Buying a grain trailer can be a sizable investment. Manufacturers of grain travelers have become fewer and further away from most people because of the fluctuating economy. This means that you need to have done your homework before going out for a price assessment on this needed piece of farming equipment. It's a good idea to know if you're interested in new or used equipment, the number of axles you need, and the type of breaking system you want, among other information.
You first want to decide whether you want to invest in a used or new grain trailer. It's always safer to buy a grain trailer brand new, but you could save a lot of money by finding a high quality used one. A newspaper called Truck Paper® offers ads for used grain trailers, and you may also have luck on Internet sales and auction sites.
Be careful if you do opt to shop for a used trailer. Never trust a seller before you see and test the trailer. Have any machine you are considering thoroughly inspected before purchasing. You also want to do the transaction in person, exchanging money as you possess ownership of the grain trailer. Many scams have occurred because the buyer trusted the wrong person, so make sure that what you see is what you get.
The next consideration is whether you need your grain trailer to have one, two, three, or four axles. The average trailer has two axles. If you are hauling anything that weighs more than 3,000 pounds (1,360.7 kg) on your grain trailer, you must have at least two axles. If you have large loads that need to be quickly processed more axles are recommended.
Estimate the common needs you have for a grain trailer before you buy one; these needs will be crucial in deciding which brake system best fits with the work you need to do. Electric braking systems are the norm, but there are also hydraulic braking systems and surge braking systems. In many areas, any grain trailer with a break system is also required to also have a breakaway system. Ask the dealer about what he offers for any grain trailer that you test.
Know what you want before you go in to see grain trailers — a knowledgeable consumer is an empowered one. If you act confused, a dealer is more likely to try to take advantage and steer you to what he most wants off the lot. Ask questions when you don't know something, but also emphasize and state the knowledge that you do have. You will be well on your way to making a good purchase that you can use and benefit from for years to come.
