Have you accumulated more items than your house can hold? Do you have an enclosed trailer sitting empty in your yard?

The obvious handy solution is even more convenient than you might think. The features and qualities that make enclosed trailers ideal for hauling are no less beneficial for storage:

Protection from Weather: Quality enclosed trailers are designed to protect their contents and themselves from moisture caused by snow or rain, and from the drying, fading, and cracking effects of the hot sun. With a bit of sealing and maintenance help from you, they can continue to do so for a long time.

Mobile storage: If you own a farm or other large property, and use many of the same tools repeatedly, you can move them all wherever you need to use them. And in emergency situations like approaching wildfire or severe weather, you can load up your valuable possessions, so you’re prepared to haul them to safety.

Protection from Theft and Vandalism: Existing theft deterrence features, like door locks and solid construction, are just as effective in your yard as they are on the road.

Protection from Floodwater: Trailers are already elevated by tires and can be raised further on concrete platforms.

Cost-Effectiveness: Over the long term, buying a trailer costs less than renting, building, or purchasing a storage unit.

Versatility: You can store anything from household items to business equipment to vehicles, and your enclosed trailer can serve a wide variety of purposes.

Temporary storage during moves. If you need to do some work on your new space before you move items in, you have them stored close by.

Storing equipment for events. If your business is supplying anything from catering to music, you can keep your equipment safe and ready to roll.

Seasonal Storage: Hockey equipment, Christmas decorations, or camping gear – if you’re not using it at the same time you’re not using your trailer, take advantage.

Interested in a storage option that’s built to protect cargo, can be moved wherever you need it, and retains much of its original value?

Call or visit your nearest Flaman Trailers location to learn more about the advantages of storing items in an enclosed trailer. Our experts are ready to answer any questions you may have. We also offer some timely tips on taking good care of your trailer and its contents.

So, you’re running a small business or maintaining your property, and you need a durable, reliable, and well-designed trailer. However, you don’t want to spend extra on a heavy-duty unit that’s bigger than you need.

Trailer manufacturer Diamond C realized that many dump trailer users faced similar challenges. So, the company developed a solution.

The Baseline Trailer Series

Diamond C launched this new series in July of 2024 to make dependable trailers more accessible. Baseline trailers offer the same quality and durability as the company’s premium trailers at a lower price.

“Basics Done Best”

Making core Diamond C quality and functionality more affordable is the guiding philosophy behind Baseline series trailers. The company’s designers focused on accommodating the budgets of businesses and individuals who didn’t need the advanced features of their premium trailers.

They prioritized essential functionality for tasks like equipment hauling and material dumping. The reliability and longevity of features, like tilt-decks for easier loading, were crucial to smaller landscaping, construction, and general hauling businesses.

Baseline Trailer Models

Heavy-hauling commercial companies can afford the Premium Series’ stronger suspension systems, heavier axles, and Engineered Beam Technology. Those features easily pay for themselves in tonnage and hours worked.

The Baseline series takes out the features smaller, lighter-hauling companies don’t need but maintains the solid frame, dependable wiring harness, and DM coating system that ensure durability and reliable performance. These trailers provide everything these users need at a price within their budget:

The Tale of the Tape

A head-to-head comparison of the Diamond C Premium and Baseline series shows the same across comparisons for equipment trailers, tilt trailers, and dump trailers. One series is bigger and beefier. The other is less expensive.

So, Who’s the Winner?

Isn’t it obvious? The winner is every contractor or property owner who’s waited for something like the Baseline series to come along. Diamond C will likely also do well, which is what happens when a company sees a change whose time has come.

Get to Know the Baseline Series at Flaman.

Take advantage of your chance to see Diamond C design, engineering, and functionality in a more compact, budget-friendly working trailer. Call or visit your nearest Flaman Trailers location and ask to learn more about the Baseline series.

For some, DIY projects are a point of pride. For others, they’re part of making a living. Either way, a dump trailer turns back-breaking projects into manageable tasks—saving time, money, and muscle.

