WHY Choose A TUFF TRAILER?
-
Quality Assurance - built by an experienced engineering company with 25 + years of history, engineered to exceed all applicable NZTA standards.
-
Fully Welded Trailers - NOT bolted.
-
Everything is Hot Dipped Galvanized – This reduces chances of rusting. This includes Wheel Rims (not just painted like some) allowing up to 20 year + economic life. NO galvanised sheets NO raw edges
-
Warranty- 2 Year structural warranty and 1 Year parts and labour warranty. T&C's apply
-
Stronger Chassis – 50 x 50 x 2.5mm Maximum strength RHS (Rolled Hollow Section) steel chassis and cross members (not angle iron) 5-6 cross members (approx 1 every 30cm) PLUS extra full length middle bar for added strength
-
Stronger and Longer Drawbars –RHS steel 100x50 x 3mm / 1.6m to 1.8m length drawbars making it easier to reverse
-
Stronger Structure- 2.5mm checker plate steel sides, flooring, and mudguards
-
Solid Steel Square Axle (not hollow) for increased strength. Our Ultra model axles are 45mm to 50mm thick
-
Corner Posts- in all 4 corners for added strength
-
Springs- 7 leafs 45x6mm eye to slipper springs or rocker roller setup for tandems.
-
More Tie Downs- thanks to multiple tie down points- 4 Full length tie rails plus 8 lower tie- down points plus higher cages for added safety and convenience.
-
Larger Tyres- 14” 185 to 185C (light truck) tyres are standard for all our models for stability and safety
-
Spare Wheel- standard with all our ULTRA models.
-
Bigger Cages Available- Hot Dipped Galvanised 800mm high Wire Mesh Cage (1100mm height, when including the 300mm trailer depth) PLUS cages are quick to remove in easy to carry segments for your convenience-(not bolted on like some)
-
Step Gussets to front and rear of mudguard for added strength, safety and convenience
-
LED Lights – maintenance free lighting standard with all models
-
Front and Rear Tailgates –“drop down” for long loads and added convenience
-
Manual Tipping -All our trailers are designed this way for trouble free and easy unloading when you need it
-
Jockey Wheels are supplied with all our trailers for more convenience and safety. We supply 6 to 8 inch jockey wheels depending on model- FITTED AS STANDARD FREE OF CHARGE
-
Mud Flaps Fitted - FITTED AS STANDARD FREE OF CHARGE
_JPG.jpg)
FAQ
​
How do I order a Tuff Trailer?
Simply Order Online! You can go to the Contact Us page on our website & call to the closest agent to you to clarify any questions you may have about the trailer or to find out when you can pick it up.
​
Do Tuff Trailers deliver?
Yes! We deliver to the following locations:
Auckland - Bombay Hills
Waikato - Cambridge
Bay of Plenty Wide
Hawkes Bay - Havelock North
Manawatu - Fielding
Deliveries outside the listed areas can be arranged but may have additional costs outside of standard delivery fees.
​
I live near the ocean and my trailers don't last very long!
We highly recommend Hot Dipped Galvanised Trailers. Have you noticed that nearly ALL Boat Trailers are galvanised to help them survive rust and corrosion caused by salt water. Similarly, galvanised Trailers have a longer life and also have a much higher resale value, as they are harder to chip and can take some pretty hard knocks and less likely to rust. If you live close to the ocean it makes sense to wash the salt off the trailer on a regular basis as an added precaution.
​
Can I have a different colour?
We manufacture Hot Dipped Galvanised Trailers only, which are much better value for money as they have four times the life of a painted Trailer. Most painted Trailers come in a Hammertone finish, which is applied directly onto black steel without any preparation whatsoever, so scratch very easily causing rusting in a very short time.
How do I know if it is a quality trailer?
This is a great question, as there are plenty of Trailers out there that are simply not roadworthy and some do not even comply with basic NZ Standards or basic Engineering logic. Our trailers are built by an experienced engineering company with 20 + years of history, bearings greased and exceeds/complies with all applicable NZTA standards for trailers.
​
Do Tuff Trailers make custom made trailers?
No. We only manufacture Fully Welded Galvanised Trailers in the most common size with cages. Our Trailers have an amazing range of features and specifications unmatched by other manufacturers.
​
Who arranges registration and warrant?
All Tuff Trailers come with 3 years WOF & 1 year registration included in the listed price - meaning that the price you see for the trailer you are interested in is the price for your trailer to be fully road legal, in your name and ready to drive away!
​
Do I need to regularly clean my trailer?
Yes. Refuse should not be left in the trailer and after use the trailer should be cleaned particularly inside. Always wash your trailer down after carrying any acidic or alkaline materials. This includes grass clippings and fertilizer. If you use your trailer near salt water, corrosive chemicals or materials wash it down after use. Doing this regularly will increase the life expectancy of the trailer.
What is GVM (gross vehicle mass) and Tare weight?
The total mass of the trailer and load combined. The un-laden weight of the trailer plus the weight of the load carried is the Gross Vehicle Mass.
Tare Weight is the unladen (empty) weight of the trailer.
​
What does 'heavy duty' mean?
This means a serious product that can take the punishment expected. We build our heavy duty Tuff Trailers with 2.5mm Checkerplate steel for stronger sides, floors, and mudguards. We have more cross members (approx 1 every 30cm on average) plus an additional full length middle support bar. Also thicker and longer drawbars, solid steel axles (not hollow) and higher rated springs and tyres are all standard.
A Trailer is only as good as it’s engineered and built. The key areas that fail are the wheel bearings, floor, drawbar or springs. In nearly all cases of failure, it is because the Trailer is constantly being overloaded and/or the Trailer was poorly maintained or unroadworthy in the first place.
​
Do I need to service the trailer?
Yes. For general maintenance, some things to consider are:
Check the following –
-
The tyres are inflated to the specifications on VIN plate and are road worthy;
-
The wheel bearings at least every 6 months and have them replaced or regreased as required;
-
The lights – turning indicators and tail lights – are all functioning. Do this EVERY time you tow the Trailer;
-
The tailgate hinges and locks are secure and functioning;
-
The safety chain is not touching the ground or rusted and the "D" shackle bolt is safe and secure;
-
The axle springs are not rusted and are sitting on the support seat and bolted securely.
Do you fit towbars?
No, you will need to have a towbar and lighting socket fitted prior to collecting your Tuff Trailer. A single 7 pin plug is all that is required for a trailer.
Do I need a spare wheel?
We provide a New Spare Wheel as STANDARD on all our Trailers.
There is no legal requirement to carry a spare wheel however, it is a good idea and we highly recommend that you leave the spare on the Trailer. Make sure you carry the right tools and a suitable Jack for the Trailer. Some people carry a can of "tyre repair foam" with them and this is fine if the tyre goes flat, but not if the tyre is otherwise damaged.
What is Hot Dipped Galvanising?
Hot-dip galvanising (HDG) is the process of coating fabricated steel by immersing it in a bath of molten zinc. There are three fundamental steps in the hot-dip galvanizing process; surface preparation, galvanising, and inspection.
Surface Preparation
When the trailer arrives at the galvanising facility, it is hung up by an overhead crane which enables the trailer to be lifted and moved through the process. The trailer then goes through a series of three cleaning steps; degreasing, pickling, and fluxing. Degreasing removes dirt, oil, and organic residues, while the acidic pickling bath will remove production mill scale and iron oxide. The final surface preparation step, fluxing, will remove any remaining oxides and coat the steel with a protective layer to prevent any further oxide formation prior to galvanising. Proper surface preparation is critical, as zinc will not react with unclean steel.
Galvanising
After surface preparation, the trailer is dipped in the molten (500 C) bath of at least 98% zinc. The trailer is lowered into the kettle at an angle that allows air to escape from the RHS tubular shapes or other pockets to ensure that the zinc can flow into, over, and throughout the entire unit. While immersed in the kettle, the iron in the steel metallurgically reacts with the zinc to form a series of zinc-iron intermetallic layers and an outer layer of pure zinc.
Inspection
The final step is an inspection of the trailers coating. A very accurate determination of the quality of the coating can be achieved by a visual inspection and as zinc does not react with unclean steel, it would leave an uncoated area on the trailer. Additionally, a magnetic thickness gauge can be used to verify the coating thickness complies with specification requirements.
Coating Benefits
Hot-dip galvanising provides a number of benefits to the steel trailer it protects. The metallurgically-bonded zinc-iron alloy layers not only create a barrier between the trailer and the environment, but also cathodically protect the steel. The cathodic protection offered by zinc means the galvanized coating sacrifices itself to protect the underlying base steel from corrosion. The tightly adhered coating, which has a bond strength of around 3,600 psi, is also extremely abrasion-resistant as the intermetallic layers are harder than the base steel. Even if the coating is damaged, zinc's sacrificial action will protect exposed steel up to 7-10mm away.
