A trailer is your saviour in innumerable situations. A good one gets you out of a jam when there’s furniture to move into your new home. It helps you run a business – such as a lawn care one – more efficiently. If a boating, fishing, or camping trip with friends and family awaits, it mobilises you.

The list goes on….

Of course, all this is on the proviso you choose the right trailer. With the wrong one, loading and unloading belongings is fraught. In fact, the wrong trailer will damage your carry. Worse yet, a dodgy trailer is a road safety risk.

So, what do you need to know?

In the following trailer buying guide, we draw on our 65 years of industry experience as an Australian-owned towing and trailing leader to help you feel confident buying a trailer.

What to know before buying a trailer

Before you get too far into the nitty gritty of trailers, take some time to review your current lifestyle and what you envision doing with your trailer.

Kick things off by considering your budget, experience, and lifestyle.

Budgeting for buying a trailer

Deciding what to spend on your next trailer allows you to focus on the trailers in your price range and reclaim time otherwise squandered on trailers you aren’t in the market for.

By budgeting carefully, you’re also less likely to rush your decision. That means you’re less likely to overspend when it’s time to put some money down.

We manufacture and assemble a wide range of trailers – including box trailers, car trailers, hydraulic trailers, and custom trailers – that range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $10,000 (GST included).

Various factors will influence the cost of your trailer, including trailer type, materials, size and weight, braking systems, and storage compartments.

Also, keep in mind your trailer’s total cost of ownership. Besides the purchase price of a trailer, note what you’ll need to factor in other expenses. These include registration, servicing and maintenance, additional fuel costs, and insurance.

What towing experience do you have?

Even if you choose the perfect trailer, you must know how to tow it.

Seems kind of obvious, right?

But what novice towers might not realise is that towing is more involved than it looks.

Ultimately, consider how much towing experience you have or plan to have to inform your decisions about your trailer needs. To tow a trailer, you need skills and knowledge different from those you need for regular driving.

Many people who want peace of mind and confidence with their trailer opt to complete a towing course. There are many available in Australia. You can learn correct braking, reversing into specified parking areas, checking load weights, risk management,  road rules, and more by completing one.

Why are you buying a trailer?

When considering why you are buying a trailer, consider your short-term and long-term intentions.

What sort of locations do you plan to use your trailer in? What sort of items will you be transporting in your trailer? What sort of road surfaces and terrains will you be driving over? How likely will you travel in different locations and road environments in the future? How likely is it that your load volumes and load types will change?

Knowing all this helps you determine what your future trailer’s size, width, towing capacity, and overall anatomy need to be.

What to look for in your next trailer

Some of the main factors you’ll need to consider when you look for your next trailer include its construction material, braking system, tyres, size, and type.

Buying a trailer with quality materials

Trailers are constructed from different materials with different advantages.

We design our trailers with galvanised metal. Galvanised metal is a durable steel form with a zinc coating that resists corrosion and rusting. Galvanised metal trailers are aesthetically appealing, and you can also expect to invest less time and energy into maintaining a galvanised metal trailer.

Choosing a braking system

Your trailer’s braking system helps keep you safe when towing. The two most common types of brakes you’ll see on trailers are electric and hydraulic.

Hydraulic brakes, which are more powerful, support smooth braking with heavier trailers.

Electric brakes are becoming increasingly popular and are lower-maintenance alternatives that don’t have as much power to stop trailers as hydraulic systems. They’re better suited to lighter trailers and shorter trips.

Choosing tyres

Ensure your trailer tyre load rating matches your trailer's size and weight. Your tyre load index indicates the maximum load a tyre can safely carry, and you can find the answer as a numerical value in a tyre’s sidewall.

How do I know what size trailer I need?

To determine the trailer size to opt for, you’ll need to know the maximum capacity your vehicle can handle when towing a trailer. You can find this information in your vehicle owner’s manual or by searching your vehicle online. You need to be sure about this to avoid purchasing a trailer that strains your vehicle. This potentially affects your control over your vehicle, jeopardising your safety and ability to drive comfortably.

You’ll also need to consider the items you must carry and how manoeuvrable you want your trailer to be.

The best trailer type for your needs

Carasel’s full range of trailers includes box, car, hydraulic, mowing, plant, and custom options.

The trailer you choose will depend on the vehicle you drive, as different vehicles are equipped with different payload capacities, hitch types, braking systems and suspension.

Suffice to say, there are many considerations to make with regard to the best trailer for your needs. Because we have more than 65 years’ experience, we can answer any questions you need to ask to find the perfect trailer.