The hydraulic hoist and steep dump angle slide massive debris loads off your reinforced bed deck in seconds. That saves you hours of shoveling off nail-bound, melted-together clumps of shingles or chucking out brush or concrete chunks by hand. Meanwhile, safety features like advanced brake systems and secure locking mechanisms protect both the operator and bystanders.

Whether you’re hauling gravel in or trash out, dump trailers are built to help. Electric or manual tarps keep materials secure and dry. Stable frames and maneuverable designs let you navigate tight spaces and uneven terrain without worry.

DIY projects that go smoother with a dump trailer’s help.

Construction & Renovation:

Tough, large-capacity dump trailers are built to haul old drywall, concrete, broken tile and other heavy demolition waste in a single trip. It can do the same hauling in materials, bricks, lumber, even mini excavators from building supply and rental dealers.

Landscaping:

Homeowners and pros alike trust mulch, gravel, sod, mowers, small tractors, and other landscaping necessities to heavy-duty dump trailers. You can easily roll over uneven ground, and the hydraulic tilt and gate controls make distributing materials effortless.

Property Clean-up:

Inherited a fixer-upper? Bought a “steal of a deal” that came with a yard full of junk? A dump trailer can serve as your mobile dumpster. Make one trip for trash and another for items to recycle or resell.

Furniture & Equipment:

Oversized furniture, pianos, and shelving units fit easily in a dump trailer. A winch helps pull items in, tie-downs keep them safe, and a tarp protects your cargo from bad weather—a big help if you plan to donate or sell it.

Firewood & Roofing:

Need to haul and deliver cords of firewood? Done. Roofing? Bring in pallets of shingles, and use the trailer as your landing zone for tear-offs. Unlike bin rentals, dump trailers don’t scratch your driveway, and they always arrive exactly when you need them.

Is a dump trailer worth the cost?

Absolutely. Repeat haulers will find these units quickly pay for themselves. Lower maintenance costs (compared to dump trucks), high resale value, and opportunities for side gigs, like hauling brush or helping neighbours, make them a wise investment.

Get the right dump trailer for your DIY projects.

At Flaman Trailers, we offer models from Southland, Trailtech, and Diamond C, providing a range of sizes and features. Whether you need it once a week or every day, we’ll help you choose the right trailer to lighten your load and multiply your efficiency.

Just need a dump trailer for a short-term job? Flaman Rentals has well-maintained heavy-duty dump trailers ready to go to work – without the upfront cost. Call or visit your nearest location and ask about affordable rentals by the day or week.

Over the last two years, there’s been an undeniable spike in trailer thefts across Canada, with buyers often left holding the bag. In Alberta, one thief alone duped unsuspecting buyers out of $140K. In Ontario, thieves have taken advantage of a loophole that allows them to resell stolen trailers as “homemade,” exempting them from the VIN number requirement.

The frequency of this and other scams have skyrocketed. In 2013, 1,291 of Ontario’s 100,155 registered trailers were designated homemade. Ten years later, that number shot up to 15,405 of 99,350.

The term “buyer beware” has never carried more weight. As one of Western Canada’s largest trailer dealers, we’d like to share a few tips to help you avoid increasingly sophisticated stolen trailer sale scams.

Look for these red flags:

• Irresistibly low price. The number 1 sign of a scam is a price that seems too good to be true.
• Suspicious ad photos. If an ad shows you stock photos instead of actual, current images, keep looking elsewhere for a more reliable deal.
• Seller is "unable" to show you the VIN number. He most likely means “unwilling,” and for obvious reasons. “It must have fell off.” or “I know the guy I bought it from” is no substitute for a VIN number you can use to get the real history of purchase or theft.
• A "used" trailer that doesn't look used at all. New trailer lots are a favorite target for thieves. They’re not always easy to get, but pristine trailers have great markup and huge appeal for unsuspecting buyers, especially at low, low prices.

