Archives for August 2022

3 Simple Utility Trailer Upgrades You Can Make

Simple Utility Trailer Upgrades You Can MakeA proactive way to get more value and performance out of your tandem axle utility trailer is to customize it with upgrades that add convenience, safety, efficiency, and peace of mind. LED taillights, ramps, and spare tire carriers offer many benefits to your daily workflow and hauling needs. Read more below to consider how to improve your trailer. Then explore our website further to learn about the vetted brands and versatile selection of trailer types we offer. 1. LED TaillightsThe factory-installed safety lights on your single axle utility trailer are usually incandescent bulbs, meaning that they are likely to blow out quickly and need to be replaced fairly often. The filament inside an incandescent bulb is very susceptible to disconnecting due to vibration and the normal bounce and stress of road travel. LED lights last quite a bit longer and are not as prone to breakage. They can usually be spliced into your existing wiring system. Moreover, they are usually encased in plastic or fiberglass, reducing their exposure to elements such as water, airborne debris, and road salt. 2. Ramps Most utility trailers operate perfectly well for hauling raw materials, lumber, soils, and scrap metal from construction sites. One easy customization, however, is to add a ramp kit that allows your utility trailer to become an equipment hauler when necessary. ATVs and small machines can then be hauled without the need for a flatbed or tilt trailer.A simple wooden ramp kit can also allow you to use a wheelbarrow to dump your materials into the trailer, rather than having to lift everything manually or use a shovel. This can be fairly inexpensive and time-efficient customization. Simply install bolted hinges to the edge of your trailer bed, and attach a sturdy wooden or aluminum platform that can be folded up into the bed of the trailer when not in use. 3. Spare Tire Carriers While all residential and commercial vehicles come with a special compartment for stowing spare tires, trailers do not usually have this feature. This results in you having to keep your spare tire in the trailer bed itself, which takes up an awkward amount of space when loading the trailer. It also means that if your trailer is fully loaded and you get a flat, you have to undo all of your hard work to unearth the spare tire, then reload the whole trailer again once the flat is fixed. A spare tire carrier avoids all of this hassle and stress. It can usually be mounted parallel to the rails of your single axle utility trailer, for easy unbolting without having to rearrange any of your cargo. Install it on the outside or inside of the trailer wall. Secure it with a u-lock or other fastener, and you can hit the road with fewer worries.

Buy a Tandem Axle Utility Trailer from McFarlane

The benefit of a tandem axle trailer is that you can take on a lot more weight with a similar level of fuel efficiency when compared to a single axle utility trailer. We have dozens of options to choose from, including small 5 X 10s all the way up to larger 7 X 20s. We stand apart by offering you warranties of one to five years, and following extensive delivery protocols before we hand it over to you, Our other product selections include car trailers, deckover trailers, hydraulic dump trailers, flatbeds, and tilt beds. We offer an extensive catalogue of trailer parts for quick repairs. Contact us today to learn about our financing options and get a custom quote that meets your needs. 

How To Drive Safely With a Trailer

How To Drive Safely With a TrailerHooking up a trailer takes practice. Driving with a trailer takes even more practice to be confident when you’re on the road. Check your driver’s manual to make sure your vehicle can handle the weight of the trailer and the cargo. We recommend practicing in your driveway without any cargo in the trailer to get used to backing up and parking with the trailer. McFarlane Trailer Sales has a wide variety of aluminum trailers for sale to fit the cargo you haul most often. Here are some tips on driving safely with a trailer.

Tow Mirrors

Although regulations may vary by province and community, tow mirrors are important whether the law requires them or not. You want to be able to see the back end of your trailer with your mirrors. If you can’t adjust the regular mirrors out to be able to see the car behind you, you should invest in tow mirrors. Larger trailers and/or closed trailers make it more difficult to see the car behind you. Get tow mirrors before you start driving around.

