By 1330 Riverside Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7P1 Ph: 604.853.5262 Fx: 604.853.5298
Table of Contents Trailer Buyers Guide...1 Overview...3 Needs vs. Desires...3 Vehicle...3 Drivers Licence...3 Application (Load)...4 Primary Purpose:...4 Dimensions:...4 Weight:...4 Open or Closed:...5 Door or Ramp:...5 Preliminary Preparation Complete...5 Trailer Types...6 Utility Trailers...6 Equipment Haulers (Low-boy or Deck between the fenders)...6 Flat Deck (Deck-Over the wheels)...6 RV Trailers...6 Dump Trailers...7 Dump Power...7 Dump Mechanism...7 Custom...8 Suggested Reading Articles by The Trailerman...8 1. Trailering Tips what drivers need to know for safety and savings...8 2. Vehicle & Trailer Tuning the physics that could save a life....8 3. Maintaining your Trailer cheap parts and junk science that cost you money....8 4. Dump Trailer Mechanics not all are created equal...8 Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 2 of 8
Overview This guide attempts to point out most of the issues encountered when purchasing a trailer. Everything from calculating what capacity (GTW gross trailer weight, vehicle, size and shape) you require to potential driver and vehicle licensing requirements are considered. As a guide this is just the starting point, further research is strongly encouraged to ensure all safety and legal requirements are met for your specific situation. Needs vs. Desires No matter what type of trailer you end up with, the first step, and most important, is to establish what are the minimum needs (legal and safety requirements) for your application and what are the desirables (the things that make your job easier). Set up a T or two column chart on a piece of paper. Left side are needs. Right side is desirables. Vehicle The size and towing capacity of your tow vehicle may dictate the size, weight and type of trailer that is available so start by writing down your tow vehicle manufactures suggested limitations from the owner s manual: 1. Make and model of tow vehicle. 2. GVWR gross vehicle weight. 3. Maximum vehicle towing capacity. 4. Maximum towing capacity of factory installed or aftermarket hitch. (No hitch? Hold off till you decide on a trailer. Vehicle mounted hitches come in various capacities. You need to have the correct load capabilities). 5. Maximum suggested weight for trailer without brakes. 6. Maximum cargo weight allowed in vehicle. 7. Does the vehicle have a brake controller (electric, vacuum, air)? If you are going to change the tow vehicle in the near future consider what that vehicle might be configured with. Going from a 1 ton to a mini van will limit future usage where the reverse is true going from a mini van to a 1 ton. Drivers Licence If your application requires a trailer of over 10,000# GTW you will require either a weight addition to your class 5 licences or a class 3 licence. Be sure you verify with ICBC as this can be a very HIGH fine and may void your insurance if you are in an accident. Take all the information to an agent and have them put it in writing. You may also require upgrading the vehicle GVWR which can require a DOT safety code (trip reports and driving restrictions). Oh, yes additional fees and insurance as well. Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 3 of 8
Application (Load) Primary Purpose: Identify the primary purpose of the trailer and all known or desired other uses. If you are normally hauling your ATV(s) to the bush with the occasional load of yard waste to the dump, a trailer configured for yard waste may not be the best all purpose trailer for you. However a flat deck capable of transporting two ATVs may be easily converted to hauling the yard waste. Generally trailers designed for a specific function are the best for that situation. The GVW, overall size and capacity (load weight) are finely matched ensuring the most efficient use of all resources (fuel, vehicle size, etc.). In many cases this need not limit alternate uses of the trailer. Dimensions: What are the cargo; machine; or equipment dimensions? Include the height and any height or width restrictions unique to your situation. If you are storing it inside some structure is there a height or width restriction imposed by the structure? Maximum width for any vehicle on the road is 2.6 m (8 6 ). If any part of the trailer or load exceeds this width you will require special permits to transport. Maximum height for a loaded vehicle is 4.15 m (13 7 ). If you exceed this height you will require a special permit. In any case be sure to check KNOW your loaded height before you start out some bridges and underpasses have posted heights less than the maximum allowed. Maximum length for a tow vehicle and trailer depends on the type of tow vehicle and trailer(s) combination. Most utility, RV and equipment haulers never reach