Dropside semi-trailers: how to buy used or new at a good price
A dropside is more than a platform
A dropside semi-trailer carries anything that does not mind an open top: building materials, rolled steel, machinery, pallets. It is bought with a cover or without. A covered version needs a frame and a tight cover, while a dropside without a cover is cheaper and lighter.
Before you search, decide on the load and the route. Long interstate runs need reliable suspension and axles from known makers, while for local haulage a simpler version is acceptable.
What to put in your request
- Make — Schmitz, Kogel, Krone or another; or several acceptable ones.
- Year — for example from 2012.
- Number of axles — usually 3 axles for a large load capacity.
- Platform length — 13.6 m or another.
- Load capacity — for example 34 tonnes.
- Suspension and axles — air suspension, SAF or BPW axles, disc brakes.
- Papers — registered in South Africa, import duty paid if imported, with the registration papers.
- Technical condition — no repairs needed or minor repair acceptable.
- City and budget, if you want to state it.
Example: “Looking for a Schmitz or Kogel dropside semi-trailer from 2012, 3 axles, 13.6 m platform, load capacity 34 tonnes, air suspension, SAF axles. Papers in South Africa, no repairs needed. Cape Town, budget up to R 240,000.”
What to look at during inspection
The frame and floor are the main thing. Check the welds for cracks, the longitudinal beams for rust, and the state of the wooden or steel floor. The side boards must not sag and the locks must hold. Inspect the axles, hubs, brake drums or discs, the tyres and tread, the landing legs and the kingpin.
Ask separately for the history: whether the frame was repaired, whether there was an accident, and whether the frame numbers match the papers.
How to compare offers
- The same class: make, year, number of axles, length.
- The state of tyres, brakes and suspension: these are future costs.
- Papers: whether import duty is paid, and whether the seller can show the originals.
- Extras: whether the cover, frame, strap box, straps and chains are included, and whether there are enough lashing rings along the whole length.
Price often differs precisely because of the axles, suspension and set of covers. So two offers close in price can be quite different in substance.
Choose the sides to match your load: for rolled steel, removable sides and stakes are handy, and for pallets, a side wall that opens along the whole length.
Do not forget the limits either: the total weight of the combination and the axle loads must fit the rules for the roads you will use.
How searching works on BlaBlaPrice
You write one request, and sellers and carriers answer on their own with offers in the chat. The request is checked before it is shown, and you get hints about which details are missing. The best-fitting offer is shown first, with reviews of the seller next to it. Sellers see their place among the others, so they compete for your request. Contacts are opened only to the one you choose. Details are in “How it works”.
For other jobs look at semi-trailers, tipper semi-trailers or low loaders.
