Moving to S.D. with a 5x8 Trailer, should I rent, or buy and re-sell? (San Diego: for sale)

[SportyDog]

This is probably a silly question but here goes.

I'm moving my family to S.D. I'm driving my wife and baby out in my car with a U-Haul Trailer a couple weeks before I move all our stuff in moving trucks (long story)

anyway,

I'm going to get like a 5x8 trailer, I was looking at Renting one for like 400, or buying one for like 1000.

If I buy it I can try to re-sell it for something similar when I get out there?

Does that sound feasible, or would I be stuck with a trailer I can't sell?

[Oerdin]

The resale prices on a used trailer wouldn't be that high, I imagine. Especially if it is registered out of state and so the new owner would have to get it reregistered here.

[Beware_of_Dog]

I could be wrong, and it might well be just a location thing, but $400 to rent such a small trailer seems exorbitant. I rented one of U-hauls largest moving trucks for only twice that. Shop around some more and remember their prices aren't written in stone. There should be one trailer rental place that has too many sitting around and just wants to get rid of one.

I would rent however. The less hassle the better. You will have enough to deal with, won't you?

[Oerdin]

Back in 2003 I moved to Sacramento for a job and I think one of their largest trucks cost me $799 for three days. $400 for such a small one is a rip off. Try shopping around.

[Anak]

Enclosed or open trailer?

I am going to guess open since you are looking at buying one for $1000.

Trailers seem to hold their value fairly well out here. A 5x8 trailer is particularly popular on account of that being the magic size for fixed rates at the landfill.

Depending on what options you will have on your trailer (drop down gate/ramp, spare tire, brakes (not likely on a 5x8, but a definite plus if you've got them), toolbox, etc) it is entirely possible you could sell if for $800 in the current market.

Of course, this is all assuming this is an open trailer. If it is an enclosed trailer you should be able to easily sell it for a profit.

Check Craigslist to see what people are currently asking for similar trailers.

[SportyDog]

I was looking at enclosed trailers. They retail for about 1400-1700. I see several of them for sale here in Dallas for about 1000.

I didn't see any used in San Diego listed but I saw a place selling new ones for about 1700.

I don't think there is much of a market there for them so I think I will stick with renting.

Now I just have to figure out if there is a cheaper place to rent than Uhaul, they seem really pricey.

[dougstech]

That price is too high. Just buy a used one, then try to sell in SD for what u paid. Or rent one from someone else.

[Beware_of_Dog]

Get the internet price from each of the major trailer rental places and use that price as a starting point for negotiating the best rate. Just tell the ones around you that you are pricing each of the places and looking for the best deal you can get. When I did that 3 yrs ago, one lot was way lower than the others and several hundred dollars below their advertised price.