Trailer Buying Guide

Whether you’re trying to transport heavy equipment, raw materials, live animals, or furniture, you’ll need the right trailer for the job. Of course, figuring out what kind of trailer is right for your needs can be harder than it sounds. Luckily, the experts at Bobcat of Rolla have created this trailer-buying guide.

Your Needs

Different jobs require different trailers. Once you understand what you need in a trailer, finding the right one will be a piece of cake. For instance, take trailer weight. Assuming you have a tow vehicle already lined up, you’ll need to be sure that it has enough power to handle whatever trailer you purchase. There’s also the fact that the weight of the trailer and hitch itself contributes to the overall weight of the unit, meaning that purchasing a trailer that is too heavy could limit how much you can haul at one time. It’s also important to remember that certain trailer types are better suited to certain tasks than others. For example, dump trailers are perfect for transporting loose materials, while horse trailers help ensure that the animal reaches its destination safely. 

Hitch Type

While there are many different types of hitches available for trailers, the two most popular/common are gooseneck hitches and bumper pull hitches. Bumper pull hitches are compatible with a wide range of different tow vehicles and are relatively cheap. Gooseneck hitches can only be used with a tow vehicle that has a truck bed, but offer superior stability and control compared to other hitch types. 

All-Purpose Vs. Specialized Trailer

Some trailers, like cargo trailers and utility trailers, fall under the category of all-purpose trailers. These trailers excel when it comes to transporting a variety of different cargo types, making them highly versatile. However, some types of cargo are challenging to transport by nature, often requiring a specialized trailer. These specialized trailers include things like dump trailers and horse trailers. When shopping for trailers, make sure you know whether an all-purpose trailer or a specialized trailer is a better fit for your needs. 

Shop our inventory of trailers for sale at Bobcat of Rolla in Rolla, Missouri. We’re proud to serve communities like St. Louis, Missouri, and we hope to see you soon. We also offer servicing, parts, and rentals.