General-Purpose Trailers: How to Choose the Right Size for Everyday Jobs

Some trailers are bought for one very specific task. Others need to handle a changing list of jobs: collecting supplies, moving garden equipment or taking materials from one place to another.

That is where a general-purpose trailer enters the conversation. Choosing one well means looking at your usual loads, the way you load them and the space available at home or work.

At M O’Toole Trailers, we offer M-TEC general-purpose trailers. Before choosing a model, work through these practical questions.

What does a normal month look like?

List the jobs you expect the trailer to do regularly. Be specific: write down the equipment, boxes or materials you carry, rather than simply saying “general use”.

Then separate the frequent jobs from the occasional ones. A large item you move once a year should not necessarily decide the size of a trailer you use every weekend.

This exercise also helps identify whether your needs are truly general purpose or whether a more specialised trailer would be worth discussing.

Measure your awkward items first

Start with the widest, longest or most difficult item you carry. Compare its dimensions with the trailer’s usable internal space, allowing for a suitable loading and securing arrangement.

Ask how the quoted dimensions are measured. Internal bed dimensions, overall width and total length answer different questions.

If you carry wheeled equipment, discuss a compatible loading arrangement and its rating. Do not assume that a tailgate is intended to serve as a loading ramp.

Think through loading at both ends

The collection point may have excellent access, while the destination has a narrow gateway or limited space to unload. Consider both ends of a typical journey.

Questions worth asking include:

·       Can I reach the load comfortably from the available access points?

·       Will the side or rear opening suit the items I carry?

·       Which compatible cover or storage options are available?

·       Where are the designated securing points?

A useful way to compare two models is to talk through the same everyday job with each one.

Make storage part of the buying decision

Measure the space where the trailer will live, including the route into it. Remember to account for total length, not just the load bed.

Think about whether you need to get past the parked trailer and how easily your vehicle can approach it. A trailer that fits tightly into a corner may be inconvenient to use when you are in a hurry.

Discuss suitable security accessories when requesting a quote. Storage planning is easier before purchase than after the trailer arrives.

Check the specification, not just the price

Ask for the trailer’s weight ratings and compare them with your intended loads. Confirm towing compatibility using your vehicle’s documentation, and check the licence entitlement needed for the combination.

When comparing quotes, look at what is actually included. A spare wheel, cover or other accessory may be optional, so make sure you are comparing equivalent configurations.

Get advice on a practical everyday trailer

Bring your typical load list, the dimensions of your largest item and your towing vehicle details. Add a photo or measurements of your storage area if access is tight.

Explore our general-purpose trailers or call 086 7854 083 to discuss available options with M O’Toole Trailers in Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon.