Buying a New Trailer
I have to admit it, I love trailers. I have a few, and one of these days, I'll get a couple more. So far, I have a stock trailer, a cargo trailer, a flatbed trailer, and a travel trailer.
I move a lot of stuff around, including myself, so trailers come in handy. My favorite is probably the flatbed, on which I can load cars, tractors, hay, and just about anything. It's open and the cargo isn't protected from weather or theft. So I have a cargo trailer, which I can lock and is snug. The stock trailer is good to haul livestock. Next I want to get a small utility trailer that would be good to haul small things like compost and rocks. The other trailers are a bit too large.
Whatever you need to haul or use a trailer for, there is a trailer out there. But how do you determine which trailer is best for your needs?
There are a few things to consider:
What is your primary use for a trailer?
What is the size of your intended cargo?
Does your cargo need to be protected from the elements?
What kind of vehicle do you have to haul the trailer?
What is your price range?
Where are you planning on storing the trailer?
Do you intend to buy a trailer to move your belongings from one city to another? Do you want to haul a car, an atv, or a motorcycle? Or a horse? Do you want to sell hot dogs from a trailer? Start a moving service? Do you have a landscape business?
Your use will help you determine what kind of trailer to get. A cargo trailer can be used for moving just about anything, but the size of your intended cargo will help you determine what size trailer. You may think, the bigger the better, but that's not always the case. I bought my cargo trailer from someone who used it to take his motorcycle to the races, and the trailer was much too large, larger than he needed. It didn't fit in his garage and he wasn't allowed to have a trailer on his driveway, so he had to pay for storage. He ended up buying a much smaller trailer.
If you are moving furniture and valuables, a trailer open to the air might not be suitable. However, such a utility trailer would be perfect for a landscape business, with sides to keep in dirt and rocks and tools, but easy access to the materials.
You need to consider what truck or van or other vehicle you have available to tow the trailer safely. This is not a small consideration. A vehicle that is too small is a major safety risk, and not one to take lightly. I have a friend who totaled a brand new travel trailer and seriously injured his passenger because the truck was too small to tow the trailer.
Prices vary depending on the type and size of trailer, but since a good trailer can last for years, it's wise to make sure you get a good quality trailer that won't rust and deteriorate. Look at the major manufactureres, but also just look at the quality and features of the trailer you are interested in. I got my flatbed from a local manufacturer and had it built to my exact specifications. I bought my cargo trailer from eBay and drove 900 miles to get it; my livestock trailer was given to me, and the travel trailer I bought from a friend.
Take some time to shop around and you'll find the right trailer for you.
About the Author
Ed Smith is a freelance writer for trailer-connection.com. This article courtesy of http://www.trailer-connection.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.
|
![](images/spacer.gif"){kind=spacer}