these maximums. However, it is your responsibility to ensure you are not breaking the law. Weight: What are the gross weights of each item? Include any attachments and fuel. Write each item in the needs column along with its gross weight. Now total the load weight for all load items. How does this compare with the tow vehicle manufacturers specifications? At this point you will need to decide whether the tow vehicle is sufficient for the planned load. If not, continuing is a mute point. You just can not haul a fully loaded 7000 lbs car hauler with a Dodge mini-van no matter what you have done to the vehicle. In Canada generally, any trailer with a Licensed Gross (load plus trailer) weight of 3000 lbs or more must have brakes on all axles. Some Provinces have lowered this limit to 2000#. (Some states allow brakes on only one axle in a multi-axle configuration.) Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 4 of 8
For safety reasons do not subtract the tongue weight (held by the towing vehicle) from the GTW, it may be legal to do so, but this leads to overloaded vehicles and removes any component safety factor. Open or Closed: In the desirable column decide whether it is beneficial to have an enclosed or open trailer. 1. Open trailers allow the most flexibility in load and generally have a much stronger main frame than enclosed trailers. 2. Enclosed trailers provide more security and protection from the elements. The inside height of an enclosed trailer is especially important if the trailer is being used as a mobile shop and/or tool storage. Loading or working in an enclosed trailer that you can not stand up in may be a detriment. 3. Semi-enclosed trailers provide some protection from the elements either from a roof or walls to protect from road spray but do not provide security. 4. Hi-bred trailers have both an enclosed secure area and an open area. This type may provide the best versatility in many situations. Door or Ramp: What type of door or ramp is most appropriate for the application? A fold down ramp is great if you are always loading equipment but may be a pain if you are grabbing tools or shovelling dirt. Options include: 1. Tail Gate similar to a pickup truck tailgate. Some are basic and used just to hold a load in the box. Others provide the functionality of a truck tailgate (extended deck). Most tailgates are removable but be sure to check. 2. Ramp Gate modified version of the tailgate providing easy loading of wheeled equipment. Normally used for combined weight of equipment and person being 1500lbs or less. Ramp gates that are not removable are extremely hard to use for dirt, aggregate hauling and garbage. Everything has to be thrown past the gate. 3. Bi-Fold Ramp Gate modified version of the ramp gate. Used when ramp height in storage position may be a concern. See ramp gate above. 4. Single Barn Door door may swing either side (normally hinged on passenger side to ensure it does not swing into traffic). 5. Dual Barn Door each door opens to outside, some open independent of each other (individual locking mechanisms). Some have a primary door which locks both. 6. Spreader Function (dump trailers only) the spreader is an independently hinged door which houses the barn doors. Either may be used. However, the barn doors must be closed and locked position to use spreader. Preliminary Preparation Complete You now have the information ready to start looking at what is currently available either through the local papers or on a supplier s lot. DO NOT buy the first used trailer you see unless you have it evaluated by a reputable trailer mechanic. What seemed like a good deal Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 5 of 8
more times then not turns into a lot of work and money spent to make things work or just to get the trailer street legal. Be prepared to answer a lot of questions. A reputable dealer will want to match you with the best general fit. Be sure to consider any suggested alternatives carefully. Trailer Types Utility Trailers This group of trailers is multifunctional including everything from the basic box to the enclosed. Generally this group encompasses trailers of a GTW under 3000# without brakes. Most trailers outside this definition fall into one of the other groups. Equipment Haulers (Low-boy or Deck between the fenders) The basic equipment hauler is designed to haul wheeled or tracked self propelled equipment of various design, shape and size. Usually, the equipment conforms to the standard road dimensions but is not road worthy itself. This group includes all car haulers, heavy equipment haulers, specialty equipment haulers, etc and is normally considered a low-boy (deck between the wheels) style. Flat Deck (Deck-Over the wheels) The basic deck-over has an 8 wide deck and may be a maximum of 8 6 wide. These trailers allow