Top Tips For Buying A Heavy-Duty Trailer

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Heavy-duty trailers are like any other open-type of trailer, except for one major difference—the amount of weight they can support and tow. Compared to a utility trailer that might be able to haul 2,000 to 7,000 pounds, or a vehicle hauler that can also handle about 7,000 pounds, a heavy-duty trailer can typically handle twice that amount and more. Heavy duty trailers are also usually much larger than utility trailers, and thus, they come with a heftier price tag. For example, you might be able to pick up a new, small angle utility trailer for about $1,500. Meanwhile, a normal-sized equipment trailer will generally set you back $7,000 to $8,000.

Sometimes called Loader Toters, heavy-duty trailers are generally big enough to handle most heavy-duty equipment, or they can be used to haul multiple loads that are smaller in size. So, what should you look for when buying one? Commercial Truck Trader put together the following guide to help you decide what you need to get the job done.

Size Matters

One of the most important things you need to know about buying a heavy-duty trailer is determining what you intend to haul on it. There are a variety of lengths and widths to accommodate all kinds of heavy-duty equipment.

If you plan to haul one piece of equipment regularly, the measurement process is pretty easy. Simply measure the length and width of the equipment and search for a trailer that’s big enough to handle it. If you plan to tow around a variety of different vehicles at various times, measure the biggest one and go from there. Either way, it’s best to err on the side of caution, if your budget allows, and get the next biggest size up from what you need.

Don’t forget to plan for the future. If you think you might be upgrading to a larger vehicle in the future, before you plan to retire the trailer you’re currently shopping for, you may want to buy the next biggest size.

Full Capacity

In addition to needing to know the measurements of what you’ll be towing, you’ll need to know the gross weight of whatever you’ll be loading onto the trailer. If you plan to haul multiple vehicles or other equipment with a primary vehicle, you’ll need to take into consideration the total gross weight and look for a trailer that can handle that burden.

You’ll also need to make sure the gross weight of the trailer, including what you plan to haul plus the trailer’s weight itself, can be handled by your pickup truck or whatever vehicle you’ll be using to tow it.

One For The Money

If your starting point includes a budget cap, you may want to consider a used trailer over a new trailer. As long as the used trailer has been well cared for and doesn’t show any signs of significant wear and tear, it should be able to provide you with many years of service for significantly less amount of money than buying new.

If you are not a mechanic, and you are working with an independent seller, you may want to take a mechanic along with you to check the trailer out, or you may be able to work out an agreement where you can take the trailer to an authorized dealer to give it a once over. Particular areas of interest you may want to focus on include the brakes and brake system, the suspension, the condition of the tow hitch, any signs of rust, the condition of the tires, and the condition of the loading ramp.

Down On The Farm

The word “trailer” is loosely defined as something you tow behind another vehicle. With that in mind, you may not need a trailer that’s capable of hauling heavy-duty equipment but is a piece of heavy-duty equipment all by itself. For example, you may need anything from a baler or sprayer to a grain trailer or livestock trailer. The most important things to remember with any equipment is that you have the right trailer for the load you intend, the tow vehicle has the capacity to haul it, and the hitch you use is the proper grade for the job.

Let’s Get Hauling

No matter what type of heavy-duty trailer you need, Commercial Truck Trader is your one-stop resource for almost any kind of heavy-duty vehicle or trailer available. Feel free to browse through our thousands of listings of new and used vehicles and trailers, and be sure to use our handy filters to narrow down your search so you can quickly find exactly what you’re looking for.

Barrett Baker

Barrett Baker is a freelance writer with more than 40 years of writing experience. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and a variety of advertising and marketing firms throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, cooking, and working with animal rescues.

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