What Do I Need to Know Before I Buy a Trailer

When you’re considering whether to buy a trailer in Adelaide, you have several decisions that you have to make to ensure that you’re getting a trailer that meets all of your different needs.

Box trailer or cage trailer?

This is a key decision that will ultimately be influenced by the sort of loads you are likely to be towing in your trailer.

In some ways, a 6x4 or 7x5 box trailer gives you a little more flexibility than a trailer cage, in that your load can extend beyond the sides of the trailer (although there are clear towing regulations in place about this). This means that you can load up with furniture or fencing, for instance, that is longer or wider than the dimensions of your trailer (provided it is secured, of course), which you might not be able to do with a trailer cage.

However, a cage can make the whole process of loading your trailer quicker and more efficient, as you don’t need to secure the load in the same way or to the same degree. Our Adelaide trailer cages are 900mm high and sit on the top fold of the trailer, giving you good levels of both protection and containment (the front and rear opening gates still make it easy to get the load on and off, however).

Our cage trailers for sale in Adelaide also allow you to carry more garden or green waste than you might otherwise be able to do in a box trailer (although it will still need to be covered), as the load can generally sit higher and yet still remain safely stowed.

If you are using your trailer to move a large number of small items, a trailer cage will also mean it should take less time to secure the load, as the cage will help to keep everything in place and, provided the load isn’t too high and is sensibly packed, most loads in a caged trailer can be carried without too much tying down required.

What size and load capacity do I need?

The nature of what you haul most often, along with the towing capability of your vehicle, will also be key to determining the trailer size and capacity you require.

We manufacture single axle trailers in five different sizes — 6x4, 7x4, 7x5, 8x4 and 8x5 — and in our experience we have found that this range of sizes seems to cover the needs of most domestic trailer users in Adelaide (we do also build a variety of larger trailers for commercial and industrial use, including car trailers, tipper trailers, plant trailers and stock crate trailers).

Aside from the dimensions, you also have to take into account the load capacity of any trailer you buy. All of our trailers have an Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM), which is the combined weight of the trailer with its full load when not coupled with a tow vehicle.

For instance, one of our 8x5 single axle trailers has an ATM of 1,350 kg (although it is possible to upgrade the ATM to 2,000 kg), which is the weight that the trailer can haul safely. This needs to be adhered to both for safety reasons and in law, and so should help to determine the size of trailer you need — if you’re going to be hauling more than 1.35 tonnes regularly, you will need to upgrade or opt for one of our larger trailer sizes.

Your vehicle’s towing capacity will also be a factor. All cars, SUVs and 4WDs have a maximum weight capability i.e., the maximum amount that they can safely tow. If you are driving a small car with a relatively low rated capacity, then it doesn’t make much sense to have a trailer that, when full, is more than your vehicle can handle. Likewise, if you have a powerful 4x4 with a very high rated capacity, it would be a waste to opt for a trailer with a low ATM as you are not taking full advantage of your vehicle’s power.

Need more help to buy an Adelaide trailer?

At Basic Trailers, we manufacture trailers South Australia homeowners, tradies and other professionals use for hauling loads of all types and sizes. Our trailers are known for being strong and durable, and we have a variety of accessories that enable you to upgrade your trailer as well.

If you need assistance in choosing the right trailer, call Sam on 1300 770 770 or email us with your questions.