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Author Topic:   Best Use for Old Boat Trailer

Chuck Tribolet posted 07-20-2014 07:01 AM ET (US)
I've finally replaced my Montauk's old Shoreland'r trailer
(with a new Shoreland'r) and have to figure out what to do
with the old trailer. It's pretty rusty. The front cross
member should be replaced at a minimum. But there's also some
decent stuff on it (LED lights, new winch, Fulton F2 jack).
I figure the options are:
Sell it to some one who can weld in a new cross member.
Part it out.
Strip it and scrap it.
Any ideas?

Chuck
wezie posted 07-20-2014 07:46 AM ET (US)
Yup!
#1
Make sure title gets transferred.
#2 and # 3 will take more time, but you might enjoy it.
Enjoy new trailer, and thus your boat.
Good Luck,
Dave Sutton posted 07-20-2014 10:24 AM ET (US)
Craigslist...
Dave

.
Buckda posted 07-20-2014 12:23 PM ET (US)
I gave one of my old small trailers to a friend who has a gentleman's farm. He converted it into a flatbed trailer with some plywood and uses it to water his crop. It has 2 55 gallon barrels on it with a spigot and an electric pump.
My point is, there are a Ton of uses for that old trailer. Someone will be interested in it. Even if it is not to be used as a boat trailer.
martyn1075 posted 07-20-2014 02:10 PM ET (US)
Another mans trash is another mans treasure. Its just a saying not implying your trailer is garbage, it likely has more use to someone. I once picked up a free Force 10 BBQ it was left by the marina garbage bin. It had zero rust on it but it needed a few parts inside that cost me $40.00. The previous owner obviously gave up on it and deemed it garbage. I found it to be quite a find and made my day.
Price is important as well, price it to sell it will go. If its too high the opposite happens. Might as well get something for it rather than nothing. The trailer has probably served you well over the years and paid for itself a hundred times over.
myakka posted 07-20-2014 06:18 PM ET (US)
List the problems in the bill of sale and let someone put some sweat equity into rebuilding it for themselves. Or fix it up and sell it.
Marsh posted 07-20-2014 09:06 PM ET (US)
You could always strip it, then park the carcass out by the curb with a for sale sign on it. It should disappear in a day or two...at least in my neighborhood anyways.
17 bodega posted 07-20-2014 11:58 PM ET (US)
someone will want it for sure. As long as you sell/gift it with an AS IS bill of sale, and complete the release of liability, you should have no issues.
There are local outfits that will re-galvanize metals after a hot chemical dip, but it is generally cost prohibitive.
scrap metal recycling or salvage businesses will give you some $$ for the steel.
jcdawg83 posted 07-21-2014 08:18 AM ET (US)
Sell it on cragislist. Trailers never really die, they simply become different types of trailers. Be sure to sell AS IS and have a release of liability on bill of sale. You can easily get a couple hundred dollars for it. If you take it to a scrap yard, they will give you about $10 per 100 lbs.
fno posted 07-21-2014 08:44 AM ET (US)
Chuck, it seems with all the advice about liability releases and bills of sale you should cut the trailer up into small pieces after taking all the new stuff off. Put a few of those pieces in your trash every week so nobody notices. If you do decide to leave it by the street to take, don't forget to leave a liability release and a pen for the scavenger. Plus some extra copies for the family, they might come after you if the trailer takes out the scavenger/ breadwinner of the family ;-)
Note: the above comments do not constitute or imply any semblance of legal advice. A "real" lawyer should be consulted for "real" legal advice. Be sure to pay for said advice or it's worthless, much like the legal advice found here and other places on the internet including my comments above.
Another Note: I just found it humorous that the liability release was mentioned not once but twice. While it may seem necessary and I realize we are talking about California, it seems the liability would be largely reduced if you drove the trailer to Nevada and left it by the side of the road. Having said that, I have been the recipient of a trashed trailer by some friends as they purchased a new one for their 11' Boston Whaler. That trailer was rehabbed and sits under my 11' Boston Whaler. My vote goes to gifting, scrapping, and last but not least selling...
