Tipping Trailers in Ireland: What to Consider Before You Buy

Loading a trailer is only half the job. If you regularly move soil, gravel or other loose materials, unloading can take a sizeable chunk out of your working day.

A tipping trailer is worth considering when that same job keeps coming around. Before choosing one, however, look beyond the size of the body. The right trailer needs to suit your materials, your towing vehicle and the places where you actually work.

At M O’Toole Trailers, our tipping trailer range includes Ifor Williams and M-TEC options. These are the questions to start with when comparing trailers.

What will you carry most often?

Write down your three most common loads. A landscaper carrying loose soil has a different routine from someone moving bagged supplies or bulky equipment.

Consider how each load arrives on the trailer and how it needs to come off. Will a loader fill the body? Do you need access from the sides? Will you unload into a clear yard or at a customer’s property with restricted access?

These details help narrow the choice more effectively than asking for the biggest trailer within your budget.

Compare payload as well as body size

A spacious body does not automatically mean a trailer can carry more weight. Your chosen model’s specification needs to match the load you intend to move.

Ask for the empty weight, maximum permitted laden weight and usable payload of the trailer in its actual configuration. Accessories and fitted equipment need to be accounted for. Check your vehicle’s towing limits and driving-licence entitlement separately before committing to a combination.

For background, see the RSA’s guidance on towing capacity.

Look closely at the unloading arrangement

Ask for a demonstration of the tipping controls and tailgate arrangement on the model you are considering. Find out which features are standard and which cost extra.

Useful questions include:

·       How is the tipping system powered and maintained?

·       How does the tailgate open for my usual materials?

·       What operating instructions come with the trailer?

·       Which accessories are approved for this model?

Discuss your typical unloading area too. Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and site safety procedures; this buying guide is not a tipping procedure.

Think about the trailer between jobs

Measure your storage space before deciding on a body length. Include the drawbar and allow room to approach, hitch up and open gates.

It is also worth thinking about cleaning access, where loose equipment will be stored and whether the trailer will be used by more than one person. Small practical details become much more noticeable when a trailer is used several times a week.

Ask for a quote based on your workload

When comparing prices, request the specification in writing. Check what is included, what is optional and what the collection or delivery arrangements will be.

Have your towing vehicle details, usual load and preferred dimensions ready when you enquire. That gives us a useful starting point for discussing suitable options.

Looking for tipping trailers in Ireland? Explore our tipping trailers or call M O’Toole Trailers on 086 7854 083 to discuss current availability and pricing.