Things To Consider If You're Shopping For Roll-Off Trailers
Posted on: 5 March 2021
When you're launching a new roll-off container rental business, your single biggest investment beyond your fleet vehicles is your roll-off trailers. Before you launch headlong into ordering from the lowest bidder to get your roll-off trailers, there are a few things that you should think about to ensure that you're getting quality equipment. Here's a look at some of the things you might not know to consider if you're new to buying roll-off trailers.
How Is The Trailer Powered?
You will find that roll-off trailers come with one of two power sources for their operation. Some models are engine-powered, while others rely on battery power. Understanding which one is your best option takes some careful thought.
Battery-operated roll-off trailers are often an attractive option because they are more affordable than their engine-powered counterparts. However, that affordability will likely cost you over the longer term. That's because battery-operated roll-off trailers use a deep-cycle battery that holds a limited charge. You might get two trailer loads completed before the battery runs out, then you have to charge it overnight before it can be used again. This limits your production, and it could prove seriously problematic if your battery runs out of charge in the middle of dropping a container.
You won't face this kind of power limitation with an engine-powered roll-off trailer, though engine-powered trailers will cost you more in the initial investment. Engine-powered roll-off trailers will allow you to run all day without worry about running out of power, which gives you the opportunity to meet growing business demands without hesitation. Just make sure that you have the room in your capital budget, or you may find that you have to buy fewer trailers, limiting your startup fleet.
Are The Trailers Proprietary?
Another common consideration that many first-time buyers overlook when choosing a roll-off trailer is whether or not the trailer is a proprietary design. In some cases, certain trailer manufacturers will craft their roll-off trailer specifically to fit their brand of roll-off containers. That means you have to buy both your trailer and the containers from that supplier. If you want to change trailers or containers in the future, you'll find that you have to replace both because your existing containers won't fit on another trailer, and your existing trailer won't fit any other type of container.
These are two of the most important things to think about when you're in the market for roll-off trailers. Talk with a supplier near you today for more information.
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