Trailer Buying Guide – Auto
Trailer Buying Guide
Derek Chastain
Thinking about buying a cargo trailer, horse trailer or even a motorcycle trailer but arent sure which trailer to buy As you might have realized, choosing a trailer now-a-days can be perplexing. Its not surprising given the amount of trailer manufacturers and different types of trailers available.
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a trailer. One of the first considerations is to choose an established trailer manufacturer. As with most everything, you usually get what you paid for, so try to choose the best trailer that you can afford.
Deciding on what type of trailer you need for your application will help in narrowing down the manufacturers. There are trailers for almost every conceivable type of cargo, from motorcycles to horses to concessions. If you have to haul it, then theres a trailer made to haul it or at least one that can easily be converted to do the job.
After choosing a manufacturer, figure out what size trailer youll need. Trailers come in several different widths and lengths. If youre considering an enclosed trailer, youll also need to consider the height of the interior. If your trailer towing needs require that you spend very much time inside the trailer, choose one with enough interior height to keep you from bending your neck or back when standing.
Open or Enclosed Trailers
The next step in choosing a trailer is figuring out whether you will need an open or an enclosed trailer. An open trailer is one which exposes the cargo to the outside elements. If inclement weather isnt a factor for your cargo, then an open trailer may be the most economical choice. Open utility trailers can range in price from about $900 to $2500 new.
Open utility trailers are well suited for many applications including small landscaping businesses that are just starting out and need a way to haul their landscape equipment. As their business grows and they decide to move up to an enclosed trailer, the open utility trailer will still be incredibly useful for hauling all sorts of material such as mulch, rock and plants.
Another plus for open trailers is their weight. Open utility trailers tend to be lighter and provide less aerodynamic drag than enclosed trailers.
While open trailers are economical and very useful, they do not provide the protection from the outside environment that an enclosed trailer will. Enclosed trailers also offer an added measure of security because the trailer functions as a portable, lockable storage building.
Enclosed trailers tend to be heavier and less aerodynamic than open trailers. Enclosed trailers usually cost in the $1600 to $5000 range new, but can go much higher.
Single or Tandem Axle
Once youve decided on either an open utility trailer or an enclosed cargo trailer, youll need to decide whether the trailer should have a single axle, dual axle or possibly even three to four axles.
Single axle trailers have just one load bearing axle. Trailers with single axles come with and without brakes, but as a general rule of thumb, most single axle open and enclosed trailers come without brakes. If you plan on hauling more than 3000 lbs, trailer brakes need to be considered. In fact, its a legal requirement in most states.
Anything heavier than 3000 lbs should be hauled on a dual axle trailer, be it an open or enclosed trailer. Dual axle trailers use two load bearing axles and usually feature either leaf springs or independent torsion bar suspensions. Brakes are recommended for dual axle trailers and again may be required depending upon where you live. Also, dual axle trailers tend to track more accurately than single axle trailers over varying road surfaces.
Rear Access
If you decide on an enclosed trailer, next you have to decide on either a ramp rear door, double rear doors or one single barn-type door. Choosing the type of rear access will greatly depend on the cargo you intend to haul. If youre going to be hauling a motorcycle, race car or any other type vehicle, then a ramp rear door will provide the easiest loading and unloading method.
Be sure though when purchasing a trailer with a ramp door that the ramp is spring assisted as some of the ramp doors can be very heavy. Ramps are also nice for hauling furniture or other heavy items where youll be using a dolly to load and unload them.
If you will be using the trailer quite often and will be in and out of it, then a ramp can become rather cumbersome. Enter double door trailers. It is much easier to open the doors, step in and get the tool or item you need and then step out and close the door than it is to drop a ramp every time you need access. Too, you have to consider the clearance needed for opening a ramp rear door.
Single barn type rear doors are usually found on smaller enclosed trailers and are comparable in convenience to double rear doors.
Trailer manufacturers are aware of the ramp issue and most now add a side door for access to their enclosed trailers giving those that require a ramp the best of both worlds.
Trailer Brakes
In addition to the various types of trailers, there are several types of trailer braking systems.
Electric braking systems are the most common type of braking systems found on trailers today. These type braking systems connect the brake system on the tow vehicle to the brake system on the trailer. This is accomplished by installing a brake controller inside the tow vehicle. The controller senses the braking force of the tow vehicle and in turn activates the brakes on the trailer.
