Archives for 2023

Dont Get Stuck With a Broken Down Trailer! Rely on McFarlane’s for Maintenance and Repair

March 28, 2023 by Kyle McFarlane

As with any mechanical device with moving parts, your trailer is susceptible to wear and tear. Over time, these can take a toll. Regular maintenance helps keep your trailer working as efficiently as possible. If you choose not to do the maintenance yourself, you can take it to McFarlane's for trailer service and repair.

Importance of Regular Trailer Service and Maintenance

There are several reasons why you should have regular trailer maintenance. The most important is safety. A trailer that is worn out or poorly maintained could break down and cause an accident in which you or other people could get hurt. Regular maintenance helps you ensure that your trailer is roadworthy. It doesn't necessarily mean that you won't have an accident, but it decreases the likelihood that your trailer is the cause of it.Regular maintenance allows you to identify and fix problems with your trailer before they have the opportunity to become bigger ones. This helps to prevent major malfunctions that are expensive to repair in the future. Avoiding wear and tear on your trailer and fixing small problems before they have the opportunity to become bigger helps to increase the longevity of your trailer, thus protecting your investment.

Examples of Trailer Maintenance You Should Have Done Regularly

Trailer maintenance can be a big job. It helps if you make lists and what needs to be done and schedule when it needs to be done. Here are some examples of the types of trailer maintenance you should do regularly.

Check the Suspension

The suspension protects the cargo from bumps and jolts while on the road. You should inspect the suspension frequently to make sure that the pressure is equal throughout and that nothing interferes with its movement. Check the suspension after loading the cargo to make sure its clearance is still adequate. If not, the trailer may be overloaded.

Inspect the Body and Frame

A trailer on the road experiences constant vibrations as well as occasional sudden jolts. Over time, this can cause locking mechanisms, such as bolts and fasteners, to become loose. These could come apart completely while on the road if not tested and retightened regularly.

Check the Braking System

Not all trailers have braking systems. For a smaller trailer, the towing vehicle's braking is usually sufficient to stop it. However, larger trailers often have their own braking systems so that their inertia does not take them in unexpected directions. If your trailer has brakes, you should check them regularly to make sure you can rely on them in a situation in which you have to stop suddenly.

Inspect the Tires

Worn or damaged tires can cause a blowout while on the road. At best, this is an inconvenience; at worst, it is a potentially life-threatening situation. Check tires frequently for wear and have them rotated so their wear is even. Assess tread depth frequently and have the tires replaced when it gets less than one-sixteenth of an inch. Tires exposed to weather extremes may crack, while tires that have been in storage for a while may deflate. Maintain adequate tire pressure before using the trailer.

Trailer Service and Repair From McFarlane's

We provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services for most types of trailers, including livestock, gooseneck, and open utility trailers. If you discover irregularities with your trailer while performing your own maintenance, you can bring it to us for repairs. We will perform a diagnostic to pinpoint the problem and then repair it in a thorough and timely manner.Another option is to bring your equipment trailer to us for its regular maintenance. We perform a meticulous inspection, and if we find any problems or concerns, we discuss your options with you and get your approval before we go to work fixing it. Learn more about our approach to trailer service and repair.

Get Ready for Spring Chores With a New Dump Trailer From McFarlane’s!

March 21, 2023 by Kyle McFarlane

Spring is the perfect time to tackle those big landscape and clean-up projects you’ve been putting off all winter. With the days getting longer, you should have more motivation to get your home spruced up for the upcoming spring events, Easter, graduation, Mother’s Day and any other family get-together. Dump trailers are a great accessory for your spring cleaning process.

How To Use Your Dump Trailer in the Spring

Spring cleaning comes from Eastern traditions. During Passover, Jews clean their home to rid them of even crumbs of leavened bread. It’s a ritual dating back thousands of years. The Chinese and Iranians also have traditions to clean the home at the new year to welcome spring and good fortune. Here in North America, we perform spring cleaning, but it’s more likely that we want to get outside and clean up our homes and gardens now that we have more energy.As you begin your spring cleaning tradition, you might be moving furniture out of your home to take it to find a new home for it. Maybe you’re moving and need to haul furniture across the city to your new home. Dump trailers make great haulers for all types of materials. You can take all the accumulated trash out of your garage to the local junkyard without much effort when you have a dump trailer.Landscaping and gardening are other aspects of spring cleaning where the dump trailer can come in handy. Haul old brush and tree branches out of your yard. Bring in new soil and landscaping materials with your dump trailer. It’s easy to place a pile of rocks or a ton of compost where you need it when you can just lift the trailer and empty it.

What Makes a Trailer a Dump Trailer?

Trailers come in many shapes and sizes with different features. A dump trailer has an open box bed to haul materials. The dump trailer’s best feature is that the bed lifts from the front of the trailer to empty it without hard work. If you’re hauling a load of soil for your garden, you don’t have to shovel the soil out of the trailer at each location. Just lift and dump. At the junkyard, just lift the bed and empty it into the pile.

