Michigan Winter Prep: Road Salt, Cold-Weather Towing, and Trailer Storage
Get your trailer ready for a Michigan winter: fight road salt rust, tow safely in snow and cold, store it over winter, and prep for spring.
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Plain-English guides to loading, hitching, and towing from Orion Trailer Rental & Sales in Lake Orion, Michigan. A new article every week. Looking for a trailer? See our Rental Fleet or the Which Trailer Do I Need? guide.
Renting vs Buying a Trailer: Which Makes Sense for You?
Should you rent a trailer or buy one? Compare cost, storage, upkeep, registration, and how often you'll use it to decide what fits you.
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Moving Mowers and Yard Equipment at the End of the Season
Hauling mowers and yard equipment to storage or the shop this fall? How to load low-clearance mowers, strap them right, and handle fuel.
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Towing in Michigan: Safety Chains, Trailer Brakes, and Speed Limits
What Michigan law says about towing a trailer: safety chains, towing more than one trailer, trailer brakes, and speed limits, with links to the law.
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Wheel Bearings: The Small Part That Can End Your Trip
Trailer wheel bearings fail quietly, then suddenly. The warning signs, the quick hub temperature check, how often to service, and what to do.
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Fall Cleanup Hauling: Leaves, Brush, Mulch, and Firewood
Tips for hauling leaves, brush, mulch, and firewood by trailer this fall: covering loads, avoiding overloading, and keeping debris off the road.
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Trailer Brakes and Brake Controllers in Plain English
How electric trailer brakes and brake controllers work, proportional vs time-delayed controllers, setting the gain, and what a breakaway kit does.
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Hitch Basics: Ball Sizes, Receiver Classes, and Weight Distribution
A plain-English guide to trailer hitches covering ball sizes, receiver classes, drop and rise, ball mount ratings, and when a weight distributing hitch helps.
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How to Back Up a Trailer: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide
Backing up a trailer doesn't have to be stressful. Learn the hand-at-the-bottom trick, how to use a spotter, small steering moves, and simple practice drills.
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Trailer Lights Not Working? Simple Troubleshooting Steps
Trailer lights out or flickering? Most problems are a bad ground, a dirty plug, a fuse, or a bulb. A step-by-step guide anyone can follow.
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Ramps and Dovetails: Why Loading Angle Matters
What a trailer dovetail is, how ramp length changes your loading angle, and how to load low mowers, side-by-sides, and equipment without scraping or slipping.
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How to Haul a Skid Steer on a Trailer
How to haul a skid steer or compact track loader: trailer size, weight, loading safely on ramps, where to position it, and chaining it down.
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Trailer Sway: What Causes It and How to Stop It
Trailer sway can turn scary fast. Learn the common causes, how to prevent it with good loading and setup, and exactly what to do if your trailer starts to sway.
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How to Figure Out Towing Capacity and Payload (Without the Confusion)
GVWR, GCWR, payload, towing capacity, and tongue weight in plain English, with a step-by-step example to see if your truck can tow your load.
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Tie-Downs 101: Ratchet Straps, Chains, and Working Load Limits
Working load limit vs break strength, how many tie-downs you need, when to use straps or chains, and how to keep cargo from shifting.
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Trailer Tires in Summer Heat: Pressure, Age, and Blowouts
Hot pavement is tough on trailer tires. Learn how to check pressure, read a tire's age and speed rating, spot warning signs, and avoid blowouts on summer trips.
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How to Haul ATVs and Side-by-Sides Up North Safely
Taking ATVs or a side-by-side up north? How to pick a trailer, load machines straight, strap them at the wheels, and handle a long drive.
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The 10-Minute Pre-Trip Trailer Checklist
A 10-minute walk-around to run before every tow: hitch, safety chains, lights, tires, brakes, load, and ramps, so every trip starts safe.
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Tongue Weight Made Simple: How to Load a Trailer So It Tows Straight
What tongue weight is, why about 10-15% of trailer weight should sit on the hitch, and how to place your load so the trailer tows straight.
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How to Choose the Right Trailer for Landscaping Work
Picking a trailer for mowers, mulch, pavers, or a skid steer? A plain-English guide to deck length, GVWR, ramps, and tow vehicle fit for landscaping.
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