tips for trailer buyers

How much thought do you give your purchase of a new snowmobile trailer? Is it specific to your snowmobiling needs and usage? Your trailer is not just a sled carrier; it can protect your snowmobile investment over the long haul.

Trailering experts at Wells Cargo point out that your trailer's dimensions are important. You don't want to haul a trailer that's too big for your towing vehicle. You also want to consider how easy it is to load and unload your snowmobiles."
For hauling a basic enclosed trailer like Wells Cargo Wide Body Series which fits two snowmobiles side-by-side and features a 95" interior width, you'll want a full-sized truck or Chevy Suburban type tow vehicle. Mid-sized trucks can handle the narrower trailers that measure up to 72 inches wide on the interior. These also are easier to see around.

Featherlite representatives note that, although they come with a higher price tag, more people are going with enclosed trailers to protect their investment.
Designed to provide maximum easy of loading and unloading, a vee-front trailer provides drive on and drive off versatility via a ramp in the rear and another off the front. Featherlite claims to be the first company to introduce an all aluminum v-nosed trailer with front and rear spring-loaded ramps.

You should pay special attention to durability and reliability, as a trailer can be a substantial investment. Special features to consider include seeking out a frame that has galvanized steel frames for corrosion protection or some equivalent. Consider the type of finish your enclosed trailer's siding has. Will a baked enamel exterior finish be important? Does a fiberglass cap make sense? How accessible are your sleds?

Consider how protected the trailer wiring is. What kind of connections do you require? Does the trailer-wiring run from the tow vehicle, through a harness, into the tubular frame where it's sheathed and run to an interior junction box?

A manufacturer of only aluminum trailers, Loadmaster carefully protects its wiring. "We run our wiring in a harness under the frame members so slush can't built on it," explains a Loadmaster representative. The trailer lights are sealed to keep condensation out.

Some trailer makers, like SnoLand'r, prefer steel. A SnoLand'r spokesman explains, "We use a steel undercarriage because it holds up better than aluminum. It's galvanized so it won't rust. Cross members on the front and back also provide added support."

It is important to talk with knowledgeable dealers or, better yet, an actual manufacturer's representative. They can point how a specific trail brand differs from its competitors. For example, a 10-foot length SnoLand'r has a special floor design that uses only two pieces of 4x8 treated plywood. Other companies might use an additional 2x8 sheet. The SnoLand'r concept is simple and uses foot-wide front and rear cross pieces to make up two feet in length. The front piece is also bowed up to form a rock shield.

For durability look at your prospective sled hauler from top to bottom. Again, the deluxe SnoLand'r models feature a galvanized undercarriage but protect the front and back with Galvaneal- an anti-corrosion product that paint adheres to.

As you can see, careful consideration of trailer construction and features can be very important over the long haul. Before taking off with just any old trailer, check durability, corrosion resistance, wiring and size. Your trailer is more than a hauler; it's protecting your investment in snowmobiling.