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looking to buy my first trailer, and would appreciate some help. I have larger wheels 10-13" and jockey wheel on the tick list, but what about suspension. What is the advantage of modern units over leaf suspension if any.

Mike

Depends on where you buy from,how much you want to spend,the dimensions of the trailer you want,what you are going to use it for,and most of all what weight you want it to be able to carry.Do you want a trailer with brakes,an 'A' frame towing bracket,metal body or wooden body.The choices are as numerous as the individual wants to make them.

With most people,it comes down to cost.and storage when not in use.

Hi Mike,

As some have said before, you first have to determine how much you are going take with you and find a suitable sized trailer. What ever you buy you will use the space, so go larger rather than smaller. You Will also have to find something that suits the vehicle you are using as well. You do not want too much weight behind a small compact car for example. You can buy a trailer capable of  750kg gross weight without it having brakes. This will mean you can probably carry about 570kg of equipment once you take in to account the weight of the trailer.

In a small car you will definately feel this behind you under braking if you do not have a braked trailer.

I have had a few trailers and the smaller wheeled trailers do not ride as well as a 13" wheeled trailers. The other problem with tiny wheels is you have little clearance under them and they do hit large pot holes rather than ride over them.

The makes that are well rated and reviewed are Daxara, Brenderup, Anssems, Humbaur, Franc just to mention a few.The larger Daxara trailers are good and I have owned a Humbaur with a lockable lid which was all aluminium (so no corrosion worries) but we out grew it sadly.Great trailer though. I have eventually ended up with a Brenderup 2205s trailer (1000kg) which is braked. Rather big but you hardly know it is there.

The advantage of manufactured trailers is most hold a fair resale value if you look after them as people know the brand names. There are a lot of after maket upgrades available to enhance and enlarge the branded trailers and any spares are not too dear and easy to get.

I have purchased a second hand Brenderup before for under £300 from the local free ads, ebayed some extension bits for it,cleaned it up had 2 years use from it and sold it for more than what I paid for it.

You just have to pick the model or models you like most and keep scouring through the free ads and for sale ads. I took 4 months to get the trailer I have now. I could not touch one on ebay for under £700+. Checked the ads non stop morning and evening. You have to be willing to go anywhere within reason to get what you want. I eventually struck lucky on preloved and found a fresh advert 140 miles away,immaculate, for £395.00. Well worth the drive.

I got a Brenderup 1105s as well, hardly used Under 2 years old for £170, a good bargain can be had if you know what you want and are willing to persevere.

I would go for a 13" wheel with a triangular front towing frame for stability if you intend carrying quite a bit of stuff, Hope some of this is helpful to you. Pete.

PJB62 has offered good advice , I agree with the size/budget balance and can only add that you will always need more space, strange though that the weight carried is in our experience far less than the trailer spec. We have a 750kg trailer with 150kg body weight, so a load ability of 600kg, so far I guess ( using kit makers weights) that we carry about 150kg to 200kg weight of kit. So loads of headroom on the weight ability but a very tight fit every trip.

Our trailer has an "A" frame drawbar which I understand aids towing stability, and should we choose to enhance the suspension the manufacturers supply shock absorbers for user fit.

I think having driven in strong cross winds towing I was quite pleased not to have chosen a unit that created its space vertically.

Thanks for all the advice it is much appreciated as I have never towed before. My problem is more that my car is small a Yaris and when the big Cabanon and all the equipment is in I am loaded to the gunnels. It would nice to put the tent and other bulky but fairly light items in the trailer approx 150kg max.

I had the tow bar fitted today at All Fit Lichfield (good service by the way) and saw the brenderup 1150 in the flesh and was very impressed. I will save for that unless i happen to get a bargain on ebay.

Once again. thank you for the usual excellent advice from the peeps here

Mike

well i have bought a second hand trailer with 13" wheels including a spare for £105 inc jockey wheel on ebay the brenderup is at the moment beyond my meagre means. Will pick it up this weekend and will lovingley restore. Most grateful for all the help i received on this subect.

 PS if i was even remotely solvent would jave bought the brenderup, they are so well built.