TIP 1: Match Your Tow Vehicle Capacity to the Trailer GVWR

Make sure your tow vehicle is up to the task. Check your owner's manual for towing guidelines and stick to them!  If your truck is rated to tow 7,200 pounds, don't expect it to haul 14,000 pounds every weekend without something breaking. Rear air springs and sway control hitches might make the trailer seem easier to pull, but remember, the bigger the truck, the easier the pull.

Going hand in hand with your truck's towing capacity is the trailer capacity.  Trailers are rated with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), or the amount the trailer weighs at its full capacity. This doesn't mean buy a 7,000-pound rated trailer and load it up with 7,000 pounds of stuff like tools, spare parts, coolers, ATVs, etc. Or before you know it, you're pulling 14,000 pounds; leaving you with one very big problem: you've exceeded the GVWR of the trailer (and the towing capacity of your truck).

Be sure to plan ahead when buying a trailer. What are your needs? How will those needs change after you purchase?  It's better to buy a little more trailer than you think you need than to be stuck with a trailer that had a nice price, but won't get the job done.

TIP 2:Structure

The old saying, you get what you pay for, really rings true in the trailer business. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the tongues drop off of cheaply built trailers, and the damage to the cargo inside is almost unspeakable when this happens. Don't be afraid to get down and dirty when you're looking for a trailer. Check underneath the trailer so that you know what kind of steel (angle, hat, tube) is being used for the crossmembers, you can see the quality of the welds, and if undercoating has been used.  Not saying you need to be a tire-kicker, but you need to make sure you're getting your money's worth.

TIP 3:Read and Understand the Manufacturer's Warranty

A reputable manufacturer will stand behind their product and not try to cover their butt with "the fine print." Typically, the warranty varies based on the life expectancy of each component under normal wear and tear. You sure couldn't expect an untreated floor to outlast the trailer frame. Make sure you review every aspect of the warranty policy so that you don't end up with a "tailgate warranty," that is, the warranty is gone as soon you shut the tailgate on your truck and pull away.

TIP 4:Compare Apples to Apples

When shopping for a trailer, make sure you're in tune with what standard equipment is and what you're being charged extra for. Many things that are standard for one manufacturer are an added option charge to another. Rock guard with trim and rivet-less aluminum sidewalls on a cargo trailer are prime examples for comparison. So, before you go making a hasty decision to buy the cheapest unit, calculate everything you get as standard equipment, and then figure in the options you really need to have. Then, and only then, is when you can compare apples to apples.

Do the homework; we can help. Visit hhtrailer.com or call (712) 542-2618. DR