Northern Utah has no shortage of places to buy a trailer, from big multi-brand lots along I-15 to shops that weld their own frames. At Workhorse Trailers, a family-owned builder in Marriott-Slaterville, we talk with buyers every week who are comparing dump trailers, car haulers, and enclosed cargo units across Weber, Davis, and Box Elder counties. This guide covers what to check before you buy, then lists five trailer dealers serving Ogden and the surrounding area.
What should you check before buying a trailer in Northern Utah?
Start with what you’ll haul, then confirm the trailer is rated, titled, and built for it. A quick look at the paperwork and the frame will tell you more than the paint.
What does GVWR mean, and why does it matter?
GVWR, or gross vehicle weight rating, is the most the trailer is rated to weigh fully loaded, including its own weight. Federal rules require every trailer built for road use to carry a certification label listing its GVWR and the rating for each axle. To find a usable payload, subtract the trailer’s empty weight from its GVWR. A 7,000-pound GVWR trailer that weighs 2,000 pounds empty can carry about 5,000 pounds, so a skid steer with a bucket and fuel may already push you toward the limit.
Do you have to register a trailer in Utah?
Usually, yes. The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles says trailers weighing more than 750 pounds must be titled and registered, with a registration fee due at first registration and every year after that. The DMV lists exemptions for trailers under 750 pounds and for single-axle trailers that aren’t commercial or used for hire. A trailer being titled in Utah for the first time also needs a VIN inspection, though new trailers sold by a Utah dealer are exempt.
Should you buy from a dealer or a builder?
It depends on how specific your needs are. A multi-brand dealer lets you compare several manufacturers on one lot. A builder that fabricates in house can usually change deck length, ramp style, tie-down placement, or axle rating to fit the job. Either way, ask who manufactured the trailer. Companies that build trailers for highway use must identify themselves to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and certify that their trailers meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. That’s what the certification label and 17-digit VIN reflect.
How do you match a trailer to your tow vehicle?
Check your truck’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual, then compare it to the trailer’s loaded weight, not its empty weight. Confirm the hitch class and ball size match the trailer’s coupler. Trailers with electric brakes need a brake controller in the cab, and a gooseneck needs a bed-mounted hitch. Sorting this out before you buy avoids a second trip.
What details are worth comparing between trailers?
Look past the sticker price to the parts that wear. Check whether the axles have electric brakes, what the tires are rated for, whether the frame uses structural channel or lighter tubing, and how the wiring is run and protected. Ask what the warranty covers and who handles repairs, since a cheap trailer with no local service can cost more over time.
Which trailer dealers serve Ogden and Northern Utah?
- Workhorse Trailers (an NHTSA-recognized manufacturer)
- TrailersPlus
- KJ Trailers
- Wasatch Trailer Sales
- Trailer Source
1. Workhorse Trailers (an NHTSA-recognized manufacturer)
Workhorse Trailers is a family-owned trailer manufacturer and dealer at 750 N 2000 W in Marriott-Slaterville, and an NHTSA-recognized manufacturer. The company builds its trailers in house, which it says cuts freight costs, and keeps a stock of finished units so many buyers can tow a trailer home the same day.
Its lineup covers dump, enclosed cargo, equipment, flatbed car hauler, gooseneck, and utility trailers. Buyers who need something specific can use the build-and-order process to adjust a design. Workhorse also offers financing, lease-to-own options, and trailer repairs, and its trailers are sold through a dealer network outside Utah as well.
2. TrailersPlus
TrailersPlus is a trailer dealer with a location in Ogden.
3. KJ Trailers
KJ Trailers is a trailer dealer in Marriott-Slaterville.
4. Wasatch Trailer Sales
Wasatch Trailer Sales is a trailer dealer with a location in Layton.
5. Trailer Source
Trailer Source is a trailer dealer with a location in Clearfield.
Find the right trailer before you hitch up
The best trailer for you is the one rated for your real loads, titled correctly, and backed by someone nearby who will service it. Take your heaviest load’s weight with you when you shop, read the certification label, and ask how repairs and warranty claims are handled. A short visit to a lot, with the right questions in hand, will save you from towing the wrong trailer for years.
