Your Complete Guide to Buying a Trailer

So – you’re considering purchasing a trailer! If you’re undecided on whether or not that is right for you, do make sure you take a look at our beginner’s guide. However, if you’re confident that a solid, durable trailer unit could help you, it’s time to think about what to look for.

Buying a trailer isn’t always as simple as picking the right model or unit out from the store. There are a lot of things you are going to need to consider! How do you know that a trailer is right for you? Which models are best for your cargo needs?

In this buying guide, we will take you through the trailer shopping process. We will cover all the main aspects and areas of trailer sales and talk about important questions you need to be asking yourself along the way.

Don’t feel lost while shopping around for a trailer. Read on for the full lowdown!

What Do You Need a Trailer For?

The first question you should be asking yourself while shopping is, ‘what am I going to use my trailer for?’. It’s essential to have a good idea of the weight and size of cargo you’re likely to be transporting. It’s also a good idea to think about how often you’re likely to use a trailer.

If for business purposes, for example, it may be worth you considering a custom-built model.

The trailer you buy is obviously going to be dictated by how you intend to use it. For example, you could be hauling wood, stone, heavy-duty tools, car parts, motorcycles, even entire vehicles. There are many different trailers built for various requirements.

We will examine the purpose of those trailers and units in further guides. For now, however, it makes sense to give you an overview of what to expect from specific trailer types.

Considering Trailer Types

It may surprise you to learn that not all trailers do the same job. While they are all used to haul cargo, different jobs and demands will benefit from different types of units. Let’s take a quick look at some common trailer types, and how they might apply to you.

Flatbed Trailers

The Flatbed trailer is probably the most common unit you’ll see on the road. It’s a long, basic platform, which can carry varying loads depending on its axles and durability. These are bare units that don’t have the luxury of raised sides, but which offer plenty of suspension and space for heavy cargo loads.

Flatbed trailers are ideal for bulk transportation. You will need to tie or ideally chain down any items you wish to transport using this trailer type. They are seen by many as the most cost-effective option.

Depending on the type of flatbed you opt for, you’ll receive a certain amount of height support, too. We’ll make sure to list everything you need to know.

Box Trailers

Box trailers are also popular with haulers. These trailers are, as the name suggests, boxes fitted to platforms for connection to your vehicle. As with flatbed trailers, they can vary in terms of load-bearing capability.

These units are preferred by people who look for added security on