Ideal Enclosed Trailer Size?

[GravelyGuy]

Just as the title states, what is the ideal size for a enclosed maintenance trailer? I need it to haul 2 ZTR's and a walk.

My big thing is that I still want to be able to turn around in an average size court without having to back up. I have no problem doing this with my current setup.

Also, maybe a silly question, but I see guys around here unloading mulch etc. out of their enclosed trailers. How do they get it in there? Everywhere around here loads you up with skid steers so how do they get the mulch in there?

If you know anything I should look out for/tips then let me know.

Thanks...

[Mimowerman]

I use a 8x20 pace summit trailer on a daily basis and would consider this a great size for my set operation. I'm not sure if you are in the city or country , but it can be a little tight in downtown areas, not to mention parking is sometimes a issue. I don't typically have any issues, but when i do they can get a little scary to get out of. I don't mean to disrespect you at all considering your truck has a larger engine than mine, but your truck will really take a beating towing this large of a trailer as mine has ie new front end parts, brakes,tires, and best of all i get 8 miles per gallon!!! .

[GravelyGuy]

Thanks for your opinion. Did you buy that trailer new? If so, do you mind telling me how much it cost?

As far as the truck, I think any truck is going to take a beating hauling something that big, especially if you are not careful. This truck doesn't have anywhere near the payload of the 3/4 tons, but it can tow with the best of them from my limited experience towing big stuff with other trucks. I can't wait to see the MPG.:cry:

[Ramairfreak98ss]

What guys unload mulch out of the enclosed trialer :p thats a funny idea. I have to see this in person! Anyway, you want two ztrs and a walk behind in it.. id say go for at LEAST a 20 or 24' if you want a little room. Im sure othres will say an 18' would fit but, eh, it would be very very tight. I like having some space around the stuff so it doenst bang into each other.

My 24' is heavy, i mean even with the diesel, next year im going to be doing my residential stuff with a new aluminum open 18' trailer, since this thing is just too heavy to tug all over, imo. Ill still be using it, but adding the lighter trailer too.

not to knock your truck, but after knowing how heavy these trailers get loaded up, i probably wouldnt pull it without a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and a diesel. I once pulled this trailer with my 91 f150 lol, that was a workout. :p

[GravelyGuy]

What guys unload mulch out of the enclosed trialer :p thats a funny idea. I have to see this in person! Anyway, you want two ztrs and a walk behind in it.. id say go for at LEAST a 20 or 24' if you want a little room. Im sure othres will say an 18' would fit but, eh, it would be very very tight. I like having some space around the stuff so it doenst bang into each other.

My 24' is heavy, i mean even with the diesel, next year im going to be doing my residential stuff with a new aluminum open 18' trailer, since this thing is just too heavy to tug all over, imo. Ill still be using it, but adding the lighter trailer too.

not to knock your truck, but after knowing how heavy these trailers get loaded up, i probably wouldnt pull it without a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and a diesel. I once pulled this trailer with my 91 f150 lol, that was a workout. :p

I'm serious about the mulch, they must have used wheelbarrows to load and unload it:laugh: How much do these enclosed trailers in the 20' range weigh? I would think they are around 5,000 pounds at most.

I don't want to bicker about the truck, just pretend you don't know what I have.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

An 8X20 should weigh in about 3200lbs, empty curb weight. I looked at this option so that I can carry the same setup you plan to. 2 Ztrs and a Walk Behind. However, when I looked at the prices, there was only a $500 difference to go up to a 24footer. So, I am going today to pick up my 8.5x24' car hauler to start using for my setup. According to the specs, the 24' only weighs about 360 lbs more than the 20' trailer. I can not wait to get it today.

You asked about price, from what I have seen lately, prices for trailer up in your area are a little high compared to mine, but I am getting this 24' car hauler for $4,795 plus sales tax. I am saving about 2K over some other dealers in my area. It is a great traielr too with a 10,000 GVWR due to the 5200lb axles.

[GravelyGuy]

Good to hear Total Lawn Care. I will start checking on prices on Mon, but I may wait until spring.

I just don't know how easy it will be to maneuver with a trailer that size. I am in residential neighborhoods all the time so I need to be able to turn around in a normal sized court.

[grassmanak]

you might as well forget about it, your going to get heavy very fast. have a 7x16 with 2 walks in it and its heavy on my half ton. Your going to be pushing 6000 pounds with just trailer and mowers.

[GravelyGuy]

you might as well forget about it, your going to get heavy very fast. have a 7x16 with 2 walks in it and its heavy on my half ton. Your going to be pushing 6000 pounds with just trailer and mowers.

With my current setup, it's pushing 5,000 pounds and I can't even tell it's there. I swear, it tows it like nothing.

[Pro-Turf, LLC]

i had a 2003 chevy 1/2 ton towing my old trailer that was a 7x18 foot enclosed haulmark and that was pretty heavy for that truck the tranny started to poop out so i went and got a 3/4 ton duramax and that pulled it like it wasnt even there but i upgraded to a 30 foot enclosed mid summer and i can tell that is back there!

