The Problem with Hiring from a Cheap Trailer Company

Hiring a trailer, whether it is in Pretoria or anywhere else in the world, means you are expecting to hire a fully maintained piece of equipment. But not all trailers companies are on the same wavelength, and if you worry about hiring your trailer from a company that is less than committed to making sure that you have a safe and well maintained trailer, you need to know what kind of issues you could encounter and what to look out for.

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When you are hiring a cargo trailer, you will generally be looking for a trailer that is perfectly capable of carrying a rather heavy load safely. Cargo trailers come in a variety of different types, which allows you to choose the specific one to suit your needs. You can hire open trailers and closed ones, and you will also get trailers in various sizes, suitable for various vehicles.

Once you have made your decision and you are ready to get going, the worst thing to happen would be for your trailer to suddenly have an issue that shakes your confidence, angers you or ends up ruining whatever it is that you are transporting, all because the trailer has not been properly maintained. This is where having some helpful knowledge can become a lifesaver.

Potential Trailer Problems

To make sure that you have found any faults or trailer issues well before you sign and pay for your trailer, these are some of the issues to look out for.

  1. Water Leaks

So obviously, if you have an open trailer, you can’t exactly complain about water leaks because you should be expecting it. But if you have hired a closed trailer and it starts to leak water, then you are looking at a faulty trailer. Water leaks could be the result of a damaged trailer covering or it could be that the trailer roof has rusted in some part and this has created one or more holes. When choosing your trailer, make sure that it can close properly and that it doesn’t have holes.

  1. Visible Rust

When a trailer is not being properly maintained, it will have spots of rust in places. The problem with rust is that each rusted area will have a weakness which can result in a hole when bumped, and as such it will make whatever it is that you are carrying vulnerable to damage. If the rust spot is big enough and ends up becoming a hole, you could even end up completely losing whatever you are towing.

  1. Wiring Problems

Every trailer is going to be connected to your car’s wiring system. This is done so that the trailers brake lights, reverse lights and indicators work. When you have a wiring problem, you will find that the trailer either does not connect at all or it connects in a strange way, meaning your reverse lights could come on when you are breaking, or vice versa.

  1. Frame Issues

The frame of a trailer is what is keeping the whole thing in one piece. If any part of the frame is damaged or in some way weakened, then you will find that the trailer’s integrity is not suitable or safe for transporting your items.

  1. False Advertising

This is a big problem among cheap trailer hire companies. While they make certain promises and agree to things like warranties, when push comes to shove, they back out and leave you hanging. To find out whether the company you are working with is this way inclined, you should make sure that you do a little digging and read the reviews.

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Tips for Safely Securing Furniture to your Trailer

One of the greatest uses for trailer hire is to move furniture. In what is often a once off event, one that requires a trailer but does not necessarily require you to buy one, trailer hire is the absolute best option that you will have at your disposal. It is cheap, it is easy and it is super convenient!

At Newlands Trailer hire we aim to provide our clients with the very best trailers the market has to offer. Our trailers are available in all shapes and sizes, and we aim to keep the prices low enough for them to fit into any budgets, even for those unexpected situations that require a trailer at the last minute and for only a short period of time. All of our trailers can be hired via our website or by giving us a call. On our blog you will find great information about how to get the most out of your trailer hire, and if you have any trouble with your trailer, we are just a call away.

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Furniture Trailers

We stock a specific selection of furniture trailers, which are perfect for moving furniture of all shapes and sizes. Using a furniture trailer makes moving really easy and whether you are moving a large lounge suite or a massive bed, when you use the right kind of trailer and you secure it properly, you can be sure that everything will arrive at your new home in one piece. Some of the more popular trailers for moving furniture include open trailers as well as closed box trailers, which are ideal for smaller items.

To ensure that you are able to pack everything in tightly so that items don’t move around while you are travelling, and to also minimise the amount of return trips you will have to make, we have a few tips for you.

Tips for packing

  • Make sure that you plan ahead. You need to plan so that the load is balanced and won’t topple over around the first corner you take.
  • All of your heavier items should go to the front and be secured to the headboard. Place your fridge and any heavy wooden items that would make up about 60% of the weight at the front of the trailer (the area closest to the vehicle).
  • Load the rest of your furniture as well as the boxes next and make sure that they are properly wedged in tightly. You should use carpets and blankets to create a padding to reduce damage from boxes and furniture moving around.
  • Once your trailer is packed, you should tie everything down. You can do this by using a rope or tie straps.
  • If your trailer is an open one, you will want to cover the furniture with a net to keep everything in place. You can also place an additional cover over the load, to protect it from getting dirty.

