Archives for February 2022

6 Questions To Ask Before Buying An Enclosed Trailer

6 Questions To Ask Before Buying An Enclosed TrailerAt a first glance, purchasing enclosed utility trailers seems easy enough. You pick the size you need, choose from the available colours and then you’re on your way. This sounds great on paper, but when you arrive at the dealership, you’ll find that you have a lot more options than you think. Familiarizing yourself with these six questions can reduce decision fatigue, so you can easily and quickly pick the right choice for you.1. Steel or AluminumMore often than not, you will pay less for a steel trailer than an aluminum one. However, while aluminum costs more upfront, the lighter weight means it costs you less at the gas pump and on wear-and-tear for your vehicle. Aluminum trailers also tend not to rust, while steel trailers do. However, with the right coating, steel trailers can last for as long as aluminum trailers. It’s worth noting that a lot of modern manufacturers have moved toward using aluminum.2. Does Thickness of the Outer Skin Matter?The first factor to consider when looking at the thickness of the outer skin is cost. If you need to spend as little as possible on your trailer and only need it for light or casual use, thin skin works fine. The colour also makes a difference. Darker trailers look sleek, but they attract more heat and begin to warm. An outer skin helps to maintain the original form. Skin thickness of .030/.040 or .050 means better durability.3. What About the Height?When it comes to trailer height, owners have two main questions in mind. Will it fit in the garage and can they stand inside? In some cases, one negates the other. A standing-height trailer is unlikely to fit inside a standard garage. Lower heights also minimize wind resistance, which can improve fuel efficiency and towing stability. Ideally, you should match the height of the trailer with the height of your intended tow vehicle. Thankfully you can customize to whatever height you want or need. 4. Flat or Rounded Roof?If you plan to use your trailer in the winter, the rounded roof is better for shedding snow. The slope also provides some additional headroom. If you have a flat roof, you may need to manually remove the snow when snowfall is heavy to prevent roof damage. Some owners also claim the less boxy shape of a rounded roof helps to minimize drag, but the effect is likely minimal compared to the effects of choosing a trailer with a lower height.5. Ramp or Barn DoorRamp doors are excellent if you need to wheel anything into the cargo trailer. This could range from lawnmowers to ATVs and also work great for loading skids and pallets. If you use your trailer in tight spots and don’t need to wheel anything into the space, ramp doors could be more trouble than they’re worth. They do require an extra six feet or so to open whereas barn doors take up very little space.6. Do You Need To Upgrade Your Vehicle Registration?The only way to determine whether you need to upgrade your vehicle registration is to check with local laws. Keep the following in mind:
  • Ontario law treats trailers as separate vehicles, so they must be registered before you can tow them.
  • When you register your trailer, you receive a license plate for it and a permit that you should carry with you when towing.
  • You may need to upgrade your license if you tow a trailer more than 4,600 kg.
  • You may need to upgrade your insurance to cover the trailer.
Once you have all the answers to the questions you need, you can visit your local McFarlane Trailer Sales with peace of mind. Our experienced sales team will point you to the trailer that best suits your needs. Check out our current inventory online.

Check Out These One Sixteen Steel Trailers at McFarlanes

One Sixteen Steel TrailersThe McFarlane Trailer Sales team is proud to include One Sixteen trailers in our lineup. These are some of the best steel utility trailers in the business. If you want a steel trailer that requires you to make no compromises, this brand may be perfect for you. When you work with our team, we will help you to find the ideal trailer for you.

One Sixteen Trailers

Unlike many other trailer manufacturers, One Sixteen has a fairly limited catalogue. The brand currently only sells utility trailers and those are broken into just three categories. When you find a business that has limited options and a reputation for premium quality, you can be sure of one thing: they know what they are doing.That is certainly the case for One Sixteen. Every trailer they build is made to the highest quality and perfectly represents what a steel utility trailer can do. Whether you are hauling your favorite weekend toys or a workload for your business, these trailers will get the job done.

Models Available

One Sixteen offers trailers in three major categories. Each of these is available in a few different sizes.
  • Single-Axle: As the name suggests, these are general-purpose single axle utility trailers. They tend to be ideal for smaller loads and lighter cargo. Despite this, they can handle a surprising amount with some of them able to handle up to 2,100 pounds of payload.
  • Tandem-Axle: If you are looking for a little extra bang, you may want to try one of the tandem-axle trailers. These are the big brothers of the single-axle models. As the name implies, there are two axles. These models can handle up to 5,200 pounds.
  • ATV Trailer: Although this category name may deceive you into thinking it is for carrying ATVs, it is actually named for its ability to handle all sorts of terrains, often while following an ATV. These models are dump-style trailers with removable tailgates. They can only handle lighter loads but are ready for anything.
  • Deckover : McFarlanes has just added the deckover trailer to their lineup offering customers another great option. Whether you need a Deckover trailer for your next home improvement project or want to upgrade an older piece of equipment, the quality products we carry will provide years worth of service. The deckover trailer offers extended widths that can hold all sorts of materials without worrying about damage due to its raised deck. 