Don't Rush

Drive below the speed limit when you are hauling a trailer. Stay in the right lane. Remember that it may take longer to accelerate with the weight behind you. Don’t get in a rush. Stay relaxed. Many drivers without trailers have accidents when they get stressed and are trying to go too fast. The trailer will make it even more difficult to drive defensively. It’s better to get to your destination safely without damaging your vehicle, cargo, or another car than to try and rush. Plan more time than your GPS allows.

Take Corners Wide

A trailer changes the length of your vehicle, so you’re going to want to take corners a little wider than you’re used to. Pay attention to where your wheels are. It’s easy to hit the curb or a post on the corner when you’re driving a long trailer. Generally speaking, it’s not the vehicle that will be the problem. It’s the trailer. The wider you can take a corner, the more room the trailer has to get around the corner. When you’re on a two-lane road, turning onto another two-lane road, wait for other cars to get out of your way, to have more room to turn. Once you get more familiar with how the trailer handles, you may find that corners are easy.

Keep Distance

Just as more weight makes it difficult to accelerate, it will also make it more difficult to slow down and stop. Put more distance between you and the car ahead of you. Three to four vehicle lengths are recommended, but the more weight you have, the more distance you should leave. Other drivers aren’t often aware of the distance rule for vehicles with trailers, so you may find yourself having to make adjustments when other cars pull in front of you.

Double-check Everything

Before getting out on the road, make sure the trailer is hooked up correctly. Check the brake lights. Drive for about 15 to 20 minutes. Get out and check everything again. Sometimes, the load can shift, which can change how the trailer handles. If you didn’t hook up the trailer right, you have a chance to fix it before you get out on the highway. Check the tires again. It’s just safer to do a double check on all the connections to catch any problems before you take the trailer too far.Find a large inventory of aluminum trailers for sale at McFarlane Trailer Sales. Not sure what you’re looking for? Ask our team to help you find a trailer that suits your needs.

Determining If You Need New Trailer Brakes

Determining If You Need New Trailer BrakesCustom-made enclosed trailers are an excellent option for anyone who needs to haul equipment a substantial distance. Of course, once purchased, these trailers require maintenance like any other vehicle. For example, brakes wear down over time, necessitating regular parts replacement. How do you know when it's time for new brakes? Keep an eye out for the following warning signs.

You Feel the Pedal Vibrate or Depress

After driving your trailer for a while, you should be familiar with how the brake pedal feels. If it feels spongy instead of firm, you should get your brakes inspected.A vibrating pedal is also a major problem. Usually, the culprit is the rotors, which play a role in stopping tire rotation. This part is prone to wear since clamps activated by the brake pedal use fiction to stop its motion.Fortunately, you can easily see rotors during tire rotation. Look for scarring that indicates you need a new set.Another sign of something wrong is a sinking pedal. If you can press the brake to the floor, it's well past time for an inspection. Depression issues are caused by low brake fluid, which usually means a leak in the line. You should check the brake fluid at least once a year, as it gets dirty over time and needs replacing.

You Hear Grinding When Braking

Any sound during braking isn't great, but groaning or grinding are signs of significant problems. These noises are caused by the metal calipers touching metal rotors, an act that can seriously damage all parts involved.How does this happen? Calipers have semi-metallic parts called brake pads; these pads create a barrier between the calipers and rotors. They're designed for a replacement since they'll inevitably wear down. Depending on the manufacturer, you have between 10,000 and 20,000 before you need new brake pads.

You Notice Something Off During Maintenance

Every trailer owner should have a maintenance schedule to catch issues before they become dangerous and expensive to fix. For brakes, you should take a look at the following at least once a year:
  • Wiring
  • Wheel bearing
  • Brake shoes and drums
Of course, a few parts need inspection more often. Check this equipment at least every six months:
  • Surge brakes
  • Electric brakes
  • Tires
Finally, you should review the breakaway brakes between every haul.

