nathan trailers

FAQ

  1. What does “Tare weight” mean?
    A. The unladen weight of the trailer when not carrying any load.
  2. What does the “GVM” of a trailer mean?
    A. Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is the mass transmitted to the ground by the axle or axles of the trailer when coupled to a vehicle and carrying its maximum load
    appropriately uniformly distributed over the load bearing area.
  3. How can I work out what I can legally carry in a trailer?
    A. All trailers should have a VIN plate attached, this plate has the Tare weight & GVM recorded on it. Subtract the Tare from the GVM and the remained amount is the maximum load weight.
    E.g. GVM 750kg – Tare: 200kg = 550kg Maximum Load
  4. What size & weight can my vehicle tow?
    A. This depends on the individual vehicle tow capacity, this is found in the vehicles owner’s manual, there may also be some information on the tow hitch as well.
    This is important to know before purchasing a trailer.
  5. Can you get high sides on a trailer?
    A. Yes, Nathan Trailers standard trailer side walls are 310mm high, we have options for 410mm or 510mm and can manufacture side walls to custom sizes if required.
  6. When does a trailer need brakes?
    A. A trailer must be fitted with an effective brake system if GVM is greater than 750kg.
  7. How do the brakes work?
    A. Two main options are;
    1. Mechanical Over Ride, standard fitting on 1500kg & 2000kg GVM trailers. These operate from a sliding ram built into the trailer coupling using momentum to move the ram and in turn apply the brakes.
    2. Electric, standard fitting on trailers with a GVM over 2000kg and under 4500kg. These brakes are wired into the braking system of the vehicle and activate in unison with vehicle brakes, they are also required to have an “in cab” controller that enable both foot & hand activation of the trailer brakes from the driver’s seat.
    Note: “In Cab” control devises should be fitted by a qualified Auto Electrician.
  8. Do I need a in car brake controller?
    A. Yes if your trailer’s GVM is greater than 2000kg
  9. What colours are available?
    A. Nathan Trailers has a range of six Hammer Tone Paint options as standard and most non metallic enamel colours are available.
    Please ask about the colour you would like and our staff can check availability.
  10. Is Hot Dipped Galvanising better than painted?
    A. Yes, the main reason is the trailer is first “acid dipped” to clean all surfaces and then submerged in the galvanising vat, all surfaces are coated at high temperature inside and out, this “bonds” the coating to the metal. When a trailer is painted it is prepared and all accessible surfaces are etch primed and painted, however the inside of the SHS Chassis and RHS Draw Bar cannot be reached effectively.
    B. It has been demonstrated many times, if a trailer is predominately garaged, it makes a significant difference to its potential life span. If a trailer is Hot Dipped
    Galvanised, generally speaking, it doesn’t matter if it is open to the weather.
  11. What’s the difference between a trailer made with Galvanised Sheet and Hot Dipped Galvanising?
    A. A trailer manufactured with Gal sheet is still cut and welded, the exposed ends and weld then need to be treated / painted effectively. When a trailer is Hot
    Dipped Galvanised, it is manufactured then acid dipped and Hot Dipped so all surfaces including the cut ends and welds are covered.
  12. What are your Draw Bars & Chassis made from?
    A. Nathan Trailers only uses RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section) steel for its Draw Bars, not folded sheet or angle. All Nathan Draw Bars are 3mm thick and run from the coupling through to the front spring hangers on all trailers.
    B. Our Chassis are manufactured using either RHS or SHS (Square Hollow Section), not folded sheet or angle.
  13. How strong are your box trailers?
    A. We have two primary models of general purpose box trailers with 750kg GVM.
    1. Heavy Duty Classic – Structural Capacity of 850kg
    2. Extra Heavy Duty – Structural Capacity of 1000kg
    Note: Whilst these trailers have increase structural strength they can only be loaded to a maximum GVM of 750kg. The benefit of an increase
    Structural Strength is in the trailers longevity or effective life.
  14. Do you have a light duty trailer?
    A. Yes, Nathan Trailers has two models in its cost effect “Utility Range”;
    1. 6 x 4 Mac Utility – Tare: 170kg GVM 500kg, designed for light duty requirements.
    2. 7 x 4 Mac Utility – Tare: 200kg GVM 750kg, designed as a basic household utility trailer.
  15. When is a Battery Break away system required on a trailer?
    A. Only if the GVM is greater than 2000kg.
  16. Does Nathan Trailers manufacture trailers larger than 4.5T?
    A. Yes, Nathan trailers has manufactured a number of trailers over 4.5T. These are
    usually specific models designed in conjunction with our clients and require detailed development.
  17. Do I need to service my trailer?
    A. Yes, regular safety inspections and servicing should be done on all trailers. Generally
    speaking the outline below gives an idea of what represents a usual inspection program;

    • Correct operation of lights. Before every use.

    • Wheel Bearing check & adjustment. Generally speaking every 6 months or 3000km – 5000km trailer bearing adjustment should be checked. If required clean or replaced and repack every 10,000km or 12 months.

    • Check & tighten all suspension parts. Every nut & bolt should be tightened to correct operating tension to ensure suspension remains serviceable.

    • General check over of body and welds for signs of cracking or fatigue. Every 10,000km or 12 months.

    • Check Coupling adjustment. Every 10,000km or 12 months.

  18. What size trailers require S Cam Air Brakes?
    A. As a general rule all trailers over 4.5Tonne ATM require S Cam Brakes.
  19. What ATM options are available in your S Cam range?
    A. Both the 10Tonne (Pig Trailer) & 13Tonne (Tag Trailer) can be manufactured in ATM of 8Tonne through to 16Tonne depending on Load division across trailer deck, Suspension size & type and Coupling choice. Nathan Trailers is able to work with you to establish the best suited requirements and appropriate ATM for your trailer.
  20. What are S Cam Air Brakes?
    A. An “S” Cam brake system is commonly used on larger Trailers, they are required on all Trailers with an ATM greater than 4.5Tonne. The brake shoes are operated by a cam shaped like and “S”. The S Cam is operated by air pressure. So when the driver applies the brake pedal air is supplied to a brake canister at each wheel which rotates the S cam which expands the brake shoes into the drum.