Some Questions to Ask the Rental Agency When Arranging a Trailer Hire

About Me
Build Your Business Brick by Brick

Hello, my name is Gary. When I went into business, I didn't have a great deal of money. The lack of funds meant that I had to buy commercial premises which had seen better days. The roof was leaking, the plumbing was causing problems in the bathrooms and the interior walls were in need of repair. Thankfully, my brother loaned me some money so I could call in some contractors to work on the building before I opened it to my customers. The workmen were great, they carried out a quick but professional repair and I was able to open for business. My business is doing really well and I couldn't be happier with the building. I decided to start this blog to offer advice to others who are considering hiring construction contractors.

Some Questions to Ask the Rental Agency When Arranging a Trailer Hire

16 February 2017
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

If you're hiring a trailer to haul lawn care equipment you've rented, or to help with a move from one home to another, you want to ensure you know everything involved in the rental and choose the right trailer for the job. Note some questions to ask the rental agency when you arrange the hire, so there are no surprises with the rental and with its use once you get the trailer itself.

1. Ask what your car needs for the trailer

A trailer hitch is obviously needed to haul any type of trailer, but your car may also need adapters and connectors for the trailer as well, if you don't have these. Adapters and connectors attach to your car's wiring so the brake lights of the trailer work when you apply the brakes. This isn't always needed, especially for smaller trailers, but be sure you ask about these if you've never hauled a trailer before and will need these for a rental.

2. Ask if the trailer will need brakes

Very lightweight trailers designed for small loads and short distances may not have brakes, as they will naturally stop with the car and the weight of the load. However, don't try to avoid the need for adapters and connectors by getting a smaller trailer without brakes, if you'll be hauling a heavy load or will be driving on main highways at higher speeds. Remember that trailer brakes are there to protect your own car from getting hit by the trailer and to protect the load it's carrying, so always ask if the weight of the load you'll be hauling would indicate that you should get a trailer with brakes.

3. Ask if the trailer can be used on unpaved roads

If you're using the trailer to haul supplies to a jobsite that is without paved roads or are moving to a country area and will need to go over dirt roads or sandy area, always ask if the trailer can accommodate. Some are not meant for anything other than standard pavement, and may sink into such soft soil and get stuck very easily. Rocky roads may also tear up the smaller tires of trailers and cause flats, or the trailer may bounce so much on uneven roads that your hauled items may also get damaged. Note if the rental agency has a heavy-duty trailer for such roads before making your rental choice.