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Trailer: Enclosed vs. Open experience and advice

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  • runabout333
    replied
    Scat Cat,, when you have time,, please send me a private message with your email address and I will send you a photo of a perfect open trailer .
    I will also send you some of the specs for duplicating it. I am assuming you have welding capabilities or a good friend that can weld.

    Leave a comment:


  • DeanFHobart
    replied
    Flatiron.... Thank you for the input, that does make sense.

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  • Flatiron
    commented on 's reply
    Actually the Aluminum are not much lighter. They have to use more material to achieve the structural integrity they need when building out of Aluminum. The Pro about aluminum is they don't rust. If you live up here in the North

  • DeanFHobart
    replied
    Yes for sure.... Duel Axles and Brakes. The RNR Trailer Company in Constantine, Michigan makes all aluminum trailers which would be lighter in weight. You might want to check them out.... I’m sure they could answer your questions.

    Leave a comment:


  • Flatiron
    replied
    I have looked Trailers over very closely and have been pulling them for about 30 years all shapes and sizes. We are running the same classes. I already have mine picked out just waiting to get rid of my open. I don't like stuff laying around. Your making a mistake that most first time enclosed trailer buyers make.
    Your buying just big enough to get by....Barely your going to become very frustrated.
    I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 7×14 V-nose with Dual axles and Brakes the actual weight is not much more towing capacity is better and getting STOPPED easier is a big plus. IMHO

    Leave a comment:


  • ScatCat
    replied
    WOW! Thanks for all the responses, REALLY helpful. Here are my conclusions:
    1. I need a truck. So, I'll sell the minivan (it is a 2008 with 250K on it and was thinking about new car anyway). If I can figure out how to get my bike in the ridgeline I'll get one of those. It drives great and rated to 5000 lb towing.
    2. I need an enclosed trailer. I don't have inside storage, would like to protect the boats from sun, rain, damage, theft.
    3. Should go with the 7' wide trailer.
    Whew! A few follow up questions.
    1. Seems like I can get a 12' 6" marathon boat in the 7x12, if the V adds 2 feet.
      1. Do you agree?
      2. How tall does the interior dimension need to be if I want to get a CSH/300SSH in also without tilting on the side, or removing the windshield?
    2. Most of the single axle 7x12s are around 1300-1400 lbs empty. GVWR is generally 2990. This leaves about 1400-1500 in cargo. 2x Boats at 150 = 300. Three motors = 300. Carts, tools, canopy, chairs, misc.=300. Mounting racks = 100. Seems like I'd have about 1000 in equipment. Does this assumption (that a single axle would be sufficient) make sense?
    Thanks again for all the great feedback!
    Last edited by ScatCat; 10-22-2018, 08:33 PM.

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  • squirrelboydeluxe
    replied
    WHOA HORSEY
    Do not forget about getting this rig STOPPED
    Keep an eye on the brake pads & tranny cooler
    Billy Allen has a Honda pickup (Ridgeline?) & he hauls a trailer with it

    I have a 6X12 V nose single axle but shoulda got a 14'...
    I can squeeze two hydro's (B&C) in & up to four motors but it's tight as you would imagin
    Ronrox is right too- check the width of your boat. The narrowest part is the rear door which on mine is about 4in from the sidewall. My Runnecraft clears with <half in either side but it fits in flat

    I do not have indoor storage for the boats so the enclosed trailer was a must have Godsend
    It was six months old w/ a spare tire $2000 Superduper great deal
    522-P
    Last edited by squirrelboydeluxe; 10-22-2018, 02:06 PM.

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  • Ram4x4
    replied
    Been pulling mine on an open trailer for the last 3 years. No issues with road rash or damage to boat at all. Then again, my boat is so ugly a little road rash would probably improve it a little.

    As Mike says above, they're great conversation starters at the gas station or anywhere you stop. Good opportunity to drum up some interest.

    If you go open, make sure your box is big enough to carry everything you need in the pits. Sure, you have room in the van, but it's a pain to have to unload and carry stuff to the pits once you're parked.

    I'd also consider how many boats you're going to haul as well. I've seen 5 boats on an open, but it's major work to load and unload from what I saw.

    And also as mentioned, storage. If you have a garage or barn you can put the trailer in, then open is no issue, but if they have to stay outside, enclosed.

    So far, the only downside I've found with my open is rain. If you hit a major downpour on the way to or from the race, boat can fill up pretty good and you'll have to stop to drain it. You can get custom made covers for your boats, but those aren't cheap and one more fiddly thing to mess with.

    Overall, I have no problem with my open. It pulls super easy (I get around 20 MPG on the highway pulling it with a pickup) and is light enough to hand maneuver around if need be. Also easier to fit into spaces in the pits, etc.

    Leave a comment:


  • ronronx
    replied
    Another thing to consider, if you do go with a 6' wide enclosed trailer, most hydro's will not lay flat on a bunk. The door and the inside walls are just a little bit too narrow. We built bunks on the side wall and hang the boats on there side. Actually works very well and leaves the floor space open for loading carts and everything else.

    Leave a comment:


  • ronronx
    replied
    A lot of very accurate comments from everyone. We currently have a 6 x 12 v-nose and a 6 x 14 straight nose trailer and had an open trailer at one time. The open trailer towed by far the easiest and best but with 4 racers working out of a single car garage, enclosed is the only way to go for us. Aero dynamically I don't notice a difference pulling either enclosed trailer with my Tacoma and actually prefer to pull the 7 x 14, both make the Tacoma work pretty hard. The enclosed trailers do pull much harder and also have more tongue weight which might be an issue with a mini van.

    Leave a comment:


  • Hal 212M
    replied
    I've got a 6' x 12' (14' to the V) enclosed trailer. I bought it from a guy that used it to pull his Harley around. It is about 7' tall, so it fits in my garage. I like that I can keep everything I need in one place, throw a lock on it and I don't have to worry about anything being taken. I pull it with an Explorer that has a V6 and it pulls fine (MPG drops to about 12). My 13' marathon boat JUST fits in there, but it works for the 5-6 races I hit each year. I have shoe horned a second boat in there, but I had to remove the windshield. Having said that, there is nothing cooler than seeing the boats on an open trailer.

    Leave a comment:


  • jsilvestri
    replied
    I agree. I wouldn’t buy an enclosed without the V. More inside storage and easier to pull than a flat front.

    If your towing with a minivan you’ll need a lightweight open trailer, in my opinion. Nothing wrong with that, there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

    Leave a comment:


  • pops67g
    replied
    I don't think it's correct to discount the aero advantage of the V-nose trailer. Semi trailers are flat in front because it means they can pack it completely to the front with boxes. It is a financial boost to haul full trailers.

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  • 61-W
    replied
    Seeing that you are pulling this with a mini van, I would think you need to hear from someone who also pulls with a mini van. Enclosed trailers pull much harder due to frontal area and weight. I pulled my 20'x8' aluminum enclosed trailer with a Suburban, Expedition and now F150 and it requires a lot of gas pedal.

    Leave a comment:


  • Flatiron
    replied
    Also with your tow vehicle you will definitely know you have a Enclosed trailer behind you

    Leave a comment:

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