"Carry On" Trailers at Lowes

[Whitey4]

I HAVE to get an enclosed trailer for next year. I saw this 12 foot long white "Carry On" model at Lowes for 3k. Anyone own one? Comments? It looks like a solid trialer, good heavy duty ramp back door.... looking for feedback before I buy it. TIA!

[mnglocker]

Go to a real trailer dealer and compare the frames. None of the carry ons that I looked at this spring had full tube frame beyond the tongue on open trailers. I went with a trinity instead, couldn't be happier. Just remember, you'll get what you pay for.

[punt66]

I HAVE to get an enclosed trailer for next year. I saw this 12 foot long white "Carry On" model at Lowes for 3k. Anyone own one? Comments? It looks like a solid trialer, good heavy duty ramp back door.... looking for feedback before I buy it. TIA!


I took a chance on one and love it. On my third year with it with no complaints. The only thing i would have done different is go bigger. But because i have an open i decided to just get the black 6X12. I dont know what mower you will be using. The door opening doesnt give much room. You wont get anything bigger than a 52" in there and thats why i may have done things different. Because i am considering a 61" now. But i keep my ferris is1500 52/25 in that trailer and have to fold up the chute each time to enter the trailer.

[Toy2]

Stay away from Lowes or HD for your trailers, they are junk, take a picture of it and go to your local trailer suppy and you will see what I mean, lights are cheaper, frames, hinges, screws...all cheap junk at HD or Lowe's.

[topsites]

When I bought my trailer I bought it from a local dealer who that's all he sells and works on all day long. This way when I need tires I know whom to ask the questions concerning load ratings, and anytime something goes wrong with it I also know right away who would most likely figure out the problem real quick like.

And one might think with these simple devices there aren't many problems and this much is true, but entirely trouble free they're not. And when I have a problem with it, so long they're not super busy I almost never have to wait long, it is fixed and fast and it doesn't usually cost me an arm and a leg in "well it took us two hours to locate the problem" fees.

And yes I paid a little more for mine than the same size at HD or Lowe's, but guess who mounted my spare tire on mine for about half the price everyone else quoted me? Because it didn't come with a spare, but all it took was one flat and I was convinced mine needed one lol.

So the man I bought my trailer from knows his stuff, what it boils down to.
And that alone is worth the extra upfront cost.

Stay away from Lowes or HD for your trailers, they are junk, take a picture of it and go to your local trailer suppy and you will see what I mean, lights are cheaper, frames, hinges, screws...all cheap junk at HD or Lowe's.

Yeah they're not the same thing, those trailers are mostly made for folks who might use that trailer maybe one or two dozen times a year and they serve this purpose well, so you're getting what you pay for.

And they might last so many years there's no telling, but way things are looking after 6 years I think I'm getting at least 10-12 years out of mine and I'm hoping it lasts 15-20, with every day use.

[punt66]

When I bought my trailer I bought it from a local dealer who that's all he sells and works on all day long. This way when I need tires I know whom to ask the questions concerning load ratings, and anytime something goes wrong with it I also know right away who would most likely figure out the problem real quick like.

And one might think with these simple devices there aren't many problems and this much is true, but entirely trouble free they're not. And when I have a problem with it, so long they're not super busy I almost never have to wait long, it is fixed and fast and it doesn't usually cost me an arm and a leg in "well it took us two hours to locate the problem" fees.

And yes I paid a little more for mine than the same size at HD or Lowe's, but guess who mounted my spare tire on mine for about half the price everyone else quoted me? Because it didn't come with a spare, but all it took was one flat and I was convinced mine needed one lol.



So the man I bought my trailer from knows his stuff, what it boils down to.
And that alone is worth the extra upfront cost.



Yeah they're not the same thing, those trailers are mostly made for folks who might use that trailer maybe one or two dozen times a year and they serve this purpose well, so you're getting what you pay for.

And they might last so many years there's no telling, but way things are looking after 6 years I think I'm getting at least 10-12 years out of mine and I'm hoping it lasts 15-20, with every day use.


I think most people can mount their own spare tires. What i like about the trailer is what you dislike about it. Its lighter duty. It weighs less. Easier on the truck and saves some fuel. For hauling mowers around its great. Its only been detached from my truck maybe 6 times in 3 years. It sees everyday use flawlessly. Bought mine at tractor supply. black/chrome diamond plate fenders and rock guard and LED lights.

