NorthPoint Trailers & Equipment

Aluminum Utility BLOWOUT!!!

2013-06-28T05:40:00.001-07:00

All Homesteader and Aluma aluminum utility trailers on sale!! Blow out prices to cut inventory!! Come check it out today!!!

Kick off Summer 2013

2013-05-29T20:31:00.001-07:00

This is one of the most exciting starts to the summer yet. Trailers are coming in left and right!!! Customers are buzzing in and out of the office, it doesn't seem to stop! For many who don't know, we specialize in trailer sales, used vehicle sales, and we also have a full service garage. We perform State Inspections on cars, trucks, trailers, and campers. We also are a certified dealer for Jasper Engines, and Curt Mfg. which specializes in hitches and towing products. But it doesn't stop there, we weld, fabricate, and can even give an insurance estimate for body work repairs. It's safe to say we dabble in quite a bit and would love to help you!!! We carry full lines of Cam Superline, Maxum, Homesteader, and TWF Mfg. trailers. We also carry many other manufacturers such as ATC Motiv, XRT mfg., Mustang Trailers, and Belmont Machine. If you have any questions or are looking to fill your trailer needs stop by and check us out. We have one of the largest physical inventories of Trailers in Central PA!!!! You can contact us by calling (570)473-3455 or stop by we're located on Route 11 between Northumberland and Danville. Our address is: 2590 Point Township Drive, Northumberland, PA, 17857. Or if your pressed for time shoot us an email at northpointauto@gmail.com.

Spring!!!

2012-02-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

Well we have been working hard putting together our Spring order preparing for this summer. We will continue to have full lines of CAM, MAXUM, HOMESTEADER, and TWF Trailers. We hope to continue to serve our local area and hope that we can provide our customers with their desired trailer needs. Come see us and tell John you read about us in our Blog!!

Camping Trailer Tips

2012-02-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

Trailer Camping Intro

Do you enjoy tent camping but think it is time for the comfort of a camp trailer? Ready to wash-up and crawl into a comfortable bed after an evening around the campfire? Maybe you want to start your camping experience in comfort. Selecting a camping trailer involves many styles and considerations. Reading this article provides information you should think about when looking for that first camp trailer.

Camping under the stars or in a tent is great, but gets darn chilly in the spring and fall. Camper trailers offer many home comforts while you are enjoying the great outdoors. A furnace to take the morning chill off and air conditioning during a hot summer day are two appreciated conveniences. Under some circumstances, a trailer may even qualify as a second home for tax purposes.

Pleasures

Smell the aroma of fresh perked coffee while slowly waking up in the privacy of your own trailer. Trailers give you running water and electricity. At mealtime the refrigerator, sink, and propane stove come in handy. A private shower and toilet quickly become prized comforts of trailer living. For those that cannot get along without a television, many trailers have one with a satellite dish. A trailer just plain provides some privacy in a crowed campground. Besides, you can always roll a sleeping bag out under the stars when the mood grabs you.

What to Expect

Along with a light switch comes year round storage for your toys and camp gear. There are many camp trailer styles available. A common style is 24 feet long and typically sleeps up to six people. It will probably come with a queen size bed, bunk beds for two, and a dinette table that folds into a bed suitable for two young children.

Trailers come with leveling jacks so water flows through the plumbing correctly. Many parks have electricity, water, and sewer hookups; providing an endless supply of these modern day essentials. Trailers also have water tanks and batteries for camping in the wilderness.

Think about towing capacity. The favorite is a pickup truck but many SUVs handle the job. That economic high mileage car just isn’t going to get it done.

Differences from Tent Camping

Tent camping can be a little rough going, especially for those drawn to creature comforts. It is a great way to camp for many people but others like more privacy than a fabric wall. With a trailer, you will be comfortable in almost all weather conditions. Tent living and cooking outside can be a problem if flying bugs pester you. Tent living means hiking somewhere to use the bathroom. Unavoidable - but annoying in the middle of the night.