Features of Dump Trailers

Dump trailers come in many different sizes from a small 5-foot by 8-foot trailer that can handle around 900 pounds to huge trailers 80-inches by 14 feet with an 11,000-pound payload. Dump trailers can have loading ramps, come with different styles of suspension, and with single or tandem axles. At McFarlane’s, we can customize your dump trailer with a variety of add-ons to haul extra equipment or to keep loads safe on the road. Our designers can add heavy-duty fenders, LED lights, heavy-duty flooring and more to give you everything you need.

Why Buy a Dump Trailer in the Spring From McFarlane’s?

You may not think you’ll use your dump trailer after your spring cleaning events, but a dump trailer is a good investment. If you do landscape or move garbage or waste, you can earn extra money hauling materials or equipment for others. There are dozens of ways you can use your trailer all year long. McFarlane’s has a wide selection of new trailers for sale, so you can find the trailer that fits your vehicle and needs to get the most use out of it. Our trailers come with a warranty, so you can be assured that it will handle the job you need it to do. Contact McFarlane’s to help you find the trailer that fits into your spring cleaning plans.

Maximize Your Landscaping Business With a Top-Quality Utility Trailer From McFarlane’s

March 14, 2023 by Kyle McFarlane

To run a successful landscaping business, you need a reliable way to haul equipment from one job to another. The right utility trailer can maximize your efficiency, last over a decade and even save you money. How can you choose the perfect model for your needs? The first step is understanding your options.

Why Buy a Landscaping Trailer

There are many trailer models on the market, but not all suit landscaping needs. For example, a cargo trailer offers an enclosed space, which is great for security but inconvenient if you need to access tools. In contrast, a landscaping trailer's open design provides easy access to equipment without forcing workers to crawl inside whenever they need something. Additionally, you can always see what tools you have and where they are.Flatbeds provide another benefit: space for vehicles. Riding lawn mowers are perfect for large lawns, as they allow you to trim the grass with a fraction of the time and effort. However, they're large and bulky, making them unsuitable for storage in enclosed trailers. With a utility model, you have plenty of space for a riding lawn mower (or two, depending on the size) and can even drive onto the flatbed with the help of a ramp.Finally, utility trailers solve a major landscaping problem: what to do with clippings. Property owners expect landscapers to dispose of tree and bush trimmings as part of their services, but these cutting take up a lot of space. Even worse, they're unwieldy, especially if you've removed large branches. A flatbed is a perfect place to throw clippings until you can dispose of them, as they provide plenty of room and don't require organization.

Where To Buy a Landscaping Trailer

When deciding where to purchase your utility trailer, you should first ensure the seller offers the type you need. A retailer with a wide selection is a safe bet, as you're more likely to find the perfect model. That includes your budget, as trailers can go for as little as a few hundred dollars or as much as tens of thousands. If money's tight, consider buying a used one, as you can get a high-end model for less.One of the best ways to narrow down your options is to shop online. Savvy retailers allow consumers to browse their inventory online and even provide helpful filters so visitors can search more efficiently.Next, verify whether the seller has a good reputation. Are customers satisfied with their purchases? Does the company work to resolve issues? You can answer these questions by looking at customer reviews.Your choice of seller should have overall positive reviews, though having a few one- and two-stars is fine. Not everyone will have a great experience when buying a landscaping trailer, and there are bound to be situations outside the seller's control. The key concern is how the company responded to the criticism. Take a look at poor reviews and see if the company resolved the issue in a timely and fair manner.Finally, check if the retailer offers a warranty. The best shops work with manufacturers who stand behind their products, which means they'll cover the repair cost for factory defects. Warranties should last at least a year, though the term may be longer depending on the manufacturer.What trailer retailer checks all of the above boxes? The answer is McFarlane Trailer Sales. We're proud to offer the highest quality cargo and utility trailers, ensuring landscapers can maximize their business potential. We even provide maintenance and repair services to keep your trailer in top shape. To learn more, give us a call or visit our website to see our selection.

Stay Organized and Protected With an Enclosed Trailer from McFarlane’s

March 7, 2023 by Kyle McFarlane

When your worksite isn’t tied to one spot, you need a secure and efficient way to transport and store your tools and equipment. Opting for an enclosed cargo trailer ticks all the boxes, making it a smart investment whether you’re on a new job every day or working at a single site for months at a time. Read on to learn all the benefits of owning an enclosed trailer, and why McFarlane Trailer Sales should be your first and only stop when you’re ready to buy.

They're More Secure Than Open Trailers

Keeping your valuable tools and equipment in your truck bed or an exposed trailer is an invitation to theft. With no barrier between your belongings and opportunistic thieves, your stuff can be easily lifted even when you’re on an active job site. If you try leaving your items unsecured overnight, good luck finding anything but an empty trailer bed in the morning.An enclosed and locked trailer provides a greater level of security by making your equipment inaccessible to prying hands. Whether you’re just stepping away from your truck for a few minutes or leaving it at your worksite overnight, your belongings are a less tempting target in an enclosed hauler. Most thieves prefer to avoid the extra work of breaking into a well-secured trailer.