What to do to protect yourself:

If the seller can’t show you a VIN number on a trailer’s existing registration, you may still be able to check its history through one of these agencies:

• Saskatchewan VIN search
• VIN Verification Services Inc. - Alberta and Saskatchewan
• Replacing or Applying for a Vehicle Identification Number – Manitoba Public Insurance
• B.C. Assigned VIN program

With 12 locations across Western Canada, Flaman offers top-brand trailers sales and rentals. Our well-maintained and road-ready enclosed, flat deck, utility, dump, ag transport, specialty, and horse and livestock trailers are backed by certified service, professional Parts Department, and flexible financing. Call or visit your nearest location.

Helping Aluminum Live Up to Its Promise.

Aluminum-frame trailers may be more expensive than steel-frame models, but they make up the difference in many ways. They’re lighter, so you can pay less for fuel or load more cargo. They’re flexible, so dings and dents are easy to fix. They’re strong enough to carry all but the heaviest of loads.

Finally, their rust-resistant qualities give them a head start on a long life, retaining much of their value for years to come. With a little help from you, they can be one of the soundest investments you’ve ever made.

Here are three tips for keeping all the above-mentioned aluminum trailer benefits for a long, enjoyable time.

Regularly Clean Your Trailer.

Carefully remove any dirt, grease, or debris. At first, this may seem less imperative with aluminum, which usually does a great job of protecting itself. Whereas steel rusts when exposed to oxygen, aluminum instantly forms a thin, protective oxide layer. As luck would have it, that oxide layer takes on the same blueish-grey hue of the aluminum beneath it.

However, aluminum can still be damaged by certain types of contaminants. This is especially true in a horse and livestock trailer. If you own one, you’ll also want to wash all waste and urine off your floor. It’s highly corrosive. Fortunately, aluminum decks are easy to hose off, especially if they tilt. Farm animals aren’t the only corrosion risks a trailer can carry. For example, concrete has a pH value of 12.5 to 13.5, so it’s alkaline enough to cause surface pitting. Aluminum trailers can also corrode after they’re exposed to moisture and road salt.

Keep It Dry and Check for Damage.

After cleaning, be sure to dry all surfaces completely before you tackle any maintenance tasks like applying wax or touch-up paint. Although corrosion can pose a threat to aluminum, it is notably less than the threat steel trailers face. But you’ll still have to check for grease, dirt, and debris and ensure your trailer fully dries off after cleaning.

As you dry your trailer, inspect it for any damage. Check the frame, axles, runners, and wiring areas for signs of wear and tear or cracks. If you notice any issues, it’s best to get them fixed as soon as you can. Taking care of small problems right away saves you the expense and trouble of fixing extensive damage later.

Grease the Wheel Bearings and Hinges

If you have an aluminum trailer, you’ll want to keep your hinges lubricated. It's important to grease the wheel bearings and other moving parts of your trailer regularly. Reducing resistance and preventing friction will inhibit rust and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Thinking Aluminum? Think of Flaman.

If you’re considering buying an aluminum-frame trailer, there’s a good chance its rust-resistance weighed into your decision. That quality yields a lot of desirable benefits, including longevity, like-new looks and higher resale value.

Would you like to get all those benefits in an aluminum trailer that meets your requirements and fits into your budget? Call or visit your nearest Flaman Trailers location. There are 12 of them across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Our wide selection of aluminum models includes enclosed cargo trailers and utility trailers with single or tandem axles.

Talk to our trailer experts about the right unit for your needs, including customization, financing, and rental options. Of course, our certified service is always ready with inspection, repairs, and maintenance to keep you on the road for years to come.

Which are better, steel-frame trailers or aluminum-frame trailers?

The debate started in the 1970s, when aluminum trailers entered a market entirely owned by steel. Half a decade later, neither option has made the other obsolete. That’s because there is no best trailer choice for everyone, but there is a best trailer option for you.

Flaman Trailers wants you to find your ideal trailer based on what you haul, the roads you travel, and how much you’ll use it. Here’s our head-to-head comparison. We promise to be impartial. After all, we do sell both.

HAULING CAPACITY

There are three hauling capacity measures to understand – trailer weight, maximum cargo capacity, and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR is a sum of the first two measures, which you can check against your tow vehicle’s GVWR to eliminate any risk of overexerting it.

