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