In addition to the cathodic protection offered by hot-dip galvanising, there are a few other characteristics of the coating which provide longevity. First, reaction in the galvanising kettle is a diffusion process, which means the coating grows perpendicular (horizontal) to the surface, ensuring all corners and edges have at least equal thickness to flat surfaces. Furthermore, the complete immersion in the zinc bath provides total coverage of the Tuff Trailers, including the interior of hollow structures. Finally, the zinc coating naturally develops an impervious layer of corrosion products on the surface, know as the zinc patina. The patina, cathodic protection, complete coverage and all of these other features, provide hot-dip galvanised steel with a long, maintenance-free service life.
_JPG.jpg)
TOWING TIPS
TRAILER LOADING:
Proper trailer loading is your first-line of defence against dangerous instability and sway. Heavy items should be placed on the floor over the axle. The load should be balanced side-to-side and secured with tie down straps to prevent shifting. Tow bar Tongue weight should be about 10% – 15% of gross trailer weight for most trailers. Too low a percentage of weight can cause sway.
DRIVING:
Good habits for normal driving need extra emphasis when towing. The additional weight effects acceleration and braking and extra time should be allowed for passing, stopping and changing lanes. Severe bumps and rough roads can damage your towing vehicle, hitch or trailer and should be negotiated at a slow steady speed.
TYRE INFLATION:
Check the recommendations of your towing vehicle and check the trailer’s wheel nuts and tyre pressures before use. Always make sure you carry a spare set of bearings and the necessary tools to replace them if necessary – especially if heading off on a big trip.
TRAILER LIGHTS & INDICATORS:
These checks are critical every time you tow – no matter how short the trip. CHECK – TOW BALL COUPLING, RETAINING PINS and CLIPS, LIGHTS and all other connections EVERY time you tow. Do not proceed until you are sure everything is secure and that the trailer lights and indicators are working perfectly. Re-check again at fuel and rest stops.
SAFETY CHAINS:
Cross safety chains under the trailer tongue and attach to towing vehicle with just enough slack to permit full turning. DO NOT let them drag on the road. Secure connections so they can’t bounce loose. CONNECT THE SAFETY CHAINS EVERY TIME YOU TOW.
Terms & Conditions
Warranty: All trailers must be serviced & inspected within 12 months of purchase to ensure warranty remains valid. To prove this has been completed, receipts must be kept and provided to Tuff Trailers upon request. Servicing & inspection of the following parts should be completed for warranty to maintain valid; Inspection of coupling (grease if required), Inspect safety chain and shackles are attached and in good condition, Inspect jockey wheel (grease if required), Inspect winch (grease if required), Check fit of rollers to boat (if boat is on trailer), Check lights are operating, Check wheel bearings & re-pack grease, Check function of brakes and General visual assessment of the trailer. This must be completed by a trained professional either at Tuff Trailers Main Workshop in Tauranga or by a qualified mechanic elsewhere if unable to access Tuff Trailers Tauranga Workshop.
​
All trailers supplied by Tuff Trailers NZ Ltd carry a 24 month structural guarantee and their components (except those listed below) carry a twelve month parts warranty from the date of purchase. Cost of labour is not included under the warranty. Bearing failure is not covered as bearing performance is highly dependent upon the owner’s diligence in maintaining greasing. Tuff Trailers does not warrant the galvanising of its trailers and it is specifically excluded. Consequential loss incurred through the use of the trailer or any failure of the trailer or part of the trailer is not covered under the warranty. The warranty does not cover consumable items such as bulbs and tyres etc and the liability of Tuff Trailers NZ Ltd is limited to the cost of replacement of the product under warranty. The warranty is invalidated if the defect is caused by tampering, misuse, alterations, abnormal use, neglect, normal wear and tear, modification, off-road use, overloading or an accident.Trailers must be kept in road worthy condition to WOF standard as required for use on New Zealand roads. The owner must provide Tuff Trailers NZ Limited with a reasonable opportunity to repair and with reasonable access to the trailer for warranty service/repair.Warranty claims shall be made in the first instance by delivering the trailer to Tuff Trailers NZ Limited in Tauranga for assessment. The responsibility and cost of getting the trailer to and from Tuff Trailers NZ Limited’s premises rests solely with the owner. The owner must produce the original purchase receipt to Tuff Trailers NZ Limited when delivering the trailer in order to make a valid warranty claim.Limitation of Liability:In no event shall Tuff Trailers be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages including but not limited to loss of use, loss of data, loss of business or profits.
Disclaimer:Due to continual product development, specifications and claims can change without notice.
​
Delivery Conditions: Tuff Trailers accepts no responsibility for any damages or losses whilst delivering any products listed on the store.Delivery may be completed by an independent individual or company in which case Tuff Trailers accepts no responsibility. All deliveries are completed at the customers risk.
Upon making an order on the website all Terms & Conditions listed above are accepted.
