To assist you to identify the right trailer for your purposes, we have armed you with some vital questions that you will need to be prepared to answer. These questions are designed to help a trailer store identify a model within their range that is suited to your needs. The second group of questions below will help you query the trailer store on the quality and suitability of their design. Don't forget that a trailer purchase is usually a reasonable amount of money. And the trailer you purchase, if purchased correctly should last you a lot of years and be fit for the purpose. The wrong choice can leave you with an expensive piece of machinery, which takes up a fair amount of space in your yard and is not suitable for your needs. If you overbuy it can leave you with a very expensive purchase which is much more than you need for your uses. Buying a trailer should be enjoyable and satisfying. It's important to get your choice right.
Questions you need to think about before purchasing
How much weight will I be carrying?
Unbraked trailers are only able to be registered to carry 750kg which includes the weight of the trailer. You can carry up to 1.5 tonne in a braked trailer again including the weight of the trailer. Dual axle trailers can be registered to carry 2 tonne and 4 tonne depending whether you have 1 or 2 axles with brakes.
What will I be towing the trailer with?
Be careful to choose a trailer which your vehicle is capable of towing.
What is the weight limit you are able to tow with your vehicle?
Check your towbar for the specifications sticker. This will tell you how much your towbar is rated to carry. Towing vehicles also have limits on what they are able to tow regardless of the towbar capacity. Check your service manual or with your vehicle manufacturer.
Where are you intending on going?
Understand whether you're going on sealed roads, dirt roads, unmarked tracks, river crossings or 4WD trails. The rougher the terrain, the stronger the trailer will need to be.
How many trips are you planning?
Similar to the previous question, the more trips you do on rough terrain the stronger the trailer will need to be. Steel stresses and fractures with regular and constant jarring. Light or short welds can also crack and brake, leaving your belongings and trailer strewn across the road.
Buy or hire?
Honestly if you're doing one outback trip for a couple of weeks, you may be better off hiring a trailer. Especially if it's your first trip and you haven't camped before. Buying one to sell at the end of the trip can lose you a good deal of money. When hiring a trailer, ask the same design questions as you would if you were buying one. Be careful to check all the insurance details to understand where you are covered to go.
Ground clearance?
Do you need much ground clearance under your trailer? Most tracks are left with a ridge or unworn section in the middle. The more clearance you have under the trailer, the less chance of bottoming out and bending your axle. If you're a very serious Off Roader, you may need to consider drop axles or independant suspension.
Questions you need to think about before purchasing
How much weight will I be carrying?
Unbraked trailers are only able to be registered to carry 750kg which includes the weight of the trailer. You can carry up to 1.5 tonne in a braked trailer again including the weight of the trailer. Dual axle trailers can be registered to carry 2 tonne and 4 tonne depending whether you have 1 or 2 axles with brakes.
What will I be towing the trailer with?
Be careful to choose a trailer which your vehicle is capable of towing.
What is the weight limit you are able to tow with your vehicle?
Check your towbar for the specifications sticker. This will tell you how much your towbar is rated to carry. Towing vehicles also have limits on what they are able to tow regardless of the towbar capacity. Check your service manual or with your vehicle manufacturer.
Where are you intending on going?
Understand whether you're going on sealed roads, dirt roads, unmarked tracks, river crossings or 4WD trails. The rougher the terrain, the stronger the trailer will need to be.
How many trips are you planning?
Similar to the previous question, the more trips you do on rough terrain the stronger the trailer will need to be. Steel stresses and fractures with regular and constant jarring. Light or short welds can also crack and brake, leaving your belongings and trailer strewn across the road.
Buy or hire?
Honestly if you're doing one outback trip for a couple of weeks, you may be better off hiring a trailer. Especially if it's your first trip and you haven't camped before. Buying one to sell at the end of the trip can lose you a good deal of money. When hiring a trailer, ask the same design questions as you would if you were buying one. Be careful to check all the insurance details to understand where you are covered to go.
Ground clearance?
Do you need much ground clearance under your trailer? Most tracks are left with a ridge or unworn section in the middle. The more clearance you have under the trailer, the less chance of bottoming out and bending your axle. If you're a very serious Off Roader, you may need to consider drop axles or independant suspension.