A Quick Buyer’s Guide for Trailers
Trailers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and serve many important purposes. Whether you’re purchasing a towable camper or a utility trailer, you need to do your research to find the right trailer for your needs. Here are a few questions that you should ask yourself in order to make a smart buy. For more information, visit us at The Outpost RV in Middlebury, Indiana, serving campers in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
What Kind of Tow Vehicle Are You Using?
If you already have a tow vehicle, you should make sure that it has sufficient towing and hauling capacity for any of the trailers that you’re considering. If you’re purchasing a vehicle specifically for towing, there’s really no such thing as too large. If you’re shopping for a fifth wheel travel trailer you will need at least a half ton pickup truck for most models, and seasoned fifth wheel drivers prefer duallies. Fifth wheels handle more like shorter trailers because of their unique design, and they offer a better turning radius and less sway than pull-behind trailers.
What Purpose Will Your Trailer Serve?
In addition to RVs and fifth wheel travel trailers, you can also choose from a host of both open and enclosed utility trailers. An open trailer is going to be much more cost-effective than an enclosed trailer for hauling ATVs, but an enclosed trailer gives you an additional layer of protection against the elements and would-be thieves. You should also consider what kind of door configuration that you want on an enclosed trailer, and whether or not you'll need a loading ramp or a lift.
Should You Buy New or Used?
Buying a new trailer is the best way to get exactly what you want, but unlike most other vehicles they don't really change that much. You also rarely need one immediately, so be sure to take your time and look online for pre-owned models if you’re on a tighter budget. One of the advantages of buying pre-owned is allowing the original owner to take most of the depreciation, and that’s certainly true about trailers. On the other hand, trailers aren’t quite as vulnerable to depreciation as other types of vehicles. You can get some great deals if you find a motivated seller and are prepared to pay cash, but getting exactly what you want right away doesn’t usually cost that much more. And remember that the more you use your new trailer, the cheaper it gets!
Visit The Outpost RV in Middlebury, Indiana, servingKalamazoo, Michigan for more information and to see our current inventory of new and used trailers for sale.