Enclosed trailer.. what should I look for .. what things to consider

[subzero]

I'm going to be buying an enclosed trailer in the spring or over winter if a used one comes up.

here is the equipment that I currently have

72" kubota ZTR
21" push mower
weed eater
42" riding mower


maybe a few items in the future

I work alone and always will be alone because I have a fulltime job in the oilfield..

I'm looking at getting a 24 foot, V nose with rear and front ramp and a side door walk-in door..

the front ramp door will would on the passenger side along with the walk in door...

I know that most I see, have the front ramp on the driver side, but I need mine on the passenger side...

any thoughts on what I should watch for... ???

any thoughts???

[sven1277]

24' is extremely long. We have a 20' enclosed and if I didn't absolutely need it for all the mowers, I would have stuck with a 16'.

[jhsmith4]

Here is our Horton V nose. We had it fabricated with a 54" side ramp on the right side, entry door on the left, extra 6" of ceiling height a must! They also turn the aft ramp post inward to gain an additional 5" of clearance. It has Dexter drop axles with Goodyear radials.If you are interested in an enclosed like this, let me know! jhsmith4@cox.net
Also check out the thread "our new enclosed" Good luck!!!

[South Florida Lawns]

V-Nose is a nice option.
Torsion axles are nice too, even though leaves are fine for a lawnmower.
I like the single piece aluminum roofs less chance of rust and leaking.
15" wheels are about the smallest I would go with these days.
Fold down ramp, don't even look at a trailer with the 2 back doors.

When looking at new and used trailers look under them at the wires, frame and axles. See how they are built and inspect the welds, are there any exposed wires or jagged holes without wire grommets? Do the welds look even and consistent in all areas of the frame? It seems as if there is no quality control out there in the trailer industry. Many companies produce poor trailers and you can see the build quality is just really sloppy.

[juspayme]

get the non- rivit sides. they glue them/ check car mate trailers....lifetime warrenty on roof and floor...:)

[hanson's glc]

i bought a 18x8.5. i bought the 18 because i can still park in front of a house and maybe block the drive way a little. i pull it with a reg cab long box chevy.
i have 2 48" exmark z and a 34" exmark phazer, room for 2 aerators, and wall space for blowers and trimmers. i wish i had a v nose or wedge nose. because it is like a wall going down the road. my truck is getting old.
if i could i would buy a 28' now for fall and spring clean up. but every day 16' or 18'.

[hanson's glc]

i forgot to say i had my 72" kubota,48" emark z, and the 34" phazer in the trailer a few times. real tight but works.

[Green Pastures]

Consider spraying bedliner on the plywood floor prior to any use.

I've seen enclosed trailer that are three years old in need of a new floor.

I've seen painted floors in need of new flooring after 5 years of use.

I bought a new enclosed trailer 8 years ago and had bedliner sprayed on the floor and one foot up on the walls and the entire ramp, it was $1200, but my trailer is 8 years old and the floor is perfect.

Think about how much gas and or gas/oil you will spill in the trailer. Fertilizer? Wet grass? Wet leaves? All of this adds up to a rotten floor.

[justanotherlawnguy]

Dont get one with drop axles, cause if you ever have to replace one the are a monster to find replacements for.

Sounds silly, but if you get a trailer with the drop axles, buy an extra axle and just hold onto it, that way you will have it when you need it.

Drop axles are notorious for bending if you hit the occasional curb. The axle bends, then the tires wear out extremely fast on the inside tread and the only remedy is to replace the axle.

I have done it twice in the last 2 years.......................

[PLS-Tx]

We have a Pace 8.5x20, and would never want to go back to a open trailer.

With a 72' mower make sure you get 8.5" wide.

LED lights are nice, much brighter and not as much drain on your bat. if you have to leave the flashers on.

We have 2 roof vents, and side flow thru vents.

As far as length, 20' is not to long and we would like to have longer. Not sure if 24' would work for us at every where we go, but if it would I would have it next time.

[HazellLawnCare]

Get as think off metal on the outside walls as you can. The thin metal dings and dents so easy.

[Guzman Properties]

I have a 20' enclosed and it fills up FAST!!!!!

[skennedy04]

Here is my Pace 20x8.5, once in an enclosed trailer you will love it.

[Frontier-Lawn]

I have a 20' enclosed and it fills up FAST!!!!!

is that a trailer or a small 2 car garage, dang that trailer is big

[dura to the max]

check to see how far apart the studs/floor joists are. dont go over 18", makes for a weak wall.

get real plywood sides, 1/2" or 3/4". more expensive, but worth it to haul mowers.

spring assisted rear ramp, and possibly on the side ramp as well depending on the size.

if you're getting a trailer that's 8.5 wide i would go ahead and get dual 5k lb axles for versatility later.

and thats about all i can think of that hasnt been said yet. buy quality, you wont save much buying a cheaply built one, and a trailer like that is a long term investment.