Before you hit the road make sure that your car is safe to tow and while on the road, stick to all of the basic rules, and you should be fine. For more information about trailer hire or to hire your own trailer, you can contact us.

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Towing a trailer in the rain

If you are new to trailer hire or if you have done it a few times before, towing a trailer in the rain is a little different than towing a trailer in clearer conditions.  The basics are the same, but you need to know that while towing a trailer under normal conditions can be a little difficult if you are not used to doing it, towing in the rain is a completely different experience.

Before you fill your mind with all of the worst case scenarios, know that there are many ways that you can stay safe while towing in the rain.

  1. Check your lights

When connecting your trailer to your vehicle, one of the steps to ensuring safety is to make sure that the lights work. But this step is all the more important if you are towing in the rain. So, instead of just doing the initial check, make sure that along the way, you stop to check that the lights are still working. This will ensure that you remain visible at all times.

  1. Give yourself space to break

Wet roads. Heavier loads. Extra length attached to your vehicle. The combination can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to breaking, especially in emergency situations. With a trailer it is already going to take some time for you to slow down, and the wet roads will only make slowing down that little bit more difficult. If possible, try to avoid the sudden breaking and always try to travel at speeds that are a little slower than the official speed limit.

  1. Visibility

In any kind of rainy weather, you should always make sure that you have maximum visibility. You already have enough stress when towing a trailer and having to get your items to wherever they need to be that you don’t need the additional worry about not being able to see the road and any obstacles clearly.

To do this you can try using a water repellent spray, and you can make also sure that the vehicles windscreen wipers are working as they should.

  1. Stop if you need to

Whenever you feel unsure or unsafe, or should the rain be coming down in bucket loads, there is nothing to stop you from pulling off the road (safely) and either waiting out the heavy rain, or waiting until you are ready to get back on the road. When pulling off in the rain, make sure that you are visible. This means you should put on your lights and your hazards, and always pull right off the road, so that you won’t be in the way of other drivers.

  1. Rearrange your hire

If hiring a trailer is not a matter of urgency, and you don’t feel comfortable taking to the road in the miserable conditions, you can always change your hire to another day.

To find out more about trailer hire in Pretoria, you can browse through our website or contact our team.

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How to Pack your Trailer for a Holiday

Packing a trailer for a holiday takes some skill. When you are faced with a mountain of things you’ll be needing for your trip, but a seemingly limited amount of space (even with your trailer) knowing how to make sure that every bit of space is properly used is of utmost importance.

Simply throwing everything into your trailer and hitting the road is not enough, and there are a few reasons why doing this is just a bad idea.

  • Firstly, you are definitely not going to be using the space to your full advantage. Packing a trailer is a bit like fitting a jigsaw together, or playing a particularly difficult game of tetras. You can possibly fit everything you intend to take but only if you are going to pack things properly. That means you have to do some careful planning and arranging, making sure that you make the most of the space available.
  • Secondly, if you don’t pack your items properly, they could end up becoming a bit of a road safety hazard. An incorrectly packed trailer can cause the load to become unbalanced, which in turn could have a nasty effect on your ability to drive safely.

Now, if you are heading off on holiday, you have two options. You can buy a trailer, and consider it an investment in your future travels, or you can take the more cost-effective option, which is to hire your trailer. Hiring a trailer is ideal for anyone not necessarily needing a trailer regularly. It makes the option available when you need it, and you never have to worry about maintaining it.

The South African Camping Holiday Adventure

In our distinctly outdoor loving country, going on holiday in South Africa is always an adventure. It doesn’t really matter what kind of holiday you are planning, if you need the additional space, your trailer will provide it.

But there is nothing quite like a camping holiday. South Africa has plenty of fantastic places to go camping, and many of them are a stone’s throw from Gauteng. With the right kind of trailer, you can tackle the rugged roads and you will have loads of space in which to pack all of your camping necessities.

If you are intending to go camping for a number of weeks, you should consider renting a trailer bigger than the city kind. Some will even enable you to pitch your tent on top of it. And on top of everything, camping trailers are super easy to pack.

