How to Choose The Right Trailer
by Tom SHere at The Trailer Parts Outlet, we like to get back to the basics sometimes. You might be buying a trailer for the first time. You might be buying a new trailer, but you aren’t sure what to look for. We want to help you make the best decision for your needs, and for your bank book.
Let’s go over a few important things that you should look for when choosing your new trailer.
Obviously, someone else has bought the trailer you’re currently thinking about. Were they happy? Did it do the job they needed? Were there unforeseen drawbacks? Did the trailer stay reliable or require frequent repair? Someone has already answered all of these questions in writing online. All you have to do is search. Learning from your own mistakes is intelligent. Learning from someone else’s mistakes before you invested a penny, however, is wisdom.
- Research the Trailer Manufacturer and Their Certifications
Check if the trailer manufacturer that made the trailer you’re considering purchasing has certain key industry certifications. Specifically, you want to know if the trailer has a National Association of Trailer Manufacturers membership. This certification is not easy to get! Manufacturers have to hit a high standard of quality to earn it. It shows that the trailers meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and industry best practices. Basically, to get this cert, the manufacturer has to partake in the NATM Compliance Verification program. NATM Compliance Consultants visit the manufacturing plant every two weeks to make sure the standards are still being upheld by the manufacturer. The point is, if you confirm your manufacturer has this certification, you can be confident of a certain degree of quality.
Even if you want to buy from a certain vendor online, can you see the same trailer in person somewhere else? That will give you a better, clearer sense of its dimensions. Numerous vendors can help you with this. If not them, maybe a buddy or a friend of a friend has the same trailer. When you’re making a big purchase, remember, the more information, the better.
It makes an enormous difference how a used trailer you would potentially purchase was used. Figure out if it was, for example, carrying too much weight and trekking through road salt, or stored in clean conditions and barely touched. Not all used trucks are created equal.
Contact The Trailer Parts Outlet with Questions About Your Next Trailer
We love helping people with all things trailers here at The Trailer Parts Outlet. Give us a call if you have any questions about buying a new or used trailer.
