Trailer TYPE advice needed

[600_RMK_144]

Sold the 6X12 cargo hauler tonight, looking to get a new (used) trailer. Not looking for advice on "brand" but rather type (or style). Hoping for another covered, but the 8X12's are like gold. Coming to the realization that the only covered trailers in my range are tilt, so trying to pick my poison between COVERED tilt VS. OPEN drive on/ off (with front fold down ramps). I know the obvious answer, but the sleds have reverse, so backing off a tilt doesn't seem like much of a chore IMO. I wouldn't want to take anyone away from the all important 800 Poo debate, but if you have a moment, please advise on the major headaches of a tilt --- When it's -5, you've been out riding all day and just want to get loaded up and down the road. Thanks!

 

[eagle1]

I'll make this quick so I can get back to the poo thread..........

So what's your budget?
Never had tilt with a cover but don't look like much fun.
How about something like this-
http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?39626-2012-R-amp-R-11ARC-enclosed-trailer

 

[600_RMK_144]

I'll make this quick so I can get back to the poo thread..........

So what's your budget?
Never had tilt with a cover but don't look like much fun.
How about something like this-
http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?39626-2012-R-amp-R-11ARC-enclosed-trailer

Did see that one, would be my top pick with the fold down ramp and all (how sweet would that be?!). My budget is more in the $2000 -$2300 range however. I know, asking for alot for that price, but I've been searching around for awhile and seen a few from time to time. As previously mentioned, all tilt, however (for covered).

 

[russholio]

Both have advantages and disadvantages. I went back to a covered tilt after having a drive-on, drive-off basically for two reasons: 1) with both my sleds having reverse, I no longer needed to be able to drive off. 2) after summerizing and being unable to drive the sleds back onto the trailer, it's much easier to muscle them onto a tilt trailer than it is up a ramp (for me, anyhow).

DO/DO are usually a bit more expensive, and that ramp can be costly to replace should it get stolen/lost/etc.

 

[garyl62]

I'd vote for a Do/Do. I've had 3 and while I've never had a tilt, I ride with guys that have and been part of the loading/unloading process. Every time I was helping them, I was saying to myself how nice it was to just drop the ramp and go.

I know it's a ways from you, but here is something that seems like it's close to your budget and fits your needs.

http://greenbay.craigslist.org/rvs/3802886027.html

 

[eagle1]

Did see that one, would be my top pick with the fold down ramp and all (how sweet would that be?!). My budget is more in the $2000 -$2300 range however. I know, asking for alot for that price, but I've been searching around for awhile and seen a few from time to time. As previously mentioned, all tilt, however (for covered).

I would see if that trailer was still available, its not that far from your price range. Just straight up tell him tad out your range see if you can come to an agreement. Guy might just want it out of his yard for the summer, worse he can do is hang up on you.
Other than that I would do tilt cover before I would do an open trailer.

 

[ezra]

keep shopping a 12 ft covered wagon with a ramp will pop up in your price.
I love my Triton dont think I have ever had the ramp on the front just drive right out the front with no ramp.
loading a tilt can be a pita if by your self but not imposable. I would never buy a open over any covered tilt or other .
I will tell u after a big wet heavy snow I do have to shovel off my triton to open it. but at least I can always close it. My cuz has a flow with the doors is fr and back with a non moveable center section.
I have spent to many times with a screw driver and hammer on a frozen lake or parking lot chipping ice and snow off deck so we could close the front door go home.
on a side note most of the time on trips prob 50% I dont use my ramp at all back up close to a short bank drive off the fr and in off the bank when heading out.
best part about a alloy clam what ever u spend now on it U will not loose a dime in 5 yrs. show me another toy in your stable u can say that about ok a few guns but that's about it.u can just tell the wife u need to spend a few more bucks because it is a investment a hedge ageist inflation if u will.

on a side note I was at west marine the other day and the sell galvanized 20.5 x 8x10 tires and rims.
I was planning on buying some 13in alloy rims and tires this yr but now thinking this galvanized may be the way to go.
every yr I end up with a rim so rusted it leeks air I am SICK OF IT i tell u SICK OF IT.

 

[Hoosier]

We bought a covered tilt last year - 2 place clam shell. It was cheap as it is just 10 ft. I didn't see any headaches with the tilt, but we only had a chance to take it on one trip last year and there wasn't much snow accumulated when we packed up to leave. Seems easy enough to load with 2 guys. Maybe a little trickier with one.

We also have a older 3 place open with ramps/shields on the front that we plan to replace with a covered. Probably list it early Fall. I don't ever want to pull my sled in an open trailer again - even with our sleds all being 5-6 years old. Nice to arrive at the destination and the sleds are all covered in salt, etc.

 

[600_RMK_144]

I would see if that trailer was still available, its not that far from your price range. Just straight up tell him tad out your range see if you can come to an agreement. Guy might just want it out of his yard for the summer, worse he can do is hang up on you.
Other than that I would do tilt cover before I would do an open trailer.

Yep, it was worth a shot. SOLD!

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I'll make this quick so I can get back to the poo thread..........

So what's your budget?
Never had tilt with a cover but don't look like much fun.
How about something like this-
http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?39626-2012-R-amp-R-11ARC-enclosed-trailer

I had this exact type of trailer and loved it. The front was sealed so no road grime, salt, slush, etc. got into the trailer and the ramp made it super easy to load/unload. I liked having a ramp and would start the sleds and yank them out by hand so they could warm up properly. You can leave them in the trailer to do this but then you'll feel like you're in a Cheech and Chong rerun if they are regular two strokes. It pulled great and easy to maneuver by hand when needed.

