Thread: Imported trailers, yay or nay ?

concept trailers in the waikato are worth a look, running 3 at work for 2 years so far.
good value for money.

The biggest issue we had was quality control.
There were a lot of parts that came that we didn't feel right about using, and getting any money back for them was a waste of time... Make sure you buy from someone with a reputation as some would use these parts so they didn't loose money, and if they go out of business in a year and you run into problems you're S.O.O.L
If the company has been around a long time and they stand by their warranty then you should be alright.
Don't go with a newer business operating out of their paddock with lower overheads and therefore lower price you may come to regret saving a couple hundred now.
Elite have been in the game long enough to have a proven track record for example.

I have had my Christchurch built Raceway trailer since 1996. Still rust free and in excellent serviceable condition. For one reason……see photo!

You miserable bugger you are meant to lend them and they come back missing the safety shackle, trailer plug showing signs of been dragged on the ground, shit on the deck hiding the dents from rocks and firewood delivered from great heights, broken lights.....

Cynical but true

Kea Trailers in Hamilton sell cheapish entry level trailers 6x4, 7x4 and 8x4, built to the same quality but don't take as much weight as their more standard trailers but still better quality than the chinese trailers. Apparently, at the moment if you buy 7x4 you get a free cage with it.

Originally Posted by Brian

I've got a titan too. very happy with it.
I keep in a shed I don't think most will last if they're parked up outside all the time.

Mine lived outside for the last 4 years and nor issues with rust

Buy a Second hand known brand. Change the bearings for Timkens. New seals.

Bam, done.

I don't think I would go Chinese if you want longevity or reliability.

Originally Posted by erniec

You miserable bugger you are meant to lend them and they come back missing the safety shackle, trailer plug showing signs of been dragged on the ground, shit on the deck hiding the dents from rocks and firewood delivered from great heights, broken lights.....

You don't lend your chainsaw, trailer, axe or wife - they'll come back ##cked..

Check the wheels bearings on pickup, and make sure all the bolts are done up. Seen some horrors, including:

- One that was bought and towed back from Rotorua, had one half undone bolt left holding the coupling/connection on by the time it got to tauranga.
- Hubs that had the bearing hole not centered in the PCD of the studs by a finger width
- Multiple bare ungreased bearings over multiple areas. Just dry, straight out of the packet, bearings.
- Casting voids in the underneath mouth area of the coupling (large, ranging from a regular M&M to a peanut version). QC was on smoko on that station
- Wiring passing through raw burred drill holes. Sure you can unwire it, deburr the hole and go through the galv (next point).
- The galv, if that's what it's supposed to be.
- They are light and easy to manipulate, but that's because they're very very thin.

Keep in mind the checker plate is more of an image than actual checkering.

For the price of a new one, I'd try buy a used Briford or Prescott or something. It's a bit of a risk in some ways, but if you could otherwise build one and lack the time, a few repairs won't scare you

Originally Posted by Ross Nolan

You don't lend your chainsaw, trailer, axe or wife - they'll come back ##cked..

Best trailer I’ve ever used is my mates, it’s bloody awesome and I don’t have to store it

A fair point here is not all Chinese gear is crap. But, good Chinese gear is generally not much cheaper than local made gear and it's kinda hard to tell what the state of what you are eyeballing is when it's already assembled without taking bits off.

there's fuk all to go wrong with a decent s/h kiwi made trailer, what is there? wheel bearings (a kiwi trailer will probably have decent ones in it anyway) a plug a bit of wiring and a couple of lights.....

Seen some shocker Chinese trailers. Cost more to fix than they're worth.

I've had a Briford trailer for more than 25yrs and haven't to do a thing to it.
MiL Elite however is the biggest pile of dog turd I've had the displeasure of having to work on. Ive done nothing but fix that pile of turd!

You definitely get what you pay for!

Don't get me started on the total muppet that makes those raceway trailers. Wouldn't go there if paid!

Don't to hang up with imported trailers, lots of the parts of NZ trailers are made in China anyway.
I bought Elite trailer (imported) new in 2012, not the fanciest trailer in town, it live outside, abused and lend to many.
Carry dirt and stuff that I wouldn't put on my other trailer but it has its limit.

It has its place but for the value and function, Elite trailer probably the hardest working trailer in my yard.