What You Need to Know Before Buying Box Trailers
- Written by News Co
There are some crucial aspects of box trailers that you simply must know about before making a purchase. This article summarises these things in seven easy to digest points. Read on to find out more about the essential features of box trailers for sale.
1. Payload Capacity
One thing that you need to be aware of is the payload capacity of box trailers for sale. This is the amount that abox trailer can carry. Many people pay more attention to the ATM weight, which is tare weight plus payload capacity, but this is really only going to tell you the amount of weight your car might be able to tow. If you want to know how much you can put in abox trailer, it’s all about the payload capacity.
2. Tare Weight
The tare weight is how heavy a box trailer is on its own. When looking at box trailers for sale, you should aim to find one that’s light and easy to move around. Even if a box trailer is strong, if it weighs a lot, it will be a liability. Choose box trailers for sale that are made from aluminium, which is lightweight and will also resist corrosion. A 3 tonne box trailer with aluminium sides might come in at 550kg tare weight or similar.
3. Lashing Hooks
In order to tie down your load, you’ll need to ensure that there are strong interior lashing hooks built into any box trailer you’reconsidering. Your lashing straps should also be in good condition to prevent unhooking, snapping or breaking.
4. Material
Always choose box trailers for sale with a hot dipped galvanised chassis. This will protect the structural integrity of your box trailer. Don’t buy box trailers that have steel or painted steel sides, as thiswill corrode quickly. Always go for a galvanised material if you want a longer lifespan for any box trailers that you choose.
5. Removable Cage
Some box trailers for sale will feature a removable cage, while others will have a cage that is permanently welded on. It’s worth considering which you would prefer in a box trailer. If you’re not sure, perhaps go with the removable cage so that you have greater versatility for future use.
6. Wheels
When you’re buying box trailers for sale, make sure you’re getting new tyres if you’re buying your trailer new. Safety relies upon tyres that are in immaculate condition. Look up the specs and ratings of the wheels, including the rolling resistance, wet grip and noise ratings.
7. Brakes
Brakes do not come ready installed in all box trailers for sale. So depending on the weight you want to carry and the towing capacity of your car, you may need to have brakes added to your box trailer for safety. Brakes aren’t necessarily needed on box trailers if you’re looking at a small payload. If you feel confused about what you need in the way of brakes, talk to your box trailer manufacturer to get advice.