We recommend making sure that you place the heavier stuff towards the middle and the back of the trailer, and place the lighter items around everything. The bigger things (those bigger in size), should be placed at the bottom of the trailer, with the lighter things put on top.

You should also try to place the heavier things close to the tow hitch, to prevent the trailer from swaying.

It will also help to make sure that you have packed things tightly together, and that nothing is left loose. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination with broken things or have to drive for hours with an annoying rattle.

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If you are one of the lucky ones heading off on a Spring holiday, you can hire a trailer in Pretoria from Newlands Trailers.

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Go on a staycation with a Newland’s Trailer

Newlands Trailer Hire has been offering a superb trailer hire service to those living in the city of Pretoria. Our trailers, are ideal for those who are looking for a cost-effective way to move things from A to B, and that includes those who are keen on going on holiday, but find that they don’t have enough space for everything they wish to take a long with them.

As inter-provincial travel opens up again, and we are able to enjoy a little leisure time at various destinations within the Gauteng province and beyond, having a trailer, and a luggage trailer in particular, is a fantastic holiday companion.

A luggage trailer is perfectly capable of carrying everything you could possibly need for your weekend getaway and with our affordable daily rates, you can afford to include the trailer in your holiday budget.

Luggage trailers have grown in popularity over the years, thanks to their convenient size as well as the fact that they are really easy to tow, even if you have very limited experience. These trailers are made for lightweight vehicle usage and are easily connected, allowing you to get on the road as quickly as you possibly need to.

The benefits of using a trailer on your staycation

Because you won’t be travelling all that far for your local holiday weekend, or even week away, a luggage trailer is going to be your perfect companion. When hiring a trailer, you will enjoy a number of helpful benefits, all of which will make your time away that little bit more relaxed and enjoyable.

  1. You’ll have extra space

Even if you are only travelling a short distance, it is not at all pleasant to have your car packed to capacity. With a trailer, even a small one like a luggage trailer, provides more than enough space to pack everything you will be needing for your time away.

  1. You can fit it into your budget

These trailers can be hired on a day to day basis and this helps to plan out your budget and find the best possible pricing for your specific needs. Keep in mind that daily rentals will generally include insurance, which will push up the price ever so slightly.

  1. You can go camping

Not all staycations need to be at some sort of luxury resort. Some of the best weekends away are those which require all of your camping gear. But instead of having to carefully pack your car or bakkie in order to fit everything, you can hire a trailer and neatly organise all of your camping gear within it.

If you are soon heading off on a staycation in the Gauteng area, keep Newland’s Trailers in mind. We keep a wide variety of fully maintained trailers for our clients to make use of. And if you are new to towing, you can always ask our team to help you out with some expert advice.

Contact Newlands Trailers today for an estimate, quotation, or for any information you might require about our best products and current specials.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Moving with a Trailer

Whether you are moving your office from A to B or leaving your house to take up residence in a new home, sometimes the most cost effective and practical way to move your belongings is to hire a trailer, pack it yourself and then hit the road.

Hiring a trailer is a service growing in popularity, as people realise just how easy and reliable taking the DIY route can be. Saving money, having more control over how you are moving, and having full control over the dates and times that you will be hiring your trailer, is going to have you feeling more confident about taking on this task.

Newlands Trailers has, over the years, developed an exceptional trailer hire service that is readily available in the Pretoria area. We have sourced some of the very best trailers and we make sure that they are kept in the best condition so that when you hire, you receive a safe trailer that will serve you well.

We keep our prices affordable, so that more people can access them and with our extensive knowledge about trailers, we can provide you with the necessary information and advice. This will ensure that you not only get the most out of your hire but that you stay safe while towing.

What do you need to know when moving with the use of a trailer?

While some questions might not be asked all that often, there are quite a few commonly asked questions that we are going to tackle now. So let’s jump in.

  1. How do you pack a trailer?

Ideally, you should make an effort to load your heaviest items, such as furniture and appliances first, Make sure that they are evenly distributed on the bottom of the trailer so that they won’t cause the trailer to become unbalanced while you are driving. The lighter items can be packed on top of and in between the heavier stuff. Make sure that you properly secure the items that you have packed.

If you are using a big, closed trailer, you can pack whatever it is you are towing from the floor of the trailer to the ceiling.

  1. Should I load boxes or furniture first?

The rule is to always load the heavy stuff first, so if your boxes are heaviest then load them first while if your furniture is heavier, rather go for packing the furniture first. This will ensure that trailer is evenly balanced and won’t topple over.

