Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Car Trailer
Choosing the right car trailer is about much more than finding the cheapest option. There are a range of car trailer styles on the market, so it's important to have a good understanding about what's out there, and what kind of trailer is best going to suit your needs.
This guide will take you through the latest car trailers available, and discusses what you need to take into consideration before you buy.
Car Trailer Types and Their Uses
Choosing the right car trailerstarts with understanding how each trailer style can best be used.
Flat top trailers
Flat top trailers are the most versatile car trailer when it comes to general vehicle transport. The open-deck design means you can tow cars, plant and a range of other loads. Loading and unloading a flat top car trailer is straightforward, and the flat deck can accommodate vehicles in all shapes and sizes.
Beavertail car trailers
Beavertail car trailers have a sloping rear section lower than the front, making it simple and safe to load cars, plant or any equipment with low ground clearance. A winch can be added to make loading and unloading even easier, and beavertail car trailers are available in both flat top and full floor models.
Full floor car trailers
Full floor car trailers come with either an entirely flat floor or a beavertail, and both design make it safe to loading and unloading vehicles of all sizes. They will usually be fitted with tie rails and tie-down points to help keep loads secure while towing, and most models can also be fitted with a winch.
Hydraulic tilt car trailers
Hydraulic tilt car trailers are popular because no physical effort is required to raise or lower the deck, which enhances operating safety and means no ramps are required. They can be used for transporting all types of cars, including SUVs and 4WDs, as well as plant and heavy machinery.
Open floor car trailers
The biggest advantage of open floor car trailers is that they enable access to the underside of the vehicle being towed. They are widely available in both beavertail and flat floor models.
Load Capacity and Dimensions
When choosing a car trailer, you need to consider the size and load capacity you require, as well as the towing capacity of your vehicle.
The towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely tow. It's important to remember that towing capacity includes the empty weight of the car trailer, plus the weight of the vehicle or load you have onboard. It is also a requirement that your vehicle has a certified and correctly fitted tow bar, a tow ball, and a D-shackle.
You also need to consider weight rating when choosing a car trailer. ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) is the maximum loaded weight of the trailer when it's not connected to a vehicle. It’s equal to the tare weight (empty trailer) plus the maximum load, and must never exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity.
Essential Safety Features
Car trailers can be fitted with a range of features and add-ons that enhance towing safety and overall towing performance.
Electric brake systems are designed to provide an effective stopping mechanise for car trailers. Electric brakes systems act in concert with your vehicle’s braking, and help to provide controlled deceleration. This feature is especially important when towing heavier loads or on hilly terrain.
A car trailer also needs to be fitted with a high quality coupling system. This is because when towing cars, plant or machinery, the coupling needs to be able to cope with significant force when accelerating, braking and cornering.
Car trailers are also required to be fitted with safety chains in case the primary coupling fails. Chains need to be rated for your trailer’s weight, feature a hook connection this is designed to remained closed, and be crossed under the coupling to prevent the trailer tongue from dropping to the ground in case of coupling failure.
The best car trailers will also be fitted with LED lighting systems that provide better on-road visibility and durability than incandescent bulbs. A car trailer is required to be fitted with tail lights, brake lights, indicators, and side marker lights. Wider trailers may require additional lighting.
Car trailers should also be fitted with integrated tie-down points that enable the load to be secured in place when towing with chains or straps.
Car Trailer Build Quality
How well a car trailer is designed and built, and the materials it's manufactured from, will naturally impact on its durability, performance and the value-for-money it offers.
Trailers made in Australia, and using Australian steel and components, are generally superior to imported trailers and better suited to Australian road conditions.
When you're checking out a potential new car trailer, take the time to inspect the welding, and look for consistent welds with no gaps or spatter. Check out the quality of the paint finish, and where important components axles, springs, and couplings are produced.
You should also make sure that any car trailer you're considering is compliant with Australian Design Rules (ADR). Buying a trailer that's not compliant with ADR can mean you have problems with registration and insurance, or legal issues if your trailer is involved in an accident.
Warranties and Service
Although no-one wants to anticipate something going wrong, it always makes sense to choose a new car trailer that comes with a manufacturer's warranty that covers structural defects, electrical components, the running gear, and any parts required.
It also makes good sense to buy a trailer from a manufacturer who offers professional and responsive after-sales support. Check out reviews on their website or on Google, as customers who are not satisfied with the quality of a trailer or the service they received are not usually hesitant about making their views known.
Talk to Basic Trailers Before Choosing a Car Trailer
If you're looking to buy a car trailer in Adelaide, talk to Basic Trailers. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality products, reliable support, and excellent service.
