Trailer Buying Guide

There are many factors to consider when buying a trailer. One of the first considerations is to choose an established trailer manufacturer. As with most everything, you usually get what you paid for, so try to choose the best trailer that you can reasonably afford.  Deciding on what type of trailer you need for your application will help in narrowing down the manufacturers.  What sources of aggravation (wiring, lighting, corrosion and safety) will present themselves?  Quality is as important as when buying any other road vehicle, so apply that knowledge and common sense when buying a trailer.

TRAILER QUALITY

Do they utilize Dexter axles? Where parts are available from thousands of locations in North America? 

Do they utilize Radial or bias ply tires?  Radial tires deliver longer life, have fewer flats, lower fuel consumption,  improved stability.

Do they utilize Goodyear tires?

Do they utilize Tubular Frame-rails?  What size rails?

Do they utilize welded frames for rigidity or bolt together for ease of manufacturing?

Is the construction sturdy or does it flex and rattle?  Trailers by nature, are subject to greater road damage.

TRAILER WIRING

Trailer Wiring can be the most problematic component on trailers.  To ensure your trailer is road worthy and safe, it must have properly operating lights.  It is the drivers' responsibility and the MTO has been imposing hefty fines in an effort to crack down on unsafe trailers.   Wiring considerations to look for:

• Do they run their wires through proper grommets, or through drilled or torched out holes in the frame?  Vibration and sharp edges wreak havoc on wiring.
• What type of wiring is used?  Cut and crimp (cheap and prone to failure), solder and heat shrink or proper wiring harnesses.
• Is the wiring exposed?  The underside of a trailer is being bombarded by an abrasive mixture of stones and road debris. The trailer is literally being sandblasted. This sandblasting effect will damage any exposed wiring.
• Properly grounded?  Most trailer lights are grounded thru the metal trailer frame.  Each grounding point is an opportunity for corrosion to interrupt the circuit.  Internally grounded wiring harnesses avoid this problem.
• Are lights built into the frame of the trailer or stuck on with flimsy brackets as an after thought.

Wiring / Lighting Problems
Click on pictures below to Zoom.  Would you buy a car or any vehicle manufactured like this?

TRAILER FINISH / CORROSION

• Painted, powder coated or galvanized?  Is the entire trailer frame painted, or just the parts that show after assembly?  Inspect seams for rust.  What is the paint process?  Is the bare metal properly cleaned and primed before painting?  Look for blistering.   How well do you think it will stand up to our climate?  How much time will you have to spend repainting it?
• If grounded thru the trailer frame, how are the grounding  points protected from corrosion?  Drilled and tapped holes are only an invitation for corrosion to begin. 
• Is there a barrier between differing metals to prevent galvanic corrosion? - Steel and aluminum don't mix!  
• Pressure treated lumber and aluminum don't mix!  The aluminum quickly corrodes.

Brand New Unsold Trailer at a local big box store
Click on pictures below to Zoom. Power coated rims and trailer.

TRAILER DESIGN

Are features properly designed and built into the trailer or did the manufacturer not spend that time?   

Are options used to save YOU or the manufacturer time and money?  What will they cost you in terms of money, aggravation and time down the road?

TRAILER MAINTENANCE

One of the most important items to maintain on a trailer are the wheel bearings. These must be maintained regularly.  Some hubs are now equipped with grease nipples (see EZ-Lube).  Axles equipped with this system can be periodically lubricated without removing the hubs from the axle. Trailer Maintenance Schedule

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY

As the driver you are responsible for ensuring your load is safe and your trailer meets all legal requirements.  Recently the MTO has been enforcing trailer regulations vigorously.

With many small manufacturers and cheap imports lighting requirements are not always correctly met.  See Federal lighting and equipment location requirements

If you plan on hauling more than 3000 lbs, trailer brakes are usually a legal requirement.  See Prov./State Trailer Regulations for trailer size limits and brake requirements.

• Your trailer must be registered and licenced for the road.
• Your trailer must have proper operating lights. .
• Your trailer must be road worthy/safe. With safe tires, a proper hitch (check the MTO website for proper classifications of hitches) 
• The law requires that loose objects be covered with a tarp and that everything is strapped down securely.
• You must have two separate means of attachments from vehicle to trailer.
• Safety chains should be crossed under the tongue and the chain should be strong enough to support the trailer load. (check the MTO website for chain strength) Don't drag your chains, both chains should be the same length. 
• A trailer cannot be wider than 8.5 feet or longer than 45 feet. The law requires brakes on trailers that weigh over 1360 kg or 3000 lbs.
• It is against the law to tow more than one trailer behind your vehicle unless it is a commercial vehicle.
• If your tow vehicle and trailer weight in combination exceeds 4500 kg or 9920 lbs you may fall into a category that requires annual inspections, log books and weigh stations. Check the MTO website for more information).

And Finally

• Learn more about the type of trailer you are buying.   
• How long has the trailer manufacturer been in business?
• Does the Dealer have a reputation for service, search the internet, how long has he been in business?
• Talk to current trailer owners, would they buy the same brand again, what problems have they incurred?   
• Is price the most important purchasing factor? Do you have a budget? What is the difference in price to buy quality vs problems?

Helpful Links

MTO Pulling a trailer safely - http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/topics/trailer.htm

Major causes of lighting failure - http://www.grote.com/tech/maintenance/major_causes.html

Tips to prolong equipment lighting - http://www.grote.com/tech/maintenance/tips.html