Reskin or buy new Enclosed Trailer?

[Drjekal]

 I have a 2006 custom made by Sport Trailer out of San Bernardino CA that was made to my specs, it has developed a Galvanic Reaction, and the roof now has holes due to it. 

Was contemplating having it re-skinned at a cost of 12K (quoted by Kenny at Sport Trailers) They want 90% of the cost up front to purchase the materials, which I thought was odd because if you're in the business of building trailers you should have materials in stock, why do I need to pay upfront so you can order materials with a lead time no less.

Has anyone any feedback on Sports Trailers?? Are they still in business? Saw on the internet that they may be closed, Or should I just move on and buy a new custom Trailer and sell my existing as is. Who is making custom toy haulers in Southern California?  

[Sand habit]

I would contact Jesse at new trend trailers in Fontana.

[Foscheck]

15 hours ago, Sand habit said:

I would contact Jesse at new trend trailers in Fontana.

X2 for New Trend

[Grease Monkey]

I was going to suggest New Trend as well. 

[Fullthrottleguy]

The reskinning done right is a pretty time consuming process , been there a couple times . its lots of labor.  Materials are up in cost too -  depending on the length of the trailer- the panels ar e 49" wide (48 with and inch over lap) ands they cost abiout $140 each painted  but the VHB tape and Silkaflex to adhere them is about half as much more per panel and you have to do a roof and from and rear and you likely will replace all the trim rather than try to clean and reuse  - but labor is usually still 60% of the cost. 

if you want a toyhauler and not an enclosed trailer  - its going to be expensive.  A few places I know still do those  UltraSantek probably is the most reliable.   ATC  not in SoCal makes some very nice pieces 

If its just an  Enclosed  you have a few good choices including NewTrend, Universal, and Fractal

[L.R.S.]

New Trend did a 100% reskin on the old Funco 26' enclosed when my buddy bought it. I think it was around $5k, but that was about 5 years ago.

[Fullthrottleguy]

7 hours ago, L.R.S. said:

New Trend did a 100% reskin on the old Funco 26' enclosed when my buddy bought it. I think it was around $5k, but that was about 5 years ago.

LOL and Jeff gas was $2.50 a gallon  - everything is 2x now

 

[BRANDON LONG]

I have heard Sport has been in and out of the scene but cannot confirm. I would probably lean towards New Trend or Universal. 

There was a nice trailer at the SSSS this year that was about 12K new. Seemed like a good deal to me walking past it. 

[Crusty]

This is an enclosed right?

What about DIY and save $$.

 

If a toyhauler I wouldn't suggest a DIY but are enclosed that difficult to reskin?

 

[Squatcher]

is it just the roof or do the sides need to get done. 12k seems pretty high.  screwless side walls?  Just the Roof shouldn't be that much 

[HP.Habits]

Just got done doing a a whole new roof on a Carson Racer, I ended up selling it after, and lost money on it. Its expensive stuff. 

Big question is, how much do you think the trailer is worth right now?

 

[Fullthrottleguy]

My buddy is doing his right now  - he sent me his spreadsheet

 

[Jaybird95]

On the Sport trailers that I've seen the panels are not taped to the frame. There is plywood in between and the panels are glued to the wood.

New Trend quoted me 11K last year to do my 20ft box, that was just the aluminum and trim, no wood.

I ended up doing it myself and installing a 36" side door for about $6500.

This is a big job that you will need help with.

[MRKNNEE]

Sport Trailers is still in business, he just downsized. my bro-in-law just picked up his new trailer last week. Kenney is a little difficult to deal with sometimes, but he still builds a solid trailer. I,m on my second Sport Trailer since 1991. both are/were still solid with absolutely no problems.

[Icky]

On 10/2/2023 at 1:52 PM, Jaybird95 said:

On the Sport trailers that I've seen the panels are not taped to the frame. There is plywood in between and the panels are glued to the wood.

New Trend quoted me 11K last year to do my 20ft box, that was just the aluminum and trim, no wood.

I ended up doing it myself and installing a 36" side door for about $6500.

This is a big job that you will need help with.

How did you attach yours? We've been contemplating reskining my father in laws universal. It's older so I don't believe it has the wood, just aluminum.

[Jaybird95]

7 hours ago, Icky said:

How did you attach yours? We've been contemplating reskining my father in laws universal. It's older so I don't believe it has the wood, just aluminum.

Apply a thin coat on the wood and the aluminum, put them together and roll it out.

Once they touch it is done.

[Jaybird95]

I used this where the panels overlap and to bond the wood to the frame before screwing it.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40066985/

Edited October 27, 2023 by Jaybird95

[BaBaBouy]

That dude on TV has some watertight shiz you can spray on some screens and make a boat out of them…

[Fireballsocal]

On 10/25/2023 at 10:00 PM, MRKNNEE said:

 Kenney is a little difficult to deal with sometimes, but he still builds a solid trailer. I,m on my second Sport Trailer since 1991. both are/were still solid with absolutely no problems.

There are too many businesses out there that are easy to deal with. He sold or stopped doing business in his building off of the 215. It's been emptied out for awhile now. And as far as a solid trailer, this one mentioned wasn't so solid. The pinholes were a fairly common problem in the business. Even Lance RV had the problem. It was the aluminum roof laying directly on steel staples in that instance. $12K sounds outrageous to me but then so many businesses operate on the premise that there is always a bigger sucker coming up the road. 

[MRKNNEE]

On 10/28/2023 at 9:33 PM, Fireballsocal said:

There are too many businesses out there that are easy to deal with. He sold or stopped doing business in his building off of the 215. It's been emptied out for awhile now. And as far as a solid trailer, this one mentioned wasn't so solid. The pinholes were a fairly common problem in the business. Even Lance RV had the problem. It was the aluminum roof laying directly on steel staples in that instance. $12K sounds outrageous to me but then so many businesses operate on the premise that there is always a bigger sucker coming up the road. 

Yes, that's what I said, "he downsized." he moved back into his original location from the place along the 215 fwy quite a while ago.

[Fullthrottleguy]

On 10/28/2023 at 9:33 PM, Fireballsocal said:

There are too many businesses out there that are easy to deal with. He sold or stopped doing business in his building off of the 215. It's been emptied out for awhile now. And as far as a solid trailer, this one mentioned wasn't so solid. The pinholes were a fairly common problem in the business. Even Lance RV had the problem. It was the aluminum roof laying directly on steel staples in that instance. $12K sounds outrageous to me but then so many businesses operate on the premise that there is always a bigger sucker coming up the road. 

100% agree the problem is and was common.I think the honest builders out there will tell you the lower and mid priced trailers do a bad job isolating Alum and steel and will all have galvanic corrosion in 5-10 years - Most rely on paint or Glue to isolate but always seem to miss that a few screws are going through it all or a couple staples are rubbing through the paint, Like anything proper prep prevents it, but takes time and precision, that does not match the get it done quick attitude most of the builders have. it does not take much contact but takes time to eat through. Higher end all aluminum trailers  seem to hold up, but theI are generally not cheap ...