OPE+ April 2024 | Page 8

MARKET DATA

Mowers , aerators , spreaders , blowers , trimmers and chain saws are some of the many essential pieces of outdoor power equipment in a landscape professional ’ s fleet . And getting all that professional equipment to the job site is job number 1 . As such , it is important for landscapers and dealers alike to not overlook the importance of trailers .

From open-air drop-deck and utility trailers to enclosed trailers , the options are wide ranging — not to mention the bed lengths and other accessories and features . To examine the trailer market , OPE + recently surveyed dealers and landscape pros regarding the impact of trailers on their business .

Dealers and retailers

Less than 35 % of OPE dealers we surveyed sell utility / cargo trailers as part of their product offering mix . This would indicate that most landscape pros are sourcing their equipment trailers from dedicated truck and trailer dealers .

For those OPE dealers who do sell trailers , it was a fairly even split on those who sell only open-bed trailers ( 54.5 %) to those who sell both open-bed and enclosed trailers ( 45.5 %).

In addition , approximately 44 % of all dealers who responded to the survey also carry trailer accessories .

The breakdown of the types of trailer accessories respondents offer include the following : Tie-down straps ................................................................................... 76.9 % Racks for handheld equipment .................................................. 69.2 % Hitch balls ................................................................................................ 61.5 % Gas can holders .................................................................................... 53.8 % Spare tires , mounts ............................................................................ 53.8 % Trailer locks ............................................................................................ 38.5 % Toolbox ...................................................................................................... 38.5 % Roadside safety items ...................................................................... 38.5 %

Pro users

When it comes to transporting landscaping equipment to and from job sites , our landscape pro respondents predominantly use a combination of open-air and enclosed trailers ( 58.7 %). Nearly 20 % of respondents solely use open-air trailers , while 17 % strictly use enclosed trailers and another 4 % use just a truck ( no trailer ) to transport their equipment and supplies .

90.0 % 80.0 % 70.0 % 60.0 % 50.0 % 40.0 % 30.0 % 20.0 % 10.0 % 0.0 %

100.0 % 90.0 % 80.0 % 70.0 % 60.0 % 50.0 % 40.0 % 30.0 % 20.0 % 10.0 % 0.0 %

76.9 %

Tie-down straps

86.0 %

69.2 %

Racks for handheld equipment

TRAILER ACCESSORIES DEALER / RETAILER RESPONDENTS OFFER

59.0 %

61.5 %

Hitch balls

53.8 % 53.8 %

Gas can holders

34.0 %

Spare tires , mounts

PRODUCTS LANDSCAPE PRO RESPONDENTS USE TO SECURE THEIR EQUIPMENT TO A TRAILER

38.5 % 38.5 % 38.5 %

As for what is on those landscape trailers , landscape professionals use a range of outdoor power equipment within their fleet . According to the survey results , 28 % use exactly three different brands for all their landscaping activities while another 28 % use 6 or more brands of OPE . Fifteen percent of respondents use exactly four brands of equipment in their fleet , 4 % use five different brands , and only 6.5 % of respondents are singlebrand equipment users .

As for securing their equipment : 86 % use tie-down straps , 59 % use purpose-built racks , 34 % use bungee cords , 21 % use wheel chocks , 11 % use rope and 11 % use chains and other methods of securing equipment to their trailers .

21.0 % 11.0 % 11.0 %

Source : OPE +

8 OPE + April 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com