GVWR important to know, especially if you’re hauling heavy farm or industrial equipment. Once you get into these heavier hauls, steel is the only way to go. For instance, the steel-frame Behnke Step Deck Air Ramp Equipment Trailer has a GVWR of 90,000 lbs. Meanwhile, heavier aluminum trailers like the ATC 8.5'X24' Enclosed Car Hauler and the Aluma Heavy Tilt Utility Trailer have GVWRs of 11,400 lbs. and 9,990 lbs. respectively.

Because steel-frame trailers can support more weight per square foot, cargo can be stacked higher than it can on an aluminum frame, which is why enclosed steel trailers can be built taller.

However, aluminum-frame trailers have a superior weight-to-cargo ratio. Being 10-15% lighter than similar-sized steel-frame trailers, they can carry more cargo within your GVWR limit. Aluminum trailers can easily handle that extra weight for one good reason ...

CONSTRUCTION

Strength and Flexibility

There’s no doubt steel is the stronger, more solid of the two materials. But that doesn’t mean aluminum should be equated with crinkly foil wrap and easily crushed beer cans. The aluminum used in trailer frames isn’t made to crumple. It’s made to flex, giving it strength that far exceeds many expectations.

Aluminum trailers aren’t made from pure aluminum, but rather a high-grade alloy blending 95% aluminum with stronger metals like titanium, copper, zinc and chromium. That alloy is further strengthened by an engineered extrusion process. Heated until it becomes malleable, the alloy is pushed like toothpaste through specially cut dyes. It emerges in specifically shaped lengths, which are cooled, cut, and processed to become lightweight trailer parts.

Not only are these parts lightweight, but their strength is concentrated where it’s needed, with three times the flexibility of steel. That gives the material a judo-like ability to redirect whatever force comes at it. If it does bend or get dented, the damage can easily be worked out. Some damage can even work itself out.

Conversely, steel is known for its higher modulus of elasticity - the measure of how much weight or force it can take before it starts to bend. It absorbs its blows like a prize fighter who won’t take a backward step, and it can eventually pay the same toll. Being more rigid and prone to cracking and brittleness over time. Although it can carry heavier cargo, steel fatigues at lower levels than aluminum. And if it bends, it stays bent until it’s mechanically straightened.

Rust and Corrosion Resistance

Because steel alloys contain iron (along with other metals and elements like carbon, chromium, manganese, tungsten, and vanadium), they’re naturally vulnerable to oxidation. That’s most apparent in northern climates like our own, where moisture, snow, and road salt accelerate the process. So, manufacturers coat steel frames with layers of zinc and paint. However, flying gravel or stress bending can compromise those protective layers, allowing rust and corrosion to move in.

Is aluminum the answer?

Yes and no. Aluminum itself doesn’t rust, but the other metals in its alloy can. So, composing alloy blends that give you extra strength without rust is an exacting science. Aluminum trailer manufacturers have invested heavily in that science, and they’ve set high standards for rust-resistance that hold up even in winters like ours.

However, you still need to look out for other forms of corrosion. More on that below.

Rust-proof steel?

Some trailer parts can be made from rust-proof stainless steel, but building an entire frame from it is costly. Stainless steel is difficult to cut and form, and its denser composition takes up more of your recommended GVWR weight. So, you’d need to pay even more for a vehicle powerful enough to pull it and burn more gas or diesel in the process.

COSTS

Purchase

Extrusion may do wonders, but it’s an expensive process. So many haulers opt for steel-frame trailers. They save money on the purchase and can protect their investment with proper maintenance practices – most of them common sense.

Maintenance and Repairs

Spraying your steel-frame undercarriage with a hose or pressure washer can remove dirt, sand, salt or other road debris that can cause rust or corrosion. Then inspect your trailer for cracks, frame dents, loose screws and bolts, or any sign of the rust or corrosion that can creep into those areas. If you don’t already have a protective layer, consider applying a galvanized coating or rust inhibitor. While you’re looking, don’t forget to lubricate all your moving parts. It’s all easier and more effective if your trailer’s stored someplace dry between hauling trips.

