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Open utility trailer vs. Enclosed trailer. Whats your thoughts...

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driver5

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Ive had three utility trailers.. Love em.. endless ways to set um up... But im craving the idea of having an enclosed... Having a portable garage.... Craving the thought of not having to unload my stuff every day.. and keeping it out of the rain.

problem is .. is that I dont have a diesel to pull it. I have a Chevy WT with a six cylinder.


Anyways. Just curious on your thoughts.


Thanks,

Scott
 
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#2 ·
driver5 said:
Ive had three utility trailers.. Love em.. endless ways to set um up... But im craving the idea of having an enclosed... Having a portable garage.... Craving the thought of not having to unload my stuff every day.. and keeping it out of the rain.

problem is .. is that I dont have a diesel to pull it. I have a Chevy WT with a six cylinder.

Anyways. Just curious on your thoughts.

Thanks,

Scott
Click to expand...
I have an open trailer and can't imagine not being able to just reach over the side to grab something, or step over the side, etc...I have covers and tarps that cover my equipment and it's locked securely with thick cables and heavy locks. I think it's ideal for my solo operation. I have had covered trailers for cargo and motorcycles and such, but the open trailer is right for me at this point in time. Fairly, lightweight (compared to a box trailer) easy to maneuver with good vision all around, and it doubles as a utility trailer and a tractor hauler...BTW it's a Pequa (very well made) dual axle, 14x7.
Gassing up my machines and cans is an easy task as well. That could be a pain with a closed trailer...Good luck with your decision whatever it may be.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
Mowbizz said:
I have an open trailer and can't imagine not being able to just reach over the side to grab something, or step over the side, etc...I have covers and tarps that cover my equipment and it's locked securely with thick cables and heavy locks. I think it's ideal for my solo operation. I have had covered trailers for cargo and motorcycles and such, but the open trailer is right for me at this point in time. Fairly, lightweight (compared to a box trailer) easy to maneuver with good vision all around, and it doubles as a utility trailer and a tractor hauler...BTW it's a Pequa (very well made) dual axle, 14x7.
Gassing up my machines and cans is an easy task as well. That could be a pain with a closed trailer...Good luck with your decision whatever it may be.
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it never occured to me till just now that fueling would sux with an enclosed..
 
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#7 · (Edited)
KrayzKajun said:
some enclosed come with fuel doors on the side! i just fuel up the equipment ouside the trailer!:cool2:
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I've seen guys take their machines out of the enclosed trailers and drive/push the mowers up to the pumps to fuel up...NO THANKS! Filling a ZTR with a gas can can be a time consuming proposition too...especially with the slow gurgling cans we have today.
Fuel doors are one solution but you have to put the hose thru the door then climb in to the closed trailer and pick up the hose and start gassing...if you have a few mowers inside, it may be a pain traversing thru the mowers with a gas hose in hand...also fuel doors add to the cost of your enclosed trailed and you'd probably want them on both sides for better access. Just some of my personal reasons not to go enclosed...:drinkup:
(it's also been proven that enclosed trailers are no more secure from theft than open trailers) bolt cutters will slice thru a lock like butter. I think the only positive point is keeping stuff out of the weather...for me anyway
 
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#8 ·
Mowbizz said:
I've seen guys take their machines out of the enclosed trailers and drive/push the mowers up to the pumps to fuel up...NO THANKS! Filling a ZTR with a gas can can be a time consuming proposition too...especially with the slow gurgling cans we have today.
Fuel doors are one solution but you have to put the hose thru the door then climb in to the closed trailer and pick up the hose and start gassing...if you have a few mowers inside, it may be a pain traversing thru the mowers with a gas hose in hand...also fuel doors add to the cost of your enclosed trailed and you'd probably want them on both sides for better access. Just some of my personal reasons not to go enclosed...:drinkup:
(it's also been proven that enclosed trailers are no more secure from theft than open trailers) bolt cutters will slice thru a lock like butter. I think the only positive point is keeping stuff out of the weather...for me anyway
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An enclosed trailer has more positive points than just "keeping stuff out of the weather". With an enclosed you have everything in one place, nothing in the bed of your truck, a rolling bill board and yes your equipment is dry as well. Now, about your comment on locks, try cutting through these with your bolt cutters http://www.etrailer.com/pc-L~DT40122.htm

The only pita with an enclosed is getting it set up the way you want, after that you're good to go.
 
#9 ·
Enclosed trailers are time killers.

They're much more expensive, heavier and use more fuel to tow.

In the summer they become ovens inside.

You can put signs on the sides and ramps of open trailers.

Before we had a large drive through building, we tarped and cable locked everything and parked it all behind the house I had at the time which was fenced in. Never had a thing stolen and the equpment stayed dry.
 
#10 ·
I like the open trailers. I can easily fuel up the truck and the mower all from the same pump. I keep everything in my garage at night unless I'm starting early the next day. Then I cover it up with a tarp to keep the dew off. If someone came on my property at any given time, my boy Logan will go crazy. They would get nowhere fast with him around.
 
#11 ·
Lazer_Z said:
An enclosed trailer has more positive points than just "keeping stuff out of the weather". With an enclosed you have everything in one place, nothing in the bed of your truck, a rolling bill board and yes your equipment is dry as well. Now, about your comment on locks, try cutting through these with your bolt cutters http://www.etrailer.com/pc-L~DT40122.htm

The only pita with an enclosed is getting it set up the way you want, after that you're good to go.
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I have used those locks before, It take less then 90 seconds to break in to one. I lost my keys and I drilled out the lock keys hole and it sled right open as i was drilling. I was shocked how easy it was it get off. Go ahead and try it
 
#12 ·
Driver 5 I am pulling a 24 foot enclosed trailer with a 2008 half ton small v8. It does okay but Iam getting 9 miles per gallon with it hooked up. I like enclose trailer because i have had 500 blowers walk off on the job site plus I think they make you look like you are serious and not some joe blow with a truck and mower calling your self a lawn crew.
 
#13 ·
freshcut419 said:
Driver 5 I am pulling a 24 foot enclosed trailer with a 2008 half ton small v8. It does okay but Iam getting 9 miles per gallon with it hooked up. I like enclose trailer because i have had 500 blowers walk off on the job site plus I think they make you look like you are serious and not some joe blow with a truck and mower calling your self a lawn crew.
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So even though i have 12 years experience i am just a joe blow with a lawn service because i have an open trailer.

It never ceases to amaze me what some people say one here.
 
#14 ·
freshcut419 said:
Driver 5 I am pulling a 24 foot enclosed trailer with a 2008 half ton small v8. It does okay but Iam getting 9 miles per gallon with it hooked up. I like enclose trailer because i have had 500 blowers walk off on the job site plus I think they make you look like you are serious and not some joe blow with a truck and mower calling your self a lawn crew.
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WOW, 500 blowers stolen? How long have you been in business? If you've been doing it for 20 years, that's 25 blowers a year. If your mowing 9 months out of the year, that's close to 3 a month, every month. I'm calling your bluff. Now if it's true, then you or your workers are not doing a very good job of watching over your livelihood.

So your thought is, if you have a small operation and use a smaller open trailer, your a Joe blow? Just because you have a "big" trailer doesn't mean anything in my book. It's the end result or quality of the work you preform that makes you stand out from the others.
 
#15 ·
joshco84 said:
So even though i have 12 years experience i am just a joe blow with a lawn service because i have an open trailer.

It never ceases to amaze me what some people say one here.
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Yep I have over 20yrs.... one of the biggest operaters within 200 miles but I guess we're just a "jack leg" operation with our measly 800K annual revenue.

Most of the guys I see pulling enclosed trailers are either solo or two man operations. Not a single multi crew operation that I know of is using enclosed trailers. Time = money and as I said in the prior post enclosed trailers are time killers.

Further, like most service industries, this is a Price/quality driven business with good quality at low prices getting the majority of the business. My business is 70% commercial... you really think my customers give a damn about what kind of trailer we use? And a residential customer.... they see a long billboard expensive enclosed trailer.... what's their reaction? "I'm paying for this stuff" is what it is.
 
#16 ·
I was probably a little short with my answer and let me add to it.

Having an enclosed trailer does have its ups. Saves a ton of garage space if you are limited, keeps things out of the rain, a little more theft proof, and the advertising is a plus.

However unless you have a bulk fuel tank on your truck to fill mowers throughout the day, they are a waste of time. I really dont think they look any more professional than a well kept open trailer.
 
#17 ·
After I switched to an insulated - enclosed 20 foot trailer in 1989, I , have been a happy boy. Several LCO friends made cracks about me pulling my house around, their employees would tear it up etc. There are now many enclosed trailers running around here, including some big operators(Brinkman)

People driving in heavy traffic and much more respectful of my space. They yield, smile, and wave, instead of shake their fist and blow the horn at the hillbilly rig.

Enclose trailers are not for everyone...but I can't see why.
 
#18 ·
Lazer_Z said:
An enclosed trailer has more positive points than just "keeping stuff out of the weather". With an enclosed you have everything in one place, nothing in the bed of your truck, a rolling bill board and yes your equipment is dry as well. Now, about your comment on locks, try cutting through these with your bolt cutters http://www.etrailer.com/pc-L~DT40122.htm

The only pita with an enclosed is getting it set up the way you want, after that you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Good points...! This is a post about my thoughts as asked by the OP. Your thoughts are welcomed too...don't single me out because you disagree with my thoughts. Dare me to cut though a lock? LOL... Any serious thief can cut through or break any lock ever made.
 
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#20 ·
ALC-GregH said:
So now guys with open trailers are Joe blow hillbillies? Man it's getting worse with every post.
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LOL..ain't it true? Some guys are just "aching" to jump down the back of someone that disagrees with "their system" it's unbelievable...:hammerhead:
The ORIGINAL POSTER asked for our thoughts on OPEN vs ENCLOSED TRAILERS.
Now continue on with YOUR THOUGHTS!! :drinkup:
 
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