You Feel the Trailer Pull to One Side

Pulling is sometimes a sign that your alignment is off, but it can also signal problems with your brakes. For example, if your brake fluid is contaminated, a foreign object may be trapped in the line. Uneven wear of brake shoe lining can also cause this issue.If you feel pulling, you should have your trailer inspected right away. Pulling means you don't have complete control over the vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents.

Your Trailer Doesn't Stop as Quickly

Sometimes signs of brake trouble are more subtle. For example, if your trailer doesn't stop as quickly as it used to, you have a problem with your brake lines. The change may be gradual, so it's crucial to check your brake fluid regularly; if you're constantly refilling, there's a leak. That leak can allow air into the line, leading to decreased responsiveness, a major danger to yourself and other drivers, as you won't be able to stop suddenly in an emergency.If you are looking for a reputable place to service your trailer, McFarlane Trailer Sales is the place to go. We offer high-quality repair services to ensure that your trailer is safe and that you get it back to work as soon as possible. If you need a replacement part or accessories, we have a varied selection. To find out more, give us a call or contact us online.

Benefits of Buying a Trailer Over Renting

Benefits of Buying a Trailer Over Renting

3 Reasons to Buy a Trailer Over Renting

Buying your own trailer is a satisfying investment that is reliably available, reduces hidden costs, and offers you flexible control of your assets. Whether you're looking for a new trailer or a used trailer for sale, McFarlane can set you up with what you need. 1. There's Always a Trailer Available It is a major setback for efficiency when you have a load that needs moving and all the trailers in your area are booked or rented out. You end up having to rely on colleagues, friends, and family to get it done, which creates stress and a feeling of obligation.Not only this, but you may call ahead to a trailer rental facility, then drive there, only to find that the trailer you needed has been rented to someone else. This doesn't happen when you own your trailer. Knowing that you can access your trailer at any time gives you convenience and peace of mind. 2. No Hidden Costs Rental companies make their money on hidden fees and costs such as day-use insurance, deposits, mileage rates, after-hours fees, and cleaning fees. Even though these may be listed in the fine print of their terms and conditions, it usually creates a surprise at the end of the haul, sometimes causing you to go over budget.It is often unclear what the costs even support. Rental companies have to list the costs they charge you, but they don't have to explain or justify them. This creates a stressful lack of transparency and adds to your operational costs over time. Once you purchase your own trailer, you have independent control over which repairs and costs are needed and when you do them. Negotiating insurance rates is up to you. Maintaining your trailer on your own terms can be much more cost-effective, and you never have to worry about meeting a deadline of returning the trailer to its original location. 3. Flexibility A great advantage of buying over renting is that you become the boss of your own trailer. Rental companies forbid subletting and loaning the trailer to another party who isn't under contract with them. When you own, you have the flexibility to let others use your trailer as you see fit. You can also haul loads any time of day, month, or year, regardless of supply and demand in the rental market. Weekend hauls, late nights and long distances are no problem when you are in charge of deciding what happens with the trailer. Another aspect of flexibility is that you can use the trailer in multiple different configurations that a rental company wouldn't allow. There are no restrictions on the type of load, location, distance, who can drive, and add-ons. If your landscape trailer needs to become an equipment trailer today, so be it. You decide, with very little red tape or pushback. 

Used Trailers for Sale at McFarlane

A great way to start out owning a trailer is to buy a used one. Not only do new trailers depreciate immediately (similar to new vehicles), used trailers are an affordable way to experience the benefits of ownership without a high-interest payment plan. We also offer financing and affordable down payments. Used trailers usually become available because the original owner upgraded to a new trailer. We guarantee that all of our trailers are mechanically sound and road-ready. Hydraulics, tires, tongues, and hitches are all fully inspected for undue wear and tear before we offer them to you. Contact us today to learn about the process. Leave behind the stresses and surprise costs of renting a trailer. Buy your own trailer and find a renewed peace of mind.