Steel trailers usually come with wooden decks, so you’ll need to check for signs of rot, as well. But the main issue is rust. If it gets out of hand, you may have to go to the considerable trouble and expense of stripping your frame’s zinc protective coating layer then applying a new one, as well as a new coat of paint.

Thanks to aluminum trailers’ rust-resistant composition, caring for them is generally a less laborious experience. For instance, you can wash an aluminum deck with a hose and leave it dry. But don’t forget there are other forms of corrosion that could eventually leave your aluminum looking yellow and dingey. Some maintenance procedures for controlling that work better than others. You can read more about them here.

Longevity

Aluminum’s rust-resistant qualities give it a definite edge when it comes to longevity. Manufacturers of aluminum trailers tout their long-lasting like-new appearance, their ability to retain 80% of their value over time, and their generally longer warranties, including lifetime on some models.

On top of all the rust resistance, comparatively easy maintenance, and easily repairable damages, aluminum is ecological, as well. The Aluminum Association touts this ponderable statistic: “Nearly 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.”

That point made, there is still plenty of long-term love for steel-frame trailers. Online forums have received stories of these units soldiering on over heavily-salted roads for decades. One respondent to a 2011 forum said steel-frame trailers on his farm dated back to the 1950s and were still operational.

Of course, there are always plenty of partisan opinions. Knocks on aluminum trailers include broken welds and other structural failures. An aluminum-frame proponent vowed never to buy a steel frame trailer again unless he could find one that was, “dirt cheap.”

The Beauty of Choice

No doubt, each comment was based on real user experience, which is subject to several variables like quality of manufacturing and how much care was given to the trailer in question. Steel is strong and plentiful. Aluminum is light and rust-resistant. Even dedicated steel or aluminum-frame manufacturers will concede the other metal’s qualities. That’s why you can find steel axles under aluminum trailers and aluminum roofs on top of steel trailers.

So, the steel vs. aluminum debate joins a host of similar arguments: Coke vs. Pepsi, Ford vs. Chevy, PC vs. Apple, and on and on. It always starts with finding something you love, taking care of it, and hitting the road with it every chance you get, as far as the road will take it.

Find the Steel or Aluminum Trailer for You at Flaman Trailers.

With our network of ten dealerships across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, Flaman Trailers is Western Canada’s largest trailer dealer. Whether you’re in the market for a steel or aluminum trailer, or haven’t decided yet, our trailer experts can help you find the model that suits your needs and budget.

Our buying power and working relationships with leading manufacturers across North America assure you a wide selection of flat deck, enclosed, utility, ag transport, livestock and dump trailers to choose from. We back them up with the trailer repair, maintenance, inspection, and customization of our certified service department and parts professionals.

Looking for a trailer for a short-term job? Contact your nearest Flaman Rentals location today.

Whether you’re hauling a snowmobile, ATV, tractor, classic car, or off-road vehicle, you want to make sure it arrives at your destination safe and sound. These load-securing tie-down tips will help you protect your cargo and yourself when you hit the road together.

Things to Know Before You Tow

Too much weight in the back can lift your back tires slightly off the road, reducing your traction. Conversely, too much weight up front can raise your front tires, affecting your steering. So the general rule of thumb is loading 60% of that weight (larger items) up front and 40% (smaller items) toward the back. The side-to-side ratio is an even 50/50.

So how much weight can you load? Every trailer has its own gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), payload, and gross axle weight rating (GAWR). Knowing your trailer’s load limits and understanding what and how you load on it can save you some costly or even dangerous mishaps.

7 Tips for a Tight Tie-Down

If you value your cargo, keeping it in place is the most important job you can do. You can avoid the threat posed by slack and strap wear with a few common-sense practices:

1. Choose the right ratchet strap length: Long straps are made to go over large, solid loads like round bales. Vehicles are secured at their corners, so longer straps will leave you with a lot of end slack to secure.

2. Find a reliable tie-down point. Be wary of hook-ups with the potential to slide. Sliding can wear down your strap or create slack that can allow your hook to come loose. D-rings are ideal because your hook immediately goes to its shortest-distance point. They can be welded onto trailers that don’t already come with them.

