How to Safely Haul Loads on a Trailer

September 22, 2022 by
How to Safely Haul Loads on a TrailerSafety should be every cargo hauler's top priority. Knowing your weight limits, having the right security equipment, conducting proper inspections, and using corner protectors will keep your load secure and other motorists safe on the road. A single-axle utility trailer may be your best option for lighter loads. Read more about how to set up your trailer for a safe ride. 

Know How Much Weight Your Trailer Can Haul 

Every trailer has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This is a combination of the trailer's empty weight and the weight of the cargo. It is usually not possible to measure a load by itself, so you will need to complete some basic math before you load your trailer. Subtract the weight of the empty trailer from the GVWR, and you will have your maximum load capacity. You can also look for the data plate on your trailer. It is usually located near the tongue. Under "axle capacity" you should see a number that lists the weight capacity of your trailer. This corresponds to the diameter of your axle and how much weight it can hold. For example, a 1.5" axle diameter can hold up to 1,000 pounds, whereas a 5" axle diameter can hold up to 10,000 pounds. 

Have the Right Safety Equipment

Straps, ratchets, tie-downs, nets, and blankets all may be required, depending on the load. Plan ahead to make sure you have everything you need before you haul. Protect your safety equipment against excess sun, rain, wind, and road salt to ensure they last as long as possible. 

Ratchet Strap Tie-downs

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that you need one ratchet strap for every five feet of cargo length and every 1,000 pounds of cargo weight. You simply cannot overdo it when tying down your cargo. Always err on the side of caution. Inspect each strap for frays and damage. Make sure the ratchets are operating under their breaking strength and working load limit. 

Moving Blankets

Heavy-duty blankets will keep your cargo from jostling and bumping into the sides of the trailer and other pieces in the load. Cargo will inevitably shift, so it's a good proactive strategy to cover valuables to avoid dents, dings, cracks, and scratches. 

Cargo Nets

Install these with bungees on the corners, between large items that may slide or tip while the vehicle is in motion. You can also use these to create safe partitions or barriers between different sections of the trailer.

Install Corner Protectors

As ratchet straps are tightened, they often dig into the sharp corners of a metal trailer, causing cuts and weak points. Corner protectors solve this problem by using tough, durable plastic, rubber, or steel that fits snugly against the sides and edges of your trailer bed. Thread the strap against the guiding gulleys of the corner protector to help your straps last longer.Corner protectors are versatile in length and design. They are relatively inexpensive and come in bulk quantities. Find the size and shape configuration that meets your needs. 

Buy a Single Axle Utility Trailer from McFarlane

We have dozens of utility trailers for sale, whether you're looking for aluminum, steel, used, or new. Many of our trailers come with a three-year warranty. Our brands include Enbeck, Millroad, One Sixteen, and Rescraft. Take advantage of our personalized customizations as well. We can retrofit any trailer to your specs, including: 
  • Custom brake controllers
  • Interior accessorizing 
  • Plug-and-play vehicle wiring
  • Drawbars and trailer hitches
  • Mags and tires 
Give us a call today or visit our website. We treat each trailer like our own and go the extra mile to make sure you are satisfied with your purchase. 

3 Simple Utility Trailer Upgrades You Can Make

August 31, 2022 by
Simple Utility Trailer Upgrades You Can MakeA proactive way to get more value and performance out of your tandem axle utility trailer is to customize it with upgrades that add convenience, safety, efficiency, and peace of mind. LED taillights, ramps, and spare tire carriers offer many benefits to your daily workflow and hauling needs. Read more below to consider how to improve your trailer. Then explore our website further to learn about the vetted brands and versatile selection of trailer types we offer. 1. LED TaillightsThe factory-installed safety lights on your single axle utility trailer are usually incandescent bulbs, meaning that they are likely to blow out quickly and need to be replaced fairly often. The filament inside an incandescent bulb is very susceptible to disconnecting due to vibration and the normal bounce and stress of road travel. LED lights last quite a bit longer and are not as prone to breakage. They can usually be spliced into your existing wiring system. Moreover, they are usually encased in plastic or fiberglass, reducing their exposure to elements such as water, airborne debris, and road salt. 2. Ramps Most utility trailers operate perfectly well for hauling raw materials, lumber, soils, and scrap metal from construction sites. One easy customization, however, is to add a ramp kit that allows your utility trailer to become an equipment hauler when necessary. ATVs and small machines can then be hauled without the need for a flatbed or tilt trailer.A simple wooden ramp kit can also allow you to use a wheelbarrow to dump your materials into the trailer, rather than having to lift everything manually or use a shovel. This can be fairly inexpensive and time-efficient customization. Simply install bolted hinges to the edge of your trailer bed, and attach a sturdy wooden or aluminum platform that can be folded up into the bed of the trailer when not in use. 3. Spare Tire Carriers While all residential and commercial vehicles come with a special compartment for stowing spare tires, trailers do not usually have this feature. This results in you having to keep your spare tire in the trailer bed itself, which takes up an awkward amount of space when loading the trailer. It also means that if your trailer is fully loaded and you get a flat, you have to undo all of your hard work to unearth the spare tire, then reload the whole trailer again once the flat is fixed. A spare tire carrier avoids all of this hassle and stress. It can usually be mounted parallel to the rails of your single axle utility trailer, for easy unbolting without having to rearrange any of your cargo. Install it on the outside or inside of the trailer wall. Secure it with a u-lock or other fastener, and you can hit the road with fewer worries.

