|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 10:49 Post subject: Purchasing advice.
A small cargo trailer.
Anything I should know???
Help?
|
|
|
|
|
robp
Pyromaniac
|
|
|
Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 10:55 Post subject:
New or used?
|
|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 10:56 Post subject:
|
|
|
|
|
robp
Pyromaniac
|
|
|
Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 11:02 Post subject:
If buying a used one:
check condition of tires (no dry rot, cracking or tread separation)
wheel bearings (jack up each side one at a time and make sure tire spins freely and doesn't wobble or make grinding noises)
taillights/brakelights - check that they function correctly and that the electrical plug from your tow vehicle matches one on trailer or else some re-wiring will need to be done
Springs - do a visual check of springs and spring hangers to make sure something obvious isn't broken
Welds - check frame as much as possible to make sure no visible broken welds, cracked angle iron, etc.
Floor - trailer floor should not be rotted out (wood or metal)
Hitch - check the hitching apparatus to make sure it's functional and appears to be in good operating condition
|
|
|
|
|
.jrjo
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 900
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 11:02 Post subject:
How small is 'small'? Unless your truck is wired for electric brakes to a trailer, you'll have to stay fairly small.
I'd say wider is prolly better than taller. And if you can get a double axle that is going to prevent real disasters if you should blow a tire...it's easier to go from 4 to 3 tires and keep it on the road, versus going from 2 to 1 tire
|
|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 11:07 Post subject:
| .jrjo wrote: | How small is 'small'? Unless your truck is wired for electric brakes to a trailer, you'll have to stay fairly small.
I'd say wider is prolly better than taller. And if you can get a double axle that is going to prevent real disasters if you should blow a tire...it's easier to go from 4 to 3 tires and keep it on the road, versus going from 2 to 1 tire  |
We have a class three hitch that is ready to tow. (we tow trailers every time we move.)
We're looking at a 5x8--that is what we usually haul, except this time we're looking to buy.
Any particular brands that are better than others?
|
|
|
|
|
wanttorun100
Member
|
|
|
Joined: 14 Feb 2005
Posts: 4946
Location: Just to the right of Atilla the Hun!
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 11:11 Post subject:
stay away from the ones that Menards sells - the brother out law has had nothing but horror stories with them
|
|
|
|
|
airehead
Oompa Loofah
|
|
|
Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
|
| Back to top
|
|
Posted: 04/13/06 - 11:15 Post subject:
| wanttorun100 wrote: | | stay away from the ones that Menards sells - the brother out law has had nothing but horror stories with them |
Elaborate, please. Home Despot is selling some which I'm leery of, but not having any purchasing background, I can't prove why.
|
|
|
|