Buying a Trailer for the first Time

[mesposito]

So, I will be buying a trailer for the first time for my ATV/UTV. I have zero experience with trailers. All I know is how big of a trailer I need - given the dimensions of my ATV/UTV. I have no idea what hardware I need. I have read through the forum and see that I most likely need to purchase a bar with a ball hitch. I'm not sure how much of a drop I need the bar hitch to be - how does one measure/determine that before buying the actual trailer? I plan on going to a store that "specializes" in trailers so I am hoping that they will be able to set me up with everything that I need. I just want to go in prepared - any help/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[whtrapta]

Double/tandem axle! Single axles tend to bounce and fishtail on the freeway over the smallest of bumps. Double axles are much less likely to do that. What kind of trailer are we talking now? flatbed, enclosed, toyhauler?

 

[mesposito]

Sorry - single axle (probably 5x8), flatbed - I am only planning on loading my ATV which is 93x46. Just something real basic. I have seen them for sale at Lowes, etc. for $400-800.

 

[whtrapta]

O ok just something really small.

 

[SPRSNK]

Do yourself a favor and go with a double axle with brakes. Blowing an tire on a single axle sucks because you HAVE to pull over immediately and change it. At least with a double axle you can limp along for a bit before ruining your wheel. I am even putting double axles on my enclosed motorcycle trailer. At the same time you get the added security of piece of mind that you can load more shit in it if you want without blowing tires.

Also, you want 10ply radial tires and a mount on the trailer for your spare tire. On top of that, if you get a trailer with a double axle you can get this:

5 minutes and you are done changing the tire.

 

[whtrapta]

true, I would never own a single axle trailer.

 

[iceman302]

Listen to what everyone else has said. I despise single axle trailers and they're even worse when someone doesn't know what they're doing. If you get the weight too far back, you'll end up with terrible (and dangrous) trailer sway. You also have to tow them much slower to be safe.

 

[whtrapta]

They also usually have smaller tires which are more prone to blowouts.

 

[AVALANCHE]

All of the above^^^^^. Wisdom is the ability to listen to experience. Given if the dual axle is pricing you out of range a bit, I would wait it out and save a few more paychecks myself understandably. You also with a little research find a really good used one on ebay or the locals. Aluminum trailers do not age that much either. Thats the route I would lean to.

 

[KyKult47]

No matter what size you buy it will be too small