Enclosed Trailer?

[Mowman]

Those of you that have enclosed trailers would you buy another or would you go back to an open trailer? Please give reasons for your answers. Also what MFG. would you suggest, quality, price, ect.
Thanks,

Mowman

[Flex-Deck]

I have a 24' Enclosed trailer, and open trailers - I use both, but the van trailer is great because it doubles as my garage for equipment.

Thanks, Brad

[Unionturf]

I started out with enclosed and really never considered an open. I like it for the security, advertising, and image. The cost is more up front but I have several customers right now that saw my trailer and numbers and called. It payed for itself.

Ray

[Williams Services]

Ray hit the nail on the head, security was the reason that I got it (but I don't trust my neighbors, Ray) and I really like the bonuses that I got with it. I don't have to worry about things falling out on the road, for example.

[HOMER]

I'm straddling the fence on this one. I feel like if I got rid of it I would want it back. I do miss being able to pull up to the gas pumps and gasing up without having to unload everything. The open trailer was a lot lighter and I could see better. I've had a 24' enclosed since last April and thinking about going back to an open. I no longer have a shop though to back the open into.............I'm so confused.:confused:

It does provide peace of mind though when you walk away from it to go eat or something like that...............with the open I always worried and always sat by a window so I could see my babies.........wouldn't want nobody hurtin' my babies.............or kidnapping them either:( :mad:

I dunno which way I'll go..................time will tell.

[Trimmer]

Homer,

How many mowers are you putting into that 24' trailer?

[David Ott]

I have all open trailers since I got into business, nine years ago. Every year I think of going to an enclosed trailer. This past Fall I put 4' expanded metal sides on my trailer to carry mulch and leaves. It's a 6.5'x16' so with the four foot sides it will really hold the materials. I have put as much as twelve cubic yards of mulch on this no problem. The best part, no one can get on the trailer without lowering the gates.

I have a five foot 2 piece ramp in the back and a 4'x5' curbside gate on the passenger side front. I really like it. I bought the trailer bed w/tires and brakes. Then added the rail, then added the sides, racks, and ramps.

One bad part, this trailer is too much for my old truck. (K-10)
I pull it with my 3/4 ton.

[TLS]

I would love to have an enclosed trailer, but like HOMER, would miss the quick fuel-ups at the pumps. Also, the enclosed would probably NOT fit in the garage! Theft, knock on wood!!!, has not been a major factor around my parts, but if it does, thats why I have a theft insurance section in my policy. I'll stick with open for a while longer.

[Flex-Deck]

I put three JD 455's in my enclosed 24' trailer - still have room in front for a diesel barrel, air compressor and tools.

Thanks, Brad

[mdb landscaping]

i have an 8 by 14 enclosed trailer and i wouldnt go back to an open. its so much more convenient not unloading each day, and you have a storage/shop on wheels. you just lock it up and drive away. gassing the mowers up can be a little more of a inconvenience, but it only takes a couple extra minutes. i think there are more pros then cons.

[excel25]

8x20 enclosed, also a 16' open for mulch. Love the enclosed for security, equipment out of the weather, no loading every morn. rolling billboard,have more than paid for itself.

Dennis

[HOMER]

I put 3 mowers in mine with a shelf in the very front. I was wondering the other day how many of those Wright Standers I could get in there! Or maybe I could start a 21" mowing crew using college kids and be on call 24-7............where have I heard that:confused: ?

I have a Scag with a Trac-Vac unit, it takes up a lot of space because the bucket and engine hang way out the back. It goes in frt. My 72" Chopper goes in the middle and my 50" Chopper brings up the rear. My gas cans go in the frt by the side door. My trimmers, edgers and hedge trimmers are hanging from $0.58 hooks bought from Lowes...........works well.

If I do get rid of it I'm not going to know what to do with all the extra stuff I carry around................guess it'll go back in the bed of the truck. One good thing about it is I can carry fert and grass seed and never worry about it getting wet.

I'm gonna talk myself right into keeping it.

[Mowman]

OK,
Enclosed it is. Now, what size should I get? I'm SOLO and have no PLAN to add employees or equipment. My equipment list consists of:

Walker MT-52
Toro 21" WB
Sthil BG65 Blower
Husky 322L Trimmer

This is what I haul everyday out on the route. I have a 5X10 open at the present time. Only thing on it is my Walker and my WB. The rest of the stuff goes in the truck bed. I'm thinking a 6X12 would do a great job. 2 extra feet over the open I have.
I can put a rack or shelf in the trailer to hold my handheld equipment. Then the truck bed can stay free for sticks and tree limbs that our colllected out of the lawns.
What brand would you recommend? Dealers in my area handle, Haulmark,TimberWolf, and Pace. If I drove farther I could have other brands. WHAT is the BRAND that you all would RECOMMEND?
The thing that really is pushing me this way is NO MORE UNLOADING at the end of the day.
Thanks for your help.

Mowman

[Williams Services]

I would go with at least a 7x16. Haulmark or Wellscargo are good brands ... make sure that it's built sturdy. I wouldn't go with the ones that are sold at the home repair stores, as they're usually cheaper for a reason.

[excel25]

I'm solo and sometimes wish I had gotten a 24 instead of a 20.
Built shelvs in front so I have a work bench in the feild, very handy. Pace , wellscargo, haulmark all very good. One thing to keep in mind .....bigger trailer bigger truck

Dennis

[dhicks]

I would love to have an enclosed trailer but I have enough of a hard time backing my open trailer as it is. Looks like after 2.5 years that I would have the hang of backing my trailer with ease.

