Let's talk about those "mobile" garages, trailers!

[Garage Josh]

Trying to decide which route to go with on trailers. I'd like to have a car trailer to haul a car if needed, especially if I want to go buy broken down projects on Craigslist, and yet also transport small things like motorcycle or even lawn mower. Pros and cons input on either situation:

One massive (22' inside?) enclosed trailer
Pros?:
One trailer, not multiple
Enclosed so protected from weather elements
Ability to have a mobile "garage" by having a bench/etc inside of it
Can be used as vehicle storage/small shop while parked at house
Any more?
Cons?:
I would assume cost is extremely high compared to the other option below?
Extremely large and hard to maneuver to places
Potentially cost more due to fuel cost because of weight?
I heard thieves are more attracted to these than open?
May end up not being able to still fit some vehicles like trucks or long cars?
Any more?

or

One open flat bed car trailer (get by with "shorter" length due to not worrying about walls?) AND a small enclosed trailer (able to hold maybe two motorcycles or one small riding lawnmower)
Pros?:
Could use either one depending on need so not possibly wasting fuel by overkill of a giant enclosed trailer
Cost for both may be cheaper than one giant enclosed car trailer?
Easier to maneuver?
Any more?
Cons?:
May actually end up costing more for two trailers?
Space to park both trailers is now more at house.
Flat bed trailer is exposed to weather elements.
No real storage or workshop capability
Any more?

 

[crewchief888]

pulling an open car trailer or utility trailer can be accomplished safely with most modern 1/2T trucks.

a 22ft enclosed i'd feel better (safer) pulling it with a 3/4 or 1t truck.


just my $0.02

 

[36truck]

Unless you need to keep things out of the weather an open trailer is easier to pull & load than an enclosed one. Not much wind drag with an open trailer when empty.

 

[Ray-CA]

You can buy an open trailer and add this (http://www.serpentexpress.com/) set-up to it. That way, you have the light weight of an open trailer with the security/weather protection of a cover when you need it.

I had one of these for several years and loved it. Only sold it when I moved to San Diego and was able to drive my car year-round.

Ray

 

[SALIV8]

I have an open trailer and like it. That being said I recommend an open trailer with a solid deck so it's more versatile.

I went with an open deck and wish I went with a solid.

 

[j2k]

Open car trailer with solid wood deck. Then you can put your cars, mowers and bikes on it. No need to enclose it for that.

You can add a way to mount a work bench to the side and an enclosed toolbox to it.

Big tall box trailers catch a lot of wind so they give you a lot of drag compared to open and also side wind to catch.

 

[wnstwolf]

I was just at a place called mission trailers in Winslow maine today looking at a used aluminum dump trailer. Sweet but too expensive. They hade ten enclosed car haulers that ranged from bare bones to over the top. Cheapes is $15k. Used would be the way to go but as others stated the 1/2 ton truck I have would not make the enclosed trailer practical

I have a duck tail open trailer that is over 15 years old. It has diamond plate runners for car hauling with d rings and filled in with hardwood. I built some stake sides and have hauled all sorts of stuf with it. Only thing I would say to look for aluminum if you can afford it. At 15 years old I am pushing the life of my trailer as they are hard to keep rust off the underside.

 

[Garage Josh]

Looks like a solid deck open car trailer is my best bet, and maybe either a tent option like shown above, or getting a cheap small enclosed if I have a need for weather protecting small stuff.

Are there certain brands of open bed solid deck trailers to look for or just find any one on Craigslist used? What do they go for new and what's a fair price used?

 

[denis4x4]

I have a 20' aluminum tilt flatbed with a PU tool box housing a winch and storage for straps, etc. As soon as I got it home, I used outdoor log preservative on the deck. Much more versatile than an enclosed trailer.

 

[sracer99]

I have a 20' V nose enclosed car hauler to move a race car around, but unless you have an ongoing need an open trailer costs less, is far easier to tow, and has some flexibility the enclosed does not. I keep stuff stored in my trailer - tires, parts, etc. and that is handy, but if you are just looking to haul stuff, i'd go open.

 

[Ray-CA]

Take a look at this one: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/34-other-vehicles-sale-wanted/450290-serpent-express-trailer.html

It might fit your needs.

