A Semi trailer is nothing more than a box on wheels for most people, and for most, that is just fine to get them through life. However, the moment you need some of your personal items stored, you quickly realize that renting or purchasing a semi trailer is a valuable option.
Why Buy a Semi Trailer for Storage?
Storage trailers provide a few key advantages over self-storage units, containers, or other methods of storage.
- Mobility – There are no other forms of storage that can be moved as easily. Why do you think so many companies and business rent semi trailers from us as opposed to containers or warehouses? It is ultimately more mobile and that provides greater opportunity to access your equipment where and when you need it.
- Dry – Most storage units don’t leak from their roofs (hopefully!) but an additional advantage to Storage trailers is that they are kept off the ground so running or standing water has less of a chance to soak your personal items or goods.
- Secure – Most storage trailers have swing doors on them that have 4, 1 inch diameter bars that open and close the doors. Putting a lock on them makes them very secure for your goods or equipment
- Cost Effective – Typically purchasing a semi trailer can be a wise investment. For example, a storage trailer can cost anywhere from 1500 to 3500 for most makes, years, and models. Storage trailers tend to hold their value very well after a certain age and depreciate slowly on resale value, thus making a 1-3 year storage unit out of a trailer can cost you under 1000 dollars if purchased and resold correctly. That is only 28/month for over 400 sq feet of storage. Look around, you’ll be surprised to find a better rate than that.
The Storage Trailer Checklist
So now you understand why you should rent or buy a storage trailer (hopefully from Prime Trailer Leasing, but anyone is good if it helps you!), now let’s go through what you need to consider before buying or renting a storage trailer.
- Floor Integrity – The quality of the floor is by far the most important consideration to make when purchasing a semi trailer, especially for storage. If the floor is bad, the resale value is next to nothing because repairing floors are costly and take a lot of time. Check the floor for bowing, seperated wood, and any apparent chips and dents will weaken the integrity of the floor. If there is enough, it is not worth purchasing.
- Roof Integrity – It is important to examine the roof to make sure it is not leaking. It is not uncommon for there to be repaired roof holes in a trailer that is being used for storage, however, too many holes may mean a bad roof and wet stored items in your future. It is important to thoroughly examine the roof to see if there is any water or daylight coming through. At Prime trailer, we always run a trailer through our maintenence shop to ensure there are no leaks if you are purchasing it for storage. We do this free of charge, because our commitment to our customers is more important than your money.
- Brakes, Tires – Brakes and tires are not important if you only plan on moving it a short distance, and not moving it often, however, brakes and tires are one of the most used pieces of equipment on a semi trailer, and they need to be replaced most often. If you plan on moving it around a lot, be sure to make sure the brakes are 50% or better, and that the tires are 50% or better as well. Given the Tire Shortage happening right now, it is more important now than ever.
- Door Integrity – The door is not an important piece of equipment on a trailer except for the fact that it is the only way to get into the trailer. As simple as that sounds, Security and Accessibility are the biggest factors a door brings to the table. Secure trailers have fully functional door hinges, and hooks to allow the trailer to be closed and a lock put over the hook. On the accesiblility, it is important the door opens smoothly and easily. An easy door means easy access when you need your equipment or personal items.
- Price – Price is an important factor and it is hard to know what you should pay for a storage trailer in Colorado (our primary location) or anywhere else for that matter. What most people do not realize who are not in the semi trailer industry is that prices of semi trailers fluctuate with supply and demand much like the price of gas. As supply and demand move back and forth, it effects the price of used semi trailers and their worth. Currently, we are seeing a large shortage of used equipment in the semi trailer industry and it is difficult to find ANY trailer that sells for less than 3000 that is a 48 ft storage trailer. 10 years ago, the price for a storage trailers was half of that price, now it is double and will most likely not change in the next few years until the economy stabilizes.
What to Do Now?
Hopefully, if you are still reading, you are looking to buy a storage trailer in Colorado or in other states. If this is the case, contact us or come on by our yard to view some of our storage trailers. We have many storage trailers for sale or rent. We can help you further in your search process. We would love to sell you a trailer, but it is more important to us that we help you with your search and serve you. That’s what we call the “Prime Trailer Difference“.
Share this with Others on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin and we’ll see you soon!
Tags: Semi Trailer Rentals, Semi Trailer Sales, storage trailer sales
