what to look for in a utility trailer reddit
A Few Things To Consider . . .
. . . When Choosing A Trailer.
There are many choices and options available. And, so many means to customize them — especially for a utility trailer.
This guide helps navigate possibilities. Use these questions and thoughts to make a list of things that are of import to you. Put priorities on the items, and it becomes your personal Trailer Requirements List . Then use the new list to help choose the correct trailer.
For additional insight, y'all may besides want to read our feature article on "What makes a skilful trailer pattern."
Get-go Step: Discover the Demand:
Plainly the trailer must first come across your needs — how volition it be used? It's non enough to say "I need a trailer to haul building supplies."
Is that bricks? . . . 10 Penny nails? . . . Or . . .2 ten 6 10 20'southward?
The truth is, if your situation is like near, the trailer will also exist used for a lot of other things similar moving furniture, hauling leaves, rocks and other equipment.
Accept some time and recall through your needs and all the possibilities — like your friends needs, your married woman'due south needs, and your married woman's friends needs. — Yes, I've been there. Knowing how the trailer volition be used is the first large step in your decisions toward the best trailer for you.
Consider the following questions near how the trailer will be used:
- How big should it be?
- Width: 4′? five′? 6′? 8′?(What are the legal limitations in your state or province?)
- Length: 8′? 10′? 20′?(Where will it be stored?)
- What load Capacity is required? grand#? 2000#? 3500#? 6000#? More?
- Is the bed height a factor?(How volition you exist getting things on and off?)
- Does it need Sides?
- What about a Top?
- Does it need Ramps?
- How about a Tailgate?
Step 2: Towing:
Is Your Trailer Hitch This Good?
A friend sent this motion picture, I didn't know where it came from until a paramedic who responded at the accident said information technology was in Big Thompson Canyon along the highway from Loveland Colorado to Estes Park. I know that canyon, . . . and that'due south one very luck commuter! Click the image to see it full size.
The second gene to consider is how the trailer will be towed.
- Volition it be towed by a truck or other large vehicle? Or is the trailer to serve equally a truck replacement?
- Volition it be towed by the family car? Maybe a mini-van? Or an SUV?
- Is the trailer to augment the capacity of your truck? Or booty specific equipment?
- How far and how fast will the trailer travel?
- Are stiff winds common in your expanse? Are mountains or sustained hills common?
- Is fuel economy important?
These questions are a good guide for choosing the right trailer size. Each vehicle has a towing capacity. Check the owners manual to see that your needs can be met with the vehicle you have in mind.The trailer must meet the needs, but it must also be sized for the vehicle that will pull it. If your vehicle does not have a receiver (brawl to hitch the trailer to) make sure you can mount one. There are lots of places that specialize in hitches. www.etrailer.com or www.reese-hitches.com are good places to start.
Here are some more than questions to call up well-nigh with respect to towing:
- What vehicle(s) will tow the trailer?
- What is the towing capacity of the tow vehicle(southward)?
- Can a trailer hitch be mounted to the vehicle?
- What is the height of the hitch bespeak?
- Volition the trailer demand brakes? Hydraulic? Electric?
If a sure trailer width is not required (similar for a certain slice of equipment), so it is usually all-time to make the trailer the same width, or just slightly wider than the tow vehicle. Going longer instead of wider helps with visibility, maneuvering, and reduces wind drag (better fuel economic system). A longer trailer is besides easier to load proportionally for towing stability.
Additionally, trailers that are significantly taller than the tow vehicle have much more wind elevate. This can exist costly in fuel, and can also crusade problem in cross winds on the highway.
Step 3 – Storage:
A consideration which is oft overlooked — Where will the trailer be stored? The answers to these questions will assistance make up one's mind your needs for trailer cease and shelter. They may also impact your decisions on trailer size.
- Will the trailer exist stored in a garage? (or other indoor facility?)
- If in a garage, will it be tipped on it'south side or cease to make room for a car?
- Will it be stored outside?
- If exterior, what shelter from the wind, moisture and dominicus are available?
- How much space is available for storage?
- Is the access user-friendly and easy? Or will information technology make the trailer difficult to access?
Whether you cull to build a trailer, or purchase something new, the investment is well worth protecting. On the other hand, if you can scrounge a cheap trailer to fill your demand, shelter or protection may not be worth so much.
Check your neighborhood covenants too. Some places won't allow trailers to be stored outside — and your wife might be really upset if you put the machine exterior so the trailer tin can be in the garage! That is worth checking out.
Step 4 –To Build, or to Buy?
This is a classic question, and the respond is: That depends .
From the data in a higher place, you lot should have a pretty skilful idea of what you want or need. Adjacent, find out if you can accomplish that with a purchased trailer. If not, consider building 1.
I have designed a lot of custom trailers, and built a few likewise. I dear edifice, and I love seeing other bully projects. That being said, In my mind, there are only a few good reasons to build your own trailer:
- Practise you desire something special in the construction? Maybe a really strong or stiff frame?
- Or do yous want a special feature or function?
- Practice y'all want to add unique options or other customization?
- Possibly yous just love building stuff, and you want a cool project to be really proud of?
Information technology is not ordinarily cheaper to build ane yourself — that is, for a standard mode utility trailer. Factories have economies of scale when purchasing big quantities of raw materials and components. They also take special jigs to build them quickly and efficiently. However, you lot become what they have. Usually the standard trailers are practiced for what they are — though oftentimes on the weak side of specification.
If you lot need something special, or desire something custom, it can be nearly impossible (or very expensive) to have a fab shop modify a trailer for you. So, if you take the skills, and if you take the reason, build it yourself! It'southward an awesome project, and when you're finished, you'll have reason to exist super proud.
More Data
For more information on this topic, please read the Mechanic's Post at Mechanical Elements.
If y'all need trailer plans, we have them at MechanicalElements.comBuild your own, and make it personal!
Moving On
Now that you have a good idea of the requirements your new trailer, it'due south time to shop. Check on-line sources (for new and used trailers — equally well every bit for plans). Craigslist is a groovy identify to find used trailers, but be patient if the right 1 doesn't evidence up on the commencement search.
For more reading about trailer topics, bank check out our article on What Makes a Skillful Trailer Design and our listing of Trailer Towing Tips.
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Source: https://www.synthx.com/articles/trailer-choice.html/
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