Trailers 101: How to Choose the Right Equipment Trailer
It can be a big investment to purchase an equipment trailer. Not only that but there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all option.
Depending on your needs, your towing vehicle, and a number of other factors, you might find that you have fairly specific requirements for your next hauler.
Are you looking to buy an equipment trailer but aren’t really sure what’s right for you?
Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
What Should I Look for In an Equipment Trailer?
When you’re making a big purchase like an equipment trailer, there is a solid handful of considerations you’ll want to keep in mind. Here are some of the most important aspects that you’ll want to incorporate into your decision.
Frame
You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to equipment trailer frames. There are flatbed, landscaping, utility, gooseneck, and tilt trailers. If you’re buying a used trailer, you’ll want to carefully inspect the frame for any repairs or cracks.
Durability
When you’re buying an equipment trailer, you want to know it’s going to be durable and dependable. It can be reasonable to buy a trailer that’s a little more heavy-duty than you need to help ensure that the job will always go smoothly.
You’ll also want to look into the wiring and lighting, decking, brakes, and hitches. Depending on the climate you live in, rustproofing might also be something to consider.
How Much Weight Do You Need to Haul?
One important question that will help you find the perfect trailer is how much weight you are planning on towing. If you end up putting more weight in the trailer than it can handle can result in cracks in the axles and frames, leaving you with a trailer you can’t safely use anymore.
In order to avoid damaging your towing vehicle’s frame, engine, tires, and transmission, you’re going to want to take your payload capacity and towing capacity into consideration.
Your payload capacity can be found in your owner’s manual, but you can also calculate it yourself. If you take the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) listed in the owner’s manual and subtract the curb weight of your truck, you’re left with your payload capacity.
To determine your towing capacity, you can look in your owner’s manual or do a bit more math. You’ll want to subtract the curb weight of your truck from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) to find the towing capacity.
What’s the Perfect Trailer For Your Vehicle?
You’ll also want to think about the vehicle you are planning on using to tow your trailer. It isn’t just about whether or not your vehicle can tow the trailer but it’s more important than your vehicle can tow the trailer when it’s fully loaded. It’s important to look into how much weight your vehicle can handle rather than assuming it will work out fine.
If the torque ratio is not sufficient for towing your trailer, transmissions can burn out and engines can be put under heavy strain.
Different Types of Equipment Trailers
There are a number of different styles of equipment trailers, some of which might be more appropriate for your needs than others. The different styles of equipment trailers are:
- Flatbed trailers
- Landscaping trailers
- Utility trailers
- Open gooseneck trailers
- Tilt trailers
Depending on your needs, a lighter-weight equipment trailer might be more fitting or perhaps you need a trailer for large equipment and heavy loads. It’s always a good idea to scale up a little bit to make sure that you aren’t damaging your trailer or vehicle when you have extra equipment to carry every once in a while.
What Type of Cargo Are You Hauling?
While many people get trailers so they have multiple options when it comes to cargo hauling, you’ll still want to think about the main type of cargo you will be pulling. Think about the type of equipment and tools as well as the amount that is typical for you to bring to a job site or other location.
There are a number of parts and accessories that might suit your needs when it comes to picking a trailer. This includes custom racks and shelves, a built-in work area, and specialized interior lighting. You also might want to think about how tall you want the trailer to be depending on these other factors.
Finding a Trailer to Fit Your Needs: Other Options to Consider
As you can see, there are a lot of questions that it’s worth asking yourself before purchasing a trailer. Some more considerations include:
- What kind of suspension suits you best?
- What is the ideal GVWR for your equipment trailer?
- Would you be better served by a low-profile trailer?
- What kind of ramps will you need for loading?
There are a lot of different trailer options. While making sure a trailer can haul heavy loads for you is essential, you won’t want to forget about some of these other details as well.
Are You Searching for the Perfect Equipment Trailer?
There are a lot of different considerations to take into account when it’s time to buy a trailer for hauling large equipment. Here at Pro-Line Trailer solutions, we’re always happy to answer any questions you might have. We understand how important it is to get a trailer that performs in all the ways you need it to.
If you are looking for an equipment trailer that gets the job done? If it’s time for you to purchase an equipment trailer that helps your business succeed and grow, check out our equipment trailers here.
