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