Benefits of Steel Versus Aluminum

Sometimes it seems like both steel and aluminum trailer manufacturers claim that their respective materials are superior. The truth is that they are simply different. The following are a few reasons to pick a steel trailer:
  • Rugged and Rigid: The construction tends to be very rugged. You can count on them not to buckle under 
heavy loads. In many cases, this also means that they can handle larger payloads per square inch of deck space.
  • Ready To Take a Beating: Steel can take more of a beating without deforming. It is heavier but that also 
means that it acts tougher.
  • Galvanized: A galvanized steel trailer protects against corrosion for a very long time.
  • Less Expensive: In many cases, equivalent steel trailers are less expensive upfront. Thus, you can often get more trailers for your money.

Get Heavy Duty Steel Trailers at McFarlane Trailer Sales

When you choose to order your trailer from McFarlane Trailer Sales, you can be confident you will get the right trailer at the right price and backed by industry-leading service. We strive to offer the best sales experience possible. If you are in the market for a heavy-duty trailer, a steel One Sixteen trailer may be just right for you. Our knowledgeable team will help you figure out which model matches your requirements.

Check Out a One Sixteen Trailer Today

If you are looking for a high-quality trailer to handle all your general-purpose cargo, you can’t go wrong with a One Sixteen steel trailer. Whether you opt for a single axle utility trailer, tandem axle trailer or ATV dump, you will be happy with your purchase. McFarlane Trailer Sales can help you find the right trailer for your needs. Contact us today.

Which Trailer Should You Buy? Steel Or Aluminum?

Steel Or Aluminum? TrailerThere are two materials that trailers are commonly made from steel and aluminum. While wood, plastic and other metals may be used for specific features, these two metals are the main options for the frame and overall construction of your trailer. So, which one is better? Which type of trailer should you buy? Steel or aluminum?

Reasons To Choose a Steel Trailer

Steel has traditionally been the go-to material choice for trailer construction. It is a tough metal that can handle the heavy loads that users may plan on loading into their trailers. These are a few of the reasons to choose a steel trailer:
  • More Rugged: Steel is less elastic than aluminum. Typically, steel trailers offer much greater rigidity and durability than their aluminum counterparts. Thus, if you expect to beat up your trailer with your cargo, it may be a good idea to opt for steel.
  • Less Expensive: In most cases, equivalent steel trailers will cost less than their aluminum counterparts. If you want to reduce the initial cost to get started with your trailer, a steel trailer may be the best option.
  • Better Load Capacity by Area: For a similarly sized deck area, steel trailers can usually handle heavier loads. Thus, you may be more inclined to buy a steel trailer if you expect to be loading very dense cargo.

Reasons To Choose an Aluminum Trailer

Aluminum is another excellent choice for your trailer. It is known for being very strong while also being very light. This favourable ratio has helped to make it a popular choice among trailer users. These are some of the benefits of aluminum trailers:
  • Lighter: Aluminum trailers can handle greater loads per pound of material. This is significant because towing vehicles have maximum loads that they can handle. If your trailer is heavy, your payload needs to be lighter to ensure that the overall weight is still within your limit.
  • Rust- and Corrosion-Resistant: Aluminum is naturally resistant to rust and corrosion. You can use an aluminum trailer all year with minimal worry about whether it will start to get rusty.
  • Less Maintenance: Typically, aluminum trailers require substantially less maintenance. Although they are more expensive at first, the overall cost of ownership is comparable to that of steel trailers due to the reduced maintenance needs.

Which Is Better?

So, which material is the better option? The reality is that there is not one single answer for this. You will need to consider the towing vehicle, your budget, your use case and more to determine which is right for you. If you live in an area with long, cold winters, aluminum may be the better choice. If you primarily haul heavy loads in the summer, steel may be the better choice. What matters is finding the right trailer type for you.

Either Way, Buy Your Trailer at McFarlane Trailer Sales

Whether you are considering steel or aluminum trailers for sale, check out the selection at McFarlane Trailer Sales. While there may not be an overall winner between steel and aluminum, that doesn’t mean that both work equally well in every situation. Your unique needs will dictate which is the right choice. When you work with the McFarlane Trailer Sales team, we will guide you to a trailer that works for your needs and your budget. Your lasting satisfaction is our goal.

Find the Right Trailer for You Today

Find the ideal trailer for your towing needs today. McFarlane Trailer Sales has a large selection of new and used trailers. We have something for every budget and use case. Check out our selection of steel and aluminum trailers for sale. Then, contact our team to discuss your trailer requirements.