Chuck Tribolet posted 07-21-2014 10:22 AM ET (US)
In California, the seller submits a form called "Release of
Liability" to the DMV. This transfers liability for
accidents caused by the vehicle to the purchaser in case the
purchaser never reregisters the vehicle. This is not
uncommon. I've made four sales to private parties, two of
which never registered the vehicle.
This is, of course, not so important with a trailer which is
unlikely to cause an accident. ;-)
I had one fellow who really wanted to buy the old trailer,
but I knew his boat was too big and too heavy for it. He
wanted it "just to tow from the shop to the ramp" (about 3
miles). He found a different trailer for $300, and towed
to Southern California with it. It broke and punched a hole
in his boat. If I sell it, I need to be comfortable with the
buyer, not for legal reasons, but for my own comfort.
Chuck
jcdawg83 posted 07-21-2014 10:42 AM ET (US)
fno; all it takes is for the buyer to not register the trailer, have an accident with the trailer where someone else is injured, leave the scene of said accident and leave the trailer behind, and voila! the state traces the trailer to the previous owner and cites him for the accident. Without a copy of the bill of sale, complete with liability release (basically a sentence in the bill of sale) the previous owner has to, at minimum spend time showing they are not liable and at worst, being held responsible for the accident and prosecuted for leaving the scene of the accident.
The thousands of starving lawyers in this country have ensured that no accident is not viewed as a potential payday for someone.
martyn1075 posted 07-21-2014 12:15 PM ET (US)
'fno; all it takes is for the buyer to not register the trailer, have an accident with the trailer where someone else is injured, leave the scene of said accident and leave the trailer behind, and voila! the state traces the trailer to the previous owner and cites him for the accident.'
I would agree I would find it hard to sleep a bit at night if that kind of risk/chance is looming. I guess if there is some paper work such as bill of sale photo copies of drivers license, photos dating the sale perhaps might work in the favor of the previous owner but still the insurance broker may not care.
What if the serial number and decals are missing over the years? This happens all the time usually because of the elements. It would be hard to trace who really owns the trailer in the first place. I believe that is a bit of a loop hole. When I purchased my boat/trailer package and crossed it over the boarder vin number was the big deal. It must be legible otherwise custom agents have the authority to not allow it over. They are very sticky on that policy. That and what you declare your boat and trailer at, but thats another topic.
Binkster posted 07-21-2014 09:42 PM ET (US)
I bought a trailer like that a few years ago from a marine boneyard. The frame was perfect but the running gear was shot. I bought it with a bill of sale that stated "trailer for parts." I did not get any registration. I rebuilt the trailer, took the bill of sale down to the DMV, got a NEW registration for a home built trailer along with a ID registration # that I scratched into the frame. No liability to the previous owner. That's the way it works in Florida.
All that liability nonsence is just that. Nonsense. If you sell the trailer to someone, get a bill of sale. He can only register it as homebuilt. Don't give up the registration. If he uses that trailer with no registration, gets stopped he's going to jail, and if it causes damage to someone else and come back to you, you have a billm of sale. Yoour covered!!
rich
fno posted 07-23-2014 02:13 AM ET (US)
Remember Rich, we are talking about one of the most litigenous states in the world. Like I said, if there is that much risk involved with even giving the piece of crap away. Cut it up into small pieces and drop a few in the trash each week. Or better yet, since someone is probably monitoring your trash input. Throw it out the window each way on the way to work. Everybody seems to be pre-occupied with texting and emails(probably worrying about the next lawsuit) while in the never ending traffic that they would likely not notice another piece of trash in the median or the side of the road anyway. Besides, the real scavengers would be following you to work the next day for the next installment.
Last but not least, as I have known Chuck here on the Wave for a long time, I doubt that he will not cover his butt with the sale, gifting, or as I suggested the parting out of his trailer despite the awful warnings of legal doom and gloom and my attempts at humor (which seem lost upon many)It is a shame that Elaelap is not around to set us straight these days. I do miss his wit and wisdom....
deepwater posted 07-23-2014 02:55 AM ET (US)
Chuck,,I would bguild a killer smoker and grill on the frame and drag it to a camp site where I was going to stay for a week and feed the whole area,,you provide the grill ,,,they provide the meat,,,^@^,,,,hey max

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Author	Topic: Best Use for Old Boat Trailer
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-20-2014 07:01 AM ET (US) I've finally replaced my Montauk's old Shoreland'r trailer (with a new Shoreland'r) and have to figure out what to do with the old trailer. It's pretty rusty. The front cross member should be replaced at a minimum. But there's also some decent stuff on it (LED lights, new winch, Fulton F2 jack). I figure the options are: Sell it to some one who can weld in a new cross member. Part it out. Strip it and scrap it. Any ideas? Chuck
wezie	posted 07-20-2014 07:46 AM ET (US) Yup! #1 Make sure title gets transferred. #2 and # 3 will take more time, but you might enjoy it. Enjoy new trailer, and thus your boat. Good Luck,
Dave Sutton	posted 07-20-2014 10:24 AM ET (US) Craigslist... Dave .
Buckda	posted 07-20-2014 12:23 PM ET (US) I gave one of my old small trailers to a friend who has a gentleman's farm. He converted it into a flatbed trailer with some plywood and uses it to water his crop. It has 2 55 gallon barrels on it with a spigot and an electric pump. My point is, there are a Ton of uses for that old trailer. Someone will be interested in it. Even if it is not to be used as a boat trailer.
martyn1075	posted 07-20-2014 02:10 PM ET (US) Another mans trash is another mans treasure. Its just a saying not implying your trailer is garbage, it likely has more use to someone. I once picked up a free Force 10 BBQ it was left by the marina garbage bin. It had zero rust on it but it needed a few parts inside that cost me $40.00. The previous owner obviously gave up on it and deemed it garbage. I found it to be quite a find and made my day. Price is important as well, price it to sell it will go. If its too high the opposite happens. Might as well get something for it rather than nothing. The trailer has probably served you well over the years and paid for itself a hundred times over.
myakka	posted 07-20-2014 06:18 PM ET (US) List the problems in the bill of sale and let someone put some sweat equity into rebuilding it for themselves. Or fix it up and sell it.
Marsh	posted 07-20-2014 09:06 PM ET (US) You could always strip it, then park the carcass out by the curb with a for sale sign on it. It should disappear in a day or two...at least in my neighborhood anyways.
17 bodega	posted 07-20-2014 11:58 PM ET (US) someone will want it for sure. As long as you sell/gift it with an AS IS bill of sale, and complete the release of liability, you should have no issues. There are local outfits that will re-galvanize metals after a hot chemical dip, but it is generally cost prohibitive. scrap metal recycling or salvage businesses will give you some $$ for the steel.
jcdawg83	posted 07-21-2014 08:18 AM ET (US) Sell it on cragislist. Trailers never really die, they simply become different types of trailers. Be sure to sell AS IS and have a release of liability on bill of sale. You can easily get a couple hundred dollars for it. If you take it to a scrap yard, they will give you about $10 per 100 lbs.
fno	posted 07-21-2014 08:44 AM ET (US) Chuck, it seems with all the advice about liability releases and bills of sale you should cut the trailer up into small pieces after taking all the new stuff off. Put a few of those pieces in your trash every week so nobody notices. If you do decide to leave it by the street to take, don't forget to leave a liability release and a pen for the scavenger. Plus some extra copies for the family, they might come after you if the trailer takes out the scavenger/ breadwinner of the family ;-) Note: the above comments do not constitute or imply any semblance of legal advice. A "real" lawyer should be consulted for "real" legal advice. Be sure to pay for said advice or it's worthless, much like the legal advice found here and other places on the internet including my comments above. Another Note: I just found it humorous that the liability release was mentioned not once but twice. While it may seem necessary and I realize we are talking about California, it seems the liability would be largely reduced if you drove the trailer to Nevada and left it by the side of the road. Having said that, I have been the recipient of a trashed trailer by some friends as they purchased a new one for their 11' Boston Whaler. That trailer was rehabbed and sits under my 11' Boston Whaler. My vote goes to gifting, scrapping, and last but not least selling...
