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.
How To Load A Horse Into A Trailer - Easy As Pie!
Andy Curry
If there is an art to getting horses to load in a trailer, then this it.
The first thing that must happen is communication between the horse and his handler. The horse must understand what is required of him and the handler must make it easy to understand.
Thus, you must start by getting the horse to move forward in either direction. After a direction is established then get him moving in the opposite direction. A round pen is excellent for this purpose.
When the horse gets good at moving both directions then its time to hook a lead rope to his halter and lunge him left and right. For instance, when you point left, the horse must know to go to your left. And vice versa for going right.
The final result should look like this. Youre holding the lead rope while facing your horse. As you hold the lead rope in your right hand, you hook the middle of the lead rope with your left thumb. Lift it up and point to the left.
Your horse, now knowing what to do, immediately goes to your left. After a circle or two you switch hands and get the horse to go to your right.
When he gets good at that, then send lunge him through gate openings, barn door openings, etc. Also, lunge him in smaller spaces to help him deal with his natural claustrophobia. You can do this by lunging him between you and a fence. As he goes back and forth make the space between you and the fence smaller. Be careful not to get stepped on.
Now that hes good at that, you take him by the trailer. You open the door and let him sniff it. Then you step back and face your horse. You lunge him left and right in front of the trailer while he passes back and forth by the opening.
After all this pointing and sending your horse now knows what you want. You have communicated to him when you point left that he is to move left and so on.
The next step is to face him to the trailer. With his head facing into the trailer and you standing on his left side you then send point him into the trailer.
Some horses will simply jump right in the trailer where others may take more work.
If your horse doesnt go in after pointing and coaxing then take him away from the trailer and make him work. Now you want to convey the idea that being in the trailer means he can relax. Being outside the trailer means he has to work hard. Eventually, hell catch on.
Once you have him in the trailer, pet him and let him relax. Talk to him. Let him know how good he did.
Obviously, getting a horse to load in a trailer isnt rocket science. But you can do it. It takes patience and work
About The Author
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beerys horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.
Do You Make These Mistakes Loading Your Horse Into A Trailer
Andy Curry
Mistake #1:
"Here, Kitty Kitty..."
Unless they have been educated, new horse owners often think a horse is like a cat or dog. They figure if they tap their thighs and say, "Cmon,...Cmon,...Cmon..." the horsell will simply jump right in the trailer like a happy dog or cat.
Mistake #2:
"Using Food As Bait"
Putting hay, grain, apples, or whatever at the front of the trailer to tempt a horse to step in and eat almost never works. If it did, it would be a fluke. Ive seen horses lean forward to try and eat the food but wouldnt step into the trailer if their life depended on it.
Mistake #3:
"Forgetting To Hook The Trailer To The Truck"
Dont forget to hitch the trailer to the truck before getting a horse to go in the trailer. If a horse steps into a trailer that moves around unforgivably, you will have a harder time getting that horse in later. Hell remember it - especially if this is the horses first time.
Mistake #4:
"The Classic Tug Of War"
Heres the scene. Man or woman pulls lead rope to desperately drag their horse into the trailer. Horse weighs 10 times more than man or woman and has far more strength than the man or woman. Final score of this battle is: Human - Zero...Horse - Won
Mistake #5:
"Going Trail Riding Before Horse Is Good At Loading In A Trailer"
Ive seen it time and time again. People go trail riding and when the ride is over the horse wont get back in the trailer. Amusingly, the horse owner comments, "Dang horse, he got in their last month". Remember to get your horse to practice this so it gets fixed on his brain.
It seems there will always be at least once a horse owner cannot load his horse into a trailer. But the secret is to teach a horse sending signals so he knows what you want him to do. Its partly how man and horse communicate.
If you ever find yourself frustrated with your horse because he wont get in, heres a quick solution.
Get a long rope and loop it over his rear and let it slide down to about the top of his back legs. Let the rope hit around his back legs and note his reaction. Be holding this rope in your right hand and hold his halter with your left hand He may kick at the rope on his back legs or he may not. If he doesnt, it means hes likely okay with the rope being back there.
If he kicks at the rope then he needs to get used to it. Just let the rope kind of hang there and touch his back legs. The horse may get jumpy and try to move from it. He may move forward or in a circle. While holding his halter stiffen your left arm a bit and make him go around you while holding the rope and halter. You, the handler, are acting as an axis.
Fairly quickly the horse will realize the rope isnt hurting him and you can move to the next step.
Pull on the rope to get the horse to move with you. When he moves forward from your pull, release the pressure. The idea is for him to move when you exert the pressure. He should catch on pretty quickly to what you want.
Now lead him to the trailer and guide his head into the trailer if necessary. With the lead rope attached to his halter, pull on the lead rope while pulling harder on the "butt rope".
Your horse may or may not jump in the trailer but chances are he will. Also, be careful doing this because he may pop in the trailer very quickly and you could get hurt.
About The Author
Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author of several best selling horse training and horse care books. For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com. He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beerys horse training methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.htm.