Trailer Buying Guide

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