10 Better Questions Before Buying A Trailer?

I bumped into a few articles recently that all start with a title something like “10 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Trailer”.  Just for giggles, I clicked on a few, and found some self-serving salesman oriented questions meant to promote their sales.  Many of the questions are not at all what the customer should know, but rather what the salesman wants to tell you.  Humph.

Of course, every business wants to promote their wares, and I can’t knock them for trying.  However, from a customer perspective, I think we should look at better, smarter sets of 10 questions to ask before buying a trailer.  Yes, groups of 10 questions to ask depending on where you are in the buying process.

It is my experience that the trailer industry, much like the used car market, is full of shysters who want your money and only care about what you want until they have the sale.  That is a pretty harsh assessment, I agree, but after talking to some sales folks, I feel like I need to go home and take a shower.  (Let’s just say the BS was flying.)

Here are 5 scenarios for asking questions.  These are things I would ask, as a customer, to guide my decisions.  Questions are a good way to listen and observe as I poke around looking at the trailers.  Hopefully some of these help you when considering or buying a trailer.

10 Questions When First Considering A Trailer

These first questions define reasons for wanting a trailer.  “What job must the trailer do?”  Whether buying or building a trailer, these are valid.  These are questions for you, not for a salesman.  – If you already know the size and type of trailer you need, skip to the next section.

1. What will I haul most often?  – Your main purpose.
2. Will the trailer carry one, or many different kinds of loads?  – Other uses of the trailer.
3. What is the heaviest thing I expect to carry?  (Or total of things.)  – This defines the maximum load.
4. How big is the largest thing I need to fit on (or in) the trailer?  (Or total of things.)  – This is the maximum size – length and width – of the trailer.
5. Do I need an open trailer?  An enclosed trailer?  A flatbed?  Or a specific function?  – Think about what you carry, then click the trailer type links (decision section below) to see examples of trailer types.
6. How often will I use the trailer?  – Frequency matters for maintenance and storage.  If you won’t use it much, storage can be a hassle, meaning it might be easier and better to rent rather than own.  (Obviously, this does not work for specialized trailers.)
7. What are my necessary accessories?  – Will I need ramps, sides, tie-down points, a tailgate, stake pockets, tool storage, or a winch mount?
8. What tow vehicle will I use?  What can it actually tow?  – It helps to know if the vehicle you have will safely tow the trailer you need.  See “How Much Can I Tow?“
9. Where will I store the trailer?  – Behind your shop or house?  In the driveway?  Pay for a storage space?  Knowing where it will reside and what it will cost is good planning.  Also for thinking about trailer security.
10. Is renting smarter than buying for the way I plan to use it?  – If you need multiple trailer types, sizes or capacities, – or if you will not use it very often – maybe it is better to rent what you need when you need it.  Let them handle maintenance, storage, security, etc..

10 Questions After You Know The Trailer Type And Size

This section is less about engineering and more about ownership and the experience.  Again, these questions are for you, but it might require some outside inquiries to find the right answers.

1. What is my budget for acquiring a trailer?  (Including the options I need?)  – New, Used, or Building it.
2. What will the trailer cost to own after the purchase?  – Cost to license (annually), maintain, and store.
3. Do I need a new tow vehicle, hitch, brake controller, weight distribution setup?  – And other considerations that affect cost.
4. Do I need the trailer now?  Or can I wait for the right one?  – Often this is a decision about buying a trailer available now, or ordering one, or waiting for a good used trailer to show up.  This decision will last a long time, so choose carefully.
5. Should I buy new, used, custom-built, or build the trailer myself?  – Buy used to save money (lowest cost option).  Buy off-the-lot for quickest purchase.  Build one if you want to make it better than anything you can buy.  (Building is our niche, so we have professional trailer plans here, but we know that is not for everyone.  That is why we have this and other articles on the website.)
6. If buying a trailer, which brands or manufacturers do I prefer?  – Totally personal preference.
7. If building, do I have the space, tools, and skill to make it?  – If yes, this is a great project.  If no, then look to buy (new or used), or have a custom trailer made for you.
8. Will the local dealer or manufacturer support the trailer after the sale?  – Get other customer opinions, do not rely on the salesman.
9. What other costs are involved?  Upgrades?  Licensing?  Insurance?  – All the details are part of the ownership experience.
10. Does this trailer still make sense after considering all the costs, frequency of use, where I will store it, and things I will haul?  – This is a sanity check question.  Does it make sense – NOT – do I want it.  Even if you decide to get it anyway, you owe yourself an honest answer about sense.

10 Questions About The Trailer You Select

We might also title this section “10 Questions To Judge a Trailer” because this section is the evaluation stage.  As you compare various trailers in your selection process, these are the things to look at, and the questions you should ask.  Look at the details before buying a trailer.