On the other hand, tents are less expensive than camp trailers. You can’t backpack five miles into the forest with a trailer. No doubt, sights and sounds of the camp are better from a tent. Especially the night sounds.

Setting up and taking down camp is easier with a trailer than a tent. Tents need to be unpacked and setup. Either air mattresses need blowing up or sleeping mats setup, and sleeping bags unrolled. Clothes bags, portable lighting, and other supplies need to be drug from the car into the tent. Setting up trailers is not work free either. The trailer may need backing into a small spot. Normally, the trailer is unhooked from the tow vehicle. The trailer must be leveled and utilities plugged in. Overall, deciding between tents and trailers is a personal choice.

How to Get Started

Renting is a good way to experience trailer camping the first time. You will likely need to make a deposit and reservation thirty days ahead of time. Make a reservation well in advance for summer camping. A credit card security deposit of $500 or more will be required when you pick up the trailer. Some companies deliver the trailer to the campsite if you do not have a tow vehicle. Typical U.S. costs are $350 for two nights or $800 for seven nights. Canadians can expect to pay $1000 per week.

Here are a few considerations before you rent or buy.

· How many days each year will you spend camping?
· How many people will typically sleep in the trailer?
· How much storage will you need?
· If wilderness camping, consider a large capacity water tank.
· In the wilderness, a solar panel or generator is a good investment.

Camping trailers have six general categories.

· Popup Trailer
· Pickup Camper
· Travel Trailer
· Class C – Mini Motor home
· Class B – Travel Van
· Class A – Motor home

Beginning campers often choose popup trailers, pickup campers, or travel trailers. None of my friends began camping in a class A motor home.

Mistakes to Avoid

Buy a bigger trailer than your current needs if your family is growing or you plan to camp more often. Make sure the tow vehicle has enough capacity. This is always important but critical if you will be towing over a mountain pass. If renting, either buy the rental company insurance or check with your insurance company about coverage. The security deposit is only enough to cover you if the kids have a water balloon fight in the trailer.

Practice towing and backing up before the big trip. Get a feel for the acceleration and braking performance when towing. Practice backing around a corner and into a driveway. Do it somewhere that you can pull forward if you have trouble. Backing a trailer is not an easy task. Husbands and wives often mumble under their breath trying to help each other get a trailer parked. Keep this in mind when pulling into gas stations so you don’t need to back out.

When wilderness camping, conserve water and batteries. Turn off the internal water pump so the kids don’t leave it running after filling the balloons.

Take care pulling the trailer out of camp. Make sure the utilities are unplugged. Double check the tow hitch, safety chains, and power plug connecting the trailer to the tow vehicle. Make sure the TV antenna is down and awning is properly stored. Some people make a checklist for leaving camp.

Helpful Towing Hints

The added weight can dramatically affect the performance of the tow vehicle. You will accelerate slower and take longer stopping. The trailer will likely have either one or two axles. Two axles help distribute the weight better and reduce the trailer’s ability to “fish tail”. That is when the trailer begins swaying from side to side while being pulled at high speed. This is more common with single axle trailers.

Perform a safety check before the trip. Check tire pressure. Check that the hitch is correctly mounted to the receiver. Check that the pin securing the ball mount to the receiver is in place. Safety chains should be secure and crossed in an “X” under the trailer tongue. This will hold the trailer tongue up off the road if it does come unhitched. Finally, double check the electrical plug, turn signals, and brake lights on the trailer.

A few people are good at backing up a trailer but most have trouble. That is because the trailer goes in the opposite direction of the tow vehicle. Turn the vehicle’s wheels to the right so the trailer goes to the left. Putting your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel is helpful. With your hand at the bottom, you turn the wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.

Do not make dramatic steering changes. It will jackknife the trailer and can damage your vehicle and the trailer.

With the trailer basics taken care of, the only thing left is comparing a list of trailer Pros and Cons. You decide about your camping preference, just be sure to enjoy the outdoors.

