Must-Have Accessories For Your Utility Trailer
A good trailer is the old reliable workhorse of your wheeled equipment. As long as you maintain it, whenever you need to load something up and haul it out, it's ready to go. But to make your trailer even more useful than it is already, you should consider adding some fantastic accessories so you always have exactly what you need when you need it. Here are some of the best.
Aluminum Storage Box
The first accessory to purchase is a locking aluminum storage box for your trailer. Why? You're going to need it to store some of the great accessories next on the list. Plus it's also a fantastic place to store any tools you might need on the job. Why aluminum? Aluminum is durable and one of the lightest metals on earth. In fact, it's 3x lighter than iron. It's also corrosion resistant and that's what you're going to need on a trailer that is exposed to the elements.
Tie-Down Straps
You can never have enough straps for your trailer and now that you've added an aluminum storage box, you have somewhere to store them when they're not in use. Improperly secured loads were responsible for 200,000 crashes between 2011-2014. Don't be a part of the statistics. Ratchet straps are the most versatile and secure straps to have. When choosing your ratchet straps, look for straps with UV-resistant webbing so they won't deteriorate when exposed to sunlight. Also consider getting ratchet straps with snap hooks. These are guaranteed to stay hooked even if the strap loses tension. Also, don't forget the other useful straps like bungee cords and lashing straps.
Adjustable Ball Mount
If you have several trailers and vehicles, you're probably dealing with a variety of tongue heights. Use the same ball mount for every trailer you own by purchasing an adjustable ball mount. The best ones are made of aluminum because they are lightweight and corrosion-resistant and cost an average of $200. And when you're not using the mount, you can simply remove it and store it in your storage box so it's not stolen.
Magnetic Trailer Hitch Light
If you've ever tried to hitch up a trailer in the dark, you know how difficult it can be to get it right without enough light. Fortunately, you can install a hitch light that attaches magnetically to a mounting plate on the front of the trailer and then is easily removed once the job is done so that it doesn't get in the way while hauling or fall off in transit. Store it in your storage box when it's not in use.