Utility trailers aren’t something you think about buying every day. Utility trailers are something you purchase once or twice in your life. Therefore, it helps to prepare yourself before renting to own a new utility trailer.
We guide you through finding the right utility trailers step by step and review the five best utility trailers in the market. We also explain what to look for in a quality utility trailer and cover some of the best manufacturers in the industry.
If you conclude a utility trailer isn’t what you’re looking for right now, read our best dump trailer review.
How to Buy the Right Utility Trailer
Shopping for utility trailers is as simple as following these three steps. For example, if you need a motorcycle trailer, you will want to consider the weight of the motorcycle(s) you want to haul and how far you want to haul them.
#1 Determine the Best Size Utility Trailer for Your Needs
The size of the utility trailer you need depends on the weight and dimensions of the load you intend to transport. If you’re looking to haul your UTV or other smaller equipment, you could look at 77×10 utility trailers for example.
Learn more about How to Find the Perfect Trailers to Haul ATV or SxS UTVs.
On the other hand, if you need a utility trailer for your moving or landscaping business, larger 77×16 landscaping trailers with tandem axles may be right for you. The most popular utility trailer length range is between 10 ft. to 20 ft.
You can figure out how large of a utility trailer you need by measuring the size of the load you want to haul. Besides the size, you will also need to consider the weight of the equipment or material you want to carry on the utility trailer and buy one that’s built to carry that weight.
A utility trailer’s maximum loaded weight is indicated by its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Besides the GVWR, you will also find empty trailer weight and load capacity information on the manufacturer’s website.
#2 Explore All the Features and Options
After you know the basic specifications of the utility trailers you looking to rent to own, you can begin exploring your options and shortlist the utility trailers you like.
Bear in mind that utility trailers can have a single axle or tandem axles. A single axle trailer will be right for you if you need to haul loads of lower weight and need maximum maneuverability (easy to park and navigate through small spaces).
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a utility trailer for regular use on the highway and expect to haul heavy loads, you need a tandem axle utility trailer.
Some rent to own trailers come standard with rear gates, and new utility trailers always have new wheels. Most manufacturers enable buyers to upgrade their utility trailers with LED lights, a spare tire and mount, metal flooring, and more.
#3 Narrow Down Your Options According to Budget
Utility trailers can cost you between $1,200 and $3,200, and sometimes more, depending on the materials, features, size, and upgrades. For this reason, it’s best to explore all the options online before heading to the lot for pre-inspection and purchase.
This is as simple as looking at our review of the best 5 utility trailers.
Make sure to ask about the manufacturer’s warranty and which components are covered for how long. Buying a utility trailer with a good warranty could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if something happens to the trailer.
Conclusion
Pre-inspection is important in the purchase process since the trailer may have damage, dings, rust, scratches, or poorly installed parts. Some trailers are built quickly, and little attention is paid to quality control so give your trailer a close look before driving off the lot.
It is important to inspect a utility trailer every six months and maintain it accordingly. Whether you hire someone for it or intend to maintain your trailer yourself, you must stay on top of it and treat it like your motor vehicle.