Enclosed Trailer vs Small Shed

[joepowe8]

What's the concensus on using an enclosed trailer as a shed? I bought a house last year that I dont plan on staying in it very long. Due to the size of the lot and layout of the house, I dont think I'll be able to build a garage of any size. Right now I'm toying with a 16x12 storage shed attached to a 15x20 carport. I just dont think I will get enough bennefit out of it to be worth it.

How well do you think a 16ft enclosed trailer would work. Mainly need a place to keep my little bit of tools and lawn equipment. I live a few miles away from my dad and his shop and "our" tools, but it's agravating to have to go over there everytime I need something.

Whatcha think?

 

[Amitygravel]

Compare prices.
A small enough shed could always be transported. Of course a trailer would be a simple hookup to the truck and off you go.
I would think a used trailer would be fairly easy and cheaper to find.

 

[Rag Roc]

Trailer. Take the wheels and tires off to get the deck closer to the ground, and preserve the tires. When you decide to move the trailer is ready to go, can be unloaded at your destination, then used for the rest of your move.

 

[half_full]

and sell the trailer when done moving to pay for the shed/garage/shop at the new location

 

[rsanter]

thats what I was going to do
I wanted to put a small 'garage' for storage on the side of my house but due to restrictions I could not legally do it.
the city did inform me that I would be allowed to park a similar sized trailer there without restriction and use that as a shed or to even park a car if I wanted.

to me I think you could look to buy one for a deal and then later you likly could resell it to get all your money back

bob

 

[camarotoolman]

around here, you have to keep a current licence plate on anything parked in your yard/driveway. Getting along with your neighbors helps,so they don't call code inforcement.

 

[mustangmccance]

enclosed trailers are incredibly useful. I get called frequently nowadays to help friends move etc. ( I guess that could be considered a negative lol.) I use mine to park my mustang in so that I can keep project cars and daily driver in my garage. My son used it as a personal garage for his bikes before he got his drivers license. I use it as a mobile garage when I go to car shows etc. much more useful than a shed.I wired a waterproof ship to shore type of plug in the front of mine and I have an electric cord that I plug into when it is parked to run lights and my battery tender off of. very useful

 

[IMXCITD]

yeah...get the enclosed trailer...but go bigger....24 to 28ft.

 

[ibedayank]

trailers can be towed away with your tools in them.... easy pickins
a decent size trailer can be moved with a riding lawnmower empty to where it would not be easy to hook a truck/van up to it
block it up take wheels off... hide wheels and drums in house make then bury a post few feet in the ground chain tounge to it
harder you make it to steal/break into the more the theifs will go look for something else

 

[bczygan]

In Michigan the trailer plates are permanent. This may be true in other states. You may only be allowed to park in the rear yard by city ordinance. There may be a limit of one trailer.

 

[shopnut]

I originally bought my enclosed 6x12 trailer with the intentions of hauling bikes on long trips, but Mrs Shopnut said there's no way any of her bikes are going to be "trailer-queens". She said the only way one of her bikes will be put on a trailer is if it's broken.

So the trailer has mostly become a storage shed, and it works pretty good as that. I made a wood ramp to allow easy entry into it.

 

[Suede57ford]

I'm considering an enclosed trailer for storage. I live in the city limits and am maxed out on the structures on my half acre lot.

I built a 40x80 and had it bricked bricked to match the house, but now I can't put up a storage building. I figured a 24-28 foot trailer behind the shop, and inside the fence would be a great place to keep all the yard stuff and things I don't want in around my cars and collectables.

 

[venom50svt]

Sounds to me you have sorta made up your mind..
Smart money says buy a trailer.. Don't just buy one that you think will cover your stuff, go larger you'll be glad you did, you will fill it...

 

[Zeke]

I had a shop/trailer. It was only 14' but I had a ball out there. Lighting and stereo. The pull down ramp leveled on blocks added 7 more feet to the work deck. I shoulda built a screened in porch for that area!

I was into karts those days, so it was big enough. Work bench at the end and shelves up along both sides. Just talking about it makes me miss it.

 

[W_A_Watson_II]

You won't get a decent return on the shed investment (particularly with today's home crises), so I'd do the trailer, and as large as you can afford/tow.

 

[gandicor]

is $20 per year registration fee a factor for anyone? i guess if it is in the back yard you can take one of these off the road and avoid paying the fees but if you plan to keep it in your driveway i imagine you should keep a current registration on it. i am debatin whether to do this myself but my house do not offer much of a back yard and grass parking would not be an option in the front.

 

[cnttxmdc]

Way to revive an old, outdated thread!

In response to the yearly registration fees being an issue, property tax increases, even for small sheds, are likely to be more than registration costs depending on where you live.

 

[RichTJ99]

I have been kicking this idea around for a few months. If I went with a legal shed I have to be 50 feet from the property edge. The trailer being mobile could be moved pretty easily.

I like the idea of not involving the town and tax assessor.

What does a used enclosed trailer go for?

 

[bczygan]

Trailer is the right answer by far.

Check your local CL for prices.

Next choice is a bigger trailer that is less road ready, or a smaller trailer in good shape, that can be used on the road a lot.

If you don't really have things you will need to haul, then a bigger trailer, in just good enough shape to get it home and to your next place, is the answer. What are the registration and plating rules where you are? You probably need to keep it plated to keep it in your yard. Here in MI, we have a one time $75 plate, which is great. Your rules may also require it to be road ready at all times. A local ordinance here requires that, so no flat tires or removed wheels.


Bill

 

[Showkey]

Rich.........Just a guess ( I lived "out east" twice) .........but.........many areas in Westcheter NY might like the trailer/storage "thing" in the yard.

 

[bczygan]

Hey!

I was just thinking.....Who says you can't have BOTH!

Get the biggest trailer you can tow and a small enough shed, that it can later be moved. A temporary shed on skids may not even add to taxes or require a permit. Check all your requirements. Build it real light and put all the garden tools in it and keep the trailer for a shop.

What do you think?

Bill

 

[tfalk]

Depending on your location, check your zoning laws... I'm getting flack because zoning says my enclosed trailer, which is currently parked on gravel at the end of my driveway, needs to be parked on an impervious surface. At the same time, they won't let me build a garage because I am already over on impervious surface coverage... can't win....

 

[maxpower_hd]

We can have a registered trailer her without an issue. It depends on where you live. I have been looking for one myself to use as a work trailer (truck and trailer service) and be able to empty it and use it for motorcycles as well from time to time.

Although used prices, at least around here, have been pretty close to the new prices. I am looking at 12' single axle trailers. They seem to go about $2800 use when I can buy new for $3000 out the door. Maybe a little more than building a shed but not much more and it can go with you.