What To Look For In A Landscaping Trailer
Whether you already run a landscaping business or you’re thinking about starting one, a trailer is one of the first items you should look into purchasing. They are crucial assets for transporting walk-behind and riding lawnmowers, trimmers, and other equipment. Landscaping trailers come in a wide range of configurations, and in various lengths and widths, meaning there are plenty of options available for operations of all sizes. Read on to learn more about landscaping trailers and how to find the right one for you.
Size & Capacity
The weight and dimensions of the equipment you plan to haul will ultimately determine the size of landscaping trailer you’ll need. Carry-On is a popular utility trailer manufacturer that offers units with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) of between 800 and 20,000 pounds (363 and 9,072 kilograms) and payload capacities of up to 15,350 lbs (6,963 kg). One of its smaller trailers, the 4X6G, has a deck length and width of 72 and 49 inches (183 and 124 centimeters), respectively, while one of its larger models, the 7X20HDLAND, has a deck length and width of 240 and 82 in (610 and 208 cm), respectively.
For smaller landscaping businesses that only need to transport a walk-behind mower and a few other items, a lighter-duty trailer should do the trick. Heavy-duty trailers would be reserved for larger operations, with employees working in teams, that need to haul multiple lawnmowers (including one or more riding mowers) as well as trimmers, rakes, spades, and other equipment. Some landscapers may want a larger trailer for delivering pavers to a worksite, for example, or add a dump trailer to their fleet to carry rock and other aggregate materials.
Open vs. Enclosed
Most landscaping trailers are open with a metal frame surrounding a wooden floor and a tailgate that folds down to act as a ramp. The metal frame may or may not have metal mesh or solid metal sidewalls. A major benefit of open trailers is not having to worry as much about height when transporting larger mowers, plus they are often less expensive because they require fewer materials to build.
Some landscapers, however, may want to consider a cargo/enclosed trailer because they are versatile and can be used year-round. They are also more secure, often with a lockable side door and a place to add a padlock on the rear door(s), although there are some open models that include lockable storage boxes. Enclosed trailers would be ideal for independent contractors or diversified operations that do more than landscaping.
Special Features
You could probably use just about any standard utility trailer for landscaping, but there are advantages to seeking out dedicated landscaping units that have racks for holding rakes, shovels, and other tools, cargo boxes, and other special features. Some units also have multiple fold-down sidewalls that can act as ramps for easier loading and unloading.
If you plan on transporting plants or hauling branches, brush, and more from a jobsite, you may also want to consider a landscaping trailer with higher mesh or solid metal sidewalls. This not only increases the volume of plants or debris you can carry, but also prevents your cargo from blowing away while driving.
Find The Right Landscaping Trailer For You
You will find hundreds of new and used landscaping trailers for sale on UtilityTrailersToday.com from such popular brands as Big Tex, Carry-On, PJ Trailers, Rainbow Trailers, and Sure-Trac.