The Biggest Mistake You Can Make When Buying an Equipment Trailer
There is a lot of information to compare when buying a new trailer, but its easy to miss one of the biggest factors: buying an overloaded trailer. An overloaded equipment trailer is one that is manufactured with more steel than is needed. This results in a trailer that weighs too much and takes away from the overall GVWR. Overloaded trailers also consume more fuel because of the extra weight. It can also lead to bearing wearing out quicker than usual, and other axle issues long-term. And perhaps the worse problem is an overloaded trailer will cost you more money.
I am writing this article after talking to a fiend. He mentioned one of his biggest reasons for choosing a certain trailer manufacturer was because it used a bigger channel for the main frame. The first trailer he was looking at used an 8" channel, while another company used 12" channel, both trailers used 2- 7000 lb. EZ lube braking axles. So is the larger frame really a benefit?
No, and here's why. The trailer can only haul what the running gear will allow. So if your trailer weighs more, it will take away from your overall hauling capacity.
For example, lets look at Appalachian Trailer's 24 ft. Contractor Grade Trailer. This trailer has 8" Channel mainframe and a GVWR of 14,000, and it uses 2-7k EZ Lube braking axles. The empty weight of this trailer is roughly 4,400lbs. If this same trailer was built using 12" channel, it will substantially increase the empty weight of the trailer and decrease the amount of weight you can haul.
The running gear limits the trailer to 14,000 lbs. 8" channel is more than enough that handle a 14,000 GVWR so anything more is just overloading the trailer and giving no benefit. To the novice purchaser, a larger frame means more trailer while in reality it means buying too much steel and reducing the payload you can haul.
To make the issue more complicated, salesman will use heavier, overloaded frames as selling points and suggest that a smaller channel will not last as long, creating a fear in the purchaser's mind. Good salesman can leverage overloaded trailers as being ones that are a better quality trailer.
So how does the average buyer know what a good, balanced trailer is? The easiest answer is to get several quotes and compare. If one trailer has a certain component that is more heavy duty, odds are it's too much for the trailer.
When buying a trailer, you should look for a balanced trailer throughout. If a certain trailer uses larger channel for the frame, see if their axles, tires, etc conform with the frame upgrade. If all the trailer components can't handle a larger hauling capacity, it's overloaded. You should use this same consideration if you are looking for a dump trailer, equipment trailer, car hauler trailer, or even a landscape trailer.
After talking to my friend and explaining what an overloaded trailer was, he decided to purchase a balanced trailer and has experienced nothing but satisfaction.
Jim Builder has long term experience and exposure to the trailer manufacturing world. His articles are geared to help the average buyer find the right trailer for their needs. A special thanks to Appalachian Trailers for their help.
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