| Thinking about buying a cargo trailer, horse | | | | If you decide on an enclosed trailer, next |
| trailer or even a motorcycle trailer but | | | | you have to decide on either a ramp rear |
| aren't sure which trailer to buy? As you | | | | door, double rear doors or one single |
| might have realized, choosing a trailer | | | | barn-type door. Choosing the type of rear |
| now-a-days can be perplexing. It's not | | | | access will greatly depend on the cargo you |
| surprising given the amount of trailer | | | | intend to haul. If you're going to be hauling |
| manufacturers and different types of trailers | | | | a motorcycle, race car or any other type |
| available.There are many factors to consider | | | | vehicle, then a ramp rear door will provide |
| when purchasing a trailer. One of the first | | | | the easiest loading and unloading method.Be |
| considerations is to choose an established | | | | sure though when purchasing a trailer with a |
| trailer manufacturer. As with most | | | | ramp door that the ramp is spring assisted as |
| everything, you usually get what you paid | | | | some of the ramp doors can be very heavy. |
| for, so try to choose the best trailer that | | | | Ramps are also nice for hauling furniture or |
| you can afford.Deciding on what type of | | | | other heavy items where you'll be using a |
| trailer you need for your application will | | | | dolly to load and unload them.If you will be |
| help in narrowing down the manufacturers. | | | | using the trailer quite often and will be in |
| There are trailers for almost every | | | | and out of it, then a ramp can become rather |
| conceivable type of cargo, from motorcycles | | | | cumbersome. Enter double door trailers. It is |
| to horses to concessions. If you have to haul | | | | much easier to open the doors, step in and |
| it, then there's a trailer made to haul it or | | | | get the tool or item you need and then step |
| at least one that can easily be converted to | | | | out and close the door than it is to drop a |
| do the job.After choosing a manufacturer, | | | | ramp every time you need access. Too, you |
| figure out what size trailer you'll need. | | | | have to consider the clearance needed for |
| Trailers come in several different widths and | | | | opening a ramp rear door.Single barn type |
| lengths. If you're considering an enclosed | | | | rear doors are usually found on smaller |
| trailer, you'll also need to consider the | | | | enclosed trailers and are comparable in |
| height of the interior. If your trailer | | | | convenience to double rear doors.Trailer |
| towing needs require that you spend very much | | | | manufacturers are aware of the ramp issue and |
| time inside the trailer, choose one with | | | | most now add a side door for access to their |
| enough interior height to keep you from | | | | enclosed trailers giving those that require a |
| bending your neck or back when standing.Open | | | | ramp the best of both worlds.Trailer Brakes |
| or Enclosed TrailersThe next step in choosing | | | | |
| a trailer is figuring out whether you will | | | | In addition to the various types of |
| need an open or an enclosed trailer. An open | | | | trailers, there are several types of trailer |
| trailer is one which exposes the cargo to the | | | | braking systems.Electric braking systems are |
| outside elements. If inclement weather isn't | | | | the most common type of braking systems found |
| a factor for your cargo, then an open trailer | | | | on trailers today. These type braking systems |
| may be the most economical choice. Open | | | | connect the brake system on the tow vehicle |
| utility trailers can range in price from | | | | to the brake system on the trailer. This is |
| about $900 to $2500 new.Open utility trailers | | | | accomplished by installing a brake controller |
| are well suited for many applications | | | | inside the tow vehicle. The controller senses |
| including small landscaping businesses that | | | | the braking force of the tow vehicle and in |
| are just starting out and need a way to haul | | | | turn activates the brakes on the trailer.A |
| their landscape equipment. As their business | | | | hydraulic surge brake system consists of an |
| grows and they decide to move up to an | | | | actuating cylinder that is usually integrated |
| enclosed trailer, the open utility trailer | | | | with the trailer tongue assembly. As the tow |
| will still be incredibly useful for hauling | | | | vehicle applies its brakes, the "surge" of |
| all sorts of material such as mulch, rock and | | | | the trailer towards the decelerating tow |
| plants.Another plus for open trailers is | | | | vehicle compresses the surge actuator. As |
| their weight. Open utility trailers tend to | | | | this cylinder is compressed, force is applied |
| be lighter and provide less aerodynamic drag | | | | to the master cylinder and from there to the |
| than enclosed trailers.While open trailers | | | | braking cylinders.Surge braking systems are |
| are economical and very useful, they do not | | | | more expensive and usually only needed if |
| provide the protection from the outside | | | | you'll be using several different tow |
| environment that an enclosed trailer will. | | | | vehicles that would each require a brake |
| Enclosed trailers also offer an added measure | | | | controller.Electric brakes are usually |
| of security because the trailer functions as | | | | preferred over surge brakes because their |
| a portable, lockable storage | | | | operation is independent from the tow |
| building.Enclosed trailers tend to be heavier | | | | vehicle. If for some reason the tow vehicle |
| and less aerodynamic than open trailers. | | | | loses its brakes, there would not be enough |
| Enclosed trailers usually cost in the $1600 | | | | deceleration surge to activate the surge |
| to $5000 range new, but can go much | | | | brakes. However, with electric brakes, the |
| higher.Single or Tandem Axle | | | | driver could manually activate the brake |
| | | | controller thus allowing the trailer to slow |
| Once you've decided on either an open | | | | the entire rig.In some states, any trailer |
| utility trailer or an enclosed cargo trailer, | | | | with brakes is required to have a breakaway |
| you'll need to decide whether the trailer | | | | system. In the event that the trailer becomes |
| should have a single axle, dual axle or | | | | disconnected from the tow vehicle, the |
| possibly even three to four axles.Single axle | | | | trailer brakes would apply automatically to |
| trailers have just one load bearing axle. | | | | stop the run away trailer. Trailer equipped |
| Trailers with single axles come with and | | | | with electric brakes carry a separate battery |
| without brakes, but as a general rule of | | | | to activate the breakaway systems. Surge |
| thumb, most single axle open and enclosed | | | | brakes use a cable that locks the breaks in a |
| trailers come without brakes. If you plan on | | | | breakaway situation.Informed Buying |
| hauling more than 3000 lbs, trailer brakes | | | | |
| need to be considered. In fact, it's a legal | | | | The most important aspect of buying a |
| requirement in most states.Anything heavier | | | | trailer is to be an informed buyer. Ask lots |
| than 3000 lbs should be hauled on a dual axle | | | | of questions. Any reputable dealer will be |
| trailer, be it an open or enclosed trailer. | | | | glad to answer your questions and in fact, |
| Dual axle trailers use two load bearing axles | | | | should ask you a lot of questions regarding |
| and usually feature either leaf springs or | | | | your intended cargo load. Ask about the |
| independent torsion bar suspensions. Brakes | | | | warranty. Does the manufacturer stand behind |
| are recommended for dual axle trailers and | | | | its work? Most established manufacturers |
| again may be required depending upon where | | | | offer a very good warranty program and will |
| you live. Also, dual axle trailers tend to | | | | go out of their way to satisfy a customer.To |
| track more accurately than single axle | | | | help you in your search for the perfect |
| trailers over varying road surfaces.Rear | | | | trailer for you and your cargo, visit where |
| Access | | | | you'll find hundreds of new and used trailers |
| | | | for sale by individuals and dealers. |