West House Trailers FAQS

West House Trailers
Jul 31
4 min read

At West House Trailers, we stock both new and used trailers, and every used trailer is thoroughly inspected and serviced before sale, giving you confidence in your purchase.

What size trailer do I need?

Depending on what your use case is you may need a small trailer, a larger trailer or a specialist trailer. For example if you are moving horses, you need a horse trailer and you need to make sure the trailer is the right size for your horse, you don’t need the biggest trailer to move a single shetland pony! If you need help picking out a trailer, our staff are always on site or on the phone to help!

Can my car tow this trailer?

All trailers have different weights and you need to check your cars vehicle handbook. The maximum you can tow on a standard licence is 3.5 tonnes (3500kg). Most smaller cars and even lots of larger cars may struggle to tow 3.5 tonnes, only larger cars such as pickup trucks and large SUVs have the capabilities. Lots of trailers weigh less than 3.5 tonnes and can be towed by more conventional cars.

Do I need a trailer licence to tow?

You can tow a trailer up to 3.5 tonnes on a standard car licence in the UK (category B). If you passed your test from 1 January 1997 onward you can tow trailers up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), provided your car is rated to pull that weight. Iif you passed your test before the 1 January 1997 you have a legacy entitlement, allowing a combined vehicle and trailer weight of up to 8,250kg MAM (This means you must check thw weight of your own vehicle too. If the vehicle and all of its cargo / passengers weigh 2250kg, you can tow a trailer up to 5000kg)

What is the difference between braked and unbraked trailers?

A braked trailer uses an overrun braking system, also known as inertia braking. This allows the trailer to have its own brakes separate from the tow car. An unbraked trailer has no independent braking system and relies entirely on the towing vehicle to stop. By law, unbraked trailers are limited to a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of 750kg. Because the tow vehicle does all the braking, stopping distances are longer and extra care should be taken when towing.

How much weight can I legally carry in my trailer?

This depending on the Maximum Gross Weight (MGW) of the trailer. The MGW takes the weight of the trailer and the weight of the cargo into account. Therefore the trailer can weigh 3000kg but that means you can only hold 500kg of cargo (if the MGW is 3500kg). Typically the largest trailers have a MGW of 3500kg. You should always check the MGW of your trailer and the weight of your load before travel as well as making sure the trailer is not overloaded.

How often should I service my trailer?

Servicing depends on the use of the trailer. For a trailer that is used everyday and put under stress such as tipper trailers, or commercial trailers they should be serviced and checked regularly (every 2-6 months). For more casual trailer usage, like taking a horse to a competition every now and then, servicing once a year is recommended. Trailer servicing means getting the safety components of the trailer checked over by a professional. At West House Trailers we offer servicing for all makes and models of trailers! Our Full service includes checking the brakes, electrics, axles, ramps, tyres, clips, floor, etc.. it also includes a power wash outside. The cost of a service is £110 plus VAT.

How long do trailer tyres last?

This also depends on how much the trailer is used, your average tyre will last 20,000-40,000 miles however most trailers do not reach this milage. The maximum lifespan of a tyre is 10 years due to the rubber naturally deteriorating. But it is highly recommended to change tyres after 5-6 years for maximum safety. If your trailer sits for long periods of time, tyres can also develop flat spots which make the ride bumpy and unsafe, getting your tyres changed when this happens is a must. All tyres have a marking on the side with the week and year that the tyre was made, it will usually look something like 3624 – This would be the 36^th week of 2024.

Do trailers need an MOT or road tax?

Most trailers in the UK do not require an MOT or road tax. However, your towing vehicle must have a valid MOT (where applicable), be taxed, and be insured. It's also worth checking that your vehicle insurance policy covers towing.

How do I maintain my trailer to make it last longer?

Regular maintenance will help extend the life of your trailer and reduce repair costs.

We recommend:

Washing your trailer after use, especially during winter when roads have been salted.
Keeping the chassis clean to reduce corrosion.
Applying underseal every few years for extra protection.
Having the trailer serviced annually.
Checking tyre pressures regularly.
Greasing moving parts where required.

If your trailer won't be used for several months, it's best to store it on a solid surface such as concrete. Raising it onto axle stands or blocks can also help prevent flat spots developing on the tyres.

Should I buy a new or used trailer?

Whether you should buy a new or used trailer depends on your budget and how you intend to use it.

Buying used can save a significant amount of money and, in many cases, there's no VAT to pay, making it an attractive option for private buyers. However, you may not know the trailer's history, particularly when buying privately, so there's always an element of risk.

Buying new offers complete peace of mind. New trailers come with a manufacturer's warranty, have no previous wear and tear, and won't usually require servicing during the first year. For VAT-registered businesses, the VAT can often be reclaimed, making a new trailer an even better investment.