.

The pile of parts is as big as the boat, he's got boxes of stuff for it. But his main concern seems to be the trailer.
(If it were mine I'd expect near new money for it, it's that perfect), but NADA says its worth something like $300).
The cheapest I can find any used trailer at the dealer in equal condition is over $1500 and they've been stored outside and used.
I think he's looking for somewhere in the $6,000 range for the whole package.
I figure the motor and controls have to be worth $2,000 minimum, the hull should be worth $2000, the two seats are $250 at the local boat store, the trailer would bring at least $1500, even if it were well used, and the rest of the electronics, rod holders, steering kit, and misc items total over $10K. The GPS lists for almost $600, the fish finder cost him $1800. The windlass was over $600, the trailer winch was $300, and the custom deck panels cost over $300 for each sheet. Plus, he's got a ton of new flotation foam to go under the deck, which is an assortment of already cut to fit pieces of blue foam in various sizes. I think he had someone where they make foam copy the original foam chunks but out of blue foam instead of polystyrene.
I think how I'm looking at it is that I can't buy a boat like this new, they no longer make this model or style.
As far as the motor, I'd probably sell it and buy a new 4 stroke for convenience if I can sell off the V4 Evinrude.
There's a lot of things I'd have never in a million years sprung for on my budget that are already in this boat.
For instance I'd never have put out $1800 for a top of the line fish finder, or a $600 GPS. A basic fish finder and hand held GPS would have been my limit. The deck would have been wood, and most likely never touched since I see no sign of rot in the old panels. The same for the transom, it's not rotted, he just changed it for the sake of changing it.
I think with some work it'll be an excellent boat.
I'm just debating on whether to buy his trailer or take the boat and the rest of the parts and find a $200 trailer to stick under it. There's a slightly rusty one down the road that could be made to work with some new bunks and new springs.
Of course, having a nicer trailer would mean I could tow it farther without worry. The boat I have now is on a trailer that's a bit suspect and too heavy for the boat. Although the frame is fine it keeps breaking bolts that keep rusting in the salt air.