A hydraulic surge brake system consists of an actuating cylinder that is usually integrated with the trailer tongue assembly. As the tow vehicle applies its brakes, the "surge" of the trailer towards the decelerating tow vehicle compresses the surge actuator. As this cylinder is compressed, force is applied to the master cylinder and from there to the braking cylinders.
Surge braking systems are more expensive and usually only needed if youll be using several different tow vehicles that would each require a brake controller.
Electric brakes are usually preferred over surge brakes because their operation is independent from the tow vehicle. If for some reason the tow vehicle loses its brakes, there would not be enough deceleration surge to activate the surge brakes. However, with electric brakes, the driver could manually activate the brake controller thus allowing the trailer to slow the entire rig.
In some states, any trailer with brakes is required to have a breakaway system. In the event that the trailer becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would apply automatically to stop the run away trailer. Trailer equipped with electric brakes carry a separate battery to activate the breakaway systems. Surge brakes use a cable that locks the breaks in a breakaway situation.
Informed Buying
The most important aspect of buying a trailer is to be an informed buyer. Ask lots of questions. Any reputable dealer will be glad to answer your questions and in fact, should ask you a lot of questions regarding your intended cargo load. Ask about the warranty. Does the manufacturer stand behind its work Most established manufacturers offer a very good warranty program and will go out of their way to satisfy a customer.
To help in your search for the perfect trailer, you can visit http://www.trailershopper.com where youll find hundreds of new and used trailers for sale by individuals and dealers.
About The Author
Derek Chastain
Derek is the webmaster for http://www.trailershopper.com, an online resource for buying and selling trailers of all types.
You may reprint this article on your site, ezine or newsletter as long as the link to http://www.trailershopper.com is not removed.
Increase Your Buying Power With Capital Gains Reinvestment – Real Estate
Increase Your Buying Power With Capital Gains Reinvestment
Elaine VonCannon
When it comes to selling property capital gains reinvestment can be an important strategy for homeowners and commercial and business owners. The Internal Revenue Service requires capital gains tax to be paid on the sale of all capital assets, including properties. Once the sale occurs the tax expense can be enormous, but with a little ingenuity capital gains tax can be avoided and the tax burden relieved. The sale of a home or an investment property can facilitate incredible steps forward for anyone in the real estate market. Planning, education and consulting the experts are the keys to increased buying power!
Uncover the Secret to Real Homeowner Potential
The Internal Revenue Service allows gain generated by the sale of a home to be excluded from federal tax returns. The homeowner must meet the IRS requirements for exclusion. Eligibility for exclusion is based on the five-year period prior to the sale. If a homeowner has owned the property for at least five years and lived in it as a primary residence for at least two years, as much as $250,000 of the gain does not have to be reported on the yearly tax return. For couples filing jointly, up to $500,000 can be excluded based on the eligibility of each spouse. An unknown fact in the real estate world is that exclusion can apply to the sale of vacation and rental homes if they have been used as a primary residence for two out of the last five years. This amount of unreported gain leads to huge savings and greater investment potential.
The Hidden Advantage of Tax Exchange
In the past property exchanges were regarded as highly complex. The current real estate market now agrees that property exchanges are trouble-free, secure and profit producing. Even if a commercial or business property owner sells and then immediately reinvests, capital gains tax must be paid. The Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 allows a taxpayer to exchange property used productively in a trade, business or investment for property of a like-kind. In the exchange the IRS does not recognize any loss or gain and the capital gains tax is deferred. This deferral allows property owners to utilize money originally budgeted to pay the government for investment.
Following the Rules Leads to Success
IRC Section 1031 has strict guidelines for property owners to follow while engaging in property and tax exchange. Consultation with real estate professionals, qualified intermediaries, lawyers and accountants is essential. Like-kind commercial and investment properties must be the same in nature and have comparable characteristics. The properties can differ in quality and improved property may be exchanged for unimproved property. The relinquished property must be exchanged for a property of equal or greater value, equity or debt. If the replacement property is of lesser value, equity or debt tax is then computed for the amount of the gain or the difference in value. The property owner must pay whichever cost is lowest. Also, properties are only considered to be like-kind when they are located within the same country. Properties within the United Sates cannot be exchanged for properties located outside of the country.
Time Is Money
Property exchange does not require the taxpayer to sell and buy simultaneously. The Tax Reform of 1984 imposed precise limits on the amount of time an exchange transaction can be in process. Property owners have 45 days from the sale of the relinquished property to identify a replacement property. The exchange must be completed within 180 days of closing or on the tax return due date for the current year. Do not miss identification or exchange deadlines! If these deadlines are not met the exchange is no longer qualified and the capital gains tax must be paid.
