Flaman Rentals Blog

First time buying a trailer?

Posted by Steve Whittington Aug 10, 2010

The first thing you need to do is qualify what your intended use is:

• Often (2- 5 times a week)
• Frequent (2 -5 times a month)
• Infrequent (2 -5 times a year)

Next set of basic questions you need to answer are as follows:

• Size required
• Payload to be hauled
• Any special requirements (i.e. extra tie downs)

Armed with this information you should have an idea of the amount and type of use required from your future trailer. This will help you pick a unit in the quality class you need.

The trailer world is divided much like the car world into classes of trailers of different quality, for simplicity at Flaman Trailers we simply say:

• Good
• Better
• Best

The differences between the classes depend on the type of trailer, enclosed, flat deck or utility: However some generalities are as follows:

As you move towards best the strength of the frame increases, for instance a good trailer may have all light channel construction, a better many combine tubing steel with heavier channel steel with the best unit being built entirely with HSS (High Structural Steel) tubing.

The same sequence will occur with the features on the units.Good trailers will have a straight springaxle, Better a torsion while Best may have an adjustable torsion.

So knowing the quality of the unit you require will help you and a trailer product specialist pick your required unit.

Another major item to consider is who are you buying from? There are so many manufacturers and dealers popping up that have only been in business for a few years one must question whether they will be present down the road to service your unit, or provide warranty.

Flaman Trailers has been in business for over 50 years as have several other dealers, but not many so be aware! Buy from accredited dealerships that can support you and the product you have purchased. Your trailer needs to be serviced at least annually and you want a dealership that cantake care of you. The final and a very important consideration is the trailer brand which you are purchasing. Flaman has partner manufacturers that have been in business for many years, known in the industry, and stand behind their products. As well Flaman Trailers support Canadian manufacturers. Trailtech Inc and Southland Trailer Corp are the two largest and oldest Canadian manufacturers that build for Canadian conditions. Do you think a trailer built in Texas has the heavy gauge wire to stand up to a Canadian winter?

So there are a lot of things to consider but to summarize

1. Determine the amount of use and what you need to haul
2. Determine the class of trailer that will work for you
3. Chose a dealer that has a proven track record in the industry
4. Pick a quality brand of trailer. (I would pick Canadian)

All the other details in between a professional trailer product specialist will be able to guide you through… have fun!

Got a comment? We would love to hear it.