  1. When towing a trailer, where should the weight be?

Heavier items should go to the front of the trailer while light things can be placed at the back. The reason for packing this way is that when going around a corner with your cargo, your trailer won’t lose its balance and end up disrupting your driving.

  1. Is towing a trailer bad for your car?

No. But issues can arise if you don’t hitch the trailer in the correct manner. A badly hitched trailer can lead to damage to your car and even accidents.

  1. Where can I learn to tow a trailer?

In South Africa, some trailers require a particular license while others can be towed without a license but will require some know how. If you need to learn how to tow a smaller trailer, you can have a chat with us and we’ll give you some pointers.

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How to Safely Load your Trailer

If you intend to hire a trailer, to move whatever it is that needs moving, you should first and foremost know how to connect your trailer safely. But a safely hitched trailer is not the only safety consideration, as there are also potential dangers when you don’t load the trailer correctly.

Regardless of what it is that you are towing, you need to make sure that you know exactly how to pack the trailer so that the load is both balanced correctly and secured in such a way that the load won’t shift or come lose while you are towing.

The safety of the secured load will also require you to adjust your driving so that you don’t make too hasty turns that end up unbalancing the load, possibly resulting in an accident.

In a nutshell, here are some loading tips that you should keep in mind:

  • Make sure that what you are loading is heavier in the front (closer to the axle) than at the back. This is standard, unless the trailer specifies otherwise. As a rule, make sure that roughly 60% of the load is at the front of the trailer and only 40% is at the back.
  • The load should be correctly secured in such a way that it cannot move. This can be a little complicated if the load is either small or lightweight. In this case, make sure that you use additional supportive ties to secure what you are towing. Even if you are using a covered trailer, you should make sure that the load inside is secure so that it doesn’t cause a shift which could unbalance your vehicle.
  • Consider using smaller objects to balance the weight, should the load that you are towing not be heavy enough to be safely towed.
  • You will want to avoid the trailer swaying while you are driving so you will want to make sure that you drive extra carefully, and slowly. If you feel that that the trailer is starting to sway, you should decrease your speed. You should also avoid stopping too suddenly.
  • If the load moves while you are driving, know that you can stop off and rearrange what you are towing if you need to.
  • Never overload the trailer. Check with the towing company to find out more about how much weight the trailer can safely tow. You should also determine exactly how much the trailer will weigh once the trailer has been attached and loaded.
  • Keep in mind that the load will almost certainly shift when the vehicle breaks and comes to a stop.
  • Covering loads is also important if you want to reduce the airflow over the loads, which could affect the balance of the vehicle.

Once you have the basics covered, you will be able to tow your trailer with ease and with the knowledge that everything will turn out safely. For good advice and a reliable trailer, you can hire yours from Newlands Trailers.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Trailer Hire

Although it is a fairly straightforward process, hiring a trailer is not without its occasional complications and as a result, it is important to have the right information so that when you hire a trailer, you are left wondering what now.

A quick look online will show you that you are not the only one in search of trailer specific information that will allow you to make an informed choice. There is no point in hiring a trailer which doesn’t suit or compliment your exact requirements, so the more you know, the better off you will be.

While some trailers are perfect for towing your home furniture, others are ideal for smaller items that need extra support to prevent them from breaking.

The only way that you can make sure that you are hiring the perfect trailer, is by not only knowing what your exact needs are but by also knowing everything there is to know about the trailer you are considering.

The Frequently Asked Questions about Trailer Hire

How much does it cost to rent a trailer?

Costs can be determined by the day or perhaps by the hour; it all depends on the company you are hiring from and the size or type of trailer. The location as well as the length of the rental will also be taken into consideration.

To get a more exact price, it is best to contact Newlands Trailers and discuss your needs.

Where can I rent a moving trailer?

Newlands Trailers is the perfect place to rent your moving trailer. When moving house or office, you have the option of using a moving truck or a trailer. Sometimes, if you are moving only a short distance, it can be easier and more affordable to use a hired trailer instead of a moving truck. You will have more control over your move when you have a trailer as you can control how things are packed, the distance you travel, and the speed you travel.

What size trailer can I tow?

This really depends on the type of trailer and the type of vehicle you have. A 3.5 ton vehicle can tow roughly 750kg. For more exact size trailers and compatible vehicles, it is best to talk to the company you are considering hiring from. They will know exactly what their trailers are capable of handling and they should be able to give you reliable, expert advice.

