Open or enclosed trailers?

[mulchmaster]

Here is my deal, I am looking to buy a new trailer before spring and don't know weither to go with an 18' open trailer with all the racks and cages or a 20' enclosed with racks and lettering.

I currently have a 16' open trailer that works out well, but I think an enclosed may look more professional. We are primarily a mowing and landscaping maintenance company that does the occasional install job.

I have a shop where we store the equipment so it's not like I have to have an enclosed for storage reasons.

I just figured with all the hacks out there it may not hurt to bite the bullet and go first class with a lettered enclosed unit, but I have seen around town and on here some pretty nice open units.

I think enclosed is the way to go, but I just need a couple people to re- assure me.

Thanks Andrew

[DLAWNS]

I have both, I bought the enclosed because I didn't have a shop and I could lock up my equipment, but then to fit my leaf loader I bought the open and I prefer using the open for most things. I like the enclosed because it's a rolling billboard, but I think the open is more convenient while cutting lawns....

[New2TheGreenIndustry]

If you were to only have one I would go with an open trailer. You can easily load mulch, debris, etc. An enclosed really limits what you can use it for.

[mulchmaster]

I would keep the open trailer for the very reason you are talking about, and use the enclosed trailer for mowing and shrub trimming jobs ect. (jobs without mulch or debris)

[mowerbrad]

I have thought about this same thing for a while now. There are benefits to both types of trailers, but it really depends on what you are looking to do exactly.

With an enclosed trailer you have a much more secure trailer than an open. There is no need to unload everything at the end of the day, just lock up the trailer and your good to go. Everything also stays out of the weather if it rains unexpectedly. You can also carry pretty much any tool in an enclosed trailer, its like a mobile workshop. Plus, you have the rolling billboard, great advertising. But like others have pointed out, you can't really haul mulch/bark/dirt/large debris/etc.

With an open trailer you have the ability to haul debris/dirt/mulch/bark/etc. And it is a much more economical decision since a similarly sized open trailer is about 1/3 or 1/4 the price of an enclosed trailer.

[overtime mp]

Yes the advertisement is very nice and keeping everything in the trailer and end of day and the season. Not taking any room up in the garage is also a plus. Paying employees less also for not unloading is also a plus. Just more price I'm gonna get a couple years under my belt before I go with a enclosed though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[treeclimber101]

Enclosed the equipment is out of the weather and out of the eyes of would be wrongdoers

[mulchmaster]

nice set-up there Treeclimber!

[Millers Lawn Care]

One thing nice with an open trailer (which I have) is that it doesn't get HOT inside during the day! But enclosed does keep everything out of weather too & keeps grass off of your equipment if you haul grass in your truck.

[treeclimber101]

nice set-up there Treeclimber!

You want it everythings got a fair price in my world:):laugh:

[PLS-Tx]

We have been using an enclosed for about 4 years and it's great.

would not want to go back to a open trailer.

We do still have our 16' open trailer that we worked out of for years, we kept it for the reasons mentioned.

[dwlah]

I was considering the same buying an enclosed
Pro enclosed
Secruity
rolling billboard
out of the weather
Pro open
Hauling debris is easier
fueling equipment is easier
lower cost
easier to haul around
can see whats behind / beside you better

[mulchmaster]

Thanks for the input guys! I think I will pick up an enclosed this spring. The money is deff there, but i need to find one i like. I don't want just any trailer, I need one that "works" for us, like the one pictured earlier!

On a side note, what size would one look for, if using it for landscaping maintance and hauling 2 walks and 1 zero turn?

Thanks Andrew

[mowerdude777]

I have an open and like it a lot I think there are pros and cons to open and enclosed however.
Enclosed
pros
equipment is safe
you have an emerngcry bathroom (iy you put a bucket with a bag in there lol)
Can have a small shop set up in the back
Open
pros
Does not get hot
you can get in more places (ex gas stations or drive throughs)
you get to show off your equipment (lol)

[KeystoneLawn&Landscaping]

Mulchmaster, where are you in Ohio? I bought my Cargo King from Appalachian Trailer in Salem. He builds everything except enclosed, but he brings them in from Michigan. When I bought mine, nobody could touch his price.(Price when compared to other trailers of like quality!) Also, if you are ever in the market for a dump trailer Appalachian's prices are better than others. He builds the dump trailers there and the quality looked good. http://www.appalachiantrailers.com/.....ok, forget what I said! After looking at his web site, I see he doesn't carry enclosed anymore. opps!!