[tpirobert]

I have a 7x16 enclosed trailer and would not want any smaller. This season I worked solo and had it filled every day. I can fit: 52"wb, 52"Z rider, 61" Stander, 21"trim mower. In fall I put bag unit on Z and leave one mower home. This size trailer ( or bigger ) gives you lots of options and you can be prepared for anything on the spot. That makes you money. I'll try posting link to pics. http://community.webshots.com/user/tpirobert I don't think I'll go back to open trailers again....unless I buy a dump trailer, but I'd rather have a dump truck.

[Williams Services]

That's a real nice set-up, Robert. I took and built shelves in the front of my 7x16, though.

I've played golf in Asheville, once. It was at the Holiday Inn, I think.

[Totallawn]

I have a 7X16 Wells Cargo. Got the racks on the walls for all the trimmers, blower, sprayer, racks, shovels, etc...
I have a 16' extension ladder strapped to the ceiling. I carry a 62" Toro, 32" Toro, and a 21" Aarons. Like was said in an above post..."The bigger the trailer, the bigger the truck." I pull mine with a 99' F350 (diesel).

Good luck!!!

My set up (http://www.lawnsite.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=190059)

[Unionturf]

Originally posted by dhicks
I would love to have an enclosed trailer but I have enough of a hard time backing my open trailer as it is. Looks like after 2.5 years that I would have the hang of backing my trailer with ease.

You may be suprised a how much easier it is to back a larger duel axle trailer. My old trailer was a 6x12 and I also have a 6x10 open trailer, the larger enclosed is MUCH easier to back than either of those.

[cclllc]

My friend still has his trailer for sale.Just go to my site and check it out.

[dhicks]

Originally posted by Unionturf


You may be suprised a how much easier it is to back a larger duel axle trailer. My old trailer was a 6x12 and I also have a 6x10 open trailer, the larger enclosed is MUCH easier to back than either of those.

So does that mean that I can come down to your house and try backing your trailer:biglaugh:

I wonder why backing an enclosed is easier. Any guesses, anyone?

[Crazygator]

Larger is easier to back because it doesnt jack knife as quickly. Also enclosed is much easier to see all side, and where it is. Harder to see a little trailer!

DHICKS - Do I win the prize???

[Turfclips]

i run a 24ft enclosed, can hual a 36WB, 2 60inch Dixies, and 72inch Dixie. stick a pushmower in the side door, and hang the trimmers on the wall. Its nice dont have to load and unload everyday. In the mornings we fill cans for the day and head out, next year we will have tanks on the truck. i used a flatbed for 6 years, and its unbelievanble the time saved plus you have everything you might everneed with you. So u cant go wrong with a enclosed, and the advertising, a one time cost and its out rolling everyday. Always buy bigger than what you need, because the room fills up quick, goodluck catch ya later.

Kevin:)

[LawnWorks]

I am also thinking of buying an enclosed trailer b/c I don't own a garage and to prevent theft. The main problem I see is the gas problem. What about getting a gas tool box for your truck? I am not very familar w/ them but it seems like they would work very well. Also what about a gas caddy or something similar in the trailer? I think I am going to get a 7x16. I am thinking about getting a picture of me and my chopper on there!! What do yall think?

[dhicks]

Originally posted by Crazygator
Larger is easier to back because it doesnt jack knife as quickly. Also enclosed is much easier to see all side, and where it is. Harder to see a little trailer!

DHICKS - Do I win the prize???

You sure do. I'll buy you a yard of beer and a steak dinner at Expo 2002. Congrats!

[beck]

REFUELING:
With 2 people one fills the mowers with whatever is remaining in the cans, while the other is pumping gas into the empty cans. With an open we could directly fill the mowers, but they are not always in reach of the hose. It takes a little extra time but not much, we have 3 5 gallon cans and 2 2 gallon cans(for mix) so we do not have to refill as often.

I am looking into a fuel storage system for the trailer. Brickman has them on the tongue. Super lawn trucks have them as well. Just need to check with local laws.

I have the 7X16 but plan to buy bigger, pending the outcome of an apartment complex bid. which would require an additional mower. It does work great with just a 36, and 60" Z in it with shelves for chain saw, hedge trimmer, tools, etc. in front and room to spare in back for other things, but it is too small to get another mower in (48 or larger, two 36s would fit though)

[beck]

REFUELING:
With 2 people one fills the mowers with whatever is remaining in the cans, while the other is pumping gas into the empty cans. With an open we could directly fill the mowers, but they are not always in reach of the hose. It takes a little extra time but not much, we have 3 5 gallon cans and 2 2 gallon cans(for mix) so we do not have to refill as often.

I am looking into a fuel storage system for the trailer. Brickman has them on the tongue. Super lawn trucks have them as well. Just need to check with local laws.

I have the 7X16 but plan to buy bigger, pending the outcome of an apartment complex bid. which would require an additional mower. It does work great with just a 36, and 60" Z in it with shelves for chain saw, hedge trimmer, tools, etc. in front and room to spare in back for other things, but it is too small to get another mower in (48 or larger, two 36s would fit though)

I would suggest the longer tongue as well, with my stake bed if i make too sharp of a turn while backing it can hit the trailer. It is also because of where the receiver is mounted on the truck.