Pros
1. Creature comforts
2. Shelter from the weather
3. Permanent storage for camping gear
4. Self contained
5. More spring and fall camping

Cons
1. Can not tow a boat when towing a trailer
2. Poorer gas mileage
3. Purchase cost
4. Insurance cost
5. Need for a tow vehicle

Contributed By Brian Kline
http://beginnercampingtips.com/articles/camping-trailers-tips.html

PA Towing Laws

2012-02-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

Generally, towing laws are left up to each individual state. Thus, it is important to do your homework before setting off on a journey across state lines. Before towing a trailer through the state of Pennsylvania, you should visit the Pennsylvania DMV website and familiarize yourself with Keystone State laws regarding towing.

Brakes

Any trailer being towed in the state of Pennsylvania must be equipped with a fully functioning brake system. The brakes must apply to all four wheels. When the brakes are applied, the trailer must stop within a certain distance. Trailers weighing more than 3,000 pounds must have a breakaway system. Trailers with extra wheels must have a brake system on each extra wheel.

Tires

A trailer's tires must all be the same size, unless there is an emergency. Non-pneumatic tires are prohibited, and tires cannot have ice grips or studs applied that are more than 1/16 of an inch long. Drivers may not mix radial and belted tires on the same axis; all tires on an axis must be of the same type. Tires cannot touch any part of the trailer's main body, fenders or chassis.

Lighting

A trailer must have at least one red light attached to the back that lights up when the brakes are applied. Trailers also are required to have rear lights, parking lights, turn-signal lights, hazard lights and stop lamps. All lights must be visible to the human eye from 500 feet away at night. A trailer's turn-signal lights must flash with a frequency between 60 and 120 flashes every minute. Trailers must have a small light that keeps the trailer's license plate illuminated at night.

Additional Regulations

A trailer that is higher than 30 inches off the ground must have a bumper. Each trailer should be outfitted with rear-wheel flaps that prevent the back tires from splashing debris into following cars. Trailers cannot be towed faster than 55 miles per hour on the highway. Trailers cannot be wider than 8 feet, 6 inches, and cannot be taller than 6 feet. The overall length of the car and the trailer connected cannot be longer than 60 feet.

by: Ginger Yapp

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/pennsylvania-trailer-towing-laws-61525.html

Equine Owners Be Aware of Pennsylvania’s New Vehicle Weight Regulations

2012-02-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

Equine Owners Be Aware of Pennsylvania’s New Vehicle Weight Regulations

Background
In late February, Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved the new transportation regulations affecting agriculture despite objections by the agricultural community. The regulations were proposed by PennDOT in response to a directive from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The federal agency earlier determined the existing PennDOT exemptions for drivers of farm trucks were “deficient” and Pennsylvania would lose $3.1 million in federal money to pay for commercial vehicle safety enforcement activities and possibly another $22 million.

Regulations Now in Effect
The regulations affecting farm truck drivers have been published (and became effective) on April 24, 2010. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has summarized what are believed to be the new legal requirements for drivers of agricultural vehicles and combinations with an actual weight or a weight rating of greater than 17,000 pounds.

Seeking Relief in Harrisburg
Pennsylvania legislation (Senate Bill 1305) – sponsored and introduced by Senators John Rafferty and Mike Brubaker, Chairmen of the Senate Transportation and Agriculture Committees respectively – to raise the weight limit exemptions for farm trucks from the current 17,000 to 26,000 pounds as allowed by federal law. This will provide relief to drivers of farm vehicles and combinations with actual weight and weight ratings of less than 26,001 pounds from any intrastate motor safety requirements, whether the vehicle is operated alone or is towing a trailer or other farm implement. The other major provision of the legislation will recognize that “implements of husbandry” (i.e. tractors) are not regulated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Carrier Administration - so to ensure that all exemptions related to “implements of husbandry” will remain in the future.

Summarizing Pennsylvania’s New Farm Truck Driver Regulations
The following are believed to be the legal requirements for drivers of agricultural vehicles and combinations with an actual weight or a weight rating of greater than 17,000 pounds under changes to Pennsylvania’s intrastate motor carrier safety regulations, which recently went into effect. For specific questions about your particular situation and driving activity, contact the office of Kurt Myers, PennDOT’s Deputy Secretary for Safety Administration at (717) 787-3928 or the office of Robert Davidson, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture, at (717) 705-7960.