[ygim]

Enclosed is just the way to go I think.:cool2:

[treeclimber101]

Thanks for the input guys! I think I will pick up an enclosed this spring. The money is deff there, but i need to find one i like. I don't want just any trailer, I need one that "works" for us, like the one pictured earlier!

On a side note, what size would one look for, if using it for landscaping maintance and hauling 2 walks and 1 zero turn?

Thanks Andrew
No less than 20 and dual axle , stay away from the single you get a flat and your farked..:cool2:

[treeclimber101]

Here is mine and its 24 ft inside it fills up quick

[ygim]

Do you ever have problems with the weed whacker when they are upside down like that?

[treeclimber101]

Do you ever have problems with the weed whacker when they are upside down like that?

Yea they flood but they won't stay upright in that rack , they are hedge trimmers and for some reason roll around on there constantly

[ygim]

I have the same problem with mine. I use a bungee, but its annoying to have to put it on and off all the time.

[Lugnut]

I agree no less than 20'. I've got an 18' w/ shelves in the front. 2 wbs and 1 zero just fit. Give yourself room to fit 2 zs and 1 wb though in case you want to switch out a wb for a z sometime

[ygim]

Hey lugnut I've seen you around the area. Hows business?

[DuallyVette]

One thing nice with an open trailer (which I have) is that it doesn't get HOT inside during the day! But enclosed does keep everything out of weather too & keeps grass off of your equipment if you haul grass in your truck.

I insulated my enclosed trailers, so they don't get too hot inside during the summer. Without the insulation, they are not as comfortable to use.


I bought my 1st enclosed trailer in 1989. I had many critics from my friendly competitors. They ask me why I pulled my house with me everywhere I go.:) Everybody in this business saw me around and knows who I am. Potential customers call my posted phone number while I'm driving down the road. My only regret is the 10 years prior, that I used an open trailer. I have a dump truck for mulch and limbs, etc.

[mulchmaster]

Nice rig there Tree! I was thinking 20' to 24' at most. I would like more pics of the inside here in a few weeks, as I will need to know how how to set mine up.

Thanks Andrew

[Lugnut]

Business is good, we had a good season and I'm hitting next year even harder. Taking some time now while its slow to really get things in order for spring. Where are you from?

[ygim]

Washingtonville. You?

[DuryAlly]

Here is mine and its 24 ft inside it fills up quick

those racks look a lot like the racks made by wells cargo, is that the trailer brand and im guessing if so you bought the landscape product line and added the racks as an option?

[treeclimber101]

those racks look a lot like the racks made by wells cargo, is that the trailer brand and im guessing if so you bought the landscape product line and added the racks as an option?
The trailer is a Wells Cargo but the details of the options I dunno , I bought the trailer from a friend and I am sure that he bought the trailer with the racks there already , the trailer is pretty nice but after five years of tree abuse is starting to
show its age...

[ajordan193]

DuallyVette, can you please explain how you insulated your trailers? I'm in the same boat with the temperatures being too hott inside the enclosed.

[DuallyVette]

2 of my enclosed came with just a bare, square tubing frame on the inside. I just bought some insulating panels from Home Depot, or Lowes and cut pieces to fit in the frame. Then I covered the inside with some thin plywood, masonite board, or aluminum panels. I put an extra 12" strip of 3/4 plywood along the bottom of the walls, where a mower might bounce around on it.

One trailer, I order with the insulation and interior laun walls and aluminum ceiling. It was about the samw money to let the factory do the work, unless your labor is worth less than the $10 an hour that the factory workers are paid.

[treeclimber101]

sounds like it would be easier too just open the doors on those sultry days ...:rolleyes:

[DuallyVette]

sounds like it would be easier too just open the doors on those sultry days ...:rolleyes:

If you don't keep the doors locked, someone will actually steal your stuff. If they would just enstate the 9mm death penalty for these infractions, we wouldn't to take the time to put the rear door up, and lock the side doors...every time we get something out of the trailer.

[dnc19694339]

we have both, but I like the enclosed better for the advertising and security. We have a 20 footer and I wouldnt go smaller. Fits 3 60" Z's or 2 Z's and a walk behind. I guess if you are solo you might not need one that big, but they fill up fast.....