In order to end up with the car trailer best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of car trailer are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a car trailer.
Research the market: Car Trailer essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the car trailer market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Types: The two different basic types of car trailers are open car (auto transport) carriers and enclosed (race car) carriers.
Hitch Options: There are two basic types of hitches: a bumper-pull hitch which can be used with almost any type of tow vehicle and a goose-neck or fifth wheel hitch which is becoming increasingly popular.
Interior Considerations: Living space, kitchen, or bathroom or additional cabinets are major considerations. Make sure the interior height meets your needs adequately. Also look for a generator that has its own compartment and convenient access door, to keep things like appliances running smoothly. You should also look for flexibility in tie-downs and wheel chock mounts to keep the car from moving too much during transport. And don't forget the flooring; non-skid, aluminium, checkerboard, or high density vinyl are all available options. Lastly, you can get interior cabinets either ceiling mounted or wall mounted in a wide variety of materials from wood to polished stainless steel.
Exterior Considerations: Look for car trailers that are of high quality and made with heavy duty materials. You might need an awning, jacks, ladder, or a roof rack on the exterior. The loading doors should be wide enough for your vehicles and sturdy enough for extra heavy cars. Look for a heavy duty chassis with some rust inhibiting protection. Lastly, look for high-quality jacks and brakes.
Interior Car Hauling Options: An electric front jack and a winch can often be helpful when hauling cars. You might want to look for a specific flooring type for your vehicle needs. Extra tire racks are also a real help. Look for extra tie-downs and clamps in the floor for added security while towing.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a car trailer. For example, will you use the car trailer only occasionally, or do you have a rally car that you need to transport on a regular basis?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used a car trailer before? |
| | If you have used a car trailer, work out what you did or didn't like about the car trailer. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What will I use my car trailer for? |
| | Think about if you have only one car or multiple cars that you need to haul all the time. Your car might need to be protected from the elements. |
| How much weight can my truck, van, or SUV tow? |
| | The most important determination in buying a car trailer is how much weight you can actually tow with your vehicle. You can find out the maximum towing weight in a few different ways: ask your dealer, look on the Internet, or examine your owner's manual. |
| How much weight will I be carrying? |
| | After you determine the towing capacity of your tow vehicle, you must take a look at how much weight you will be carrying. This is the most important step in buying a car trailer. You need to add up the weight of the vehicle(s) you will be hauling, the weight of the car trailer, and any extra gear that you will bring while towing. This figure must be less than the towing capacity of your tow vehicle. Be sure to add about 20% for a safety margin of error. |
| What type of hitch do I want? |
| | If you have a vehicle other than a truck, you will need to get a bumper pull or classic hitch. If you have a truck, you can either get a bumper pull hitch or a goose-neck hitch. |
| Will I be going to car races or shows or staying overnight? |
| | You will want to look at the optional living quarters available in most car trailers. Also, you may want some additional options such as a bathroom or kitchen. |
| How will you load and unload your car(s)? |
| | You will need a solid ramp and wide doors for an enclosed car trailer. You also need to consider how many cars you will be hauling at a time. If you will haul more than one, you may want to consider an internal lift or stacker unit to raise one or two of the cars above the other. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of car trailers and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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