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