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Not every trailer is well suited to every type of work, which is why there are different types of trailers available. You could benefit from the purchase of a tilt deck trailer if you frequently have to haul equipment that is very large or heavy. If you are not sure how a tilt trailer works, here is some information to help you familiarize yourself with this trailer type.
Most types of trailers have a deck that is fixed in place. If you need to load equipment onto the deck that is heavy, large, or has wheels, you may have to lower a ramp or fasten one onto the back of the trailer to accomplish this task.
A tilt trailer is different in that the entire deck can tilt down. It comes with a mechanism that raises the front part of the deck, lowering the back part to the ground, similar to the action of a seesaw. In a sense, the entire deck of the trailer becomes a ramp of its own. From that point, it is a simple matter of lowering the deck and securing the cargo; then you can be on your way.
There are two basic varieties of tilt deck trailers. A sliding tilt trailer is built on a hinge. Left to its own devices, the weight of the deck causes it to naturally tilt down on the hinge. There is a lever on the trailer that keeps the deck locked in place. When you are ready to load your cargo, you simply release the lever and allow the deck to tilt down. The weight of the cargo causes the deck to tilt back up, at which point you can use the lever to lock it back into place.
Hydraulic jacks provide smooth, fluid motion that you can control with the push of a button thanks to their hydraulic power units. The deck remains in the desired position until you push the button again, meaning that it will not move until you are done loading your equipment. Hydraulic tilt trailers are a good choice if you have to haul attachments along with a piece of equipment.
When a trailer has a ramp attached, you usually have to fold the ramp up onto the deck. The ramp takes up space within the trailer, meaning that you have less room for your cargo. A tilt trailer provides more space for storing and hauling your cargo because there is no ramp to take up extra room. Instead, the deck becomes its own ramp.
In many cases, the trailer doesn’t have just one ramp but two, each of which is just wide enough to accommodate your vehicle’s tires. If you are driving a vehicle or piece of equipment on or off the ramps, you have to line it up just right or you could fall into the gap between them. This is more likely when you are unloading the vehicle because you have to drive it off backward. There is less chance of an accident like this with a tilt trailer because the entire deck lowers to the ground. This makes it easier for you to navigate the vehicle either on or off of it.
While some trailer ramps may operate automatically, you usually have to raise or lower them manually. Because the ramps can be quite heavy, you could overexert yourself while lifting them up and cause an injury. Whichever type of tilt trailer you use, you do not have to raise or lower the deck manually, meaning less risk of injury.
You can also customize your tilt deck trailer so that it better fits your needs. Find out more about aluminum trailers for sale from Millroad Manufacturing.