3. What about Axle straps? Axle straps are short straps with D-rings on either end. They’re great for wrapping around axles (hence the name) because your ratchet strap can easily hook to the two D-Rings to form a single connection point – but only if they’re stretched in a straight line.

4. The shorter and straighter the better. Your strap should run straight from point to point, not angled around objects like vehicle tires. They might seem like they’re taking up slack, but your strap can easily wear or slide loose against them.

5. Hooking onto a vehicle axle. If possible, you’ll want to wrap your D-ring strap (AKA axle strap) around your axle (same rules as above). Make sure not to wrap around vital, easily damaged parts like brake lines or wheel-speed sensors. Hook your ratchet strap to your axle strap so that you’re cranking toward yourself (for more room) and leave enough slack to get two or more strap windings for a secure grip.

6. Four straps. Four points of connection. You should have two Axle straps on the left and right side of your axle connecting to two corresponding ratchet straps. Some use or recommend crisscrossing your straps, but this method has multiple problems.

a. Your hooks are pulled off-centre, allowing them to slide and slacken your straps.

b. Your straps may come into contact, creating a wear point.

c. (This is the BIG one.) All four of your straps are interdependent, so if one straps should break or malfunction, all three of the others lose their tension. You go from four straps to zero. With straight strapping, the other three straps maintain their tension.

7. Go back and forth tightening your axles. Start with your back end then make sure your front end is ratcheted up tight. Give each end at least one more tightening to make sure you’re taken out all the slack.

Flaman had your safety cinched.

Take your load on the road with confidence. Visit your nearest Flaman location for ratchet straps and other tie-down equipment plus expert trailer hauling advice. Bring your trailer by and ask about having our skilled service technicians conduct a full inspection or maintenance package. If there’s any problem, our Parts and Service department can put you back on the road feeling safe.

Hitching up Flaman’s trailer-mounted Hot Water Pressure Washer won’t magically give you that, but it will keep your investment looking – and more importantly, FUNCTIONING – like new.

Here’s how its combination of portability, power, and innovation puts it light ahead of a thumb-over-your-garden-hose cleaning job:

A Power Wash Station on Wheels: Our standard spec hot water wash trailer goes wherever a tough cleaning job waits - and it’s loaded for bear. A 300-gallon water tank provides up to 90 minutes of continuous use between refills. That tank’s perfectly balanced over the sturdy axle of a Trailtech trailer (see more below) and hauls easily behind most vehicles using the 2” ball coupler on the Class 3 hitch.

Grime-Blasting Power: Offering 4000 PSI of wand pressure and flowing 4.0 gallons of hot water per minute, a built-in BE Commercial Hot Water Pressure Washer leaves stubborn dirt, paint and grime little hope of hanging on. An out-of-the-way heating coil contains 200 feet of ½” steel tubing. The water in that tubing can reach 200˚ F/93˚ C, thanks to fuel burner that can run on either diesel or kerosene.

Spraying Versatility: Every pressure washer comes with a 50ft commercial-grade hose, spray wand and five interchangeable spray nozzles for every situation possible.

No More Pull Starts: Our pressure washer is powered by a Honda GX390 engine with an electric start up for easy operation.

Primed to Tackle Any Surface: Our Commercial-grade triplex pump is die cast from brass to last for years of hard, continuous use. Simply open the bottle and drop in the tube to start spraying. A direct soap siphon off the pump body saves you the worry of wasting expensive degreasers or detergents.

Heavy-Duty Trailer: We mounted our 300-gallon pressure wash tank on a Trailtech 5' by 10' Utility trailer. It's perfectly balanced on an upgraded 6,000 lb. axle – providing the safety, stability, strength, and mobility you'll need to reach your field or job site.

We’re pretty proud of it, and we’d be happy to tell you more. If you’d like to see what our Hot Water Pressure Wash trailer can do for you, contact your nearest Flaman location.

Have a tractor, skid steer, mini excavator, or heavy materials to move? Flaman has the flat deck or dump trailer to put under your load, but we also carry the parts and accessories to keep it securely in place.

