If you have an old boat trailer that needs repairs, you may be thinking about just buying a new one. Once you buy a new trailer, you will no problems. At least that's the idea. But there are reasons that you may want to keep your old trailer and simply have it repaired.

The following are a few things to think about.

Do you have access to a good repair shop?

It is sometimes easier to buy a new trailer because there is a local dealer, but a good repair shop is not always available. Dealers may claim to repair trailers, and some of them do, but there are many repair shops that only do repairs, so they won't be trying to sell you a new trailer. They will repair older trailers that look worse than they are. For example, they can remove rust and then apply some galvanized paint. Older trailers can often be restored by a good repair shop, saving you a lot of money on an unnecessary new boat trailer purchase. If you have a good local trailer repair shop, take your trailer in for an estimate of the repair cost.

How much are you using the trailer?

Once you know the cost of repair, you likely have an idea of what a comparable trailer will cost brand new. At this point, you need to look at how often you are using the trailer. You need to be honest about how many times you take the boat to the lake, river, or ocean. Naturally, the cost of each use will be lower for your used trailer with repair work, but if you are using your boat frequently, especially in the summer, the lower cost may not be worth it. A new trailer may be more dependable, so if you use it many times, it may have a lower chance of breaking down. On the other hand, a boat trailer is not as complex as a car, and a good trailer service shop may be able to bring your trailer into peak condition.

Are there repairs you can make yourself?

If the total cost is substantial relative to buying a new one, you should take a look at what you may be able to do yourself. Obviously, there are certain issues you should leave to a professional. Anything that involves welding is one example. However, if you have any skills with automotive repairs, you may be able to do some brake work. The trailer hubs are also a possibility. There are kits available that allow you to repair the trailer hubs, but you will need one that matches your make and model of the boat trailer.

Before you decide on a new boat trailer, find a good service and repair shop and get a repair cost estimate. Although you may be able to do some of the work yourself, the cost of repair may be worth deciding against buying a new trailer.

For more information, contact a trailer repair service.

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