There are three main questions you need to answer before you're ready to shop for storage trailers:

How much space do you have? Measure the available room for your trailer before making any final decisions. Having one delivered only to find that it partially blocks a driveway or sidewalk is an expensive and embarrassing mistake. Make sure to measure any restricted access points that might cause delivery problems.

How much does it need to store? A storage trailer is an inexpensive way to add storage space – knowing exactly how much stuff you have to store will help you choose the right size. Look through the inventory or equipment you want to store so you have an estimate of how much space you need.

How long do you need it for? 80% to 90% of storage trailers are leased, not sold. Knowing how long you'll need yours for will help determine the price you'll pay and availability. Are you storing excess inventory for a month or two? Or adding storage space for a year or more?

Once you know these answers, you can consider the size and type of storage trailers you need.

Storage trailer sizes
Storage trailers are available in widths of 8' to 14' and lengths of 16' to 60'. The most common is the 12' x 60' singlewide. Other common sizes are 8' x 24', 8' x 36', 10' x 30', 10' x 40' or 42', 12' x 50', and the 24' x 60' doublewide. Talk to the dealers you're evaluating to see what size they recommend for your storage needs.

One important caveat: not all dealers measure size the same way. To best compare sizes, make sure your dealers are quoting you sizes based on the size of the box - the usable floor space. Some dealers include the trailer "tongue" in their measurements - that's the piece that connects to a hitch for towing - and that adds four feet. While knowing that external dimension is useful for site planning, that extra four feet does not give you any more space inside. You should specifically ask for both internal and external dimensions.

A 12' x 60' singlewide trailer has 720 sq ft of floor space. The total amount you can fit in a given trailer depends on the type of shelving you choose, the size of the materials you're storing, and your access needs -- do you need to leave an aisle, so you can access any of the materials at any time, or can you simply fill the space back to front?

Save money on storage trailers
Smart business purchasing is usually about striking a balance between cost and quality, and for many types of purchases, quality is a more important consideration. However, because storage trailers are usually leased and only used for storage, in this case price is probably the most important consideration.

You do need to make sure that the trailer is weatherproof and secure to protect your belongings, so always visit the dealer before order a trailer. To find multiple storage trailer dealers in your area, fill out our free request for storage trailer price quotes and you'll be on your way to getting the best deal.