Things you should consider when purchasing an enclosed cargo trailer

There are a lot of trailers out on the market and as with most things, they are not all created equal. We have been selling trailers for many years and are firm believers that you get what you pay for. That isn’t to say that a less expensive trailer wouldn’t work for you,it just really depends on what you are doing with it.

Steel Vs Aluminum

The main benefit to an aluminum frame trailer versus steel is that you don’t have to worry about corrosion. However, you really should examine an aluminum trailer thoroughly as again, they are all not created equal. If you had a 1-inch piece of steel, you would need a piece of aluminum 3 times that to be considered the same strength. You will get a lighter trailer if you go with aluminum but not by much if it is built properly. Aluminum doesn’t tend to bend or stretch much. It cracks and breaks and not every shop will have a welder that is certified in aluminum welding which can be another downfall. As far as steel goes, we recommend having it sprayed with a rust inhibitor once a year which will keep it looking great. You also need to examine the frame to see the strength of it as well because there are many different sizes and strengths depending on the manufacturer.

V-Nose Versus Flat

The popular choice has become a v-nose trailer as it gives the customer some more space in the V to store things. It also has benefits such as cutting the windhelping out with mileage versus having the flat front.

Screws or Screwless

This comes down to personal choice. The main benefit of a screwless side trailer is that if you are going decal or wrap the trailer, then you don’t have to deal with the rivet heads. As well the trailer will normally have a heavier gauge aluminum side when it is screwless.

Ramp Door versus Barn Doors

What are you going to use the trailer for? If it is going to be to put heavy items in and out of the trailer or to use it for a recreational sport, then you may want to consider a ramp. On the other hand, our contractor customers prefer barn doors as they normally have a space issue when parking and using the trailer. 

Interior Height

Trailers can range from 66” to over 96” and it is worth some extra thought on what makes sense for you. Traditionally we see a 72” as standard but we have noticed it is slowly moving to 78” as a standard. The higher the trailer the more open it feels if you are going to work out of it. 84” is what customers are buying who are looking to store and transport theiroff-road side by side. It is also worth noting that you will lose approx. 6” of door opening height if you go with a ramp unit so 78” interior height trailer will only have a 72” door opening height. 

Framework

Under the aluminum outer skin there is the frame that will be made from either steel or aluminum depending on what type of trailer you are looking for. Like your house the strength of the trailer comes from its framework. Ask to see what the spacing is for the floor and walls… some models use 24” centres and some use 16” centres. The spacing will be important for the type of use… heavier the loads then you would want closer centres.
These are just a few of the considerations to think about when looking at purchasing an enclosed cargo trailer. We want you to get the trailer that will work best for you, so please feel free to give us a call and we can help you choose the right type of cargo trailer to fit your needs. The Trailer Company has been hooking up customers since 2002…. Let us help you get hooked up too!