 

[eagle1]

Yep, it was worth a shot. SOLD!

Hey that's awesome!!

 

[garyl62]

I've already talked about my choice. I'm also one to know budgets so if this won't work for you I understand. That being said, I'd do anything I could to find a used enclosed 12' do/do. They are like gold so you'll have to look a while and maybe stretch the budget just a hair, but you will get it all back out should you need to. I've bought and sold 2 of those and made money on both. Like Ezra, I loved my 12' Triton. Had no intention of selling it but I had a couple offers so I decided to list it for a price I figured no one would pay, and in less than 2 weeks it was gone. I sold it for $950 more than I bought it for and only had it for 11 months. One before that I made $850 on after 4 years. Just keep looking and be ready to drive if the price is right.

 

[jasono]

I can give you my experience with this.

The pop up top with a tilt trailer is bad news. We ended up using a removable ATV fold up ramp which solved all of the issue. We've never tipped it up since then.

The trailer is going to be for sale this off season coincidentally! We are moving to a 4 place. Ours is 8.5 by 12 ft long rough rider brand, about 4 years old. We are probably going to price it in that range. Send me an email if you'd like details on it as I don't check in very often here. jasonoehler@yahoo.com

 

[xcsp]

Definitely go with an enclosed if possible.

I had a Triton "clamshell" tilt trailer and for the 10 years that I had it, it worked well. Triton has a spring assist kit that keeps the trailer tilted when loading up the sleds, and with the "quickslide" tracks for the hold down bars, makes for quick work to load up and secure the sleds.

Keep the snow brushed off of the cover after snowfalls and no problems to open the cover.

12' trailers are definitely hard to find used with the popularity of the longer sleds, but just keep watching.

In considering other styles of enclosed trailers, as I'm looking for another one, I prefer the clamshell style as when I pull into gas station with the trailer, I can open the cover for quick access to refuel the sleds.

 

[rakins800]

Just saw a 2003 ATC all aluminum enclosed trailer on Craigslist/Chicago. Looks perfect. Asking $3500 OBO Just keep looking, and you will find the right enclosed trailer at the right price.

 

[polarisrider1]

I have a 12' R&R clam shell. It is a real pc. of crap. Constantly fixing lights. Not balanced at all. takes two guys to get it to tilt. I gave up on that and bought an aluminum ramp from Farm and home and skinned it with 1/4" plywood on two of the three sections for the skis. The center section has the aluminum rungs for traction. As for backing out.... I put the sled in reverse and shoot it out of the trailer, heck it is a Poo 800 and with the 155" track it shoots out well! Spend the money for an inline if you can. The clam shell bucks the wind and mileage drops huge when pulling it with my Half ton Hemi. The Clam shell trailers are hard to see around and backing up id the pits. I would pull Smurfriders 4 place inline (with 5 sleds stuffed in) and gets better mileage then the clam shell wind sock. Upside Note: R&R stocks all the parts and pieces to fix the trailer and sells them to you for a decent price.

 

[600_RMK_144]

I have a 12' R&R clam shell. It is a real pc. of crap. Constantly fixing lights. Not balanced at all. takes two guys to get it to tilt. I gave up on that and bought an aluminum ramp from Farm and home and skinned it with 1/4" plywood on two of the three sections for the skis. The center section has the aluminum rungs for traction. As for backing out.... I put the sled in reverse and shoot it out of the trailer, heck it is a Poo 800 and with the 155" track it shoots out well! Spend the money for an inline if you can. The clam shell bucks the wind and mileage drops huge when pulling it with my Half ton Hemi. The Clam shell trailers are hard to see around and backing up id the pits. I would pull Smurfriders 4 place inline (with 5 sleds stuffed in) and gets better mileage then the clam shell wind sock. Upside Note: R&R stocks all the parts and pieces to fix the trailer and sells them to you for a decent price.

Thanks, guys. Figured covered would be the consensus. Guess I'll keep on the look out for one in my range. As Ezra said, maybe I can talk the war dept into something a little more $$$ knowing I should be able to sell it off for the same.

 

[polarisrider1]

Thanks, guys. Figured covered would be the consensus. Guess I'll keep on the look out for one in my range. As Ezra said, maybe I can talk the war dept into something a little more $$$ knowing I should be able to sell it off for the same.

Trailers seem to be like anything else, you get what you pay for.

 

[garyl62]

Thanks, guys. Figured covered would be the consensus. Guess I'll keep on the look out for one in my range. As Ezra said, maybe I can talk the war dept into something a little more $$$ knowing I should be able to sell it off for the same.

Here's something that seems to fit everything you said you wanted. Maybe not the newest or first thing you might of thought of, and its a drive for you but its in your price range.

http://sheboygan.craigslist.org/rvs/3842384322.html

 

[shoelessjoe]

If you get a tilt trailer get the strut for the front. It's cheap and easy to mount and will hold the trailer in the upright position if you are loading by yourself. That was the only issue I had with my tilt was when riding alone it could be tricky to get the trailer to stay upright as I loaded. Sometimes the spare tire sitting on the end would work, sometimes it wouldn't.

The only other issue with loading a tilt trailer is that if you are on ice it can be tough to get traction to drive the ski's up the deck. If you have studs that will help and ski guides will also make a big difference in how easily the sled rides up the trailer.