Enclosed Race Trailer ... Need Advice

[Dr. Thunder]

Okay ... just spent some time "surfing" about enclosed trailers. I had no idea that there were so many manufacturers ... now I'm totally confused! So, can you folks give me the benefit of your experience with this subject?

Starting Point : Minimum requirements dual axle, 16'+ length, height? width?

1. What brand/make of trailer do you think is a quality product?
2. What are the construction features that are most important?
3. What options are absolute must haves?
4. What else do I need to consider? What else do I need to know?

Thanks

[G Stillwill]

I just did the same thing and there are alot of manufacturers and more options then you can read about. Im in the process of moving so figured it was a good excuse to get an enclosed trailer I was going to get a Haulmark but couldnt wait for six weeks to get it built. So the dealer said he could get one in three weeks from a smaller company and would be cheaper in the long run as what was options in the Haulmark were standard in the Cargo King and the curb weight was lighter. I wanted the wider car hauler so I can stack the boats on one side and the motors down the wall on the other side and I wanted the ramp door on the back. I still have to pick it up at the factory in Mi to save the high dealer mark up but its worth the trip to save 1500.00. Thsi how I equiped it.

8.5 wide by 20ft box with a 3 ft V nose makes it 23ft box with a total length of 25 ft.
6.6 ft high inside by 8 ft wide
White vinyl walls and ceiling.
2 roof vents
2 wall vents
2 interior lights with wall switch.
24 inch front stone gaurd
chrome V cap
8 inch roof wrap with a abs front roof cap
2 3500 pound torsion axles with elec brakes
Curb weight 3000 and gross weight of 7000
Sealed beam lights
Under coated frame.
Crome center caps on wheels
Total price 6035.00 and the same trailer from Haulmark was 6750.00 plus a 150.00 charge from Haulmark to pick up the the factory. This is a picture of a red one like I ordered but I ordered Indgo blue

[Mike 41P]

To me the minimum size is 7x14. I had a standard 2 axel, inside wheel wells that I bought used. It was nice but after 2 years I realized it is a pain to move a double around by muscle and it had way more weight capacity than I could ever put in it. And to fit in 3 boats it was zero clearance. So I started over. Now I have a Carmate 7x14 single axel, extra 12" height and outside wheels. I am real happy with it. This is the largest size you can get with 1 axel and only a few will agree to build it. I carry 3 hydros and 4 motors and have a rig light enough that with a nose wheel I can move it aound on asphalt all by myself.

If you have a team and need the space for 4+ boats and 6+ motors then you do need the 8x16 or larger dual axel. But if you are a solo racer then consider this.

Also I really like the quality of Carmate in any size. Very well done interior walls and ceiling are flat and well braced. Frame is strong but light weight.

Mike T

[Dr. Thunder]

... This is a picture of a red one like I ordered but I ordered Indgo blue

Way cool trailer George ... thanks for the info ... exactly what I needed to know!

[Dave M]

Say No To Haulmark

I currently have a 30 foot enclosed haulmark, 7' wide. It is the poorest construction I have seen on a trailer. They missed over half of the screws in the outside panels, and most of the panels have warped in 5 years. Axels are good, and brakes are good. However, the extra cost of the name is NOT WORTH IT. I would by a cheapy first any day.

Mine is standard height, and I have a hard time fitting three boats in it. You have to wiggle the top one in and usually you end up scraping the windshield on the cowling. With todays boats having taller sides I would HIGHLY reccomend getting the extra height trailer if you plan on hauling two boats or more. And you should get a v nose. They help MPG in a big way. Also, get the narrow on, 7' wide with fenders on the outside. They sit lower to ground and don't have as much drag on the highway so you also increase MPG there. Buy it long enough to accomodate you comfortably. Don't skimp on length, you will fill it up. We are boat racers.

[Al Peffley]

Fife Trailer Sales Source

Check out Olympic Trailer & Truck Inc at 4914 Pacific Hwy E. in Fife, WA. I could not find another trailer place in the SEATAC area with better prices (they beat five other trailer sales places in the south end by 15-25%).

I have a 2005 Cargo Mate and I am very pleased with its price, features, quality and balance for a single axel trailer with a drop-ramp back door, side door, rock guard panels, outside wheel setup, and white-paneled interior. Buy good quality jacks for stabilizing the back when parked off of the hitch. I would buy the 7 or 8 foot wide width if I had it to do over again...

Al Peffley

PS - I used West Systems to seal my trailer's plywood floor and interior ramp surface. I also use my trailer as a motorcycle hauler; be sure that you can easily add cargo rings to the floor where you need them. My trailer has a very nice CLEAR wood 3/4-inch exterior grade plywood floor. Buy the spare tire at the same time you get the trailer. 90 days was the same as cash when I bought mine at Olympic.

