Buyer Research

2018 Sure-Trac 16' Car Hauler — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $5,000–$9,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

Sure-Trac builds honest, well-made steel car haulers at fair prices. The 16-foot is the most common size for a single vehicle. At 7 years old and likely used for car hauling, inspect the tie-down D-rings, diamond plate, and wheel bearings.

What we checked

No public record to reconcile against

We don't yet have a public record to check this one against. Federal complaint records thin out badly on older vehicles, so there is little to check against. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.

Known Issues for the 2018 Sure-Trac 16' Car Hauler

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Tie-down D-ring weld wearHigh — wallet impact

D-rings for vehicle tie-downs take constant load from strapping. Inspect the welds around each D-ring for cracking or pulling. A failed D-ring under load causes an accident.

Repair cost (estimate): $50-$200 per D-ring to re-weld

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Diamond plate surface rust and splittingMedium

Diamond plate steel rusts from outdoor exposure. Check for lifting, splitting, or heavy rust that compromises the surface.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$600 to replace sections

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Wheel bearing serviceMedium

Car haulers at 7 years need bearing inspection. Check for play and heat.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$300 per axle

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗D-ring welds cracked or pulling from the frame
✗Diamond plate with significant rust lifting or structural damage
✗Bearing play or heat after towing

Good Signs

✓D-ring welds solid on inspection
✓Diamond plate surface solid without significant rust lifting
✓Bearings repacked within 2 years

Found a specific Sure-Trac 16' Car Hauler?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Sure-Trac 16' Car Hauler in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.