How to Choose the Perfect Box Trailer for Your Needs
Choosing the right box trailer means matching the trailer to your towing needs. Regardless of whether you tow a trailer every day as part of your work, or just ned one occasionally for work around the home or in the garden, it’s important that you choose a box trailer that is right for you in terms of size, specifications and capacity.
What you need to know when choosing a box trailer
The right size box trailer for your needs
Box trailers come in a range of sizes, from 6x4 up to 20x6 and so you need to choose a trailer that’s the right size both for the sort of loads you carry and your towing vehicle. If you’re a householder who occasionally hauls some garden waste or household rubbish, a smaller box trailer will generally suffice. However, if you need to carry larger loads like tools, light plant or furniture, it’s worth considering a larger model that gives you more flexibility.
Understanding load capacity
Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is the maximum weight that a box trailer is configured to carry. Most single axle box trailers are rated at 1,350kg ATM, while larger tandem axle box trailers are generally rated at 1,990kg. If you need to carry loads that are heavier than this, it is possible to upgrade the ATM of a box trailer so that it has greater capacity.
As well as understanding the ATM of your box trailer, you also need to know the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle. This is important as towing a trailer that’s too heavy for your vehicle is not only potentially dangerous, it is also against the law and could potentially void any insurance claim you may need to make.
Do you need a single axle, tandem axle or tri-axle box trailer?
As above, the size of box trailer you choose will depend on your needs and the loads you carry; however, there are some other factors that you need to consider. Single axle box trailers are easier to park and manoeuvre, so they’re a good choice for anyone parks a trailer at home. Tandem axle and tri-axle box trailers are larger and so require more storage space and can present greater challenges in terms of manoeuvrability and storage. At the same time, tandem axle and tri-axle box trailers are designed to distribute the load more evenly, giving you more towing stability with heavy loads and on all types of terrain.
Trailer construction and materials
The material form which a box trailer is constructed will impact on its towing weight, performance and durability. Box trailers constructed from Australian steel are made for local conditions, and their longer performance life means they deliver greater value for money, and generally require less maintenance and upkeep than trailers made from less durable, imported steel.
Using a box trailer
Box trailers on the job
Anyone working in the building or construction industries, or tradies who regularly need to carry tools and other equipment, will get endless use from a durable box trailer. The flexibility that a box trailer provides means they can be used to carry a wide range of kit, and larger tandem axle and tri-axle box trailers are set up to be towed safely both over long distances and on worksites whee the terrain can be uneven. Box trailers can also be kitted out with a range of add-on features, like tie-down points and toolboxes, and so can be configured to meet your needs.
Using a box trailer around the home
Most householders will use a box trailer for taking rubbish to the dump, disposing of garden waste, and carrying furniture. These requirements, as well as the need to be able to store a trailer in a carport, garage or backyard, means that a smaller single axle box trailer will generally get the job done.
Gardening and landscaping
Landscapers and professional gardeners value the flexibility that box trailers provide. They are easy to keep clean, important when regularly carting soil, green waste and cuttings, and they can be configured with high sides and cages to help keep loads secure when on the road. The greater towing capacity of larger tandem axle and tri-axle box trailers also means that tools, mowers and other kit can also be carried safely, while the greater stability means they’re ideal on uneven ground.
Common mistakes to avoid when buying a box trailer
Buying the wrong size of trailer
As discussed above, choosing the right size of box trailer is essential. This not only means you get value for money, but also that you can safely carry the size and type of loads you need. You should also consider how and where you’ll store your trailer, the sort of roads and terrain you will regularly travel on, your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Make sure you get all the features you need
Box trailers are very flexible and can be made even more so by the addition of appropriate add-ons and upgrades. When you’re choosing a box trailer, take the time to look at the sort of features that will improve your box trailer’s performance, such as a trailer cage, tie points, high sides and ramps, as well as suspension and brake upgrades that increase towing capacity. Not kitting out your trailer with the right add-on features can mean that you’re not getting optimum performance and value for money.
Durability and reliability is crucial
Buying a cheaper trailer, or one built from imported steel and components, can be a false economy. While your initial outlay may be lower, you’re not going to get the same longevity and durability as you would from a trailer that is locally made from Australian steel. This is especially important of if you tow a trailer for work, when you’re likely to be towing on a range of road surfaces and worksites, and you need a box trailer to be able to deliver in all types of conditions.
Make sure your box trailer is legal
Any box trailer you buy needs to be compliant with both local laws and Australian Standards with regard to safety chains, lights and reflectors. You also need to ensure your vehicle’s towing capacity is appropriate for the size and ATM of your trailer, and that it has the relevant insurance cover.
Why choosing the right box trailer matters
As we have seen, when you’re choosing a box trailer there’s a number of factors to take into account. You need to understand the size and type of loads you regularly carry, how often you use your trailer, and where and how it will be stored. You also need to ensure that the ATM is appropriate for your needs, and that your towing vehicle has sufficient capacity.
You also need to take into account where a box trailer is constructed and the materials used, as this will have a significant impact on its durability and ability to handle Australian road and worksite conditions.
If you take all of the above into account when buying a box trailer, you’ll have a trailer that you can rely on to meet your needs, whatever you use it for.
