Your Guide to Choosing the Right Cargo Trailer

Choosing the right enclosed trailer can be difficult. There are so many sizes, shapes, colors and features to consider that, without enough research, it’s easy to choose the wrong one for your needs. It all depends on what you plan to use your trailer for, and how far you plan to travel with it. Luckily, the team at Kate’s Trailer Sales is ready to help you find the best cargo trailer.

Size

One of the first items on your list is to determine the size of the trailer you’ll need. Cargo trailers come in a huge range of sizes. In general, it’s safer to go bigger. But, when concerns like your budget and tow vehicle come into play, you may need to size down. Overall, the best cargo trailer for you should be slightly bigger than the largest item you plan to tow. At Kate’s Trailers, we have a wide range of enclosed trailers for sale from six feet to more than 40 feet in length. So, no matter your needs, Kate’s Trailer Sales is here to help you choose the right trailer.

Your Tow Vehicle

You likely already own a truck or SUV that’s powerful enough to tow your cargo trailer. However, it’s always a good idea to check the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your vehicle and your trailer to ensure they’re compatible. Simply put, this number is the maximum weight that your vehicle can safely handle. These can normally be found online or by contacting the manufacturer of your vehicle.

Budget

Creating and sticking to a budget is important when searching for a cargo trailer. It will be easier to come up with a budget once you decide the size of the trailer you need and any additional features you require. If you need it for your business, it may be worth having a higher budget. As your business grows over time, you will likely end up using that space. But, if you need a trailer for your ATV or anything that you plan to have for years to come, you’ll probably be able to slide by with purchasing just enough space.

However, you should note that factors outside of the tag price will change how much you actually spend on your trailer. After initial purchase, additional costs like insurance, registration, maintenance and replacement parts can all impact how much you spend at the end of the day.

Use

This might be obvious to some, but purchasing the right trailer depends on what you plan on using it for. Maybe you’re using it for your own small landscaping business. If so, you might get away with purchasing a smaller trailer than someone who wants to haul their ATV or golf cart from place to place.

A great size for a riding mower is any of our 8.5-wide trailers that are made to withstand heavy usage. You’ll need plenty of dismount space with mounted racks on the sides. This is also a great size for those transporting a collectible car.

For those who are hauling any sort of vehicle, think ATVs, snowmobiles or mowers, be sure to look for tie-down rings and ask about the weight capacity they can handle to help stabilize your load. For most other careers or hobbies, a trailer that’s smaller will usually do the trick. But you should also think about your business and if it will eventually grow.

Any smaller than 8.5 wide could be for business owners just starting out that don’t need much space for their equipment. A six-foot-wide trailer is a great in-between size that offers plenty of space without being too empty on the road. It’s also one of the most popular cargo trailer sizes, so you know you can’t go wrong with it. A five-foot-wide trailer might be for you if you need just a little bit more space than what your truck or SUV can offer. Think of this size as a small add-on to your vehicle!

Future Growth

Your small business has the potential to expand into a small empire. For this reason, you can consider investing in extra space in your cargo trailer. It might cost more upfront, but you’ll reap the benefits once your business grows or changes and you find yourself needing more and more space.

When searching for the best cargo trailer, try not to think in the moment. Project a few years down the road and consider where you and your business might be then. Will you have more equipment? Probably. More necessary items to carry with you and store? Absolutely! Thinking about the future will not only save you money but will help you decide where you want your business to be.

Because there are so many different options when it comes to enclosed cargo trailers, our staff is ready to help you every step of the way. So many factors go into choosing the right trailer, and we’re here to support you and make sure you’re happy with your purchase. We’ll be able to help you narrow down which trailer is right for you, so give us a call or browse our trailers for sale online today!

Want to see a trailer in person? No problem! We encourage you to come to our location in Arthur and see what we have in store for you.

Need a New Trailer?

Check out our full trailer inventory online today! We have trailers from top brands like Load Trail, Aluma, Cross Trailers, Midsota, H&H, Lamar and more. You can also shop by trailer type with our open, enclosed, dump and gooseneck categories on our website. Contact us online or stop by our Illinois trailer dealership when you’re ready to make a purchase.