1. What is the Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR)?  – Then, what does that mean for the payload capacity?  (How much can you put on the trailer?)  See above.  Payload + empty trailer weight < must be less than < GTWR.  Make sure it matches your defined max load in the first section above.
2. Are the axles, wheels, coupler, safety chains, jack, and brakes rated for the trailer capacity?  – For your own safety, don’t just assume, as illustrated in this article “Big Risk Most Trailer Buyers Don’t Know How To See“.
3. Do the trailer tires have sufficient capacity?  – Tires are a top source of trailer problems, but it is super easy to reduce the issues just by tire choice.  We recommend tires are rated 10% to 15% over the axle capacity.  (For a 6000 lb. axle, tires should have a 3000 + 15% lbs load rating.  Here is the math:  6000/2 (2 tires per axle) + 15% (is 450) = 3450 lbs capacity each tire.)
4. What material is the frame, tongue, crossmembers, etc.?  – Steel and aluminum are common, but we must judge each different.  Both can be strong, both can be weak.  We have seen failures with both, but more in aluminum.  Read this article “Aluminum Trailer Tongue Break – Ouch !!”  Also read more about building aluminum trailers.
5. Does the tongue look strong enough for the trailer length, GVWR, and intended load?  – Look at the material size and thickness.  It is hard to know material thickness (or what is appropriate), but you can take the trailer to a welding shop and get their opinion.  Material size and thickness are everything for trailer strength, and many mass manufacturers skimp to save money.  That is so dangerous for you as a customer.  For instance, a short tongue is a good indication of a weak trailer.  Again a “Big Risk Most Trailer Buyers Don’t Know How To See“, and this one about “Judging A Weak Trailer“.
6. Are the frame beams large enough for both the load and the span between supports?  – Similar to the tongue, but not usually as visible, the frame is super important – not just the material, but how it is configured, and where they weld.  See the article at Synthesis, “Good Trailer Design – Trailer Strength“, for a lot more information.  Also, this article about a frame crack starting at a weld.
7. Are the welds, gussets, axle mounts, and coupler areas clean, consistent, and confidence-inspiring?  – Use your best judgement for things like welds.  If they look good, look complete, and seem like nothing is missing, that is a good sign.  Look at all parts of the trailer.
8. Is the axle position appropriate for stable towing and reasonable tongue weight?  – Of course, it is hard to tell, but compare to other trailers to see if it seems right.  The axle should be behind the center of the trailer, but circumstances can make the actual position vary some.
9. Are the deck, ramps, sides, tie-downs, stake pockets, D-rings, and latch points strong enough for real use?  – This is, again, a judgement call, but look at them.  It is amazing to me how sometimes a huge D-ring attaches to a weak bit of steel.  If you look, you can see the obvious weak points.
10. Does the trailer look like it was engineered as a complete system?  – Some trailers just look and feel weak.  You can judge that.  Some trailers are over done – like way too heavy for their intent.  You can judge that too.  The sticker ratings do not matter if the engineering is not sufficient.  (One test I do is jump up and down on each corner of a trailer to see how much it flexes.  If it twists much, I walk away.)

10 Questions To Ask The Salesperson Before Buying A Trailer

I have not had super satisfactory results interacting with sales folks.  I often feel they want to sell me a trailer, rather than feeling like I am choosing one.  These 10 questions for the salesperson should help you understand the trailer sales process, and give a feel for level of trust.  See this article on “Big Risk Most Trailer Buyers Don’t Know How To See” as an example of sales going awry.

1. Can you show me the trailer ratings on the VIN tag, axle tags, tire sidewalls, coupler, safety chains, and jack?  – A salesperson should know the product.  If they can’t or won’t show these things, take your business to someone else.
2. What is the actual empty weight of this trailer, not just the listed or estimated weight?  – With calculations above, this is the baseline.
3. Which parts of this trailer are most likely to need maintenance, or repair?  – Good to know information that will also tell you if the salesperson is giving you the smooth talk.
4. If tires are not of the suggested rating, will they upgraded them before purchase?  – See our recommended tire sizes and capacities.  (Scroll down to the tables.)
5. If I describe my load, will you confirm in writing that this trailer is appropriate for that use?  – Get the backup information so they can pay for repairs and damage if the trailer is misrepresented.
6. What do customers complain about with this type of trailer?  – Open ended question looking for honesty from your salesperson.
7. Where do buyers most often underestimate what they need?  – This question is for your contemplation.  Tap into the experience of the salesperson to see what comes up.  Could be helpful in your decisions.
8. Who handles problems after the sale – the dealer, the manufacturer, or the component supplier?  – Hopefully you will never need this info, but ask because this and the above question tell them that you are not a victim if the product they sell does not meet the stated capabilities.
9. Can I inspect the trailer before final payment or delivery?  – If you order a trailer, this is super important.  You need the right to refuse (including a full refund) if the actual trailer does not feel right to you.  Get it in writing before ordering a trailer.
10. What would make you tell a customer not to buy this trailer?  – This last question is intentionally uncomfortable, but very useful.  A good salesperson should be able to say, “This trailer is not right for that job.”  A bad one will dodge.

10 Questions Before Signing The Purchase Contract

This is the “no surprises” section.  Get everything ironed out before signing.  Be practical and firm with kindness.  You simply need the key promises in writing before money changes hands.

1. Is the exact trailer described in writing, including size, GVWR, axles, brakes, tires, wheels, coupler, jack, ramps, finish, and options?  – If not, get it written.  This, and any other items you feel are important.
2. Is the warranty written in the contract or attached to the purchase documents?  – Make sure it is all included.
3. What does the warranty cover, and what does it exclude?  – Read it to be sure it covers the things that are important to you.
4. Who pays for transport, labor, parts, and downtime if there is a warranty problem?  – Know what you are buying.  Warranty might not be as good as you hope, but you should know before buying the trailer.
5. What happens if the delivered trailer does not match the order?  – As noted above, you need a right of refusal with a full refund.  Get it in writing.
6. What happens if the trailer cannot perform to the stated ratings or written purpose?  – This is a “What if it breaks” question.  See the articles linked above for examples of where that became an issue.
7. What deposit is required, and is any part refundable?  – Again, negotiate what you need, then get it in writing.  This may or may not apply to you.
8. What is the promised delivery date, and what happens if the schedule slips?  – For special orders and for customizations.  Ask the question so that everyone knows what will happen if …
9. When do I get the title, VIN paperwork, and inspection documents?  – Anything required to get it licensed and legally on the road.
10. What must happen before taking possession of the trailer?  – Maybe it is financing or something else, but know the process before the signature.

Images in this article are from AI – with fun little goofs.  Look for the laughs.

Thank you for visiting.  We wish you the best of luck in buying a trailer.  Have a wonderful day.