As with most things, when purchasing items, cost is a major consideration and country folk like any other business people are always keen to cut down on costs wherever possible. These days second hand farming equipment available online is as popular if not more popular than new with the refurbishment and sale online of used farming equipment now a huge business. One of the largest benefits when buying often expensive used farming equipment is of course the cost savings.
Buying used trailers is a great way to save money. If you investigate the market place thoroughly you can likely find a used trailer to meets your exact needs, bursting with features, safety measures and value. Here are 10 tips that will help you in your quest for the perfect used trailer. You needn’t have to settle for second best if you just follow these simple considerations.
1. Choose the type of trailer you need to meet your requirements best. Do you need living space or will you only occasionally be transporting a few things?
2. Research the market and try to identify the most well known manufacturers with the best reputations with products that have stood the test of time.
3. What size and capacity of used trailer do you need? What will you be transporting and what sort of weights will be involved?
4. Should the trailer be open or enclosed? Open trailers clearly expose their contents to the elements so if you are transporting anything vulnerable to the elements choose a closed trailer. There are also security considerations. You may wish to protect the contents of the trailer by keeping it securely looked.
5. You'll need to decide whether the trailer should have a single axle, dual axle or possibly even three to four axles. What sort of load bearing do you foresee the trailer having to deal with?
6. Rear access. For an enclosed trailer, do you require a ramp rear door, double rear doors or one single barn-type door? What will you be carrying and how will you want to access the trailer? If you use a ramp rear door will you have sufficient clearance to open it? Is the ramp door spring assisted?
7. Brakes. Electric or hydraulic? Electric braking systems are the most common. They connect the brake system on the tow vehicle to the brake system on the trailer.
A hydraulic surge brake system consists of an actuating cylinder that is usually integrated with the trailer tongue assembly. Surge braking systems are more expensive with electric brakes usually preferred because their operation is independent from the tow vehicle.
8. Do your homework - Ask lots of questions. Ask about the warranty. Ask about the trailer history: does the dealer stand behind his product? Any reputable dealer will be glad to answer your questions and in fact, will probably end up asking plenty themselves regarding your intended use of the trailer, type of cargo etc.
9. Trust your instincts - Often when you feel something isn’t right, it isn’t and could even be worse than you imagined. Problems tend to only get worse not better when you get your new purchase home. At the same time, just because a used trailer has only a minor problem doesn't make it a right off.
10. Choose the best trailer that you can afford.
