10 foot Enclosed Trailer vs Newer Chassis Dilemma

[garyl62]

I'm looking for some feedback, I've got a Floe enclosed drive on/off in great shape and 2 cats that fit inside no problem. I'm planning to upgrade one of them for next season and if I want the new one to fit into the trailer I'l thinking I'll need to stay with a ZR. I'm looking at something used no matter what and would look for an 05 or 06 900. The newer chassis sleds are at least 6 inches longer and will not fit inside as most of you know. Someone suggested I get a newer model machine and set up a set of short skis that I only have on when it's in the trailer. Not sure how quick it would be to change skis all the time, but I rarely trailer unless we are riding for at least 2 days. Obviously I could take the enclosure off but I store everything in the trailer outside so that really doesn't seem like a good idea. Buying a sled and trailer isn't in the budget either.

So the questions are: Get a ZR and keep the using enclosed trailer like normal? Get a newer chassis and swap skis whenever it's in the trailer? Get a newer chassis and dump the enclosure?

Whatever I do, I can't see changing anything again for at least 4 or 5 years so I'm going to live with my choice for a while.

At least I've got some time to figure it out before next season, but you never know, that perfect sled may come along and I want to have a game plan in place. Any ideas?

 

[edmarino]

Would it be possible to make a extention to let the skis stick out past the orginial enclosure .

 

[polarismike]

Sell the trailer and buy a 12 ft enclosed. Then you will have room for gear also. If you sell right and buy right it may cost you less than you think and you may be able to do both.

 

[vic_junior]

I had a 10ft enclosed and fit both a 06 iq and 09 800 mxz in it without any problems. It was tight, bit they fit. Buy a bigger trailer and listen to members who've been there before.

 

[Team Elkhorn]

If it helps, we have a ten foot clam shell and our two Twin Spars fit inside it just fine. I've had older 136" touring sleds in it also. You just need to back them all out because the skis hang over the front notch of the cap.
We have a Triton trailer and cap.

 

[raceinsnow]

You also need to look how wide your trailer is.The new cats(2012) are 2 inch's wider.The 128 track length cat sleds will fit in a 10 foot trailer.

 

[polarisrider1]

Buy a 101" by 12' trailer and be done with it. Never buy a sled based on if it fits in a trailer. Buy what you want, life is to short. Buy an inline trailer if you can afford it. My clam shell bucks the wind pretty good.

 

[ezra]

guys a flow will not fit even a fire cat because of the flat face unlike the triton etc with the space to drive ski in ti the nose.
I say dump the flow now before it is completly obsolete to anyone but atv guys and vintage riders.
you can prob upgrade to a used 12 for under 700 bucks.
then you will be ready to get the newer chasi then ask your self how come these fire cats dont rail like my old zr.
I would bet you can dump the flow in less than a week for good money right now on the atv fourms

 

[garyl62]

Thanks for the ideas. I guess I expected most of you would suggest getting a different trailer eventhough that really isn't the option I want to do right now. Ezra, you have the best idea about the atv fourms. Never even thought about that so maybe I'll try. Anyone got any good atv sites with a classified section that gets a lot of hits? Worst case would be I sell it, buy a different trailer and end up waiting longer to upgrade the sled. My son may not like that option but he's not paying for it anyway.

Just as a follow-up though to the other part of my original question. Anyone have any feedback on the idea of having a shorter set of skis I just put on when I'm putting it in the trailer? How hard would that really be? Would it be much effort to put the regular ones back on and have them line-up correctly? Just wondering.

 

[vic_junior]

Just as a follow-up though to the other part of my original question. Anyone have any feedback on the idea of having a shorter set of skis I just put on when I'm putting it in the trailer? How hard would that really be? Would it be much effort to put the regular ones back on and have them line-up correctly? Just wondering.

Probably wouldn't need an extra set. If you are going to buy a newer sled, wait until you buy it and see how it fits in trailer. Then make adjustments. Never heard of anyone swapping skis to fit it in a trailer. However, the best answer is. You do whatever you need to, to get out there and ride.