[nobagger]

If I could go back back, I would have bought a 20ft'er. My 8.5x16 is getting cramped already. I have 1-36"w/b,1-21", McClane edger all along the front, stick edgers and trimmers on the left and hedge trimmers and blowers on the right, and in the middle is our Gravely 52" with the bagger and there is barley any room left.

[POPO4995]

Ive been toying with the idea of getting an enclosed next year. I'm going to add another 737 next year and if I want to take all four I wouldnt be able to with the trailers I have now. If I do bite the bullet, i'm not going smaller than 24'. Probably more like 28', I like to have spare room!:)

[beano]

I have a 7 x 18 and it is perfect size. Im towing it with my 1500 silverado and its great. Wont win any races but it tows fine. I have 2 wb's and a 48" ztr and its great. My trailer empty is 2600lbs and with all my stuff its about 5500lbs. My trailer is big enough to get a lot of stuff in there yet its not to bad to take it around neighboor hoods with cars parked on both sides of the street.

[Johnson LCO]

Hey total.lawn.care, why are trailers so cheap in GA? Im in DE and just want an enclosed 7x18 tandem axle trailer with brakes and they are expensive. I see them on ebay from dealers in GA for like 3k but in DE or anywhere within 150 miles I cannot find any delaers that sell them for less than 4.5k.

Anyone from around here or anywhere close to here feel free to chime in if you know a dealer that sells eclosed trailers fairly cheap.

[supercuts]

I have a 7 x 18 and it is perfect size. Im towing it with my 1500 silverado and its great. Wont win any races but it tows fine. I have 2 wb's and a 48" ztr and its great. My trailer empty is 2600lbs and with all my stuff its about 5500lbs. My trailer is big enough to get a lot of stuff in there yet its not to bad to take it around neighboor hoods with cars parked on both sides of the street.

perfect size for you isnt the perfect size for him. that is what i hate about this forum, people dont read and answer the question asked. he needs to fit 2 Z's and 1 Wb. your 2 Wb's and 1 Z takes up less space. i have a 6.5x18 and wish i went bigger. i run bobcats which take up less space on a trailer than scaggs and possibly exmarks too. my stuff barely fits with the door closed. my next fault was not thing about width as much as i needed too. sure my mower fits in fine, but the door is more narrow than the 6.5'. like i said, my mower fits fine, but not with the bagging unit, its to wide. the cables that assist closing the ramp door are only about 5.5' wide. not wide enough for my 61" deck and giant vac unit off the discarge. luckily i want paying enough attention, hit a cable snapping it, and now it just squeaks in.

i know someone with 2 scagg z's and 1 wb in a 20'er and they barely fit in that. think alot before you get one as to the size you truely need.

[Guzman Properties]

I have a 20' that I am very very happy with. I have a 36" WB, a 52 Scag ZT and a 61 Ferris ZT. Plus a WB leaf blower.

[TheChiefsLawnCare]

Mimowerman, u need to do somethin tou your engine, u need to change the exhaust, k and n air filter, get bully dog performance chip installed, 8 mils 2 the gallon, thats some serous money drainer. u must have a gasoline engine, if sooo u should consider the 1 ton and deff diesel.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

Good to hear Total Lawn Care. I will start checking on prices on Mon, but I may wait until spring.

I just don't know how easy it will be to maneuver with a trailer that size. I am in residential neighborhoods all the time so I need to be able to turn around in a normal sized court.

I am in some res neighborhoods as well, quite often. We will see tomorrow how it does. I do not think I will have to back up any in most neighbrohoods. I do have one area of town that has fairly small circles, and it might create a backing issue, but not one that can't be handled easily.

BTW, I just got back a few hours ago from picking up my trailer. I will be loading it in the morning. I can't wait. It is going to be great. Pulled like a dream on the 2.5 hour trip home. I love it already.

Hey total.lawn.care, why are trailers so cheap in GA? Im in DE and just want an enclosed 7x18 tandem axle trailer with brakes and they are expensive. I see them on ebay from dealers in GA for like 3k but in DE or anywhere within 150 miles I cannot find any delaers that sell them for less than 4.5k.

Anyone from around here or anywhere close to here feel free to chime in if you know a dealer that sells eclosed trailers fairly cheap.

I know that in many areas in GA, there a manufacturing plants very close to alot of dealers. Especially in the area where I bought my trailer today, I swear that are about 6-8 different manufacturers within about 45 minutes of each other. When they are that close, you have very little transport fees to get them to the dealers lot, and if they turn enough volume, the do not need to mark them up very much.

The dealer I bought from today said that they only markup thier trailers $200, and they turn about 20-30 trailers a week. That is about 4-5 trailers a day, on average.

However, the same trailer that I drove 2.5 hours to get, is going for about $7K within 30 minutes of my house. So, you just have to shop (alot) and be willing to drive a little to get a good price.

Good Luck....

