Trailer Buying Guide
Owning a trailer means that you have a means to transport all types of cargo efficiently and safely. But with so many different types of cargo trailers and other trailers on the market, how are you supposed to know which one is right for your hauling needs?
Lone Star Trailers in Lacy Lakeview is your Texas trailer supply headquarters, with an A- BBB Accredited Business rating. Here are some things you’ll want to take into consideration when shopping for the perfect cargo trailer.
1. Make a Budget
Before you begin the shopping process, you’ll want to take stock of your own budget. Knowing how much you can afford to spend will help you to eliminate models that are out of your means while allowing you the wiggle room to get features that you’ll need. You want to get the best-quality trailer that you can afford, after all.
If you want your money to go further, look into buying a used trailer. Used trailers have already undergone the process of depreciation, which is a steep drop in value that occurs once a new trailer is purchased. You can save yourself hundreds and even thousands of dollars by purchasing a used trailer that can be higher in quality than a new trailer.
Seeking out a smaller trailer will also help you to save money. While it’s not good to buy such a small trailer that it’s useless for hauling the things you need to carry, you don’t want to get an enormous trailer that you don’t need. Small trailers cost less to build and to maintain and they don’t require as much fuel to haul them from place to place.
2. Consider Your Towing Vehicle
Your next step is to consider the capacity of your towing vehicle so that you don’t overburden it. Check the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on your towing vehicle so that you’ll know the maximum amount of weight the vehicle can tow. This will include the weight of the trailer, the weight of its cargo and the weight of any passengers in your vehicle. Avoid exceeding this number!
3. Know the Legal Restrictions
Next, you’ll want to know what the legal restrictions are in your state when it comes to how long your trailer can be. Here in Texas, your trailer must be less than 14’ tall and no more than 8’6” wide. The trailer cannot be longer than 45’ and the combined towing setup (towing vehicle and trailer hitched together) cannot be longer than 65’, which gives you a fair bit of leeway in terms of size.
4. Choose a Hitch Style
You should think about what type of hitch style will best suit your needs, too. You can choose between bumper-pull hitches and gooseneck hitches.
A bumper-pull hitch is the most common style and it can be anchored to the bumper of almost any type of car or truck. This style is affordable and more widely applicable, but it can lead to trailer sway in high winds.
A gooseneck hitch will require a coupling that you install into the bed of a truck, so your towing vehicle options are more limited. However, gooseneck hitches are very secure, stable to tow and can carry more weight than a bumper-pull hitch.
5. Enclosed or Open?
Finally, you should think about whether you want an enclosed trailer or an open trailer. Enclosed cargo trailers have a locking gate and walls with a roof, so they keep your cargo protected from weather damage and theft or vandalism. The drawbacks are that they cost more and are heavier.
Open or flatbed trailers give you more vertical space to stash bulky cargo like vehicles or power equipment, but they do lack the protection that enclosed trailers provide. They also weigh less and cost less.
Ready to look at some trailers? Browse our website to view the vast array of new and used cargo trailers for sale at our Lacy Lakeview, TX, location. We offer trailer financing to help you get the trailer you need. As your local small-town dealer with a huge heart, Lone Star Trailers proudly serves our customers coming from the cities of Waco and Temple, TX.