1. Implements of husbandry:

Drivers of implements and farmers allowing operation of implements will not be subject to any intrastate motor carrier safety driver requirements, whether the implement is operated alone or is towing another vehicle.

2. Trucks operating under farm vehicle exemption (sticker):
18-year Minimum Age Requirement:

Will not apply, if the vehicle is operated alone.

Will apply whenever the vehicle is towing another vehicle

(such as a trailer or implement).
Medical Certification Requirement:

Will not apply, if the vehicle is operated alone.

Will apply whenever the vehicle is towing another vehicle.

Hours of Service Requirements (Driver Logging or Farmer Recordkeeping):

No farm driver exemption is provided. Regardless of whether the truck is operated alone or is towing another vehicle, the driver and farmer will be subject to daily logging and recordkeeping unless the use of the truck fits into one of the special use categories:

Special use categories for which relief may be provided:
Exemption for Hauling of Ag Supplies, Ag Products and Livestock Feed: Assuming the vehicle is complying with the Vehicle Code’s distance limitations, drivers and farmers should be fully exempt from hours of service requirements when hauling agricultural supplies and livestock feed to be used by the farmer’s farm operation and agricultural products produced by the farmer’s farm operation. **
Short-Distance Hauls: Assuming the vehicle is complying with the Vehicle Code’s distance limitations, special regulations may give limited relief to drivers and farmers when hauling materials other than ag supplies, ag products and livestock feed. The special regulations, however, would still place requirements and work time and driving time restrictions on drivers and recordkeeping requirements on employers (farmers) that demonstrate the driver is complying with the special hours restrictions.
** Federal regulations and federal guidance information suggest some materials commonly hauled by farm operations may not qualify for the exemption.
Requirement for Daily Driver Vehicle Inspections/Reports and Farmer Response to Inspection Reports:

Will apply, regardless of whether the vehicle is operated alone or is towing another vehicle.

3. Trucks operating under farm vehicle registration (plate) or standard license plate:
18-year Minimum Age Requirement:

Will not apply, if the vehicle is operated alone and the vehicle is operated within a 150-mile radius of the farm.

Will apply whenever the vehicle is operated outside the 150-mile radius of the farm, regardless of whether the vehicle is operated alone or is towing another vehicle.

Will apply whenever the vehicle is towing another vehicle (horse trailer), regardless of distance from the farm.

Medical Certification Requirement:

Will not apply, if the vehicle is operated alone and the vehicle is operated within a 150-mile radius of the farm.

Will apply whenever the vehicle is operated outside the 150-mile radius of the farm, regardless of whether the vehicle is operated alone or is towing another vehicle.

Will apply whenever the vehicle is towing another vehicle (horse trailer), regardless of distance from the farm.

Hours of Service Requirements (Driver Logging or Farmer Recordkeeping):

No farm driver exemption is provided. Regardless of whether the truck is operated alone or is towing another vehicle (horse trailer), the driver and farmer will be subject to daily logging and recordkeeping unless the use of the truck fits into one of the special use categories:

Special use categories for which relief may be provided:
Exemption for Hauling of Ag Supplies, Ag Products and Livestock Feed: Drivers and farmers should be fully exempt from hours of service requirements for hauls of agricultural supplies and livestock feed to be used by the farmer’s farm operation and agricultural products produced by the farmer’s farm operation that occur within a 100-mile radius of the farm.**
Short-Distance Hauls: Other special regulations may give limited relief to drivers and farmers when hauling materials other than ag supplies, ag products and livestock feed. The special regulations, however, would still place requirements and work time and driving time restrictions on drivers and recordkeeping requirements on employers (farmers) that demonstrate the driver is complying with the special hours of service restrictions.
** Federal regulations and federal guidance information suggest some materials commonly hauled by farm operations may not qualify for the exemption.
Requirement for Daily Driver Vehicle Inspections/Reports and Farmer Response to Inspection Reports:

Will apply, regardless of whether the vehicle is operated alone or is towing another vehicle.