Armed with knowledge and creativity any property owner can increase their buying power and take their real estate success to even greater heights. Remember to find real estate and financial professionals to assist with adherence to the federal laws. Once you have learned to the most lucrative way to manage your ventures and capital gains real estate victory will be at hand!
About The Author
Elaine VonCannon is a longtime real estate professional and currently works as a RE/MAX agent in the Williamsburg, Virginia area. She can assist you with commercial, business or residential properties. Please visit and learn more at www.voncannonrealestate.com.
vonmor1@cox.net
Buying and Selling Distressed Houses for Maximum Profit – Real Estate
Buying and Selling Distressed Houses for Maximum Profit
Jeanette Joy Fisher
If you want to become a real estate investor, find a "fixer-upper" owned by an anxious seller. Finding distressed houses at bargain prices, fixing them up, and then selling them on a consistent basis can make you a millionaire.
Why Sellers Sell At a Discount
Homeowners problems often prevent them from staying on top of their homes upkeep, and factors such as job loss, divorce, serious illness, various addictions, or other personal problems quickly overwhelm them. These sellers cant make the needed repairs because of financial or physical limitations, and when that happens, their home becomes a low priority and sometimes will go into foreclosure.
Look for the "Triple D"
Home sellers with three problems give beginning investors a great opportunity. A "Triple D" is a Doghouse, involved in a Divorce, and in Default. The label "doghouse" comes from Southern California Realtors who used this term to describe the worst fixers. These houses maybe "tired" and need only cosmetic work in order to favorably compare with other homes in the area.
What to Look for in a Doghouse
The hardest house for a homeowner to sell is a "doghouse," "dump," or "fixer-upper." These run-down houses scare off most buyers, who dont have the money to cover the down payment, closing costs, new furniture, carpeting, appliances, roof repairs, and other deferred maintenance required to bring the home back into top condition.
As you look through the classified ads or at realtor listings, keep an eye out for terms like "handyman special," "as is," "fixer," or other tell-tale words. Also have your agent use similar terms when scanning the Multiple Listing Service for your target area.
Once youve found a property that you can turn from doghouse to dollhouse, find out the sellers problem and then offer a solution. Distressed sellers frequently experience financial problems and need cash as soon as possible. Therefore, if youre ready to close quickly, youll be set to negotiate a lower sales price.
How to Close Quickly
Find an experienced lender and get yourself not only "pre-qualified," but also "pre-approved." Taking that second step assures worried sellers that you already have your loan in place for their property, and this puts you well ahead of other potential buyers.
How to Know When "Bad" Is Good
When you first start out in the real estate "fixer" business, youll want to look for "ugly" houses needing only cosmetic work. Look for entry level fixers that just need some cleaning up, painting, and carpeting.
When youre new to the fixer game, always remember your limitations and use caution when considering houses needing structural repairs. My husband replaces structural beams, sub-flooring, walls, plumbing, and electrical systems, but he acquired those skills after years of experience.
If you find a house with structural problems, get estimates from reliable contractors to do the work. Experience teaches you how to do more over time. Until then, rely on experienced professionals to do the repairs. Take professional estimates into account before deciding whether or not to purchase an investment property.
The Easiest Houses to Sell
A dollhouse, located in a popular neighborhood, sells the quickest. For instance, we once sold a home we named "Orange Tree Cottage" in just three hours! To qualify as a dollhouse, a home must be in a location that buyers want and must offer the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities theyre seeking. Beyond the price, however, buyers purchase the house that meets both their basic requirements and their emotional needs.
Filling Buyers Emotional Needs
After many years of investment experience, weve found that using Design Psychology and Marketing Psychology techniques greatly increases our profits. Both concepts go far beyond "curb appeal."
For instance, we use colors that target our prospective buyers income level and match the selling season. Generally, buyers of higher-priced homes prefer complex colors, and using cool colors during hot weather and warm colors in cold seasons makes buyers feel more comfortable. We also paint the front door a happy color and entice buyers into the house by placing potted plants on the porch.
Over the years, weve bought and sold dozens of distressed properties. By using caution and common sense, as well as following a few simple rules and using Design Psychology strategies, you, too, can become a wealthy real estate investor!
c Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Jeanette Fisher, Design Psychology Professor, is the author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Credit Help!, Joy to the Home, and other books. Jeanette teaches Real Estate Investing and Interior Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, and newsletters, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm.
JeanetteJoy@gmail.com
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