Buy a Tandem Axle Utility Trailer from McFarlane

The benefit of a tandem axle trailer is that you can take on a lot more weight with a similar level of fuel efficiency when compared to a single axle utility trailer. We have dozens of options to choose from, including small 5 X 10s all the way up to larger 7 X 20s. We stand apart by offering you warranties of one to five years, and following extensive delivery protocols before we hand it over to you, Our other product selections include car trailers, deckover trailers, hydraulic dump trailers, flatbeds, and tilt beds. We offer an extensive catalogue of trailer parts for quick repairs. Contact us today to learn about our financing options and get a custom quote that meets your needs. 

Load a Utility Trailer Like a Pro With These Tips

July 14, 2022 by
Load a Utility Trailer Like a Pro With These TipsProfessional movers have a lot of experience loading trailers. Use these tips to load just like a pro. Pros think ahead to consider trailer weight, payload capacity, and the different approaches when loading a single axle utility trailer versus a tandem axle utility trailer. 

Calculate Your Trailer Weight

Start by measuring the empty weight of the trailer (also known as curb weight). Conventional steel trailers are heavier, while innovative aluminum trailers weigh less. It may be helpful to run a quick search of truck stops or weigh stations within driving distance of your location. Make sure that they are using certified scales so that you know their readings are accurate. Then follow these steps:
  1. Hitch your empty trailer to the vehicle you'll use to tow the trailer.
  2. Haul the trailer to a truck stop or inspection station.
  3. Drive onto the scale.
  4. Record the weight reading.

Identify Your Trailer's Payload Capacity 

Once you get back to your original location, note the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer. This can be found in the owner's manual, product description, or other literature. It may also be found on a sticker affixed to the trailer itself. The GVWR is the maximum legal amount that this trailer can safely weigh, when full. Using what you already determined as the curb weight of the trailer, subtract the curb weight from the overall GVWR. This gives you the amount of cargo payload that the trailer can handle. Keep this number at the forefront of your mind when loading your trailer. If the items you are planning to haul exceed the payload capacity, you'll have to use a different trailer to ensure the safety of all drivers and vehicles on the road, the security of the load itself, and the structural integrity of the trailer. 

Verify Your Tongue Weight

This step is often overlooked, but it is very important. A trailer's tongue should take up approximately 10% - 15% of the total weight once the trailer is loaded. A tongue that is too heavy could make it difficult for your towing vehicle to make turns successfully. A tongue that is too light could cause swaying of the load when the driver takes a curve. The hitch you use should also measure tongue weight. If your GVWR is 10,000 lb, then your tongue should be 1,000 - 1,500 lb. If the hitch does not measure the tongue, you can use a portable scale and place it underneath, rest the tongue on the platform, and record the weight manually. 

How to Load a Single Axle Utility Trailer

Always load the heaviest items toward the front of the axle (nearest to the hitch). The weight distribution within the trailer should be 60% in front of the axle and 40% behind it. An unbalanced trailer can lead to dangerous driving conditions. 
  1. Park on a level surface. 
  2. Chock the wheels. 
  3. Ensure the weight is distributed 60/40.
  4. Load the heaviest items first.
  5. Use straps to tie down large items.
  6. Place lightweight cargo on top. 
  7. Engage your hitch and test your lights. 

How to Load a Tandem Axle Utility Trailer 

Tandem axle trailers can usually hold more weight than a single axle trailer. The process is the same as above, however. If the trailer load is small enough, it may be possible to center what you have between the two axles. Make sure you verify, again, that the tongue weight is 10%-15% of the gross towing weight, for safety and efficiency. Contact McFarlane Trailers at our website to learn about the different types of trailers that can accommodate your next move or haul.

