Trailer Towing Safety Tips in Winter
November 29, 2022 by
Archives for November 2022
The Different Types of Trailers Available at McFarlanes
November 22, 2022 by
Get To Know the Different Types of Trailers Available at McFarlane's
From a single-axle utility trailer to a livestock trailer, there are many different types of trailers because there are many different jobs to be done. Each type has some specializations so it can do a particular type of work. If you are in the market for a trailer but aren't sure which kind you need, take this opportunity to learn about the different types we have available for sale.Utility Trailer
Utility trailers range from approximately 6 feet to 20 feet in length. They typically consist of a flat deck with short walls along the sides and a rear loading ramp that can be lowered as needed and then raised to serve as a cargo gate. A single-axle trailer has one axle in roughly the middle of the trailer and two wheels in total. A tandem-axle utility trailer has two axles right next to each other at approximately the midpoint of the trailer for a total of four wheels. A tandem-axle utility trailer has more strength and stability to carry larger loads.How much weight can a single-axle utility trailer hold? At least 1,000 pounds, and up to 10,000 pounds, depending on the trailer itself. That is the weight range for a single axle, so in theory, at least, a tandem-axle trailer of similar size can hold approximately 2,000 to 20,000 pounds.Enclosed Utility Trailer
Enclosed utility trailers are similar in size and shape to regular utility trailers. They can also be either single- or tandem-axle and have comparable weight capacities. The difference between the two is that an enclosed trailer has tall sides and a roof over the top. It is useful when you are hauling materials that should not be exposed to the elements.Deckover Trailer
At first glance, a deckover trailer may look similar to a utility trailer, but there are a few important differences. A deckover trailer is larger than a utility trailer; the smallest size is approximately 12 feet, and they can get up to about 30 feet. Deckover trailers also do not have short walls along the edges, which makes them appropriate for hauling oversize loads. There are no single-axle deckover trailers; they have to have at least two axles.Dump Trailer
A dump trailer has a mechanism that allows you to incline the bed so that the cargo falls out onto the ground. It is useful for hauling trash or garden materials such as soil, mulch, or fertilizer.Tilt Trailer
A tilt trailer is to a dump trailer approximately what a deckover trailer is to a utility trailer. It has a similar mechanism, but the purpose is not to dump cargo but to make it easier to load.Snow/ATV Trailers
You cannot drive all-terrain vehicles or snowmobiles on streets, roads, or highways. It is neither safe nor legal. These trailers are designed for you to transport these recreational vehicles to areas where it is safe to ride them. They are enclosed to protect the vehicles from road debris while they are in transit.Heavy-Duty and Livestock Trailers
Heavy-duty trailers are large, approximately 100 feet long, and designed to carry heavy or unwieldy loads. They may have a gooseneck attachment to connect to a vehicle with a corresponding hitch. A livestock trailer is used to transport large animals such as horses or cows. It has an insulated roof to protect the animals from weather and openings at the top for ventilation. A large livestock trailer has pens inside for the individual animals.Find Your New Trailer at McFarlane's
We sell both new and used trailers from the most trusted brand names. We can also order custom-built trailers. Browse our selection today, or contact us to find exactly what you're looking for.Helpful Ways to Winterize a Cargo Trailer
November 15, 2022 by
How To Winterize Your Cargo Trailer
Once you have purchased aluminum trailers for sale, you want to protect your investment. Winter can be hard on trailers, so what do you need to do to keep cold temperatures and precipitation from damaging your trailer? What you do to winterize your trailer depends on whether you intend to put it in storage during the winter months or keep using it for hauling all through the season.Winterizing a Trailer That You Intend To Put Into Storage
Your trailer isn't as susceptible to winter damage when it is in storage as it is if you intend to continue using it throughout the year. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to make sure that it is ready when you take it out again in the spring.Do you know where you are going to store your trailer? Ideally, it should be somewhere inside, such as a storage shed or a garage. If you aren't able to store your trailer indoors, you can protect it from falling leaves, branches, snow, ice, sun, and wind by parking it under a roofed area, such as a carport, and covering it with a tarp.Remove any personal items as well as any supplies that could go bad and anything that could freeze or leak. For example, removing the battery and storing it in a separate place where it is exposed to consistent temperatures and can be charged as needed can keep it in good shape so that you don't have to buy a new one when winter is over.Wheel bearings, suspensions, and springs are areas of your trailer that could be susceptible to corrosion. You can prevent this by adding lubricant to these areas before putting the trailer in storage. You should perform a general maintenance check of your trailer to identify any areas of concern. Before putting your trailer in storage, you should have these issues looked at, prioritizing those that could get worse during months of inactivity.Winterizing a Trailer That You Intend To Keep Using
