Buying new trailer

I'm buying a trailer for art show events this season. I'm a photographer located in Central Wisconsin. The last two years I've been U-Hauling (6x12). Right now I'm thinking of a similar size new unit. I will not be on the road away from home weeks at a time and my longest trip this year will be about 500mi. one way.

I will not need to set up a work area in the booth, just transporting my work and then storing it in the trailer at home for the summer and fall. Any tips for things that I should look for in a new trailer? Ramp door vs double doors? (Does a ramp door make it tough when unloading due to space needed to drop the ramp?)Tandem axles vs single? v-nose vs flat Nose? Wheel sizes?(I will buy a unit with a side door.) Inside features?

There are so many brands out there that it gets a little confusing since I don't really know what I should be looking for. A dealer in the area has MTI trailers out of Indiana and I've seen some good reviews online. I would consider a used trailer if I don't have to drive a long distance to look at/buy it. Nothing used around my area that I like right now.

Bottom line is I need some suggestions as to what details to look for in a trailer.
Thanks in advance.

Dale Yakaites-----Yak

I have a 5x8 V-nose with a ramp. I love having the ramp because it means I no longer have to lift any of my set up anymore. (Big difference when at the end of a show you still have to find the strength to lift that 110lb battery)
I pull my 5x8 with a mid size SUV so my rig is not very long at all. It's so nice at the end of a long weekend to be able to drive home & not have to worry about unloading. Just disconnect and you are ready for the next show. Mine is a single axle and does not have breaks. We were considering having breaks installed but everyone says for small trailers you can't seem to get them lined out right because the trailers are just so lightweight. I thought I would just buy it and try it. After just about hitting a deer I realized my vehicle seems to stop it well. I gear it down on mountains when needed.
Make sure you have a good dolly cause sometimes you can't get as close to your booth as small vehicles can.
I have straps in mine to hold everything in place. This doesn't add any weight as opposed to some people that build 2x4 frames inside of them to hold things. Obviously adding more weight means less gas mileage. My whole rid loaded (w/Propanels, tent, & tons of framed 2D artwork that's heavy because it's all wood) my gas mileage for my trips is 18.5 miles to a gallon. (Also I'm a female and most of us never pack light).
Hope this helps,
Mel

Replies

Mel Hamrick May 23, 2014 at 9:11am

I have a 5x8 V-nose with a ramp. I love having the ramp because it means I no longer have to lift any of my set up anymore. (Big difference when at the end of a show you still have to find the strength to lift that 110lb battery)
I pull my 5x8 with a mid size SUV so my rig is not very long at all. It's so nice at the end of a long weekend to be able to drive home & not have to worry about unloading. Just disconnect and you are ready for the next show. Mine is a single axle and does not have breaks. We were considering having breaks installed but everyone says for small trailers you can't seem to get them lined out right because the trailers are just so lightweight. I thought I would just buy it and try it. After just about hitting a deer I realized my vehicle seems to stop it well. I gear it down on mountains when needed.
Make sure you have a good dolly cause sometimes you can't get as close to your booth as small vehicles can.
I have straps in mine to hold everything in place. This doesn't add any weight as opposed to some people that build 2x4 frames inside of them to hold things. Obviously adding more weight means less gas mileage. My whole rid loaded (w/Propanels, tent, & tons of framed 2D artwork that's heavy because it's all wood) my gas mileage for my trips is 18.5 miles to a gallon. (Also I'm a female and most of us never pack light).
Hope this helps,
Mel
- Dale Yakaites (Yak) > Mel Hamrick May 23, 2014 at 9:24am
  
  More good points! This thread should be kept as a primer in buying trailers.Thanks Mel!
  
  Yak
  - Tina Pietsch > Dale Yakaites (Yak) May 23, 2014 at 9:19pm
    
    I know of someone near Green Bay with a trailer for sale (I purchased his light dome but no place to park a trailer at this time)
    If you want his info let me know. Thanks
    - Dale Yakaites (Yak) > Tina Pietsch May 23, 2014 at 10:16pm
      
      Hi Tina
      
      Sure I'll take the info if you have it.
      
      Yak
      - Tina Pietsch > Dale Yakaites (Yak) May 23, 2014 at 10:21pm
        
        Bob@bobkloes.com. He is in Seymour, no idea if he still has it but worth an email to ask him.
        
        Dale Yakaites (Yak) > Tina Pietsch May 23, 2014 at 10:34pm
        
        Thanks Tina. I sent an email.
        
        Yak
        
        Dale Yakaites (Yak) > Dale Yakaites (Yak) May 24, 2014 at 10:16pm
        
        He got back to me. Trailer is sold.
        
        Ya
        
        Jacquelyn Zajac > Dale Yakaites (Yak) May 26, 2014 at 3:55pm
        
        Hi, I'm a potter and we needed an enclosed trailer to store my display and product in, as you know pottery is heavy. We bought a 6 x 12 x 7' with a ramp and a side door, it is a Lark (not sure if that is the best brand but we love it, cost around $2400). We like that it's tall and it also has the vneck. She pulls like a dream. It does not have brakes and is a single axle. This is the only mistake we made, however at the time we bought it we had an old Chevy pickup and didn't want to invest in brakes. One year later we bought a 2011 Nissan Titan/short bed pickup, now we wish we had the dual axle with the brakes as I am sure that we push the weight limit, however we are careful/easy drivers, usually going slower than 70mph. We love the ramp and side door, easy on the legs and have not really had a problem with load and unload at shows, however sometimes you have to be patient, but what's new. We also love the extra 6" in height. Love not having to load and unload between shows and easy to pull. I'm sure we use more gas pulling a trailer, however pickups are not very good on gas anyways. Good luck !
        
        Tina Pietsch > Dale Yakaites (Yak) May 24, 2014 at 10:21pm
        
        Oh well.....hope you find one that works out. I just keep getting better on stuffing everything into our smaller SUV!
Robert Johnson May 23, 2014 at 7:52am

I am no trailer expert but I did buy a trailer last year. It was a Hallmark 6 x 10 with rear ramp door and side door and if I were to buy another trailer I would 1) buy a little bigger, probably a 6 x 12 or 6 x 14 so go little bigger then you think you need. 2) Look for a trailer with 16" on center floors and sidewalls instead of 24". 3) Electric brakes. 4) Get one with extended height so you can stand up in it, mine is 6.6'. 5) Torsion axles instead of springs. 6) Radial tires instead of bias. 6) Siding and roof aluminum skin of .04" instead of the standard .025". Good Luck

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