How to Avoid Trailer Sway

June 20, 2022 by

5 Tips To Avoid Trailer Sway

5 Tips To Avoid Trailer Sway

A single-axle utility trailer offers you many advantages as far as hauling cargo goes. However, it could also pose a risk of a dangerous situation called trailer sway. This occurs when a trailer fishtails from side to side while still attached to the towing vehicle. The cause is forces on the side of the trailer. Though this often occurs due to wind, including the bow wind that occurs when passing a semi-truck, other factors can cause or contribute to it.The danger of sway is that the trailer could tip over and bring your vehicle with it. You can't control all the factors that can cause trailer sway, but you can take steps to prevent it and learn how to cope with it should it occur.1. Learn How To Cope With Windy ConditionsIdeally, you would avoid towing your trailer at all when conditions are windy, but it may not always be possible to avoid it. Here are some driving tips to avoid sway when towing a trailer and to manage the problem if it does occur:
  • High speeds make sway even worse, so do not speed up when you notice it occurring.
  • Reduce speed but do it gradually. Only apply the trailer brakes, and do not slam on them.
  • Don't try to steer out of sway. Instead, keep the steering wheel steady.
As soon as you are able, pull over to see if you can figure out what is causing the trailer to sway and how you might be able to correct it. If you ignore it, the problem is likely to persist, which can put you in danger.2. Check Your TiresIf your tires are uneven in their size or air pressure, they could put your trailer off balance. Even if this does not cause a sway directly, it could put you at greater risk for one. This includes the tires of both the trailer and the towing vehicle. Before you set out, check that all the tires are the same size as well as being inflated to the correct tire pressure.3. Make Sure the Weight Is Within the Load CapacityThere is a load capacity for your trailer and a load capacity for your vehicle. The capacities of each include the weights of the vehicles as well as the cargo. Factor in the weight of the tongue, which is the part that connects the trailer to the towing vehicle. The weight of the vehicle occupants also has to be taken into consideration.4. Load the Vehicle CorrectlyIt is not enough to make sure the weight is within the load capacity; it also has to be loaded correctly in the vehicle to avoid sway. The heaviest items should be at the front of the trailer. This puts 10% to 12% of the weight over the tongue of the vehicle, which is necessary to prevent sway.If items in the trailer are allowed to shift from side to side, it could throw off the equilibrium and cause the trailer to sway. Therefore, the cargo should be tied down. It may take some practice at redistributing the load to get the weight distributed properly. Ultimately, if you can't distribute the weight adequately, you may have to remove some of the items, either coming back for them later or making other arrangements to transport them.5. Consider a Friction Sway Control DeviceFor smaller trailers, one of these devices should be adequate, but you need one on either side of the hitch if the trailer is over 5,000. By applying resistance to the trailer, these devices help reduce the effects of sudden and unpredictable wind gusts.A single-axle utility trailer is only one type of trailer we offer. Check out our selection of quality manufacturers.

Learn More About the Enbeck Single Axle Utility Trailer

March 24, 2022 by
Learn More About the Enbeck Single Axle Utility TrailerWe know that, when it comes to buying a new trailer, you have a wide range of choices. The selection can be overwhelming, so we would like to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on one variety of the trailers you can buy from us, the single axle utility trailer from Enbeck, to outline its many uses and the benefits it has to offer. 

Uses for the Enbeck Single Axle Utility Trailer

This is a flexible trailer with many possible uses, both professional and personal. Do you find that you frequently have to get rid of trash or debris in mass quantities? Maybe you work for a business in which scrap materials frequently need to be cleaned up. Maybe you do yard work at home, leaving behind large piles of grass and leaves that you don't want to leave piled up. In either case, a utility trailer makes it easier to haul debris and garbage away, so much so that you may want to help out the neighbours after you are done with your yard. If you do frequent remodelling or work around the house, a utility trailer can be an efficient way to bring building materials home from the store or move power tools around the yard. If you run a landscaping business, a utility trailer is effective for hauling your lawnmowers and other power equipment from one job to another. Utility trailers are good for more than just work. If you are interested in power sports, you can haul small vehicles, such as dirt bikes and ATVs, as well as other equipment, from place to place on your utility trailer. This is a hassle-free method of transporting your vehicles and equipment that is also cost-effective. 

Benefits of an Enbeck Single Axle Utility Trailer

Generally speaking, a single axle utility trailer is easier to maintain than other types. Because there is only one axle, there are fewer movable parts, such as bearings and brakes, to wear out. A single axle trailer also has fewer tires than a double axle trailer, meaning less chance for blowouts. Enbeck trailers are made of aluminum alloy, making them lighter than comparable trailers made of steel without compromising on their pulling power. This means that you can haul the same amount of cargo but your vehicle doesn't have to work as hard to move it, which translates to fuel savings and less maintenance on your vehicle. Nevertheless, even an aluminum trailer has a maximum load, which you should be aware of before you buy. Aluminum trailers are not susceptible to rust or corrosion, nor do conditions of harsh sunlight, rain, or snow harm them. Should your new trailer get a dent in it, you should be able to return it to its original shape easily as aluminum is more malleable than steel. In these respects, an aluminum trailer is even more durable than its steel counterparts. Enbeck is a Canadian-based company that understands the conditions your trailer has to stand up to. Therefore, you can trust that local knowledge went into the design and manufacture of the trailers to make sure they can withstand whatever conditions you may encounter. 

Why Should You Buy From McFarlane's?

Our sales team guides you through the entire purchasing process. We listen to you to assess your needs and help you find a trailer best suited to you. A single-axle utility trailer is a powerful and versatile piece of equipment, but depending on the weight of the loads you intend to carry, you may need something more powerful. Our staff is knowledgeable and can make recommendations for a trailer that can meet your needs. Find out more about single axle trailers. 
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