Ray

 

[Garage Josh]

How long of a trailer do you guys think? Not sure if 18' would be best. Plus I keep seeing way different price ranges from around $1k to that $5k one.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

I bought a 6x12 V nose enclosed trailer brand new for under $2100 with tax and title. Same dealer has open car haulers (18' bed) for $2400. I don't think you can get an enclosed car hauler for under $4500. (9 months ago)

My car hauler is only 5 1/2x12 so it doesn't compare to bigger 18' haulers, but no matter what I load in my 6x12 v nose I don't ever feel it behind a 1/2 ton truck.

 

[Rusty Kustoms]

I have a 8.5'x24' enclosed, I use it for picking up projects in the winter months mostly and customers appreciate their completed project delivered clean and covered. I also get quite a bit of use out if it for storage, I can store a car or a bunch of bikes in there while not in use to free up shop space. What I hate most is loading a car, it is tight no matter what you do. I would never try to pull it with a 1/2 ton, also a bit overkill for most jobs but works out great when I have to haul a car and a couple bikes.

One thing nobody has mentioned yet is that once you get a big enclosed trailer you can count on everybody and their brother wanting to borrow it. If you go big like I did that means that you will be towing it most of the time for them as well as their 1/2 ton can't handle the weight. I stayed away from putting company logos on mine for a few years now to keep under the DOT radar, just this year gave in and lettered it up so I have an excuse not to loan it out anymore.

 

[Falcon67]

Depends on the 1/2 ton. our Super Crew is rated to 13,500 GCVW and I pull 7500 lbs in a 8.5 x 24' to the track a lot. Having said that, I would not turn down an F250 to do the same job. I have the trailer balanced and have heavy duty Ranchos plus a sway bar on the truck and load levelers. Tows good. In a cross wind, a big box tag trailer is going to be a hassle unless you're pulling with a dump truck. I have had 8200 lbs on a trailer with that truck for a short while too.

To the OP - fetching car sized projects is much better done with a good winch mounted on an 18' steel car hauler. Easier to tow with less truck, easier to get into spots to pull something out of the weeds. A big box is hard to see behind plus you need about 10' overhead clearance.

However, for the other - storage and working you can't beat a box. Ours was $4500 used and I found a used AC unit for $250. Add in a $300 generator and we live like kings at that track in summer. I can stick my 16' 3000lb race car in there, a full size 40" tool box (permanent mount) plus a small quad, the generator, air tank, chairs, floor jack, etc and still have room to move around.

So what do we have - haha, both. 18' car hauler and a 24' box. Won't part with either. I hauled everything for the shop except the concrete on the 18'er. I have a couple of old pickups that might end up in the scrap yard - no way I'll try to stuff one in the box.

On the DOT thing - this is no ********. Company name or answering any question that implies you are a business will drop you right into the DOT regs including commercial license and the whole business. If they stop you and get convinced among themselves (DOT/Highway Patrol) that you are a commercial operation and you don't have the paper work, you WILL be leaving the trailer on the side of the road. They are hard *** about all this and the more states need the revenue the more hard *** they get. Guy up north got tagged for hauling fuel in a non DOT container - the fuel cell of his race car. Keep them tagged and inspected - here it starts at $250 fine for expired sticker.

Which reminds me about the flat bed...

The answer to borrow your trailer is No - trailer goes, I go with it or it does not go.

 

[Garage Josh]

You guys are killing me on going back and forth between open flat bed and enclosed lol.

What kind of gas mileage are you guys getting when towing either?

 

[Rusty Kustoms]

I used to pull mine with a 2005 Dodge 3500 with the hemi, loaded with a 1965 F-100 and 2 Harleys running 60-65mph I would get 10-12mpg.

I now pull with a 1986 Chevy K-30 with a 454, I get 6mpg loaded or unloaded. You might not notice any difference in mileage until you pull on a windy day, even then you are not looking at more than a couple mpg difference between the two trailers.

 

[HoosierMark]

The real issue is just to do something. They both have positive and negative issues. I have a 5 x8 box, 16 ft open car hauler I wish was 18-20 ft, 6 x 12 open ramp trailer and a dump trailer. I have room to store them and they all get used a lot. I started with a 4 x8 harbor freight decades ago. I would buy an 18 ft car hauler to start. They are available used and they are easy to sell if you find something else would work better. Only you can determine what will work best.

 

[Ray-CA]

You guys are killing me on going back and forth between open flat bed and enclosed lol.

What kind of gas mileage are you guys getting when towing either?

