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Posted by: Christopher
Alaska Boy; I have spent several months researching enclosed trailers. If you are new to trailer shopping this may help.
Frame choices
Steel or Aluminum?
Benefits Steel
Costs less, $2000- 3000 less than Aluminum on 4 place trailers
May be able to hold more weight?
Disadvantages to steel
Weighs considerable more (4 place steal you may be safer with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck)
Will rust fast if exposed to winter/salt ( A big negative) in states that get snow
Benefits to Aluminum
Won't rust
Lightweight, easier to tow
Prefered choice in states with snow
Most ALuminum trailer have no steel parts, they use aluminum hinges or stainlees steel
Disadvantages to Aluminum
Cost More $$$
Next choice
V-NOse (Drive in drive out)
Non V-Nose
V-noses cost a bit more but have many benefits
You can drive in one and out the other if you would like
Tow much easier, less wind drag because of the V
The V part can be used for all your storage and shelving for your gear
Next (how wide)
8 1/2 or 7 ft
7ft are easier to see around when towing but loose the ability to put quads side by side in a trailer, thus you need a biger traler and a higher cost
8 1/2 you can put quads side by side but will be hard to see around when towing unless you get extended mirrors.
Options
It is like buying a car. Some manufactures standard features are options on others.
Thus it pays to shop around and vist many web sites (Haulmark, Renegade,Triton,Continental) a few
There is a manufacturer in NY that I ordered a aluminum 8 1-2 by 16 ft long enclosed (Snowmwobile trailer ) a few weeks ago. Check out www.blizzardmanufacturing.com I think that is it, if not try a search under blizzard trailers in NY.
Features
Fold down Drive on ramp from back
Drive off ramp on one side of the V
Comes with 1 man door on side and one fuel door on the other side
V is 5 ft long and am putting all my shelves on the non door wall.
2, 3000lb axles, one axle with electric brakes
I opted for a man door on both sides insteadd of a fuel door, an extra light and a extra light switch so no matter what side door I go into I can turn on all 3 lights.
Trailer has all luan walls a ceiling vent.
Trailer has a GVWR of 6000lbs
Pd $6500 + tax
Now price of aluminum has gone up $.30 per pound since Oct 2003 but I got a good buy since most a couple of places I talked to wanted at least $1200 more with less options.
Chris
Posted by: Christopher
Alaskaboy;
A gas door is common on enclosed 3 or 4 place trailers. Typically enclosed trailers have one man door on the side so you can enter the trailed and at least one gas/fuel door on the other side of the trailer. A gas door is about a foot by a foot that is located on one or both sides of the trailers and is used to stick the gas hose through the trailer to put gas into your Atv or snowmobile.
Steel will weigh aproximately 700 to 1000 lbs more than a ALuminum framed. The bigger the trailer the more the difference in weight. The 16 ft I order is about 1700 lbs so I would have to guess steel would be mid 2000 but it probably depends on the manufacturer. What is nice is that you can special order a trialer to meet your needs. For example my manufacturer took off the fuel door -$50 off the invoice added a man door 6ft high by 30 inches wide for $175.00 and gave me a free light and switch.
Oh I forgot one thing that I thought was important. Make sure you get one that you can walk into without bending over. The manufacturer I order from has internal ceiling of 5 ft 6 and 6f t6 so I order the 6,6.
Chris
Posted by: dbeck
I just bought an enclosed aluminum trailer I'm picking up from the place Bing mentioned. It's 16 foot long, 2 foot V nose and 8.5 wide with extra height. I ended up paying about 8 grand for it but I had a lot of custom changes made to it so that I could haul both my ultralight and ATVs.
I'll be writing a review on it probably around May.
Posted by: dbeck
Alaska,
Yes, I'm picking up next week. It's 84 inches on the inside from floor to ceiling. I believe it was 18 inches of additional height I added.
The ATC trailers are all aluminum. I was able to get a bigger trailer for about the same weight I'd have had for a smaller steel trailer.
Posted by: dbeck
Alaska,
ATC can deliver it to a dealer near you.
