Car Trailers: A First Owner's Guide
For outdoor enthusiasts, transport is always a problem as they have extra luggage such as camping gear, boats, motorbikes or ATVs that might not fit in their cars. As such, they often result in buying trailers to accommodate their baggage. If you would want to purchase a trailer, below are a few things you should know.
Buying a trailer
If you do not have enough money to purchase a new trailer, you can take out a loan from your bank or buy a used trailer. Below are some tips to guide you when buying used car trailers:
- If you are new to buying trailers, research on common trailer problems. For instance, pop-up trailers are susceptible to water leaks. Learn how you can deal with such issues.
- Do some due diligence to ensure that the person selling the trailer is its actual owner. Preferably, call some witnesses when purchasing the trailer.
- The electrical unit of the trailer should be functional. Inspect the trailer's brakes, lights and any other electrical equipment inside the trailer.
- Check the trailer's body and underneath for rust and dents. If the trailer has a wooden floorboard, check for signs of rot and decay.
- A trailer whose paint is worn out could have been exposed to too much heat. In such situations, ask for a price cut.
Trailer maintenance tips
Once you purchase the trailer, observe the following maintenance tips:
- Make it a habit to thoroughly clean your trailer after an expedition.
- When the trailer is not in use, it should be stored in a shelter to protect it from harsh weather conditions.
- Regularly drain and clean the trailer's holding tanks. Recreational vehicle dump stations offer waste dumping facilities for trailers.
- In case you spot leaks in your trailer, ensure that you repair the leaking area immediately.
Trailer safety tips
To avoid causing accidents on the road, your trailer must be firmly hitched. Below are some other safety precautions to observe:
- Always use the right vehicle to tow the trailer. Check the vehicle's manual to know how much weight the car can haul.
- Regularly inspect the various hitching components. These include the coupler, ball mount, safety chains and hitch pin.
- Ensure that the trailer's tires have sufficient tread. Also, make sure that the brakes are working.
- Observe safety when driving. With a trailer at the back, you must make some technical adjustments when overtaking and when reversing.
A trailer not only helps to carry excess luggage; it also makes outdoor trips fun. With the above tips, it is easy to buy, maintain and haul a trailer.