There are lots of different places to go on vacation. Sometimes, however, staycations are the best. You don’t have to pay for airline tickets or hotels. Such holidays are also a lot easier to organise. Trying to arrange an international family vacation can be a nightmare. If you plan on taking a staycation then it’s best to prepare early so you can make it a memorable one. A lack of planning could result in it being boring. One piece of equipment you can benefit from owning is a travel trailer. This post will tell you why, as well as how you can choose one:
Suitable Size
Until you know what sized trailer you are going to need, making a sensible purchase decision is going to be impossible. The experts from Millennium Trailers showcase a variety of different trailers on their website, showing that they are available in many different sizes; in order to determine what an appropriate size for you is, work out what you are going to use your trailer for. Will you be sleeping or storing things in it? If it’s going to double as a tent on rainy evenings then you will need enough room for everybody to fit comfortably.
Quality Tires
When looking for a trailer to buy, one of your first thoughts should be the quality of the trailer’s tires. As most people tow trailers behind their cars good quality tires are important. When you are towing a trailer it’s not always easy to tell if the tires are wearing away as you can with your car. If your trailer’s tires are not made of high-quality rubber and are in pristine condition then they could wear away quicker.
Tight Bearings
When you have found a trailer you are interested in buying inspect its bearings. Unless your trailer bearings are tight it could fall apart on the road. Unless you have experience in mechanics you will not be able to inspect your chosen trailer bearings yourself. To this end, hire a mechanic to accompany you to the showroom so you can inspect the trailer effectively. You will have to pay a fee to hire a mechanic for the purpose of inspecting your trailer. Most showrooms will be more than happy to accommodate inspections of this kind.
Tow Hitch
In addition to inspecting the trailer’s bearings it is a good idea to look at the tow hitch as well. Most new trailers will have pristine tow hitches; it’s only used ones where there is the potential for damage to have occurred in the past. A tow hitch that is not in good condition is at risk of breaking. If your tow hitch is not in good condition then you might be able to negotiate the price with the trailer’s dealer. Any damage or issues can be leveraged to get a better deal. Trailers are not cheap so you should always be looking for ways to save money.
Working Brakes
One of the most important inspections you can do is on your trailer’s brakes. If they do not work properly then sudden stops could cause it to veer off and crash, disconnecting from your car. Your trailer’s brakes are not going to be easy to inspect and as such you will need a professional’s help. If you see any grease leaking out of them, it is a strong indication that they are not working properly. Trailers with damaged brakes should not be purchased under any circumstances, as they can deteriorate very quickly.
Interior Space
Earlier, size was mentioned. Size does not equate to space. Some trailers that are very large are small inside. You need a trailer that’s spacious enough inside to accommodate your lifestyle or the kind of activities you will be pursuing. When you go to view your chosen trailer at the dealership make sure that you take a measuring stick with you so you can get an accurate idea of how much space there is inside. Sometimes, dealers’ estimates are wrong or intentionally misleading. Taking your own size measurements is the most effective way of determining how much available space there is.
Built-in Features
If you are going to be using your trailer as a makeshift tent or bedroom then it needs to have built-in features, like chairs, a stove and ideally a sink. Unless you have these things sleeping inside your trailer will not be very comfortable. You will be pleased to know that you can buy trailers purpose-built for individuals interested in camping or going on road trips. Such trailers are more expensive than standard ones but have a lot more features and use. Finding a trailer with built-in features will save you the trouble of making upgrades and additions yourself.
Drainage System
Find a trailer with a drainage system. Even if you are not planning on living in your trailer right now, in the future you might decide that you want to stay in it. Unless the trailer you buy has a drainage system you will not be able to use the toilet or run water inside of it. Many trailers do have drainage systems. Installing one yourself will be very difficult. A trailer with a drainage system shouldn’t be hard to find as they are widely available. They do tend to cost more than standard ones do, however.
Trailer Weight
One last thing to think about is the weight of your chosen trailer. Some trailers are very heavy and therefore cannot be towed by certain makes of car. Find out what your car’s maximum tow limit is. If the trailer you are planning on buying exceeds it then you will either need to find a new trailer or buy a new car for the purposes of travelling. Trailer weight should be available on the product’s listing. If not then reach out to the dealership selling it and ask them to give you further information.
Trailers are a good way of storing things when you’re on the move. They also give you somewhere to sleep if the weather’s not ideal for camping. You can use this post’s guidance to find the trailer that is right for you and your family.
