Configuring Your Trailer for the Most Utility
Trailers, no matter the kind, have tremendous utility. So whether you just started a lawn care company and are looking for your first trailer or already have an established business and need an upgrade or replacement, you’ll want to know the most efficient lawn care trailer setup methods.
Open vs. Enclosed
A trailer is an essential part of a lawn care company, and the best setup is a neatly organized trailer with all of your tools, additional storage space, and space to move about.
There are two primary types of trailers: open and enclosed. If you’re launching a new lawn care business, an open trailer will be affordable and ideal for carrying out such a job.
However, when your company grows, we advise upgrading to an enclosed trailer to benefit from free advertising while keeping your equipment safe from the elements and potential thieves.
What Size Trailer Should I Get?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for the best lawn care trailer setup because your needs dictate the type of trailer and the tools you select.
Knowing the perfect size trailer to get for your specific purpose may take a lot of work, especially if you’re new to the lawn care industry.
To get a leg up, ask other lawn care providers about what to use, or you can take a mental note of what you see listed for sale online and their potential uses.
A standard eight 6-foot or 2.4-meter x 1.8-meter trailer with extra compartments will likely be sufficient for push and ride-on lawn mowers and extra power equipment.
You may even find a trailer already set up for a lawn mowing business, which will simplify the shopping process.
You’ll see open and enclosed trailers in lawn care, but each setup differs. We’ll present pertinent information to keep in mind depending on which one you choose and tips for the best lawn care trailer setup based on your needs.
Choose the Best Size Based On Your Current Business
Ultimately, the trailer size you select will depend on your current state of affairs. What do your daily operations look like?
You want to choose a trailer that’s big enough to accommodate your lawn care business as it expands but not so big that it becomes a wasteful investment you’ll never need.
For example, if your equipment now consists of a string trimmer, handheld blower, and a push lawn mower, you definitely won’t need a monstrous 32-foot enclosed trailer. Something basic, like a trailer that’s 6 feet long, would suit you perfectly.
Contrastingly, if you have numerous tools such as several backpack blowers, two zero-turn mowers, sprayers, numerous trash cans, and more, the 32-foot trailer instantly becomes more reasonable.
Open Trailer Sizes
The standard sizes for an open trailer are 7 feet x 16 feet and 6 feet x 12 feet.
This utility trailer is perfect for a smaller landscaping business with only a few small motors or one heavy-duty zero-turn mower.
Lawn care professionals should consider upgrading to an enclosed trailer if they want to haul around more heavy-duty equipment than this.
Enclosed Trailer Sizes
For an enclosed landscape trailer, the most common widths are 8.5-feet, 7 feet, and 6 feet wide.
Measuring your equipment before purchasing is essential because you want to ensure sufficient space to move around when your trailer is fully loaded.
A dump trailer can also be anywhere from 8 to 32 feet long, so many options exist. If something seems wrong, you can also find a company that manufactures custom-made trailers.
Getting Started With Setup
There are many optional tools and upgrades that you can get for your trailer. Below you’ll find standard upgrades you may want to try out with your trailer.
Choosing the Right Racks and Attachments Can Make You More Organized and Efficient
Trimmer Rack
You use a trimmer rack to store line trimmers, hedge trimmers, and edges. This accessory is crucial because it keeps your tools organized and your floor space clean.
Blower Rack
Although a blower rack isn’t necessary, having one will allow you to keep your trailer floor even cleaner.
Water Cooler Rack
A water cooler rack is another accessory that keeps your floor clean while preventing dirt from getting into the cooler spout. Generally, a water cooler rack gets mounted at the front of trailers near the fork.
Consequently, your water stays secure and clean while giving you easy access to cold water.
String Holder
When you buy a string for your trimmer, it will mostly come in a string holder. You can keep your line here until it’s all out; without the holder, the trimmer string is bound to get tangled.
Gas Cans With a Rack
Gas cans are a must! In the lawn care industry, the frequently used sizes are 2.5-gallon and 5-gallon cans.
Most sellers have separate cans for regular and mixed gas so look for a label to delineate which is which. Even though the rack is optional, it is another way to keep your floor as clean as possible.
Hand Tools Holder
Enclosed trailers generally have a shelf at the front of the trailer; even with this, it is easy to misplace small tools when storing them there. Getting a hand tools holder designated just for your smaller tools is easier.
Trash Can and Trash Bags
If you plan on cleaning debris or raking leaves, you’ll need a trash can with trash bags. However, having a trash can in your trailer is good, even if you don’t plan on performing cleanups.
It’s good to have a place to throw your waste, such as empty bottles, empty packages, used line trimmer string, and so on.
Ladder
A situation may arise where a bush is too high from the ground for you to reach. Having a medium-sized ladder in your trailer for times like this will prove invaluable.
Sprayer Rack
This item is optional. Having this can help mitigate the damage done to the sprayer nozzle by preventing people from stepping on it while simultaneously reducing clutter on your floor.
Trailer Wrap
If you have an enclosed trailer, you may wish to consider getting a trailer wrap. A trailer wrap can serve to promote your landscaping business while on a job location or while driving in traffic.
Other Convenient Features
Lawn care can be taxing, especially when working in the elements all day. To reduce stress, having tools and equipment with convenient features will make your life much easier.
For example, getting a self-propelling lawn mower will save you energy because you won’t have to exert as much force to move it.
You can take a similar approach when configuring your business’s best lawn-mowing trailer setup. Search for trailers with split ramps that can aid in loading and unloading your lawnmowers.
Split ramps are much lighter than solid ones, allowing you to save energy and not get burnt out before you begin doing the actual job.
Other convenient features include locks to close your trailer securely and multiple access points to get to your equipment easily.
Factors To Check After Setup
Here are key factors to check after setup to ensure that you’re good to go and everything is set up properly before hitting the road.
Focus on the Wheels
Always check your tire pressure and ensure you don’t have any punctures or cracks due to overloading. Inspect the lug nuts to see that they’re tight before every outing.
Inspect the Coupling
You should check the coupling often, as it’s among the most important trailer parts. Look for chips, warping, and cracks on the hitch ball and tow bar.
It should be easy to hitch and unhitch your trailer, so apply grease at least once every month to the coupling inside. Look at the chain and check for breakages, corrosion, and rust.
Check Your Indicator Lights and Taillights
Before taking your equipment out on the road after your lawn care trailer setup, evaluate your indicators and brake lights. It’s just as important to check your work after a setup that all parts are working together as it is to do an excellent job with the initial setup.
