Enclosed vs. Open Trailers

[ben]

Hi

I have been thinking about moving from an open trailer to an enclosed trailer, and was hoping to get some feedback from those with experience with both.

First off, I am admittedly a bit "careful" with my stuff. My sled never goes anywhere without a cover and I store it and the trailer in the garage. It is getting to be a pain to hop and down from the trailer to cover/uncover and cover/uncover again when I go out. Along with that comes the rear ramp slide in / slide out for loading, and the front ramp down/up for unloading. Additionally, if the parking lot at the sno-park is full you often need to unload the sleds before you pull into a tight parking spot.

I have often though how nice it would be to just ride the sled out the back or front and do the same with loading. No covering, easy to use doors/ramps, etc. Basically, just load the sled, secure it and drive away. With an enclosed trailer I would get garage space back as well.

Am I over-simplifying things here? Is it that easy? Are there other things to consider? I actually have a pretty decent open trailer so I don' want to get rid of it if I am not going to like an enclosed trailer better.

Let me know your thoughts.....

Ben

[foxyrmk]

For years I have had a open trailer, I know just how you feel. We bought an 27ft enclosed trailer 4 years ago, and I'll never go back. I love that all you can store your sleds and just have to drive in/out and not have to cover your sled or peel the cover off after it's frozen on it. The plus thing you can get dress and undress in there, when traveling you can put your gear and other items in there, and the biggest plus!!! trailer parties w/bar-b-ques.
we have a propane heater in our trailer soon we'll have the furance put in, we have the furnace but it hasn't made it in there. We also have used our trailer going to the coast with the atv's.
You'll find that the trailer will have many uses other than for snowmobiling. It's also makes a great moving trailer with that rear ramp.

I still have my open trailer, I use it for the atv's and dirtbikes behind our motorhome. But we have been looking for a 19 ft enclosed for that now.

Good Luck!!!

[J-Rad]

yeah for sure... enclosed trailers are they way to go. i started out with a two place open trailer and I hated having to cover my sled not to mention putting it in the garage during the summer and when ever i wasnt towing it. now I put my sled in my in-laws enclosed, and there is nothing like riding out of the trailer goign for your ride.. and then when you are done riding ride right back into the trailer ... also another plus is the party central that is creates... everyone hang our in there.. bbq'in and drinking and just hangin out.....

and then theres the fact of keeping all your gear in there and the gas cans and all that stuff... usually you can stuff more gas cans in an enclosed trailer so that means that there is more riding that can be done... and that is always a plus. I really dont think i will ever go back to an open trailer.. you know unless the only way i can go ride is if I have to use an open .. but then there are always exceptions right??

[JIMBO 48]

I love mine for all the reasons above. But also sometimes use it for a little alternate camp trailer instead of my motor home when I go hunting or quading and don't want to take the big rig out on a bad road. This is a pic of my wife setting up my "camper" out on an elk hunt. And another one of it just as a trailer for my sleds.
Jim

[Oregongirl]

We had an enclosed trailer and LOVED it! It was very versatile and we used it for camping as well. Since we are constantly driving over a pass or two to go riding, we finally opted for a sled deck. It's nice to not have to chain up! But, I would encourage you towards an enclosed trailer. As long as you get one that meets all your needs, you'll certainly be happy. We had a 19' V-nose. The V-nose provided great extra space for all that stuff that goes along with sledding.

[Movin]

When the wife used to go..enclosed all he way! Now it's just me I keep it simple and easy to turn where I snowmobile most..On logging roads. My buddies have enclosed, when we park ride they are great! Anywhere else they add an hour to the ride. Drive to snow, back down to turn-around, back back up to the snow , unload..

[Ford428CJ]

Consider this as well. What truck are you using to tow with??? If you have an F-150 4.6 or a 5.4 (for example) might be a little heavy compared to a 2 place ride on/off trailer. Also add trailer brakes to your truck!!! You'll need it. May not matter to you but I thought I would throw that out there. I love my 26' enclosed trailer but it added a little more weight and one extra sled compared to a 2 place tilt with 2 sleds. LOL I will use mine for camping as well......JMO