[newtostone]

I have a 20' enclosed; Couple things, I love it!, Its heavy(for mowing), It looks wonderful and really sets your image with customers. When looking to buy something like this, always try to figure where you woud like to be in a few years. A 20' will hold without any problems 2-60"ZTR's and 1 walker. If I recall something about 3-5'(at least in that range left over). But also keep in mind you may want to set up a bench up front so minus-2'. This is what you should do, or at least what i did. In my driveway I drew out a box the same size of the trailer(time to pull out the sidewalk chalk!) and then maked off the side door, where each on of the mowers would be placed, and my front bench. This will allow you "walk it" and see if you want more room and/or less. This method also allows you to get a vissual on the true size, I know so many times its often just a numbers game on what you need to do a job and not what you would like but keep in mind your giong to be towing and backing this up everyday. BEST OF LUCK

[Jusmowin]

Gravley guy, have you thought about a Isuzu npr with a enclosed box or a landscape bed ! A npr is alot shorter than a truck and trailer combo.

[GravelyGuy]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I like the idea of making an outline in chalk and parking the equipment inside the lines. That will make it easy to visualize what size I really need.

As far as the NPR goes, I think those are great, but I just can't justify spending that kind of money on something that can only be used for work. I need a truck and trailer right now that I can also use as a personal vehicle also. Those things are all business though and I could see myself having one sometime in the next few years.

[DK lawn care]

I am also thinking about getting a new trailor, i was thinking about getting a 7x16 utility trailor (might get another lawnmower next season, just depends on how business goes) but anyways i was looking at utility and enclosed on ebay and enclosed seems like a better deal (to keep ur exquipment dry). My question is, for those who have enclosed and dont have a shop, where do u keep them? I usually keep trailor i have now in the garage.

[grassmanak]

i pay 35 bucks a month for storage spot, nice thing is its only 4 blocks from my house

[DK lawn care]

Ill have to look into that

[DK lawn care]

What time does ur place close at though and what do u do when the place closes and ur trailors in there?

[Ramairfreak98ss]

I'm serious about the mulch, they must have used wheelbarrows to load and unload it:laugh: How much do these enclosed trailers in the 20' range weigh? I would think they are around 5,000 pounds at most.

I don't want to bicker about the truck, just pretend you don't know what I have.

thats funny. I have seen open lawn trailers used to carry mulch with tarps and such though :p

Hey, honestly, whether you have a 85 Ford or 2008 Diesel, doesnt matter to me, im just shootin my opinion. Like i said, i once pulled it with my 91 F150, sucked but still gets you from point a-b.

20' trailers will be between 2800-3700 depending on type. If its a steel frame, most are, 10k trailers are around 3000 for 20' and 3400~ for 24', like halmarks thrifty haulers. Mines on the very heavy end of 24', because its a 12k trailer, heavy frame, ramp door, longer tounge, heavy tires/wheels/brakes etc, its 4300~ and feels it.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

gravely, have you ever tried one of the 27hp diesel 72" gravelys? theyre awesome!

If you want, email me sometime, i can shoot you some pictures of the inside of my 24' enclosed trailer with stuff in it too. I have pictures too of when i pretty much pack it to get all the stuff in there for winter, snow blowers, tractor, zero turn, walkbehind, chipper, trimmers, other equipment etc, im sure it weighs closer to 10k with all that but it comes in good use. I think i have a couple more recent with just two zero turns and a walk behind, even with that i couldnt fit another machine if i wanted unless it was super small and it would pack in there, a 20' would be the minimum for two zero turns and a walkbehind, otherwise your really squeezing stuff on that trailer.

[grassmanak]

My storage place closed at 10p.m and opens at 6a.m although i would never need in there at those times for it, i do have 24 hour access though, i just told them i do snow removal and may need in there in the winter, they said no big deal.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

If you want, email me sometime, i can shoot you some pictures of the inside of my 24' enclosed trailer with stuff in it too. I have pictures too of when i pretty much pack it to get all the stuff in there for winter, snow blowers, tractor, zero turn, walkbehind, chipper, trimmers, other equipment etc, im sure it weighs closer to 10k with all that but it comes in good use. I think i have a couple more recent with just two zero turns and a walk behind, even with that i couldnt fit another machine if i wanted unless it was super small and it would pack in there, a 20' would be the minimum for two zero turns and a walkbehind, otherwise your really squeezing stuff on that trailer.

Hey, send me a set of those pics. I just bought a 24' and I am traying to decide how to finish setting it up. I am hauling 2 Zs and a WB, Push Mower (at times) and a parking lot blower (at times). I need some creative ideas to maximize space yet conserve space for extra supplies at times like carying a little straw, fert and spreader, etc....

[TXNSLighting]

18-20 ft! i have a 16ft, but its not ment for mowin.

[RedWingsDet]

I have an 8x20ft haulmark. I dont think I would want anything else, mainly because you can fit alot of equipment in it, and its great because it can still turn around in small culdesacs (sp?).

[DK lawn care]

My storage place closed at 10p.m and opens at 6a.m although i would never need in there at those times for it, i do have 24 hour access though, i just told them i do snow removal and may need in there in the winter, they said no big deal.

So since u use ur trailor for work, they give u 24 hours of access?

[lawnpropm]

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