Transporting vehicles can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to long distances or delicate cars such as classics and sports cars. Trailers specially designed for car transport offer a safe and efficient solution for transporting vehicles. In this article, we will discuss the different types of trailers available for car transport, how to choose the right trailer, and what steps to take to transport your vehicle safely.
Car transporters can be divided into several categories, below is an overview of some types of car transporters.
A platform trailer is a trailer with the loading floor above the wheels. Its advantage is that the trailer hardly needs to be wider than the load. Disadvantages are the higher centre of gravity, and therefore less stable, and the need to load and unload with ramps or a flap. The resulting ramp angle is often steep, making loading sports cars often difficult.
A tilt trailer has a tiltable loading floor, making drive-up easy. As a result, shorter ramps or a short ramp are sufficient. To ensure the ramp angle does not become too steep, ramps or a flap are still a requirement.
A car transporter with a sagging loading floor can lower its loading floor between the wheels, hydraulically or pneumatically, bringing the loading floor to the ground. This creates a minimum ramp angle and makes ramps or a flap unnecessary. A disadvantage is width, as the wheels of the trailer sit outside the loading floor.
Air-suspended Car Transporters offer a revolution in loading convenience and efficiency for transport. The ability to automatically lower the loading floor to ground level eliminates the hassle of ramps and tailgates. Less loading length is required, due to the absence of ramps and the risks of driving next to them are eliminated. In addition, air suspension is always tuned to the actual weight, making an air-suspended trailer particularly comfortable to drive.
For extra protection from weather conditions and theft, an enclosed-mounted car trailer offers the best solution. This trailer is covered, protecting the car from the weather and hiding it from view.
Using a trailer for car transport provides a reliable way to move vehicles safely and efficiently from one location to another. By choosing the right trailer and taking the necessary safety measures, you can ensure that your vehicle arrives at its destination in perfect condition. In the overview below, we give you tips on choosing the right trailer.
Still have doubts about choosing a trailer? The trailer experts will give you an honest, no-obligation advice.
It is essential to choose a trailer that is suitable for the weight of the vehicle being transported. Check the maximum permissible weight (MTM) of the trailer and make sure it can carry the weight of the vehicle. For universal car transport, it is advisable to choose as high a payload as possible, as cars are getting heavier due to electrification.
Make sure the dimensions of the trailer are suitable for your vehicle. Too small a trailer can lead to unsafe situations, while too large a trailer can make it difficult to navigate busy cities and manoeuvre in narrow streets.
Depending on the type of vehicle you are transporting, you may need to choose a specific type of trailer. For example, for classics or sports cars, an enclosed car trailer may be preferable, while a flatbed trailer may be sufficient for standard cars and transporting a track car may require paying attention to the ramp angle.
Check what your car is allowed to tow. This may determine your choice in types of trailers.
Regular trailer maintenance is essential to ensure safe transport conditions. Check the brakes, tyres, lights and fixing points before setting off. Make sure the ramps or tilt systems operate smoothly and are free of rust or other damage.
Using a trailer for car transport provides a reliable way to move vehicles safely and efficiently from one location to another. By choosing the right trailer and taking the necessary safety measures, you can ensure that your vehicle arrives at its destination in perfect condition. Whether you are a car enthusiast looking to transport a classic car or a garage owner or dealer who needs to transport multiple vehicles, with the right knowledge and equipment, car transport becomes a simple task.