Your Heavy Duty Car Trailer Buying Guide

If you're intending on buying a car trailer, the following outlines the factors you need to consider when buying one.

Whether buying a trailer for business or pleasure, there are many factors that you should consider before making the decision. Box trailers are, as the name would suggest, built in a generally rectangular structure with space for concealing something within. For those with large gardens or farms or those in the transport business, a box trailer is almost essential. They cut down the manual labour and cost of hiring and packing a van and remove the need to buy one. Heavy duty trailers are designed for longer travel and more luxury cargo and can be referred to as heavy duty car trailers or enclosed trailers. Regardless of the type, before buying a trailer, factors such as weight, capacity and purpose need to be taken into consideration. 

Obviously, the capacity of the trailer ties into its desired purpose. Despite this, the towing capacity of your vehicle must be taken into account. Similarly, the trailer will also have its own capacity limit, referred to as its payload. The overall weight includes both the trailer and its cargo. It is recommended that you aim for 10% less than your vehicle’s towing capacity. Heavy duty trailers can have large payloads and can only be towed by powerful vehicles with a high towing capacity whereas smaller box trailers can usually be towed by the average family car. 

A larger payload does not necessarily equal a large trailer and so the shape of the trailer can also have an impact on how suitable it would be. Heavy duty car trailers need to be long and wide enough to store a car, making them difficult to manoeuvre and handle on narrow roads. They may require you to plan your route to avoid low bridges and tight turns. Despite their cumbersome size, most heavy duty car trailers are designed to be streamlined, with a round roof and torpedo shape. Smaller box trailers are less aerodynamic and can slow down the towing vehicle but obviously take up significantly less space on the road, making driving easier. 

Heavy duty trailers designed for transporting cars can be enclosed or open and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Enclosed car trailers offer full-coverage from the elements and can replace a traditional garage by acting as permanent storage for the car. When travelling, enclosed car trailers protect the car’s exterior from any damage due to stones or other road debris. However, open car trailers are significantly less expensive and can be modified to provide the car with more protection. 

The material of the trailer should also play a factor in choosing the most suitable one for you. Primarily a financial decision, people choose between steel and aluminium based on longevity and budget. Aluminium trailers are more notably more expensive, but they do not rust and therefore last a lot longer. Steel trailers can be coated in various resins to reduce rusting and weather damage, but this would have to be included within your budget. Another benefit of aluminium is that it is lighter than steel, and therefore can be used to transport heavier vehicles without exceeding the towing capacity of your vehicle. Beyond the exterior, trailers can be modified to fit the driver’s needs in various ways. For long distance travellers, the interior can be made into a comfortable living space with a shower and small kitchen area. Additionally, for racing enthusiasts an observation deck can be added on top of the car trailer, guaranteeing you a great seat to watch your car on the track.

Whatever trailer you buy, the purpose and legal towing capacity must be considered before the exciting modifications. But once the trailer is secured and suitable to your requirements, the fun can really begin.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.