[Whitey4]

Thanks for the thoughts and replies. I have smallish equipment, smallish lawns and a tight (no highway travel) routes. I have a 32, a 21 and see nothing bigger that a 36 WB in my future. If I can get 5 years out of it and sell it for 1/3 of what I paid for it new (3k) that's less than $500 a year for an enclosed trailer bottom line. Being a solo with no more than 25 mow and blows, a light duty trailer might be a better choice for me.

Half of my income is from apps and installs. Mowing isn't where my profits are, but I have to do some mow and blow accounts to keep the other stuff coming in.

I can haul shrubs and trees in the pickup.... and when fully loaded my equipment might weigh 1000 lbs at most for the trailer.

I think it might be a good buy for a new LCO such as myself looking for an upgrade over the crappy little trailer I have now. Spending another 2 grand more for a better trailer now.... well, it isnt in the budget.

[Toy2]

Times are tough, take a copy of the price of the Lowe's trailer to your local trailer shop, it might surprize you that he can match or come very close to the price.....would you buy a mower from HD or Lowe's?? Why a trailer??
Hey its your money.

[Loebs]

Look around at used trailers. There are tons on the market right now. I just picked up a 7x12 V-nose (13'6" total interior) 3.5K drop torsion axle, electric brakes, ramp, side door, diamond plate box on the tongue, polished aluminum wheels, spare, 5K D-rings every 16" in the floor, barely used for $2500. Made by guys locally so service is no problem. New price was $4,300.

[RedWingsDet]

do it right the first time. Wells Cargo. Its double the price, but you get what you pay for.

Those are cheap trailers, not built for our use. IMO spend 3,000 extra and do it right the first time.

[J&R Landscaping]

Thanks for the thoughts and replies. I have smallish equipment, smallish lawns and a tight (no highway travel) routes. I have a 32, a 21 and see nothing bigger that a 36 WB in my future. If I can get 5 years out of it and sell it for 1/3 of what I paid for it new (3k) that's less than $500 a year for an enclosed trailer bottom line. Being a solo with no more than 25 mow and blows, a light duty trailer might be a better choice for me.

Half of my income is from apps and installs. Mowing isn't where my profits are, but I have to do some mow and blow accounts to keep the other stuff coming in.

I can haul shrubs and trees in the pickup.... and when fully loaded my equipment might weigh 1000 lbs at most for the trailer.

I think it might be a good buy for a new LCO such as myself looking for an upgrade over the crappy little trailer I have now. Spending another 2 grand more for a better trailer now.... well, it isnt in the budget.

If your looking for a ood upgrade, why not look into just an open trailer. Or go see what you might be able to find used. I understand your point about a light duty trailer but in this industry no matter how small you are, light duty doesn't hold up.

Redwings is on the money! Wells cargo has the best enclosed trailers out there. Pace's are also good and well worth the money.

[punt66]

Its all good advice. I agree that wells or car mate are much better built. Pace is sold at home depot or lowes and is same quality as carry on. If you guys want to spend double and haul more weight than you have to have at it. If he is just pulling around a 32 and a 21 even thr carry on is overkill.

[born2farm]

I have a 6.5x12 Carry-On open trailer. It has held up pretty well for all the abuse I have put it through all ready. For me only mowing at most 25yds a week next year and only carring a 48in WB and 21in this was my best choice. I bought it used a year old for $900

[Whitey4]

If your looking for a ood upgrade, why not look into just an open trailer. Or go see what you might be able to find used. I understand your point about a light duty trailer but in this industry no matter how small you are, light duty doesn't hold up.

Redwings is on the money! Wells cargo has the best enclosed trailers out there. Pace's are also good and well worth the money.

An open trailer. Nope. I can park an enclosed on my driveway. With an open trailer, I have to load and unload my stuff every day to prevent theft, and then still have to worry about my hand held tools not getting lifted when I am in a backyard mowing. Then, I don't have to tarp my mowers every night either. I figure with an enclosed, I can save enough time to do one or two more accounts every day.

I'm not big on image, but an enclosed does present a more professional image as well, not to mention signage. I've gotten some negative feedback on these, but not from anyone that owns one. Those people that do own one seem pretty satisfied.

Thanks again for the thoughts and opinions! :drinkup: