Depends how long you want to keep it.

The cheaper one seems cheap. The more expensive one seems slightly over priced.

I will say you will have much better luck with the axels, brakes and tires if you go for the more expensive option. I won’t even consider 3500 lbs axels. You go through tires and bearings faster.

Other two things that got my attention, the more exposed trailer listed a 54” tounge and adjustable coupler. If you one we plan to pull it behind a dump truck you need the 54” because if you hack knife or make a sharp turn the rear of a dump truck can puncture the front of the trailer (seen it happen more than once). Adjustable coupler is just nice to have once you get a fleet, it makes hitch height standardization much easier.

more expensive option also listed a “marine” grade plywood floor I believe. If the other one is regular plywood it will fall apart in a few years.

most “landscape” packages that I’m familiar with also come with a second layer of 3/4 ply wood screwed to the bottom 24” of the wall so that when a mower gets loose it doesn’t go though the wall.

 

My motto is always try to go-within reason-the “best” product that fits your needs. Going cheap usually burns your ass.

Looking at the front of that cheaper trailer, the skin is already buckled. Makes me wonder about the quality of it

 

We have a very cheap enclosed trailer. Not even sure what brand it is. Picked it up the beginning of last season. It's already a piece of crap. Another lesson learned. :nod:

 

I went through this a few seasons ago. Ended up buying a cheap trailer for 3000 used instead of a new 8k. Both were essentially the same 16ft white enclosed. Figured for almost 1/3 the price I can replace it in 3 years. If I get 8 year out of a trailer I’m thrilled so a new cheap one every 3 doesn’t sound too bad. So far it’s held up fine.

 

Fwiw ive been using cheap enclosed trailers for a few years now. Never had one more than 3 seasons because the first one got totalled when i was rear ended. I can do my 40 lawns a week on a 3000 enclosed pace trailer for several years with zero attention or repairs needed. I also commute 20 miles each way to my service area.

 

We've used PJ and Gator-Made trailors for lawn stuff, wouldnt hesitate to buy either again

 

I would used to say you get what you pay for in trailers but after a bad experience with a well known brand I disagree with my own thoughts. My rules for trailer purchases now. #1 Don't buy site unseen. "heavy duty" is completely subjective and an ad buzzword. Check out the build quality yourself, look at it, feel it. This is going to be your money maker for a number of years. #2 Get a little more than you need right now as far as size. Had I done that on open trailer #2 I probably wouldn't have quite yet had to buy open trailer number 3. #3 think about all the uses you need now and will need probably in the near future and buy with those in mind. Had I done that I wouldn't now own an open trailer, a hybrid open /closed trailer, and a dump trailer. 2 of which I pay just a tad over $200 a month just to keep unused in storage - yep over $2400 a year NOT to use them. I could have had a custom built job that would do everything I need and only really have to have one trailer ) and save $2400 a year (but sometimes it is good to have a backup trailer I agree).

FWIW: PJ trailers I have always heard were good and the ones that I have seen seem to be made well. Guy next to one of mine in storage has a PJ trailer parked.

 

yo Mark Stark you still in rottenchester.... born and bred there, send me some marks pizza and a garbage plate with extra hot sauce.. south carolinas pizza sucks.

 

I bought a cheap enclosed trailer 6 years go and I am now in the process of replacing it with something more heavy duty. over the past few years the trailer has basically fallen apart and cost me a decent amount in breakdowns and a decent amount of down time. For the amount of repairs I have had done to the cheap trailer I could have bought a better built well known brand

 

I bought a cheap enclosed trailer 6 years go and I am now in the process of replacing it with something more heavy duty. over the past few years the trailer has basically fallen apart and cost me a decent amount in breakdowns and a decent amount of down time. For the amount of repairs I have had done to the cheap trailer I could have bought a better built well known brand

What "fell apart" that was so costly? Just curious. I run nothing but cheap enclosed. I have anticipated some wheels bearing replacements at some point but these things seem to hold up very well all things considered.

 

Depends how long you want to keep it.

The cheaper one seems cheap. The more expensive one seems slightly over priced.

I will say you will have much better luck with the axels, brakes and tires if you go for the more expensive option. I won't even consider 3500 lbs axels. You go through tires and bearings faster.

Other two things that got my attention, the more exposed trailer listed a 54" tounge and adjustable coupler. If you one we plan to pull it behind a dump truck you need the 54" because if you hack knife or make a sharp turn the rear of a dump truck can puncture the front of the trailer (seen it happen more than once). Adjustable coupler is just nice to have once you get a fleet, it makes hitch height standardization much easier.

more expensive option also listed a "marine" grade plywood floor I believe. If the other one is regular plywood it will fall apart in a few years.

most "landscape" packages that I'm familiar with also come with a second layer of 3/4 ply wood screwed to the bottom 24" of the wall so that when a mower gets loose it doesn't go though the wall.

Maybe trailers here are just cheap. Used a 6x12 single ax trailer 3600lb and used it for 9 years and still have it. Carry 52 walk behind and 61 tiger cat 2. Paid 1100!new. Greased bearing and tires lasted about 50k miles before replacing each time. bought 14 foot single ax dove tail new 1450 from dealer. And use it now because the space. Are these kind of trailers not available In ur area? These are steel framed trailers.