Posted by: atvguyinmaine
Alaska boy....all the info u have is Great...I'd like to point out 2 things.....if u can fine a used car hauler,that will work great....Its a little heavy but very strong and u wont overload it..and u can add to it...shelves....beds etc..what ever u get it should have brakes on both axles....1 is ok..but both is better,as far as ''toy haulers'' go...a TON of money as NOT a lota room for atv's in the back..bikes,or something small..will fit fine....and remember that going a lil bigger than u may think is ok..a lot better to have a lil extra space than be a whisker short for that extra machine or some more stuff..I was in Ankorage last Nov. for 2 weeks....a GREAT place..I was south of town about a mile from the BIG DOME that was being painted.Del a car up there and stayed 2 weeks....flew back to Maine.....Later
Posted by: Bing
depending on your needs,,,,,$2000 (used) all the way up to $20,000
Are you just looking for a basic enclosed trailer,,,,,or more of a enclosed toy hauler with some features?
there is quite a variety these days
Posted by: Bing
Alaskaboy
you got some cool pics on your page
I miss Alaska
Posted by: Bing
yup.......at least in the lower 48
look into a V nose (although probably more expensive) with a drop ramp in the front and rear (you can pull right thru)(probably 100 different manufacturers out there)
you can get them with heat, drop beds, cabinets, even bathrooms, showers and kitchens.
do a search under trailer or toy hauler
this topic has been beat to death,,,and there is some awesome info already on the forum (links to manufacturers and all)
You should be ok with 5000 for an entry level at that size (new)
Maybe even an Aluminum model.
Posted by: Bing
They sell these around her but they are a bit expensive
they are sweet though,,,,,and they have a pretty good gallery to get some ideas from
Posted by: Bing
Hey, you ever been to 'Chilkoot Charlies', or 'The Peanut Farm'????
Posted by: Bing
Peanut farm is cool
go there and order the hottest wings they got,,,,,,and then tell me how you like them
they have a patio over a river,,,,and some fine waitress's (at least in the summer)
Posted by: Bing
dbeck
when you go to pick it up
ask if I qualify for any kind of refferal discount on my next purchase,,,,I want one too!!!
Are you happy with your salesman,,,,,enough to refer him too me?
congrats
Posted by: Dragginbutt
I agree with Dbeck, the ATC company builds a very neat and affordable trailer for the money. They have two models of snowmobile haulers... One is 84 inches between tires/98" overall... and the other one that tucks the tires underneath is 98 inches wide from front to back. Check out the options page too, as you can add addition height if you want it. Also, they have fold up beds etc if you feel the need/want to sleep in it...
For teh money, you can really get a nice deal.... I can't afford a house payment that the big toy haulers want, but when you consider that you can get a 40G hauler/camper for 15 years for just a little over 300 a month, plus you can deduct the interest because it is a "Second Home", it might be worth it... only problem is I'd have to get me a new truck with a rating of 13000 or more to pull it. It would be sweet though.
Posted by: Dragginbutt
Keep in mind the width between the fenders is probably only about 83 to 86 inches, so a side by side load may be hard to handle when you get going with the kids etc... two big 4x4 machines with bigger than stock mud tires like the ones you have on the Kodiak may be a trailer full. It would be OK I guess if you were putting a big next to a little machine. I especially like the idea of using the fold down beds inside your trailer... if you have bears to deal with, you can use the extra layer of metal between you. Not that the walls would offer them that much trouble if they wanted inside any way... but it would help me sleep a little better any way.
Also, I know you looked at the ATV/snowmobile haulers from ATC and commented on the height. You can option the height another foot taller, so it would come to 6 ft. Also, they have two models, one with fenders that sits lower, and has 6 ft already built in. They can also insulate teh whole thing, put plywood all over it, AND they can carpet the entire walls. That makes it a little more snug in the cold.
One last thing, the model you are looking at has the wheels underneath the entire box, with no fenders taking room from you. One of the plusses may be the higher ground clearance that I am sure you can put to good use up north.
Oh and one more thing, remember if you get one of those toy haulers with sink, stove, batherooms, you can deduct the interest as a second home..... just a thought....
Looks by the pictures, you are living the life that most of us lower 48'rs can only dream about.
Be safe.
Dragginbutt
Posted by: Bradracer18
i have one in my pics that we are looking to sell.
