Trailer Questions

[GChief]

I agree, however not ever volunteer driver knows how to use a brake controller without some guidance or training.

I agree, but it has never taken me more then a few minutes to train the inexperienced on brake controllers on our co.pany trucks and trailers.

Hell my completely incompetent SO had it down with a few minutes of training and the few miles to the nearest highway with our camper.

 

[ss55]

Did some of you miss the part where the OP said the trailer would operate within the city limits, 10 times per year, and 200 total miles per year??? He needs to haul band equipment across town, not a max GVW load across the country.

Most cities ten miles across will have some freeways and highways where speeds run 45 to 60 plus MPH. Stoplights, stop and go traffic, cornering, other vehicles pulling onto the roadway, etc. all complicate things for volunteer drivers who may not be used to pulling a trailer. No trailer brakes will not improve that if the driver still expects to be able to stop like a regular car while pulling a trailer with no brakes.

 

[trackrat]

For that limited use it would be impractical to buy a truck due to the upkeep costs involved, I would not think it would be a problem to pull a trailer as lightly loaded as this would be. I ran around with a band when I was in my twenties, we had drums and various instruments with three pickers amps and speakers didn't weigh more than 800 lbs. a very light load in a smallish trailer, don't overthink the problem

 

[trackrat]

I agree, however not ever volunteer driver knows how to use a brake controller without some guidance or training.

the loaded trailer would be well under the need for brakes

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

7x14 is about as large as you can get with a single axle enclosed trailer. Larger than that are tandem axle normally because the weight of the trailer itself requires most of the capacity of the first axle, leaving you little payload capacity for stuff. You do NOT want to overload trailer axles. When it says 3500lb capacity, you start bending axles and blowing tires at 3501lbs.

Most states require brakes on trailers with GVWRs of 3000lbs or higher. Some states require brakes at 1500lbs GVWR.

 

[showcrop]

Did some of you miss the part where the OP said the trailer would operate within the city limits, 10 times per year, and 200 total miles per year??? He needs to haul band equipment across town, not a max GVW load across the country.

87.6 percent of accidents happened less than 20 miles from the victim’s home.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I am a member of a local community concert band, a non-profit organization that provides 10 free concerts within out community each year. All traveling for the concerts is within the city limits and we probably travel no more than 200 miles per year. Currently, we haul all of our percussion equipment (bass drum, snare drum, 4 timpani, marimba, xylophone, etc.,) in band member's cars, vans and a very small open trailer. We are considering purchasing an enclosed trailer. Based on measurements, we can't find a trailer big enough to haul all of the equipment. We have looked at 6 X 12, 8 X 10 and 7 X 14. We wanted to go with a single axle to avoid having brakes, but those trailers are not large enough. We want to go with a trailer hitch at the rear bumper, not one in the bed like a fifth wheel. The trailer will be stored outdoors so we will need to go with an aluminum trailer. We have look at United brand trailers. We need to have a trailer that has a ramp in the back for rolling the equipment onto the trailer. Questions: Do all trailers larger than 6 X 12 require brakes? Is 7 X 14 the largest trailer available? Is United the best brand? Does anyone manufacture a self-propelled vehicle that looks like a trailer, with a ramp in the back for easy loading? Thanks for all suggestions.

3000 lbs is the limit for trailers without brakes.
In Minnesota we have about a gazillion single axle boat trailers. Most do not have brakes of any kind and I'll bet many are pushing that 3000 lb limit pretty hard - if not exceeding it.
If you need more capacity or want more safety you can use surge brakes.
I think you should be able to find an enclosed trailer that will suit your purposes.
I have no clue what it would cost but the answer to your question is not as complicated as some here are making it out to be.

 

[Scott 730]

I think you should be able to find an enclosed trailer that will suit your purposes.
I have no clue what it would cost but the answer to your question is not as complicated as some here are making it out to be.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, We have a winner!!!!!

 

[TheBartman47]

Others have already mentioned it, but I'll add my 2-cents as well - get a used 17ft. U-Haul van. They have a built-in ramp, anyone can drive it, takes up less space and easier to maneuver into parking spaces than a pickup and trailer.

NOTE: ALL used U-Haul vans should be expected to put some repair money into them right away, as that's why they are selling them. You will need to do a front end suspension overhaul, and probably some minor engine work. If one has a bad transmission, skip that one and get one that only has engine problems. A new set of heads on a 200,000 mile engine isn't too expensive and it will last for years longer.

 

[trackrat]

Others have already mentioned it, but I'll add my 2-cents as well - get a used 17ft. U-Haul van. They have a built-in ramp, anyone can drive it, takes up less space and easier to maneuver into parking spaces than a pickup and trailer.

