It is a common trap to fall for, but why cheap trailers end up costing more usually becomes apparent after the first winter. Low-cost trailers often use “import grade” steel that is significantly thinner than Australian standard blue scope steel, leading to structural fatigue and cracking under load.
Beyond the frame, cheap trailers cut corners on the “consumables.” You might save $400 upfront, but you’ll quickly spend that and more replacing second-hand tires that perish in the sun, replacing unsealed bearings that seize after one trip to the coast, and rewiring flickering lights. A “budget” trailer is often a subscription to ongoing repairs rather than a one time purchase.
