Thanks Junkyard, its nice to know people are pulling for you!
Dlange- Junkyard is commenting on my fun with a used lowboy. I bought a 1996 55 ton talbert at ritchie bros in August/ September last year. I managed to drive it to Missouri from Ft. Worth texas, after chaining up a axle, due to a hot bearing (from being over tightened). I've put in all new wheel bearings and seals (found another bad bearing), and one new brake shoe and drum. I also had to tear apart the main pivot shaft in the neck. Not a easy job, but doable. We've also done some hydraulic hoses in the neck, and added a park brake/spring can on the back axle.
None of it was terribly expensive, but that's because we do the work ourselves, rather than sending it to someone. I gave $17,500 for the trailer, probably have close to 20,000 in it with parts and labor. Ritchie Bros- I find you have to go into it expecting to spend money on it. There's a reason they sent it to the auction, but at least with a trailer, as long as the main beams are okay, there's not much else that isn't fixable.
I haul a 66,000 lb crane, don't really haul for anyone else. Probably average once a week. I couldn't justify the 30-40,000 that most used trailers were bringing (and most of those were in pretty tough shape), hence the auction trailer (life's about taking chances
).
I'd rather spend 70 for a new trailer, than give 50 for a used one, but like junkyard says, it depends more on your economic situation, what you can afford to spend. That said, a two to five year old trailer, from someplace without salt, for 1/2 of new price, would probably be what I would do, but I don't like spending $.
New Witzco 50 ton $43,000
http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trailers/for-sale/7614125/2017-witzco-challenger-ngb-50s
New trail king's look like just under $80,000
http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trailers/for-sale/7497729/2016-trail-king-tk110hdg
Talbert's new are mid 70,000
http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/trailers/for-sale/6019869/2016-talbert-55-tons-sa
From what I've heard - the witzco's aren't that great, but I've never owned one. Local big dirt contractor has a eager beaver, and it's not holding up real well, but it gets used really hard ( like 5 loads a day).
I've heard good about trailking, fontaine, talbert, and entyre. It's probably like anything else- you get what you pay for.