With the Serpent Express I had, loaded with our car and a total weight of 4000-lbs, we got 13-mpg. Towed it with an '09 Toyota Tacoma TRD with the V-6 and an automatic trans.

Ray

 

[theoldwizard1]

Open Trailer - 1/2 ton pickup, surge brakes
20+ Closed Trailer - 3/4 ton pickup, electric brakes.

The big win on the enclosed trailer is a place to store your tools under lock and key. Battery operated interior and exterior lighting is a must. Over time, you will likely add a generator, compressor. drill press, porta-band saw, and possibly even a small welder. A/C and heat, maybe a small refrigerator and 1 or 2 fold down bunks.

Plan ahead. I wouldn't go smaller than a 24'.

 

[Automobilist]

Trailers are cheap, get both.

I've got a 22' enclosed that we primarily use for transporting our vintage race cars. My wife's Formula car has its own open trailer. We also have a 16' open tilt car trailer. We tow the enclosed trailer with a Chevy 2500HD turbodiesel, or motorhome.

They're just trailers; I let any of our friends borrow as needed. No big deal...

 

[vankaye]

I use my 16' single axle for Dirtbike weekends and camping. But while it's in the driveway it is an annex to my garage. The rule is; it must have wheels to go in the trailer. That way if I want to use the trailer I can roll the items inside into the garage in just a few minutes. I keep my roll cart, welding table, welding cart and a small honda in there for storage.

 

[sracer99]

Gas mileage? F150/ecoboost V6; 20' Vnose enclosed with total weight - race car, tools, etc. - about 6K. towing at 70 (which is no issue, no drama) about 8. Big headwind, lower that by 1.5-2.

 

[jvitez]

For what you want to do, I'd get a small enclosed trailer and an open car hauler. How expensive is registration/insurance for trailers in Illinois?

Pulling a 22' enclosed trailer just to haul an ATV or lawnmower will feel like a waste when you need to maneuver the whole rig, drive it down the highway, and pay for fuel. +1 on the winch/open car hauler advice. For what you want the ideal combination would be an open car hauler tilt trailer with winch, plus a small enclosed trailer. Towing a 10-12' enclosed trailer is easy, no so much with a big enclosed.

I've got a 31' travel trailer towed by my 2006 Dodge Ram mega cab. The whole rig is 53' in length. I don't mind actually, but it's sure not fun backing into tight camping spots. The right tool for the right job: get an open car hauler plus a small enclosed trailer.

 

[lt1driver]

I had and sold (shouldn't have) a 20' enclosed Wells Cargo and loved it. bought for storage while overseas and used as car storage upon return. I pulled with 93 1/2 ton chevy ext cab with short box, 5.7 with 4L60E trans and 3.42 gears......10-12 at 70 but going up steep hills speed dropped where semis were at time passing me. looking at buying another but this time 22' Wells, about 9k in Texas. owned last one about 15 years and only lost $1500 on resale. no issues during ownership.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Enclosed: Secured, but also attracts thieves, especially if you ever have to stop someplace overnight. They know something good is in there. Storage, but storage also is a bad thing- we all know the disease of a horizontal surface is to us in collecting clutter. I have a small enclosed cargo trailer and it has a motorcycle jack, several emergency light bars, mini fridge and a dental air compressor all that were meant to go to an auction months ago but are still sitting in there. If I had a bigger enclosed car trailer, I'd be too tempted to treat it like a mobile shed- which isn't a BAD idea until you need to use it as a trailer.

Just like having a truck, having an enclosed trailer of any size means you get to be the family and friends moving service.

Open trailer: Exposed to the world, weather and otherwise. If you put a winch on it, mount it inside the too box on the front and put another set of greaves on the trailer outside of the box to guide the cable. Put a solar cell charger on the box to keep the batteries inside the box (one for your brakes, one for the winch and lighting) charged up when you need them to be. Stake pockets on the sides will let you load up the trailer with gravel, soil, or making trash runs.

Both have their pros and cons. I know I'm in the market for an open flatbed myself.

 

[Garage Josh]

Looks like I will ultimately get two trailers. One small enclosed one for riding lawn mower/2 motorcycles, and then the big cost is a car trailer whether open or enclosed. What brands should I look out for and which ones to avoid? Going to start paying attention to Craigslist/etc.

What is the a good cost for a small motorcycle trailer (5x8?) enclosed?

What is the price ranges I should be looking for on an open and on an enclosed car trailer?