These regulations have been passed, and are now enforceable. Horse owners need to be aware that the new vehicle regulations will be applicable to hauling of horses as outlined within the guidelines above. For specific questions about how these regulations pertain to your particular situation and driving activity, contact the office of Kurt Myers, PennDOT’s Deputy Secretary for Safety Administration at (717) 787-3928 or the office of Robert Davidson, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture, at (717) 705-7960.

Article compiled by: Andrea Graeff,
PSU Equine Extension Associate

http://www.das.psu.edu/research-extension/equine/penn-state-horse-newsletter/articles/hn201006-03

3-Way Dump Trailer

2012-01-30T16:13:00.000-08:00

Innovation is something that is continued to be brought to the trailer world. Here you see a CAM Superline 3-way dump trailer. This trailer is something that I thought was pretty cool, and probably has some pretty neat applications it could be used for. What do you think?

The Top 10 Uses of Utility Trailers

2012-01-30T16:09:00.000-08:00

Simply put, a utility trailer is any type of non motorized trailer that attaches to your vehicle so that you can haul whatever you need to. Utility trailers can be either enclosed or open; they can be large or small; and they can be simple or elaborately styled to match your towing vehicle.

Utility Trailer Uses

There are several uses for a utility trailer. Here is a glimpse at just the top ten uses of utility trailers:

1.Automobiles: From time to time it becomes necessary to haul an inoperable car or truck. Tow trucks are expensive, especially if the distance is great. A utility trailer is a great way to haul vehicles and a good investment if you need to do so regularly.

2.Boats: If you have a boat, you will need a utility trailer to get it to and from the water.

3.Lawn Care Equipment: If you live in a rural area, you may find that you need to haul your mowing equipment from one piece of your property to another. Packing equipment and loading it into a pickup truck bed can get old very quickly. A utility trailer will allow you to drive your equipment right up onto the trailer without the aid of ramps or two strong men.

4.Furniture: Moving furniture is a breeze with a utility trailer. Furniture dollies roll right up onto the trailer and you can haul more than you can with a pickup.

5.Building Supplies: Do you have projects that need to be done around the house? Pick up your own building supplies and save on delivery fees.

6.Bikes, Motorcycles, and ATVs: Recreational vehicles are best hauled on a utility trailer.

7.Livestock: An enclosed utility trailer is most often used to haul livestock.

8.Auction and Flea Markets: If you frequent auctions and flea markets, you will need the hauling capability to bring home your inexpensive and rare finds.

9.Appliances: Utility trailers are ideal for hauling appliances.

10.Debris and Trash: Loading trash in and out of your pickup bed can be cumbersome and clean up can be messy, but it would be worse to have to haul trash in your SUV. Clean up after a big job is a lot easier with a utility trailer.

As you can see, there are many reasons why an investment in a utility trailer is a smart move. I'm sure that with a little time, and its easy availability, you will come up with even more ways to use a trailer.

Article written by: Emily Sandberg
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/213896/cars/the_top_10_uses_of_utility_trailers.html

First Post

2012-01-29T16:50:00.000-08:00

Family owned and operated since 2001, NorthPoint Auto & Equipment operates with the goal to provide our customers with the quality and service expected while upholding our family values of honesty and integrity. Easily accessible using Route 11, just 6 miles south of Interstate 80, our facility offers quality pre-owned vehicles and new trailers with an excellent service center offering mechanical/electrical repairs, body work as well as PA State Inspections.
You will find our trailer inventory is the largest in the area. We offer several brands of trailers and a variety of trailer types including:

Car Carriers
Tow Dollies
Enclosed, Utility, Live Stock and Dump Trailers

We also sell and install aluminum truck beds and dump inserts as well as trailer parts and accessories.

Thank you for viewing our site and we look forward to servicing you in sales or service.