Wrap it Up: Chains

Flaman offers 3/8”, 5/8”, and 1/2“ Grade 70 Chain.

Identified by the golden colour of their rust and corrosion-resistant chromate coating, G70 chains are the load-securing standard of the trucking and transport industry.

That approval is an acknowledgement of their working strength. For example, the 5/16” G70 thickness is rated for 4,700 lbs. (about 2131.88 kg). of working strength, with 3/8” chains capable of 8,500 lbs. (about 3855.53 kg).

We offer your choice of pre-cut 16-foot chain assemblies with grab hooks on each end or custom chain lengths that require grab hooks, clevises, or lip hooks.

Tighten it Down: Load Binders

Also called chain binders, these cost-effective tightening tools are available in your choice of standard cantilever or ratchet actions. Flaman carries 5/16" and 3/8” binders, both options having two hooks on either side.

Lever load binders are cost-effective and have a much simpler design, but they require more strength to tighten down. These binders are ideal for tying down skid steers or other equipment you move on a regular basis. That repetitive use will help you become familiar with the tie-down points and use a set chain length every time you secure your machine.

Ratchet binders are easy for anyone to operate. Just start with the threaded hooks all the way out, manually add tension to the chain, hook both ends of the binder on, and ratchet everything tight. The moving parts do require a little more maintenance but spraying white lithium grease on the threads and mechanism will often take care of it.

Lock it in Place: Load Binder Locks

Once you’ve tightened your chains with a lever load binder, how do you prevent the handle from releasing? Our Load Binder Locks are small but mighty. With their versatile two-position adjustment and a quick-release cotter pin, they hold a load together on the bumpiest roads.

When is it time for new chains and binders?

Inspect your chains and binders regularly for any damage to the hooks, chain links, or load binder. If you see any cracked or worn equipment that poses a safety hazard, it’s time to replace it.

Supplies for a Secure Haul

Need new or replacement equipment to haul heavy equipment or cargo? Looking to add it to your purchase of a top-brand lowboy, highboy, bumper pull, pintle hitch, or a fifth wheel trailer?

Drop by your nearest Flaman dealer. Check out our selection of chains, hooks, binders, and locks, and hit the road with a secure load.

So, you have a motorcycle to move – for an outdoor adventure, repairs, or transporting it to or from storage. No problem. Just ramp it up onto your truck bed, strap it down properly, and you’re on your way, right? Not always. For instance, when you need to take your bike for repairs, you could be risking more damage. Heavier bikes can be challenging to take up a ramp, sometimes putting you in an awkward position if your bike starts to tip.

There’s also a risk of tipping once your bike’s on your truck. You can secure it with ropes or straps, but even that poses the potential for damage. Motorcycle haulers have suffered everything from paint and chrome scratches to suspension seals blowing under over-tightened restraints. Of course, that’s before the potential damage to your truck box.

Trailers provide a safer option for moving your motorcycle. The ramp angle is less steep, giving you more control over loading. Lightweight trailers are available for easy hookup to a light truck or SUV. The trade-off is the added expense and extra time for hitching up.

Whatever hauling method you choose, you can take steps to protect your valuable vehicles.

A Few Tips

Just to make your haul safer, here are a few items and ideas for strapping down your motorcycle.

• A wheel chock will make your bike more stable and keep it upright.
• Keep the Kickstand Up! Doing so allows your bike to remain in the center of your trailer— secured by a wheel chock. It also reduces the potential that your motorcycle will fall over, break the kickstand, or damage the trailer.
• Work WITH the bike’s suspension. When strapping your bike down, compress the suspension and tighten down the straps. Let the suspension rebound to keep the bike in place.
• Use enough straps! Use four straps to secure your bike, two in the front and two in the back. Evenly spreading your restraints reduces all potentially damaging forces as you drive along. As well, try to leave a little flex in the straps. If tie-downs are too tight, you may risk a strap breaking or an anchor point coming loose.

Double Check Everything!

Are you considering a motorcycle trailer? Flaman now offers a variety of trailer options. Talk to our expert staff about the best one for your haul.