 

[legend02]

I have a 2002 R&R enclosed trailer and a 2011 800 Renegade. It fits in the trailer, only issue is the top will run on the windshield while trailering it, not an issue for storage.

My Remedy was to use a rachet strap ( got an eyebolt screwed in the extra hole the tie down bar ) to pull the front end down by the bumper while I'm trailering.

I couldn't justify buying a new trailer just for that issue.

 

[ezra]

I have a 2002 R&R enclosed trailer and a 2011 800 Renegade. It fits in the trailer, only issue is the top will run on the windshield while trailering it, not an issue for storage.

My Remedy was to use a rachet strap ( got an eyebolt screwed in the extra hole the tie down bar ) to pull the front end down by the bumper while I'm trailering.

I couldn't justify buying a new trailer just for that issue.

1 more time it is a flow not a R&R or a triton with a wedge nose it has a flat nose no place to run the ski's in to the nose.

like some one said you could just cut 2 holes just big enough for ski tips to peek out and fab up some alloy to keep them coverd. would not have to cut the frame that bar is only 3/4 stock so your ski would just drive over the frame.got to have reverse on the new ride then.I would think you could fab the ski boxes to look good in less than 2 hr with basic hand tools they would only have to be say 9 in long 7high 7 wide that trailer skin alloy is thin and ez to bend.I got a 4x8 in white a few yrs back for under 50 bucks

 

[garyl62]

Well unless someone comes along and makes me a good offer on the trailer I think I'll just get the sled I want then deal with the trailer. Ezra, you've been right on about the design of the floe with both of your comments. It's a great trailer but just doesn't have the extra few inches that the bump out in the front of a clam shell offers on so many other brands so I'm screwed. Did some looking at it tonight and may be able to modify it to let the skis go out through the front but the trailer frame may cause me trouble based on both height of the bow, and overall width. If I can't get it to work I'll just take the top off and get some drive off ramps, or look to trade trailers.

Thanks again for the comments everyone.

 

[garyl62]

Man how much things can change in 3 weeks. Did what most of you said and decided to look for a sled based on what I wanted, not what would fit in the trailer. Found one and bought it last week. Then decided to list the trailer rather than modify it since the new sled won't fit, and just sold it tonight for enough cash that I should be able to pick up a 12' enclosed clam shell type for about the same money! Now to decide it I'd rather move up to an inline. decisions decisions......

Need to call out Ezra for his right on points here, and on the tech talk thread. You've been great with your advice!

 

[mjkaliszak]

Calling Ezra, calling ezra....
Get an inline ( IMO ). Ezra definately has the cats down, I even read his opinion regarding specific posts. good info IMO....

 

[garyl62]

I say dump the flow now before it is completly obsolete to anyone but atv guys and vintage riders.
you can prob upgrade to a used 12 for under 700 bucks.
then you will be ready to get the newer chasi then ask your self how come these fire cats dont rail like my old zr.

Well like I already said on this thread, Ezra was right on about the description of the trailer, now I gotta say he hit it again. I bought the f8, so had to sell the trailer. Sold it in 2 weeks for $850 more than I paid for it 4 years ago. Now to complete the story I just picked up a 09, 12' Triton with all the mats, guides, interior lights and extra side marker and rear exterior lights around the top of the enclosure. It is in brand new condition (the guy made one trip with it and never left MI) and I only ended up spending $500 more than I sold my Floe for. The best part is, the person that bought mine was happy to get my Floe, the guy I bought mine from was happy to sell his, and obviously I was happy to get what I got. Thought about an inline but would much rather just basicly trade dollars instead of investing a lot more right now.

Here are a couple old trailer/new trailer photos. Can't believe I moved up 2 feet, dropped 6 years of age and got all the extra stuff but only spent 500 bucks out of pocket

[

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Wow, I don't think that could have turned out any better for you! Look at the inside of your new trailer, like you said, it looks like new. Well done!