NOTE: ALL used U-Haul vans should be expected to put some repair money into them right away, as that's why they are selling them. You will need to do a front end suspension overhaul, and probably some minor engine work. If one has a bad transmission, skip that one and get one that only has engine problems. A new set of heads on a 200,000 mile engine isn't too expensive and it will last for years longer.

but a trailer doesn't have any of those to give problems

 

[NDIHC]

but a trailer doesn't have any of those to give problems

That's why I think they'd be better off renting something 10 times a year than owning something and taking on the maintenance costs, insurance liability if it applies, keeping lights and tires in good condition etc. Plus storage/parking when the trailer isn't in use 355 days a year.

 

[trackrat]

That's why I think they'd be better off renting something 10 times a year than owning something and taking on the maintenance costs, insurance liability if it applies, keeping lights and tires in good condition etc. Plus storage/parking when the trailer isn't in use 355 days a year.

unless they want to use it to store some of it in

 

[MarkB_MI]

For your application, I think buying a truck is a Really Bad Idea. Right off the bat, a truck will need plates and insurance. Trailer plates are cheap compared to truck plates, and trailers don't need insurance. (If you want to insure the trailer for collsion and comprehensive, that's fine, but the tow vehicle has liability insurance that should cover the trailer.) A new trailer will go a long time with very little maintenance. Who knows how much maintenance a used truck will require over the next ten years? A trailer will need a set of tires after ten years, plus maybe inspect the wheel bearings and brakes. Check out how much six truck tires will cost versus four trailer tires. Lastly a large truck may require a CDL; you got a bassoonist or euphonium player who's licensed to drive a truck?

 

[ss55]

I am a member of a local community concert band, a non-profit organization that provides 10 free concerts within out community each year. All traveling for the concerts is within the city limits and we probably travel no more than 200 miles per year. Currently, we haul all of our percussion equipment (bass drum, snare drum, 4 timpani, marimba, xylophone, etc.,) in band member's cars, vans and a very small open trailer. We are considering purchasing an enclosed trailer. Based on measurements, we can't find a trailer big enough to haul all of the equipment. We have looked at 6 X 12, 8 X 10 and 7 X 14. We wanted to go with a single axle to avoid having brakes, but those trailers are not large enough. We want to go with a trailer hitch at the rear bumper, not one in the bed like a fifth wheel. The trailer will be stored outdoors so we will need to go with an aluminum trailer. We have look at United brand trailers. We need to have a trailer that has a ramp in the back for rolling the equipment onto the trailer. Questions: Do all trailers larger than 6 X 12 require brakes? Is 7 X 14 the largest trailer available? Is United the best brand? Does anyone manufacture a self-propelled vehicle that looks like a trailer, with a ramp in the back for easy loading? Thanks for all suggestions.

Has the original poster disappeared?

 

[moresmoke]

That's why I think they'd be better off renting something 10 times a year than owning something and taking on the maintenance costs, insurance liability if it applies, keeping lights and tires in good condition etc. Plus storage/parking when the trailer isn't in use 355 days a year.

Not to mention keeping a trailer stationary when not in use, depending on the community. My work has a couple enclosed 16’ trailers. In the city where they are kept, if not in a secure lot, they will not be there come morning.

 

[Ray,IN]

unless they want to use it to store some of it in

storing musical equipment in an un-heated trailer invites humidity problems and corrosion. I would avoid that if at all possible.
IMO, renting a moving truck is the least expensive route, and most efficient. Say renting a suitable truck costs $65/day X 10 trips/yr. =$650/yr and no insurance to maintain, license plates, tires, etc. If it required a 2-day rental, that's still the best use of available money.

 

[JDNewbie]

Rent a UHaul truck or van. Most advertise inexpensive in town rates and have a ramp ($19.95 plus mileage and fuel). It’s an added step to the logistics of each performance, but tags, insurance, and maintenance cost too.

A local business in town might even have something suitable with their name on it and they might be willing to sponsor travel to your performances for a shout out at your concerts.

The school band director and many students here are involved with our community band, and our school district is supportive, so they use a school trailer to move percussion.

If you buy a trailer, I would almost bet someone in your band has a vehicle with a brake controller and would be willing to drag a trailer for you. (I’m guessing with that much percussion, you probably have a fairly good sized band). Many newer full size trucks and SUV’s have them built in these days. You are correct to consider the need for brakes, but it probably isn’t a deal breaker for a trailer. I have no experience with wireless controllers, but that sounds like an easy way to find more tow vehicles.

 

[miangus]

I always wondered if the way some of the modern brake controller's work if the braking system could be contained on the trailer. Place a battery with a controller on the trailer and connect the controller to the brake lights just like in the truck. I pulled a 26' Hallmark with hydraulic surge brakes, and it braked like a dream. I have been told that system was not legal for commercial vehicles.