The ultimate guide to purchasing a cargo or utility trailer providing a comprehensive look at what to consider when buying a new or used trailer.
Topics included:
- Types of utility trailers such as cargo trailers, enclosed trailers, dump trailers ...)
- Trailer Construction
- Trailer Weight and Towing
- New Trailers vs. Used Trailers
- Maintenance
- Trailer Financing and Trailer Leasing
- Rules and regulations
and more...
1. T H E U L T I M A T E G U I D E T O
PURCHASING A
CARGO OR UTILITY
TRAILER
A comprehensive look at what to consider when
buying a new or used trailer
Presented By | Jocova Financial
www.jocovafinancial.com
3. TRAILER
CONSTRUCTION
When it comes to utility trailers, you often get what you
pay for. Given this, it is important to understand build
quality and the parts that go into the construction of the
trailer to ensure the quality and value of your investment
and that the trailer will last years to come.
◉ Frame construction (Aluminum vs. Steel)
◉ Floor construction & cross member
◉ Skin of the trailer if enclosed
◉ Configuration (doors and windows, v-nose)
◉ Axels and suspension (tandem and single axels) & (torsion
and leaf spring)
◉ Brakes
◉ Hitch System
◉ Accessories (tires, shelves, cabinets, toolbox, ladders, etc.)
4. TRAILER WEIGHT AND
TOWING CAPACITY
Each utility trailer is designed to haul a maximum amount of weight. This is
determined by the trailers size and construction comprised of the frame, springs,
axels, and tires.
To find out the allowable amount of weight any utility trailer is designed for you
need to refer to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR is the weight
of the trailer itself and the load should together and the final weight should never
exceed the GVWR.
When it comes to weight and towing, these are crucial considerations when
selecting a trailer and also require a bit of forward thinking as to potential use
cases that you may encounter. For instance, you may purchase an open trailer for
your landscape business but soon learn you need something that you carry a
skidsteer or a dump trailer for material which are much heavier weight loads.
5. BUYING A USED UTILITY
TRAILER
W H A T T O L O O K F O R W H E N
CLEAR TITLE OF OWNERSHIP AND FREE OF ANY
LIENS:
Inspect the brakes and the braking system in the trailer. If possible,
hook the trailer up to your vehicle and test the brakes and the brake
controller to ensure it is working. Look at the brake pads, rotors, etc. to
see how much wear and life they may have left following purchase.
TRAILER FRAME:
Inspect the brakes and the braking system in the trailer. If possible,
hook the trailer up to your vehicle and test the brakes and the brake
controller to ensure it is working. Look at the brake pads, rotors, etc. to
see how much wear and life they may have left following purchase.
6. FLOOR:
Check to ensure the floor of the trailer is solid and not rotten or spongy.
Check the underneath cross bracing and support systems for cracks
and broken welds and mounting issues.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND WIRING:
Inspect the brakes and the braking system in the trailer. If possible,
hook the trailer up to your vehicle and test the brakes and the brake
controller to ensure it is working. Look at the brake pads, rotors, etc. to
see how much wear and life they may have left following purchase.
TIRES:
It is important that the tires are in good repair meaning they have no
gashes, plugged holes or cracks in them. Check to ensure there is a
good amount of tread depth left and that the tires are rated for your
indented use.
7. BRAKES:
Inspect the brakes and the braking
system in the trailer. If possible, hook
the trailer up to your vehicle and test
the brakes and the brake controller
to ensure it is working. Look at the
brake pads, rotors, etc. to see how
much wear and life they may have left
following purchase.
SUSPENSION SYSTEM:
Inspect the brakes and the braking
system in the trailer. If possible, hook
the trailer up to your vehicle and test
the brakes and the brake controller
to ensure it is working. Look at the
brake pads, rotors, etc. to see how
much wear and life they may have left
following purchase.
BEARINGS:
Inspect the brakes and the braking
system in the trailer. If possible, hook
the trailer up to your vehicle and test
the brakes and the brake controller
to ensure it is working. Look at the
brake pads, rotors, etc. to see how
much wear and life they may have left
following purchase.
TRAILER FINANCING:
Inspect the brakes and the braking
system in the trailer. If possible, hook
the trailer up to your vehicle and test
the brakes and the brake controller
to ensure it is working. Look at the
brake pads, rotors, etc. to see how
much wear and life they may have left
following purchase.
8. UTILITY TRAILER
MAINTENANCE
◉ Tires for pressure, tread wear, cracking, and general condition.
◉ Signal lights and electrical systems are functioning and no burnt
out bulbs.
◉ Braking System inspected for pads and rotors as well as brake
adjustments if applicable.
◉ Suspension checked for worn parts and any cracked or worn
items such as mounting brackets.
◉ Wheel Bearings ensure they are greased regularly and inspect for
wear.
◉ Frame and floor inspected for cracks.
◉ Seals and mechanisms such as hitch, locks, chains, spare tire, and
jack checked to ensure they are lubricated and in working order
including no leaks.
◉ General inspection.
9. TRAILER FINANCING
FOR BUSINESS
Commercial & Business use for Utility Trailers
◉ Low Monthly Payments
◉ Improved Cash Flow Management
◉ Easy & Quick Process – Click Here to Apply
◉ Pay for the trailer as you profit from its use
◉ Keeps your cash in the bank
◉ Overcome budget limitations
◉ Relies on commercial bureau and credit vs. personal
credit
LINK: GET PRE-APPROVED OR APPLY NOW FOR
TRAILER FINANCING
10. PERSONAL USE
TRAILER FINANCING
◉ Bank low rate loan options
◉ Terms as long as 12 years
◉ Open loans
If you are only using the trailer for personal use, you would use
consumer financing programs. Most larger trailer dealers have
consumer financing options available for loans underwriter by a
bank. Personal loans for trailers solely rely on your personal
credit bureau to determine creditworthiness and can be further
supported by a co-signor, homeownership, employment
confirmation, and bank statements.
Since personal financing simply looks at the credit bureau to
determine creditworthiness, credit decisions can be nearly
instantaneous and carry with them other benefits such as:
11. RULES &
REGULATION
Operating a trailer is serious business and the
transportation authorities want to ensure that everyone,
including you, is safe on the road. Considerations:
◉ License class for operating a trailer
◉ Lighting & brakes
◉ General maintenance
◉ Registration
◉ Insurance
◉ Trailer fines
◉ Securing loads
12. CONCLUSION
Purchasing a cargo or utility trailer is as much as an art as a science. You want something that looks great,
but provides all the function and safety you need for today while still being flexible for future.
It is recommended to see a few trailer dealers for the brands and stock they offer and solicit their advice as to which trailer will best
meet your needs. If you are considering a used and private sale trailer, it is imperative you understand the factors that make up a solid
trailer that is safe for the value you are getting. In general, you should be looking for a trailer that is well constructed from a reputable
dealer and a manufacturer that stands behind their product with warranty and easy trailer financing rates and options to get you going
down the road. If you are a business, it is also a recommend tip if possible, to get pre-approved for your trailer financing thus
eliminating a step at the dealership and allowing you to get back to using the trailer for work and making money quicker.
APPLY NOW
13. TRAILER FINANCING
Jocova Financial provides equipment financing
& leasing and solutions to small and medium
sized businesses across a variety of industries.
Jocova Financial
FOR TRAILER DEALERS
ONLY
For Trailer Dealers looking to setup trailer
financing programs for business and personal
customers use this link for additional information
Additional:
