[Master Chief]

Hey guys, 2nd year in business but 10th year in the industry...last year I ran an 83”x16’ open trailer. Looking to get an enclosed trailer. Kaufman is right down the road from me in NC and they quoted an 8.5x16 with 5.2k axles for $5635 including taxes and tags. Not really worried about the price.

What do people like and dislike about their enclosed trailers? Just looking to get some feedback from people who have used both open and enclosed.

Also going to get my logo and services on sides and back. What have people’s experiences been with return on investment with doing this? I was quoted $700 by a local sign company.

Ps I will keep my open for mulch and trim jobs.

Thanks.

 

[knox gsl]

My best suggestion is to have a 4ft side door so you can load pallets. Maybe 18ft with a V-nose. E-track along the walls.

 

[Master Chief]

My best suggestion is to have a 4ft side door so you can load pallets. Maybe 18ft with a V-nose. E-track along the walls.

My open trailer is a flatbed with removable wooden sides so I would use that to load pallets if necessary. Thanks for the input.

 

[grass4gas]

Biggest plus is security, protection from the weather and a rolling bill board .

Biggest negative is freakin tree branches

 

[Master Chief]

Biggest plus is security, protection from the weather and a rolling bill board .

Biggest negative is freakin tree branches

Do you have yours lettered/wrapped? If so, what kind of return on investment have you seen from that?

 

[grass4gas]

Just lettered. I’m solo and most of my business comes from word of mouth, but I do get some from the trailer just not sure how much

 

[Todd73]

I’m also in the need of a bigger trailer and will be going enclosed. I like the fact that my equipment will be out if the elements, it offers a bit more security, it’s a rolling billboard once lettered and, as sad this may see as a positive, offers me a place to grab a Gatorade bottle and go to the bathroom (hard to hind behind a bush when you’re 6’5” and most of your houses are in tightly packed subdivisions).

For my situation though, the enclosed is really the only upgrade option. We have a three car garage and my current open trailer just fits in the single car bay. If I got a larger, wider open trailer, I’d have to kick my wife’s van out of the garage so it could park in the wider, double car bay and even then, the trailer would be so long that it would cover half the entry door to the house; so it’s really not a practical solution. So, the current open trailer will go into the gated side yard, tarped, to be used as a brush/mulch hauler, the enclosed will be in the driveway, and the now open bay will be covered to a mini-shop.

 

[prezek]

I agree with the positives mentioned. As long as you keep the open trailer, not much downside. Best of both worlds. We have our trucks and trailers lettered. Quite a few calls from neighbors that don’t want to bother you while working, but will grab the number and call later.

 

[Hoosier_Fan]

I just bought a 7x16 enclosed with a v-nose last year. I really like the fact I can store stuff in it throughout the winter when I'm not using it. I also built a full work bench with a small toolbox, cabinets, lighting, and it has a power inverter too. lots of room to carry spare parts and tools.

 

[Master Chief]

Thanks for the input guys. Parking and storage is not an issue for me because I’m lucky enough to have a piece of land. I’m tired of loading and unloading everything every single day. At some point you have to value your own time...

Also, I believe getting it lettered will make me look more professional. My work speaks for itself, but people are more likely to call you if you look professional...including your personal appearance and your equipment.

Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[Master Chief]

I agree with the positives mentioned. As long as you keep the open trailer, not much downside. Best of both worlds. We have our trucks and trailers lettered. Quite a few calls from neighbors that don't want to bother you while working, but will grab the number and call later.

My thoughts exactly. I would assume that some people either don't want to bother you while working or just don't like coming up to random people. Either way, Lettering gives them another option to contact you. Thanks!

 

[Balrog]

I'd be interested in the fuel & wear'n'tear tradeoff.

 

[Tonset]

My equipment gets super hot infrequently won't start in my trailer for the hot season. Gassing up tools is a pain too. I am going to buy a bucket of paint and brush my name and number on the side in case I lose the trailer somewhere. It's great for packing all my irrigation stuff in it to make repairs on the spot. Doubles as an emergency restroom and storm shelter. I'd prefer to have both styles of trailers available to me, IMHO.

 

[Balrog]

My equipment gets super hot infrequently won't start in my trailer for the hot season. Gassing up tools is a pain too. I am going to buy a bucket of paint and brush my name and number on the side in case I lose the trailer somewhere. It's great for packing all my irrigation stuff in it to make repairs on the spot. Doubles as an emergency restroom and storm shelter. I'd prefer to have both styles of trailers available to me, IMHO.

Color matters. Dark: baaaaad. White/silver: gooooood. I see roof vents in your future? Small engineering challenge to keep watertight at road speeds!

 

[Master Chief]

Has anyone else experienced vapor lock or related issues with starting a mower in an enclosed trailer?

 

[Tonset]

Has anyone else experienced vapor lock or related issues with starting a mower in an enclosed trailer?

Yep

 

[Tonset]

Color matters. Dark: baaaaad. White/silver: gooooood. I see roof vents in your future? Small engineering challenge to keep watertight at road speeds!

Heck at this point I'll cut the front wall out!

 

[Master Chief]

Yep

So what's the remedy? Does it not start or is it just hard to start? Give me some details please

 

[Tonset]

So what's the remedy? Does it not start or is it just hard to start? Give me some details please

Never had the starting issues on open setup, unless in direct sun for extended periods of time. 90* plus the mower heat soaks between accounts in the enclosed trailer and very difficult to start. If you can't get it started try to push it out and let it cool. In a pinch I will dump water on the carburetor area and can get it going after a few seconds of cooling. Hand helds I just douse in water and the start right up. My trailer has vents, white roof but it still gets hot. Non ethanol gas helps some, but not a cure all

 

[Master Chief]

Never had the starting issues on open setup, unless in direct sun for extended periods of time. 90* plus the mower heat soaks between accounts in the enclosed trailer and very difficult to start. If you can't get it started try to push it out and let it cool. In a pinch I will dump water on the carburetor area and can get it going after a few seconds of cooling. Hand helds I just douse in water and the start right up. My trailer has vents, white roof but it still gets hot. Non ethanol gas helps some, but not a cure all

Thanks for the info. I always use non-ethanol gas so maybe that'll help some. Also, by the time it gets 90* in NC grass has gone dormant. My Scags are fuel injected so maybe that will help?