loading from the sides or rear with a forklift as there are no obstructions (fenders, etc.) Variations include decks with fold down removable sides; stake pockets and rub rails; etc. Generally these decks have a steel frame and 2 treated planking. RV Trailers The RV market has many types of trailers that allow you to explore the open road. From tent trailers to mobile homes, these trailers are generally designed for use on GOOD roads at 80 kilometres per hour. Off road use (even secondary highways) will greatly reduce their life expectancy. Most are built weighing close to the maximum load rating for suspension components, leaving little if any load safety factor and no allowance for your personal belongings or water. Be extremely careful in planning the type, size of unit and tow vehicle. A well tuned tow vehicle - trailer package can make the difference between white knuckle and pleasurable trips, especially in the mountains. Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 6 of 8
Dump Trailers Like trucks, trailers may be outfitted with dump mechanisms. There are three main types of rear dumping trailers available: 1. Self Tilt usually very small trailer where the tongue pivots on the box frame by removing a pin which allows the box to tilt rearward. Generally requires user assistance to completely clear debris or aggregate from deck. 2. Hydraulic or Mechanical Assist Dump Trailer a winch (manual or electric) or an electric/hydraulic power pack with cylinder(s) is used to raise the deck. 3. Rail Dump roll-on roll-off. Designed to use various specialized quick load and unload accessory units for transport. Minimum GTW is 16,000lbs. Uses high volume hydraulic power pack or hydraulics from towing vehicle if equipped. Dump Power There are two main types of dump power systems: 1. The mechanical powered dump is normally a cable winch with block and tackle providing a mechanical advantage sufficient to raise a fully loaded dump deck to the height required for the material to evacuate the trailer box. 2. The hydraulic powered dump is normally one or more hydraulic cylinders positioned to raise the dump portion of the deck sufficiently to dump the contents. Dump Mechanism The dump mechanism itself is extremely important to the design, capabilities and longevity of the trailer. How and where the deck is lifted dictates the stresses incurred and how effective any lift mechanism is. A dumper has a fixed pivot point, hinge, and normally mounted up to 16 from the rear of the deck. Consider the force required to lift the deck at the front of the deck. Basic physics states (assuming the deck weight is evenly distributed along the length/width of the deck) that one will incur ½ the weight at the front, the other ½ is incurred by the hinge at the rear. As the deck is raised, more and more weight shifts to the pivot point (hinge) and less weight is held at the front. Even without a payload, a lift point anywhere between the hinge and the front most part of the deck incurs more initial weight than the front most part of the deck. Conclusion - the front most position of the deck is the most efficient lift point. Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 7 of 8
These physical laws hold true for the main frame. Positioning the lift point anywhere between the front of the deck and the hinge will result in more weight being exerted at that point on the main frame than at the front most position of the deck. Cylinders mounted under the deck put extreme horizontal pressure on frame members and the hinge mechanism because they are close to being mounted horizontally. Scissor lift mechanisms attempt to remove most of the horizontal force placed on the hinge through the use of levers designed to direct the forces vertically. For an in-depth discussion on dump trailer design and issues see Dump Trailer Mechanics. Custom The issue with custom built or modifying anything is the cost. You will be paying for the time and effort, including any mistakes, to make one special something. On standard items these charges have been absorbed by all purchasers over a period of time so the cost is less. Most types of trailers are available or can be used with little or no modifications but for those one-off trailers specially designed to haul your 55 Nomad, including complete mobile shop facilities and living quarters, custom is the only option. Be prepared to pay handsomely or do it yourself. Suggested Reading Articles by The Trailerman. The following will be available soon in print or by email. 1. Trailering Tips what drivers need to know for safety and savings. 2. Vehicle & Trailer Tuning the physics that could save a life. 3. Maintaining your Trailer cheap parts and junk science that cost you money. 4. Dump Trailer Mechanics not all are created equal. Last printed 2010-03-15 8:07 AM Page 8 of 8