Seven Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Trailer

Looking for the right trailer for your needs can be tough, but following these simple tips will help assure that your next trailer will not only meet your needs, but also be affordable and long-lasting

1. Have a clear understanding of what your intending to haul - Make sure you know the weight as well as the length and width of what your intending to haul. The weight is imperative because trailers are rated in terms of GVWR (or gross vehicle rate ratio). This simply means that the weight of what your hauling + the weight of the trailer needs to be less than the GVWR the trailer is rated. When you consider what your hauling be sure to include options with the equipment your hauling, such as different buckets, etc.
   
   The width of your equipment is important because usually equipment trailers are manufacturered with 1 of 2 types of deck styles; a deckover and low profile (lowboy). A deckover trailer has the bed of the trailer built above the wheels while a low profile has the bed manufacturered between the wheels.
   
   The maximum width a trailer can be safely manufacturered at is 102" (legal tolerences), so the deck can be much wider on a deckover while a low profile deck is narrower but is built lower to the ground for easier loading/unloading plus the low deck height makes for a more stable load.
   
   The usual width for a low profile deck is somewhere between 77" and 83". Then the fenders use the remaining 102" width and of course, the deckover is built at 102" for optimal use of available space.
   


2. How are you going to haul your trailer? Different trucks have different towing capacities. To towing capacity for your truck is usually included in the documentation when you purchase a truck, but if your using an older truck, call the manufacturer to find out what your towing capacity is. When calling be sure to let them know if you have a towing package and what size engine you have.
   


3. Look for Factory-Direct Manufacturers- There are two basic ways to purchase a new trailer: A dealer or the manufacturer. The dealer is a person who purchases equipment trailers at a discounted rate, then marks the price up and sells them. Depending on the dealer you may be paying a lot more for the trailer and you essentially have to trust the dealer to charge a fair price.
   
   Factory-Direct means you buy the trailer straight from the manufacturer, which eliminates the middle man, and can save you money. The only problem with finding a good equipment trailer factory-direct resource is some claim to be factory-direct, but in fact, are still a dealer. Two true factory direct facilities I know of are Kaufman Trailers and Appalachian Trailers.
   
   Appalachian Trailers has two locations: One in Manheim, PA and the other in Salem, OH. All of the trailers are built at the OHIO location and these are tough trailers. In addition to being convenient to the Northeast they also have segmented their equipment trailers into two divisions: The Handyman Series and the Contractors Grade. Handyman trailers are for occasional use while Contractors Grade is good for heavy use.
   
   The Second true factory-direct manufacturer is Kaufman Trailers. Kaufman Trailers has two locations, one in Lexington, NC and the second in Beaver City, NE. They also have numerous freight options to ship your equipment trailer to you no matter where you are located. Kaufman Trailers is famous for building rugged equipment trailers that last.
   
   Both of these vendors don't overload their equipment trailers, taking away from the max GVWR you can haul. They also both have a friendly customer service team that can answer all your questions. I like Appalachian Trailers and Kaufman Trailers because they both build a great trailer for the price. Others may be cheaper but I would put a "buyer beware" on quality or price.
   


4. Radial Tires - Get radial tires if possible. They may cost a little more but they are worth the cost. There are some trailer manufacturers to claim bias is better, but simply put bias tires are a cheaper grade tire.
   


5. Look for Standard Options - A common ploy by equipment trailer manufacturers is to offer a cheap price, but not include features such as a lockable toolbox. By the time their adding in all the options that are standard on their competitors trailers, they are much more expensive. This again, is why I got back to Kaufman and Appalachian Trailers. Their products include all the good options you would want as standard option
   


6. Never Trust the Trailer Dealer or Manufacturer to do the Work for You - I know its easier to call and ask the dealer to put together a quote for you, but if you don't research your truck's towing capacities and verify your equipments weight, length and width, you could end up buying more trailer than you need or worse, less than you need.
   
   


7. Compare "Apples to Apples" - Sometimes manufacturers will use cheaper tires, suspension or wood decking to make their equipment trailers seem like a better deal. Make sure to ask plenty of questions about:
   
   
   
   
   • Suspension - Slipper spring is better than double eye.
   
   
   • Tires - Radial tires are better
   
   
   • Decking - treated hard woods are better
   
   
   • Hitch - I personally recommend an adjustable couple. Fixed couplers can be troublesome.
   
   
   • GVWR - Make sure the rating is what you need.
   
   
   • Options are similar
   
   
   • Jacks - Drop Foot better than top wind
   
   
   • Fenders - fenders are a big problem and some collapse very easy. Fenders are best made with Channel or diamond plate.
   
   
   • Welding - Make sure the welding is strong. Some manufacturers don't regulate this enough.
   
   
   
   

Using these simple tips will help you find the best trailer for your needs. Good luck on looking for your new trailer.