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withamc
10-30-2005, 11:33 AM
Just thinking of future business opportunities. I **might** be buying an RV service and storage business. I was thinking of building and sellling trailers out of the lot as well. Any legal and/or licensing issues that would be a concern?
4Mogger
10-30-2005, 03:43 PM
http://www.natm.com/
87YJ
10-30-2005, 06:27 PM
Check out NHTSA for the regulations on trailers.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page4.html
Haole
10-30-2005, 07:15 PM
Just thinking of future business opportunities. I **might** be buying an RV service and storage business. I was thinking of building and sellling trailers out of the lot as well. Any legal and/or licensing issues that would be a concern?


Hmmm, making mental notes for storing my trailer. Going to have a PBB discount? :D
DavidLH
10-30-2005, 08:03 PM
Just thinking of future business opportunities. I **might** be buying an RV service and storage business. I was thinking of building and sellling trailers out of the lot as well. Any legal and/or licensing issues that would be a concern?
Talk to your insurance agent, I think liability would be a major issue. Also I think the DMV will make you jump thru many hoops before you can become a manufacturer.I have built and sold a couple of dozen trailers (illegally of course). Another thing to consider is, people are stupid (except the persons on this board :-). I have seen my customers overload my trailers after I was very clear with them about the weight limits. I don't know if any had any problems but I would hate to see someone get hurt. I won't build for anyone anymore. Another thing to think about- metal has really increased lately and for you to be competitive, you would have to buy in quantities just to compete with all the other companies selling in your area. I see you are in SoCal, I used to buy new factory 16' tandem trailers there for $700 (retail). I used to see new factory trailers (16' tandems) for $560 coming out of Texas. The little guy just can't compete with those prices.
withamc
10-31-2005, 08:10 AM
Talk to your insurance agent, I think liability would be a major issue. Also I think the DMV will make you jump thru many hoops before you can become a manufacturer.I have built and sold a couple of dozen trailers (illegally of course). Another thing to consider is, people are stupid (except the persons on this board :-). I have seen my customers overload my trailers after I was very clear with them about the weight limits. I don't know if any had any problems but I would hate to see someone get hurt. I won't build for anyone anymore. Another thing to think about- metal has really increased lately and for you to be competitive, you would have to buy in quantities just to compete with all the other companies selling in your area. I see you are in SoCal, I used to buy new factory 16' tandem trailers there for $700 (retail). I used to see new factory trailers (16' tandems) for $560 coming out of Texas. The little guy just can't compete with those prices.
If that's the case I would just sell trailers and parts. Maybe I have been looking in the wrong places - I was seeing 18' trailers for $1500 and up. Hell - I paid $1000 for my 18' trailer used and that was right in line with other used trailers.
withamc
10-31-2005, 08:12 AM
Hmmm, making mental notes for storing my trailer. Going to have a PBB discount? :D
The biz is primarily focused on MH storage, but IF this thing materializes we would be looking at expanding. Maybe - :flipoff2:
DavidLH
10-31-2005, 11:45 AM
If that's the case I would just sell trailers and parts. Maybe I have been looking in the wrong places - I was seeing 18' trailers for $1500 and up. Hell - I paid $1000 for my 18' trailer used and that was right in line with other used trailers.
I know prices have gone up, but I still see 16' tandems retail for $1200. I think if you price out materials its just not worth your effort to build them. The manufacturers buy quantity so they get big discounts on materials. Plus everything is jigged and assembly line. I don't think the little guy can compete anymore. I have been to several builders in SoCal and the production guys appear to be minimum wage. I think I would look into resale only but stay away from building.