[473M]

I would check out RNR trailers they are 100% aluminum and very well built. Two years ago we bought a 8.5 ft wide 20 ft long with a V-nose and it only weighed 2200#. We have had zero trouble with it and the contruction is great. http://www.rnrtrailers.com/

[Howie Nichols]

I have a 28' Haulmark Race Trailer and it is great. Tows perfect and construction on this unit is flawless to date. I've put it up to 80+ mph when passing with a Chevy 1500HD 6.0 liter gas motor and no issues at all. Typically tow it at 70-72 mph all day long.

[Dr. Thunder]

Featherlite ...

Anyone have experience, knowledge about Featherlite trailers?

[pro350hydro]

I have a Interstate West 20 x 8 wide. Some friends have the 7 wide, but I would NEVER go 7 wide. The extra foot gives you so much space it is worth the money. Also, mine is low profile so it is easy to get boats in and out of and it tows great. I agree haulmark is overpriced. Also, no need for the dual 5200lb axels. I have the 3500lb??? i think they are, and works great. If you order you, get the extra wide side door. Mine is 4' and another option I would not want to live without. Just my 2 cents

If you get the snowmobile version they sit high, get the car style, they sit a lot lower.

[Kevin McAfee]

I bought a pace with a door on both sides. I really like it for the breaze or access. Also I bought mine with a foot taller and can carry 4 boats. I also had 2 under floor tire storage, one for tire storage and one for stands or misc. One storage had to go behihd the axle, that is where I put my spare tire. I am at work but I will take some pic this weekend with it open.

Kevin

[alky6]

Featherlite

Anyone have experience, knowledge about Featherlite trailers?

Excellent well built aluminum trailers. Very light and very expensive. Probably the best built enclosed aluminum trailer out there.

[raceright]

Okay ... just spent some time "surfing" about enclosed trailers. I had no idea that there were so many manufacturers ... now I'm totally confused! So, can you folks give me the benefit of your experience with this subject?

Starting Point : Minimum requirements dual axle, 16'+ length, height? width?

1. What brand/make of trailer do you think is a quality product?
2. What are the construction features that are most important?
3. What options are absolute must haves?
4. What else do I need to consider? What else do I need to know?

Thanks

If ya ordering trailer consider side windows my 37 ft.
trailer came with 4 3 ft. wide side windows and the extra lite and air flow is
realy nice would never have a trailer without these options.

Pat

[YankeeRacing]

Dr Thunder,
Featherlite is made up the road here in Iowa. We went to the factory, but they did not have the time to produce what we wanted in a reasonable time. So, they sent us down the road a ways in Humboldt Iowa to Jensen Trailers.
www.Jensentrailers.com

We have been more than pleased and have been excited that Featherlite sent us to them. For a reasonable price we got EXACTLY what we wanted, and even visited the factory to watch our trailer being made. They also have instock trailers.

We wanted a trailer that was the same width as our truck, did not have a ramp (too many times pit areas don't allow this easily), and opened in the front. Notice on the pics that we had a bubble put on for easier hauling. Our tailer is 24 foot and we have carried up to ten boats with some on top.
We love the trailer and Jensen builds a super product.
The only thing we would ever change is exactly what Pat suggested-some windows. We are thinking about having them build a gooseneck with living quarters. I talked to them by phone the other day, and everything that I asked for, they could build.
Check out the pics open and closed.
Connie Payn

[jsilvestri]

I have a composite wall, tandom axel Cargo Mate 7X14, V-Nose trailer. The trailer has two swinging rear doors, a 3' side door, stone guard on the front, interior lights and a roof vent. There are no wall studs so I've had to be more creative when mouning things to the walls but it is lighter, smoother and has a nice appearance both inside and outside because of the lack of screws. Its a very nice trailer and I pull it with a Chevy minivan that has a 305 V-8 my dad installed. I haul two boats inside, a CSR and a CSH, both boats have very tall cockpit sides. I have two 5' long wall cabinets along both side walls, a wall cabinet and workbench along one side of the V-Nose. I also have swinging motor racks in the back. The best part of the trailer though is the side wall mouted awning. Anyone with an enclosed trailer should have an awning like this, their great. If I had to do over again, I would get the 6' wide trailer, because I do not need the heavy duty frame underneath and I would get single axel because I do not need the extra strengh the second axel provides. Plus, it would be easier to move around in the garage or driveway.

Good luck and enjoy once you figure out what you want.