What happens if you tow a trailer without the right license?

In South Africa, you need to have a license which allows you to tow a trailer. This means, you will need to apply for the correct license, and then go through all of the required testing, to make sure that you are towing a trailer within the confines of the law. You might not be able to rent a trailer should you not have the required license and if you do tow without the right papers, and you are caught, you might be fined.

Certain sized trailers (or types of trailers) need certain licenses, so it is important to know the laws and the various requirements.

For more precise information about the kinds of trailers we have for hire, or to answer any of your pressing questions, you can contact Newlands Trailers.

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How to Rent a Trailer

It’s a brand new year and perhaps you find yourself in need of a trailer, but not quite ready to pay out loads of your hard earned cash to buy one. Luckily, you have another option and that is to hire one.

Trailer hire in Pretoria is one of the most convenient ways to get access to a trailer exactly when you need it most. We’ve covered the many reasons why you should hire rather than buy your trailer and if you are still on the fence about going this route, you can check out our other blogs where we discuss why hiring is better.

Newlands Trailers has loads of experience and we know exactly how to make sure that those who hire one of our trailers gets what they are looking for. Our selection of trailers range from those capable of moving light luggage to those built for tougher tasks. The trailers are super easy to attach to your vehicle, and if you find yourself unsure or struggling, our professional team can assist you. We are more than capable of helping those first-time customers as well as those who have done it before but find that they need a little assistance.

We also try to make things easier for those frequent customers who will be renting a trailer on a regular basis. This means we make things quicker and easier for anyone who will be hiring often, so that they can get on with the job, without having to fill out mounds of paperwork.

trailer for hire montana pretoria

Renting a trailer

We have a wide variety of trailers for hire, and these include luggage trailers, furniture removal trailers, refuse removal trailers, bike and quad trailers, and car trailers. We have you covered in every way and renting from us is the more convenient option.

Once you have determined the type of trailer you need, you can fill out our detailed form and we’ll give you a call back. The more information you give us via the form, the easier it will be for us to organise the right trailer for your needs. We have 4 offices in the Gauteng area. One in Moreleta Park, one in The Wilds, one in Mooikloof and one in Newlands. If you’d rather speak to someone directly, you can give any one of these offices a call or you can drop us an email.

We’ve made it as easy as possible for our clients to hire a trailer. Get in touch with us for more information or to hire a trailer of your own.

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Top Things to Look For When Buying a New Trailer

Although hiring a trailer in Pretoria is often the smartest choice, there are those times when buying is the only answer.

Buying is ideal when your needs go beyond the short term, and having a trailer of your own simply makes more sense.

You’ll be looking at numerous trailer types and brands once you start looking to buy. The one most important thing to keep in mind when you start your search is your needs. It makes no sense to buy a small trailer when what you really need is a trailer capable of transporting your vehicle, for instance.

To make your search easier, we’ve got a list of things for you to look for in your trailer.

Trailer hire Pretoria

  1. The Material Thickness

The thicker the material used to make your trailer, the more durability you can expect. This, in turn, means that your trailer is going to have a longer lifespan. Just by looking at the trailer, you won’t be able to tell how thick it is. This is something you will have to ask your dealer.

A trailer is an investment, so make sure that you make your selection wisely.

  1. The Quality of the Axle

Having a tough axle that is capable of withstanding many years of use, should be your next concern and a top priority. The axle is going to do some of the toughest work, and should it break you’re looking at costly issues and possible roadside breakdowns.

  1. Ask about the Warranty

Any trailer brand worth making an investment in will protect their products with a trusty warranty. Not only should you select a brand that has a warranty, but you should choose a brand that offers a warranty that is written in plain English and which isn’t filled with pages and pages of complicated language. You should also make sure that the axle is included in the warranty.

  1. Paint and Seal

Another way to determine the durability of the trailer is to check the quality of the paint and sealer used to treat the material. If you are buying a closed trailer, you’ll want to make sure that nothing is able to leak into it and spoil the contents. Don’t try to judge the quality of the paint and sealer simply by looking at it, instead ask and do some research into it.

If, after reading this and weighing up the prices of the trailers, you decide that hiring is still your better option, you can always trust Newlands Trailers to have you sorted out.

Contact us today to find out more about our trailers and how much it will cost to rent your preferred trailer.

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