| So where to start when looking for a used trailer? | | | | vehicle ought to be listed in the user manuals of both |
| Your primary concern must be to refine your | | | | vehicles. If for any reason you find this information |
| understanding of exactly what you need your trailer | | | | doesn't tally up with your calculations, then call the |
| for, so you can get the best matched trailer for your | | | | manufacturers to check the figures, as there may be |
| purpose. There are a lot of options on the market, | | | | a safety issue attached to the intended carrying |
| both new and second-hand, so it will really help to | | | | capacity of either towing vehicle or trailer. If you are |
| narrow down the choices by closely considering the | | | | working on a farm, then it is likely that the trailer will |
| trailer specifications that you need. | | | | need to be able to accommodate movement over |
| Taking a little time to understand trailer design will | | | | rough terrain. The number of axles and their strength |
| help enable you to decide what size of trailer you | | | | and condition will be an important consideration for |
| need. The smallest trailers have just a single axle, | | | | trailers designed for off-road and rough terrain use. |
| which may be all you need if your loads are light and | | | | As well as the size of your load, the nature of your |
| you need to maximise maneuverability. Double axle | | | | load presents other considerations. If your load is |
| trailers generally have a higher load capacity than | | | | valuable and the trailer will be stored outside, then |
| single axle ones and are considered to ride more | | | | you may want to consider the relative security of |
| smoothly. In addition, the extra wheels will improve | | | | some kind of box trailer which has doors and can be |
| stability when the trailer is unhitched. For extremely | | | | locked. If you need to transport horses or other |
| large loads there are triple axle trailers available. | | | | livestock, this presents other issues that you will |
| These heavy-duty trailers can carry very heavy | | | | need to check up on, both in terms of the nature of |
| weights, but will be more awkward to maneuver and | | | | the trailer specifications and legal requirements for |
| have more complex braking systems. | | | | towing livestock. Legislation has recently changed, so |
| Clearly, the weight and size of what you need to | | | | check with the Driving Standards Agency for |
| transport are of primary importance in determining | | | | clarification. |
| what size of trailer you need. Beyond that, other | | | | Once you have narrowed down your considerations |
| considerations will be determined by the capacity of | | | | as much as possible, talk to a dealer to further clarify |
| your towing vehicle, the terrain it is to be used on, | | | | your needs. A good dealer will advise you on things |
| the nature of your load, whether there are security | | | | you may have forgotten to include in your initial |
| issues or not and the amount of money you have to | | | | evaluations, and will offer you a range of trailers to |
| spend. | | | | choose from that will fit both your needs and your |
| The load carrying capacities of both trailer and towing | | | | budget. |