Chuck Tribolet	posted 07-21-2014 10:22 AM ET (US) In California, the seller submits a form called "Release of Liability" to the DMV. This transfers liability for accidents caused by the vehicle to the purchaser in case the purchaser never reregisters the vehicle. This is not uncommon. I've made four sales to private parties, two of which never registered the vehicle. This is, of course, not so important with a trailer which is unlikely to cause an accident. ;-) I had one fellow who really wanted to buy the old trailer, but I knew his boat was too big and too heavy for it. He wanted it "just to tow from the shop to the ramp" (about 3 miles). He found a different trailer for $300, and towed to Southern California with it. It broke and punched a hole in his boat. If I sell it, I need to be comfortable with the buyer, not for legal reasons, but for my own comfort. Chuck
jcdawg83	posted 07-21-2014 10:42 AM ET (US) fno; all it takes is for the buyer to not register the trailer, have an accident with the trailer where someone else is injured, leave the scene of said accident and leave the trailer behind, and voila! the state traces the trailer to the previous owner and cites him for the accident. Without a copy of the bill of sale, complete with liability release (basically a sentence in the bill of sale) the previous owner has to, at minimum spend time showing they are not liable and at worst, being held responsible for the accident and prosecuted for leaving the scene of the accident. The thousands of starving lawyers in this country have ensured that no accident is not viewed as a potential payday for someone.
martyn1075	posted 07-21-2014 12:15 PM ET (US) 'fno; all it takes is for the buyer to not register the trailer, have an accident with the trailer where someone else is injured, leave the scene of said accident and leave the trailer behind, and voila! the state traces the trailer to the previous owner and cites him for the accident.' I would agree I would find it hard to sleep a bit at night if that kind of risk/chance is looming. I guess if there is some paper work such as bill of sale photo copies of drivers license, photos dating the sale perhaps might work in the favor of the previous owner but still the insurance broker may not care. What if the serial number and decals are missing over the years? This happens all the time usually because of the elements. It would be hard to trace who really owns the trailer in the first place. I believe that is a bit of a loop hole. When I purchased my boat/trailer package and crossed it over the boarder vin number was the big deal. It must be legible otherwise custom agents have the authority to not allow it over. They are very sticky on that policy. That and what you declare your boat and trailer at, but thats another topic.
Binkster	posted 07-21-2014 09:42 PM ET (US) I bought a trailer like that a few years ago from a marine boneyard. The frame was perfect but the running gear was shot. I bought it with a bill of sale that stated "trailer for parts." I did not get any registration. I rebuilt the trailer, took the bill of sale down to the DMV, got a NEW registration for a home built trailer along with a ID registration # that I scratched into the frame. No liability to the previous owner. That's the way it works in Florida. All that liability nonsence is just that. Nonsense. If you sell the trailer to someone, get a bill of sale. He can only register it as homebuilt. Don't give up the registration. If he uses that trailer with no registration, gets stopped he's going to jail, and if it causes damage to someone else and come back to you, you have a billm of sale. Yoour covered!! rich
fno	posted 07-23-2014 02:13 AM ET (US) Remember Rich, we are talking about one of the most litigenous states in the world. Like I said, if there is that much risk involved with even giving the piece of crap away. Cut it up into small pieces and drop a few in the trash each week. Or better yet, since someone is probably monitoring your trash input. Throw it out the window each way on the way to work. Everybody seems to be pre-occupied with texting and emails(probably worrying about the next lawsuit) while in the never ending traffic that they would likely not notice another piece of trash in the median or the side of the road anyway. Besides, the real scavengers would be following you to work the next day for the next installment. Last but not least, as I have known Chuck here on the Wave for a long time, I doubt that he will not cover his butt with the sale, gifting, or as I suggested the parting out of his trailer despite the awful warnings of legal doom and gloom and my attempts at humor (which seem lost upon many)It is a shame that Elaelap is not around to set us straight these days. I do miss his wit and wisdom....
deepwater	posted 07-23-2014 02:55 AM ET (US) Chuck,,I would bguild a killer smoker and grill on the frame and drag it to a camp site where I was going to stay for a week and feed the whole area,,you provide the grill ,,,they provide the meat,,,^@^,,,,hey max