How to Find The Best Pre-Owned Trailers
Trailers are unpowered cargo compartments usually towed by other powered vehicles. They are mostly used to move bulky goods and materials in short or long distances. Other than moving goods, some trailers come as recreational vehicles, mobile homes, or travel trailers. Owning a trailer is an excellent investment for business owners, farmers, and companies in logistics. This article will discuss the different types of trailers, why you should and shouldn’t own one, factors to consider in getting a pre-owned trailer, and much more. Read on for more information.
Different types of trailers
Trailers are suitable for transporting anything that can get into a box, regardless of whether they have a shape or not. There are different types of shipping trailers to choose from.
1. The Dry Van
These are the commonly used trailers to transport bulky goods. A dry van is an extended, rectangular-shaped trailer, which comes with a varying amount of wheels. Their boxes are enclosed, which helps to protect goods against harsh weather conditions and theft. There are different varieties of dry van trailers for sale, with some having raised docks for easy loading and unloading, while some come with a lift gate, making them easier to use on the ground level.
2. Reefer
Reefer refers to the typical square-shaped trailers you see on the road. They almost resemble the dry van, but with a refrigerator for cooling its interior. They are also air regulated to maintain the required interior temperatures. These generators run on power provided by the towing vehicle. They take as much weight as the dry van and are mostly used to transport fresh, frozen, or heated goods requiring controlled temperatures.
3. Conestoga
This trailer also resembles the dry van but uses a ‘tarping system’ to cover the rectangle. The trailer enables faster loading and unloading of the cargo on each side and helps to haul greater weights. It’s best used for shipment that requires side loading and for one that’s difficult to tarp.
4. Flatbeds
Just like its name, flatbeds don’t contain any encasing, making it possible to load any cargo, either from the side or rear. Cargo is secured using straps, chains, or other adjustable bindings to ensure the shipment stays still and secure. They aren’t that flat but support heavier loads on their lengths without damaging it. They are for transporting uneven cargo such as poles and metal bars.
5. Side-Kit
This refers to a flatbed trailer with sides made of wooden or iron panels firmly attached to the beds. The top is then left to be covered by a sharp tarp after loading the materials. It’s best used for loading and unloading rapid cargo and when transporting irregular goods.
Pros and Cons of renting or owning Trailers
If you are undecided about renting or buying a trailer, these advantages and disadvantages will make you make a better decision.
Pros of Buying a Trailer
- One-time off payments when purchasing the trailer.
- Better quality with no mechanical issues.
- You can use it anytime you like.
- No hidden charges and no quality issues.
- You can customize the bought trailer according to your needs.
Cons of Buying a Trailer
- They are expensive to purchase and maintain
- They come with other costs, such as cargo insurance
- Not economical for short term uses
Pros of Renting a Trailer
- Economical on short term use
- No maintenance and insurance costs
- No worry about storing the trailer when not in use
Cons of Renting a Trailer
- Expensive if planning to use it long term
- You might not get it whenever you want it
- You can’t customize a rented item
What to consider when looking for a pre-owned trailer
- Place of purchase: You need to get the trailers from reputable sellers to ensure you get a purchase warranty.
- Ask Questions: You need to ask serious questions if buying from an individual. You need to know why they are selling, issues with the trailer, damages, and check if the trailer suffered accidents.
- Quality check: You need to thoroughly check the trailer components with a quality checker or a reputable mechanic. Areas to check are the tires, brakes, doors, and the floor. The wiring needs to be intact too.
- Further costs: You have to look beyond the buying price and see if there are additional charges, including repairs, insurance, pending loans, and maintenance requirements.
If you are a contractor or a logistic company, you might need different types of trailers to cater for various goods as per the clients’ orders. It is better to have as many designs as explained to ensure every need in your business is catered for or get one that accommodates many needs. If looking for one type that can handle different shipments, a dry van trailer will fit the job.