They Offer Better Weather Protection

It’s not just theft you have to worry about when you’re on the go with your gear. From rust damage caused by snow and rain to fading and cracking brought on by harsh sunlight, weather conditions wreak havoc on unprotected equipment. Basic coverings don’t offer much defence; even when securely tied down, a tarp does little to battle back the fierce elements.When you’ve got an enclosed trailer to shield your belongings, your stuff is protected in any type of weather. Everything stays safe and dry, prolonging the lifespan and utility of your tools. Enclosed trailers are so effective at protecting what's inside, you may even find yourself taking shelter in yours when weather conditions become particularly tough!

They Allow for Safer Transport

If you’ve ever pulled over to check for lost tools after hitting a speed bump or taking a turn too fast, you’ll eliminate the fear of your favourite wrench or hacksaw flying off your truck bed by hauling your stuff in an enclosed trailer. It’s not only bothersome to lose key equipment because it wasn’t adequately secured, but it can also be dangerous when items fall off your truck.Driving with your gear in an enclosed trailer eliminates the risk of losing critical equipment and creating road hazards. It also protects your belongings from being damaged by roadway debris, so everything you need to do your job arrives at the site in one piece.

Trust McFarlane for Top Service and Selection

Now that you know the advantages of transporting your tools and equipment in an enclosed trailer, it’s time to shop for the best hauler to meet your needs. Simplify your search by visiting McFarlane Trailer Sales in New Hamburg today.At McFarlane, we sell and service a wide range of utility trailers, from livestock carriers to flatbeds. As a trusted dealer of North America’s top trailer brands, we’ll hook you up with the right hauler and provide ongoing service to keep you successfully transporting your gear for years to come. We stand behind every trailer we sell and aim for total satisfaction for each customer we serve. Just give us a call, or fill out our simple online contact form to get in touch. Whatever your line of work, the McFarlane team is ready to help you find the perfect enclosed trailer!

How Often Should You Have Your Trailer Serviced?

February 27, 2023 by Kyle McFarlane

People often underestimate the need for trailer service and repair. While repairs can be mitigated with proper maintenance, many trailer owners do not adhere to an adequate maintenance schedule.A trailer needs attention to function as you expect. You need to keep an eye on tire wear and bearing grease. You need to wash the bed and undercarriage to prevent rust.McFarlane sells quality trailers, but you risk losing money on your investment if you do not keep up with maintenance. Taking care of your trailer means understanding maintenance schedules and adhering to checklists. It also means taking your trailer in to be serviced when necessary.

Understanding Trailer Maintenance Schedules

Just like an automobile, your trailer requires routine maintenance. A maintenance schedule helps you keep track of everything your trailer needs when it needs it.When you purchased your trailer, it should have come with a service manual. If you lost your manual, you can try contacting the manufacturer for a copy or looking for one online. Most manuals recommend having your trailer serviced every six months.Depending on your trailer, it may have specific parts or components that require more frequent maintenance. For example, many manufacturers recommend checking tire pressure, wheel torque, and breakaway functionality more often to ensure the usability of the trailer.

Acknowledging the Importance of Trailer Maintenance Checklists

Many trailer owners want to service their trailers on their own, but DIY options are often a mistake, especially if you are unfamiliar with the service steps and requirements. For example, if you are unaware of the signs of a faulty component or cannot adjust brakes, it is best to take your trailer to a service technician.If you feel confident in your abilities, you will want to look for the service checklist provided by your trailer's manufacturer. If you cannot find the checklist from your trailer's manufacturer, you can substitute one from another company.Checklists are crucial to proper servicing because they inform you how and when to care for each part. Only knowledgeable owners should try DIY servicing; it is usually best to take your trailer to a shop.

Importance of Checking Wheel Bearings and Tires

Wheel bearings ensure your trailer moves and operates smoothly. The bearings require routine greasing to ensure they function correctly. Most trailers will only need to be greased every 10,000 or 12,000 miles or every six months, whichever occurs first. Smaller travel trailers will require more frequent greasing, with many manufacturers suggesting every 2,000 miles.You should grease any other components at the same time as your wheel bearings. Grease does not last forever. If you use the trailer often, you may need to grease it more frequently. A professional technician can help you figure out how often is appropriate for your trailer and use case.Besides greasing the bearings and components, checking your trailer's tires is a vital safety measure. The tires take more abuse than any other part of your trailer. When assessing your tires, you want to ensure there is enough tread — a minimum depth of 2/32". You'll also want to check the tire pressure. Check the owner's manual for proper pressure requirements. Finally, check the tires for any signs of cracking or rotting. If you notice any significant wear, you should replace the tires.

Calling McFarlane Trailer Sales for Your Trailer Needs

Routine trailer service is crucial to ensure the longevity of your trailer. However, adhering to the strictest maintenance schedule will not prevent normal wear and tear. When it is time to replace your trailer, head over to one of Ontario's most trusted dealers, McFarlane Trailer Sales. Contact a representative to learn about the current inventory and services.