Posted by: Bradracer18
I'm not real sure what we paid for it, I was thinking around 5 or 6 thousand. We haven't used it much at all, only about 4 years. And all we used it for in those 4 years, was a trip a year to little sahara, ok. They are good trailers, our's is in great shape still. We can hold 6 quads in ours, but it is stuffed. We're looking to sell it for an old moving trailer that we can pull behind the semi, a lot more room in there.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
I am in the market for a enclosed and I want to haul 4 quads and not be too cramped. Any suggestions? I know the price will be higher up here but the markup has come down alot over the years so what you guys quote me should not be much different. AlaskaBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Thanks Bing. I am thinking just a toy hauler but I was wondering if they have battery power for the lights? I am also thinking around 5 grand for a new one. It does not have to be fancy but I would like a side door and lights like I mentioned. My wife and I have talked about this and it is cheaper then buying a new truck to haul us around, as we have the Expedition. She like's the Idea of maybe hooking up a fan/vent in it for we can run a small heater and use it as a camper in the summer. What do you think? Plausible?
When did you leave Alaska? AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
"KOOTS" yeah that was one of my old stomping grounds when I was single. Not much has changed there from what I have heard, they have a swing bar and they added a replica of the old "BIRD HOUSE" upstairs. I have not been there in along time now that I think about it. Never have been to the "FARM" don't no why though.
So 5 grand can get me something nice? I have seen those travel trailers with the parking in the rear but they come with a nice price tag. Nice site you gave me. AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
I checked the trailers and see that the snow/quad trailers are only 5 feet high, is that the norm? AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
They just got done with the ice bowling on the creek for Fur Rondy..AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Dbeck, I will look for your review. I am thinking of getting the trailer this summer but I am looking now to get an idea of what is out there. Are you having to pick it up? What is the height now? AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
I know if I go to the manufacture I could get it cheaper but I would have to take 2 weeks off to pick it up myself. I should be able to find a good deal up here. Anybody ever get a reasonable deal from say a Yamaha dealer or Polaris(?), I know I will have to look but the markup might kill me.AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Dbeck, I just sent them an email on dealers up here. Thanks for the info.AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Bradracer, would you deliver? Just kidding. What did you pay for it to begin with? That is something like I am interested in.AKBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Thanks Chris, this is very helpful. My wife reads these as well and she liked the fact you pointed out about the steel weighing so much more. I have a Expedition with the 4.6 litre and a Chevy 1/2 ton with a 5.0 litre and neither of these are brute pullers by far. On the road salt issue, Alaska uses very little if any salt because it lures moose to the road sides and they have enough of those already(this winter there has been a moose/car crash every day so far) so I am not worried about steel rusting out but the weight is a big negative so I will look for alunimum even though it will cost more, I see it as money well spent if my trucks last longer. When you say gas door, what is that? Is that a seperate holding area for gas cans or is this a gas tank style? Thanks again. AlaskaBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Thanks dragginbutt. Looks like I will have to wait till next spring now. I was hoping to get it this year but as you might know things come up. I was able to get my little boy his quad and it will still work on tthe trailer I have but we still want to get the enclosed. I try to pay with cash when I can and this is one purchase that I will be be made this way so I have to wait another year. I will keep my eye out for a used model but they do not come up often I hear and when they do they want what they paid for them, guess they never heard of depreciation.
Thanks for all the advice but I am going to wait till I have some more money saved up and it looks like it will be another year, house projects added up to be more then I thought. AlaskaBoy.
Posted by: AlaskaBoy
Michyzf350,
Thanks for the info. That trailer you have runs around 12 grand up here, I was dissapointed in finding these prices that are charged up here for them. My neighbor found a carhualer that a guy brought up over the ALCAN highway with his belongings. Carl the neighbor paid him 8800 for it and the guy told him that he could not believe he was able to make a profit on just a enclosed trailer and it was used when he bought it.
It might just pay off to make a little trip to Arizona and buy a used one, heck even a new one I would save a ton of money and bring it up. AlaskaBoy.
Posted by: Michyzf350
I have a 4 place snowmobile trailer that i bought new in oct. 2003 and spent 6,200 out the door. that includes the $250 plate you have to get in michigan.Its a Hallmark V nose drive on drive off.It's about 25" long and can fit 6 or 7 quads....
