[chesie]

Bringing back a subject I saw in the archives about enclosed trailers. I was curious what size you guys suggest. I am looking for a "rolling tool shed" for hardscape, pond, and lighting installs. So the normal compactors, saws, etc. I have been looking at the 14-16' range. I just don't want to go too big in this case. Sometimes it's nicenot to have a huge trailer in small neighborhoods behind the dump truck.

Kevin

[Stonehenge]

Kevin - do you also tow around a skid steer? If so, what size is it? I know Diginahole has a trailer that holds his skidder, but I don't think mine would fit into any enclosure. I've always had my eye on the set up where there is an enclosure on the front of the trailer, the back is open, and that is where you park the skidder. But then we're talking about a 20-25' trailer.

[Bill Schwab]

I put my total faith in two brands. For pulling race carsm Featherlite, as they are all aluminum, and easy pulls, and would be great for tools and supplies...But, they are very outrageously priced.

We use Wells Cargo for our work horses, and why I like Wells over any other brand is simple. Consistancy. It is common practice in the trailer industry for manufacturers to get calls from axle and brake manufacturers saying, "Hey we have a lot of 600 of these XZY axles and we can let you have them for X amount." If it is cheaper, they get sold and used. Where this leaves you the end user is if you have to replace anything, you are now is a spot where you have to match everything up before replacing, which, means down time. At Wells, you give them a model or vin, and they hand you the parts. You put backing plates and and brakes on in about 2 house on all four wheels.

I recommend that if you are pulling with a dump that you get a 5' tongue, and we use a 16' 102 wide, ramp load with a side door. We also have 10 foot trailers, but they are just too small.

The reason for the 5' tongue is that a 4' will work, but, when you bend it tight on the hitch, the corners of the box will ding the trailer.

A 16' Wells with all I said will run about $6,500.00, (give or take)and Adams Enterprizes in Volo Illinois was a great dealer for us.

WE once got a million dollar a season maintenance account from the lettering on the side of one of our trailers. So, when you get it, make it a bill board. I would also recommend not getting the Torque Flex axles and going with springs. Just my prefernce..

Hope this helps!

[scl]

I have a 6x12 extra tall. Single axle was easy to pull with my van or Jeep, and 4 years ago its all I needed. Now I have enough vehicles to pull with, and no room in my 6x12. Get a 7x14 or 16.
Bill was dead on with the lettering thing. My sign guy did all 4 sides for a bit over $500, and its been the best advertising I've ever bought!

[chesie]

We tow a Cat 242 but we more or less take it to the jobsite prior to starting. Most jobs it we be there 3 or more days so we rarely pull it on a daily basis.


Currently we put everything on a 22' deck over trailer with jobboxes on the front for tools etc. It just seems that we are always missing something we need and the trips back to shop add up + am/pm load and unload time. Besides towing the deck over on a daily basis in residential areas gets tedious and i would hate to have to tow it just for tools.

The enclosed trailer would work well for us to be able to have all the 4" fittings, sod cutter, irrigation parts, wire, mini skidder etc with us at all times that we would need it. I think i am aiming towards a 7 x 16. Just curious if those of you with 16' seem to have enough room. I guess i am looking for the best of both worlds - trailer with ample room yet not to big as not to be able to manuever through the hoods with ease.

And yes we would letter it up to be a bill board.

Thanks for the input

[jwholden]

Currently we put everything on a 22' deck over trailer with jobboxes on the front for tools etc.

I would love to see a picture of that...

[chesie]

What we do currently is not a bad set-up. We have 3 different job boxes that are job specific...so rarely are they all on the trailer at one time. Built in rack under the deck for screed rails, screed boards, and edging.

[Stonehenge]

Hey - I'd like to see that trailer, too. Sounds like a pretty good setup.

[chesie]

If i get some time i will try to get a pic up. Of course I will need some assistance in that matter .

It's nothing special, it works, but I am set on having an enclosed within a year or so.

[diginahole]

I use all 16' x 8' of my enclosed trailer. If I had more room I'd probably find a way to use that too. Un like a flad deck, the space beside the skid steer is not wasted, we have hand tools on one wall and shelves on the other. The 242 might be a bit heavy to get over the ramp door, I ordered mine beefed up some. They rate it at 4000 lbs, my little skidsteer is just under that (bobcat 553, 4 feet wide 950 lb ROC). After one season the ramp is in wonderful shape but it does flex some. The torflex axles seem a little weak behind my F350 pickup, but behind the C55 it pulls really nice. If I had my druthers I'd go with good old fashoned leafs, same as Bill. If you ever want to get a mini ex in it make sure you get one tall enough. I have to have all but the smallest mini ex delivered by the rental shop. I can just slide the bobcat 316 in if I boost up the front with the blade.

[site]

We have a 7x16. We also have an 18 that sits in the yard like a really expensive shed. I would sell it, but then I'd have to buy a new shed. The 16 is plenty big. The ramp door is essential. Also, ours came set up for landscaping. It has 1/2" plywood 18" up the walls, and steel tie down hooks built into the floor. Buy one today- it will pay for itself in 2 months or less.

[Pelican]

I've got an 18' Pace American I custom ordered for my lawn care operation. I've had it going on 8 years, it has worked out pretty well.

Some options you might want to consider:

Extra headroom. The cost is minimal and allows you to stand upright inside.

Translucent roof. Allows natural lighting, makes finding tools much easier.

Extended tongue. Makes towing with a dump truck safer. This lessens the chance of truck to trailer body contact during tight turns.

Curbside ramp door. Allows extra access to the trailer, and can keep your workers out of traffic and safe.

After 5 years, I had some fairly serious cracking where the tongue meets the trailer frame that I repaired with gussets. This has been the only problem with the trailer. I chose Pace for both price and willingness to build the trailer to my specs at a very reasonable price. All the options I listed totaled less than $1000.

[chesie]

Thank you for your input. You have given me a few things to consider when we decide to move in that direction.

[Hamons]

Here is what I found is the perfect trailer for me.

[Hamons]

enclosed open