If you are an avid DIY builder or simply want to build your own house or perform major renovation works, you are probably already aware about the importance of transportation.
If you are working on a huge project that requires large-scale materials and tools, you will need something to carry them from one place to the other safely, without hurting the workers and damaging the items.
Obviously, moving the materials and tools with your personal car is not the wisest idea so that you will need specialized vehicles designed for this exact purpose, namely utility trailers.
As with any large-scale equipment, buying the utility trailers can cost you a lot of money, so the more sensible alternative is to rent them.
Thankfully, for the low amount of $34 per day – this is an average, prices might vary depending on the location and the market realities of said area – you can apply for any Home Depot trailer rental service.
The rental contract covers everything, from the rental itself to setup and installation, as the store’s employees are trained and instructed to assist you with these things.
Here is what you should know about Home Depot Trailer Rental Services.
Purpose of utility trailers and how to choose them
Moving tools and materials between designated areas both outside and inside the construction lot can be difficult and expensive without the proper equipment.
In dictionary terms, “to trail” means “to follow”, which in our case involves an object that follows the path of a primary vehicle.
If you are the kind of person who likes to perform frequent yard and housework, you might already have one in the form of a pickup truck, with a flat surface (or bed) in the back side of the vehicle.
A pickup truck is perfect for transporting medium-sized tools and materials that are normally too big or bulky to be fitted on the backseat of a car.
But in order to perform serious construction tasks, you will need something that is specially designed to not only carry stuff from one place to the other but do so in the safest and most time-efficient way possible.
This is why utility trailers were invented. Now, what makes a utility trailer depends on the area (Australians, for example, refer to pickup trucks as utility vehicles or trailers), but generally speaking, a utility trailer is basically a removable version of the flatbed of a pickup truck.
The flatbed is designed to withstand high loads and is usually made out of steel, iron or aluminum. As for the walls of the trailer, you can expect high-quality iron meshes or wooden planks.
Opting for a dedicated utility trailer will give you a much-needed burst of flexibility and mobility because it allows you load up whatever you need (timber, jackhammer, chainsaws, other materials) and transport the items across long distances without spending money on delivery costs.
But before choosing a trailer, you should consider the following factors:
- What load capacity is required
- Whether the nature, size, and composition of the delivered items require ramps, tops, sides or tailgates.
- If you will tow the trailer with your family car, a mini-van or an SUV.
- How much money are you willing to spend on fuel
As we have mentioned before, utility trailers tend to be quite expensive, and unless you will use it on a regular basis, buying one is not a wise decision from a financial perspective.
Types of utility trailers
As for the items themselves, Home Depot offers a wide assortment of trailers destined for all possible situations:
- Open-air trailers – suitable for transporting tall objects. They feature a 2 x 8-inch plank floor, tie-down areas made out of steel, heavy-duty mesh ramp doors and brand new, top quality paints jobs.
- Enclosed Trailers – for transporting heavy objects in the safest conditions possible. A few of their features consist of secure, Amscot-coated fasteners, sturdy floors made out of painted plywood and strong walls capable of withstanding repeated abuses.
Further on, there are a few other things to cover besides the rental aspect. In order to use a trailer, be it rented or bought, the majority of American states have laws that require users to acquire the proper registration.
To obtain the documents, make sure to ask for any relevant information and your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Apart from the permits and other official documents, you will have to outfit your car to support proper trailer transportation.
Therefore, make sure your car has the appropriate add-ons, such as trailer hitches, hooks, and towing packages.
Additionally, your trailer will need a separate electrical wiring in order to illuminate its backlights.
Another good rule of thumb is to always carry an extra wheel in case of tire breakages and basic safety equipment kits, like safety cones and flares.
Conclusion
Transportation is one of the most important logistical aspects of every construction project.
While some medium-sized tools and materials can be easily transported with your personal car, renting a trailer from hardware chain stores such as Home Depot is a wiser approach, both from a financial and practical perspective.
Make sure to determine what type of trailer you will need by evaluating all the aspects of your project, get the necessary documents and permits from the local authorities, and you will, definitely make the right choice in this respect.
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