open or enclosed trailers

[Mowerboy04]

hey guys, i'm out growing my little 6.5x12 trailer so i'm looking at getting a 7x18 trailer but i'm debateing weather or not i want enclosed or open. what are the pros and cons when looking for a trailer, and storeing either trailer won't be a problem.
thanks in advance
alex

[nobagger]

I love my enclosed, it provides your equipment with security, the equip. is out of the weather, it looks nicer (IMO) and it also provides you with a shelter when needed. I would look into a 8.5 x18 vs. a 7ft x 18ft and get plywood sides!!!!! not the crap luan.

[nobagger]

On another note, just looking at your equipment and thats gonna be a strain on your 1/2 ton. My 8.5x16 enclosed weighs 2900lbs plus equipment.

[ed2hess]

One downside of enclosed is you can't haul stuff like mulch and tree limbs. On the other hand it is nice to have a little more security and keeps the weather off equipment.

[KS_Grasscutter]

I would (and did) go with an open trailer. Everything is just so much easier to get to. One thing though...if you think you want an 18 long get a 20 or 22. I wanted (and got) a 16 and really could have filled up a 20'.

[privatelawn]

Hope im not hijacking the thread...

Would it take longer to load and unload using enclosed vs open?

I want to get enclosed trailers for looks + advertising, crews are between 2-3 guys, Time spent per home is about 10 minutes average and the next stop is about 1 minute apart, I would hate to spend even 1 more minute per home as 30 homes per day would make that 30 minutes more of pay per day X 2 or 3 employees.

Working with the open, 1 guy is getting on the z while the other gettin g the trimmer and the other the edger, all at the same time, with an enclosed trailer im not sure if all 3 can hop in and grab there tools at the same time without delaying everything?

[beano]

I have a 6 x 12 open i used for my first 2 years. I kept that as a mulch trailer and now have a 7x18 enclosed to match my truck. I also have a 1/2 ton silverado and although you wont be breaking any land speed records, it will pull just fine. I didnt even consider a enclosed trailer at first but now i dont know how i got by without one. Ive gotten a lot of complements on my set up and it helps business when people see you mean business.

[Mowerboy04]

anyone else??

[mower&more1986]

can you store your stuff in a garage or something? if not go with the enclosed Trailer
If you can store your stuff inside go with an open.
as it been said each one has its pro and cons

[Johnson LCO]

Even though unloading the trailer might take a few secs longer, you save as much time as you lose. At the end of the day you do not have to unload equipment and in the morning you dont have to load anything up, you just jump in the truck and start driving. the enclosed trailer is the best choice IMO.

[Albery's Lawn & Tractor]

Even though unloading the trailer might take a few secs longer, you save as much time as you lose. At the end of the day you do not have to unload equipment and in the morning you dont have to load anything up, you just jump in the truck and start driving. the enclosed trailer is the best choice IMO.


Exactly. I have save nearly 45 minutes a day by not having to load and unload. Plus if you get an enclosed, it's a rolling billboard. Several jobs will come from just seeing the trailer.

[kf4pbm]

i have a 7x14 enclosed v nose tandem axle. my k1500 tows it pretty good but you definately know its there. my equipment fits well too. i have my push mower in front, my wb behind that, and my lazer in the rear. i still have about a foot to play with. i would recommend looking ahead a little at your equipment needs and buy a trailer just large enough for that. if you get too big of a trailer, you will haul a bunch of unnessesary stuff. it was also nice when it started pouring down rain today. the 7 ft width is enough but a 8ft width may be better. kinda hard to get around my rider, but it is a beast of a mower. getting gas is kinda a pain. i have the wb set up where i can fuel it from the side door and the rider usually has to come out, but gas cans would probably be just as fast. there are lots of pros and cons that you will probably only figure out when you get one or the other, unfortunatly. overall i am happy with the enclosed. when it came down to it the enclosed wasnt that much more $ and i could get rid of my storage unit.