Owning a trailer can greatly improve the ease with which you move around large items or even a series of small items. Whether you're looking for a trailer for your personal use or related to your business, it's often beneficial to consider buying a used model. While you'll have to conduct a careful inspection -- and buy from a reputable dealer -- it's often possible to get a used trailer from a company like Arrow Trailer & Equipment Company that offers most of the perks of a newer model at a considerable cost savings. Beyond ensuring that the trailer is safe, road legal and in good physical shape, it's important to be able to assess the trailer in the following three areas.

Electronics

The trailer's electronics are integral to being safe on the road. A trailer should always have working tail lights, brake lights and turn signals. On bigger models, expect there to be working lights along the sides; additional turn signals in this location are common on large trailers. You should always verify that the used trailer's electronics are working properly. This means hooking the trailer up to a vehicle and testing out the daytime running lights, brake lights and turn signals. It's also beneficial to note the condition of the electronics hook-up and the wire themselves. You want to see a clean hook-up with no corrosion and wires that look new.

Tires

Although the condition of the trailer's tires might seem like a minor detail, it's something that some buyers overlook. It's especially important to check the age and overall condition of the trailer's tires if you're on a budget -- otherwise, you could be spending a considerable amount of money on new tires soon after buying the trailer. Trailer tires typically have the date of manufacturer listed on the sidewall. In addition to checking the tread wear, look for tires that are as new as possible. Be sure to check the spare tire, too, to ensure that it has good tread depth and is relatively new.

Floor Condition

Many trailers have wooden floors, but over time, the wood can rot if it's repeatedly exposed to moisture. It's beneficial to carefully check the condition of the wood -- poke each of the pieces with something hard, such as a screwdriver handle, to ensure the wood isn't soft. You should also get down underneath the trailer to check the condition of the underside of the wood. The last thing you want is to miss this important task and realize you have to replace the wood soon after buying the trailer.