If you intend to continue using your trailer for hauling throughout the winter, then winterizing it means protecting it from weather conditions as well as making sure that it is safe for you to use.Ideally, you should perform maintenance on your trailer throughout the year. Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to perform an extra maintenance check right before winter, focusing particularly on the tires, lights, and hitch connections. If you haven't been performing regular maintenance on your trailer, you should perform a check to identify any problems that could compromise your safety before winter sets in. To prevent breakdowns, you should perform a maintenance check of your towing vehicle at approximately the same time. You are unlikely to get very far if your trailer is in exemplary condition but your towing vehicle is not.You also need to give some consideration to the cargo you intend to haul during the winter. If it is sensitive to the cold, you may need to have a heater installed in your trailer to maintain a consistent temperature for hauling. A trailer heater can also help keep you warm and comfortable if you spend time working in your trailer, but if a heater is not possible, you can at least insulate it with silver board, blue board, rugs, or curtains to make heat transfer more difficult.In addition to preparing your trailer for winter, there are also things that you need to do to keep safe on the road:- Check the weather forecast prior to departure
- Carry an emergency winter kit with extra blankets, food, and water
- Budget extra time during inclement weather
- Maintain safe stopping distances between you and other vehicles
- Wear your seatbelt when driving
Find Aluminum Trailers For Sale From McFarlane
The type of trailer you need depends on what you intend to use it for. However, we have a number of different trailer types available, and one is sure to suit your needs. Learn more about the different product lines available from McFarlane Trailer Sales.How a Dump Trailer Helps with Hauling Gravel, Sand or Dirt
November 8, 2022 by
How a Dump Trailer Can Come in Handy
If you have not made use of a dump trailer before now, you may have questions about how to choose a dump trailer, how to use a dump trailer, and why you should purchase one. The right trailer can offer you many benefits, but there are some things you need to consider before buying.Where Can You Use a Dump Trailer?
Whether you own a professional construction company or are carrying out some renovations on your own home, dump trailers are useful for hauling building materials home from the store and carrying away debris that results from demolition. If you own a farm, a dump trailer can make your work easier from planting season to harvest time.Maybe you don't own a farm per se but you own an extensive piece of property and you want to keep it looking its best. A dump trailer is also useful for yard maintenance, especially during the fall and winter.What Can You Use a Dump Trailer For?
Now you know where you can use a dump trailer, but what applications does it have in these various locations? If you are using it for fall yard maintenance, the dump trailer can help you to haul away tree limbs that have fallen or that you have pruned away in the interest of improving the health of your tree. You can also use a trailer to transport bags of leaves to the appropriate dump site.Fall is a good time to apply mulch to trees in the interest of retaining moisture in the soil and getting ready for spring. If you have many trees on your property, you probably need a lot of mulch. A dump trailer helps you to bring it to your property and then apply it where needed.On a farm, you sometimes need to add more topsoil. A dump trailer makes transporting dirt easier. You can also use a dump trailer to haul and apply fertilizer. Depending on what you grow and when you harvest, a dump trailer could also help you take your goods to market.On a construction site, you need materials such as fill dirt, gravel, Portland cement, sand, and rocks. These materials are heavy and cumbersome to transport. A dump trailer makes it much easier.How Much Gravel Can a Dump Trailer Carry?
It depends on the size of the trailer, but generally speaking, a dump trailer can haul approximately 3,000 pounds and up depending on payload of gravel. This is about half as much as a standard pick-up truck can haul, and a pick-up doesn't have the capability to elevate its cargo bed to deliver the material precisely where it is needed.What Else Should You Consider Before Purchasing a Dump Truck?
The purchase of a dump truck represents a significant investment. Therefore, you need to be sure you choose one that meets your needs. Here are some things to take into consideration:- Metal Thickness: Thicker metal is better if you intend to haul heavy cargo such as rocks and gravel.
- Side Wall Height: Dump trailers usually have walls 24 inches high. If this isn't tall enough, you may require side wall extensions that you can either purchase or build yourself.
- Lifting Mechanism: There are many different lifting mechanisms available, but if preserving battery power is important to you, choose a gravity-down mechanism rather than a power-down. The former saves battery power by letting gravity do all the work.
- Towing Limits: Calculate the combined weight of the trailer and the material you intend to haul most often. Make sure you are within your personal licensing limits, what your towing vehicle is capable of pulling, as well as the ball mount and receiver.
