Which Trailer

[sledheads4]

I have narrowed our search for a 2 place trailer down to these 2 trailer styles. Which one would you buy and why? One of our sleds has reverse and the other doesn't. Style 2 has a heigth of 60", 12' + 3' V nose. Plus this trailer will be used for ATV's in summer

Style #1

Style #2

 

[cobalt_502]

I have had both and I would get style two hands down! Style one is a pain in the butt compared to two!

 

[dab102999]

Style one top freezes to bed when you really want in it to open...heavy with snow pilled on top and just don't seem to want to come off when you want it to...have to unload everything (if you take spare tire, jack or anything else with you) or else it will slide out when you tip the bed..

Style two probably bigger tires, or at least narrower ones. Means cooler bearings...Can work on a sled in it in a pinch (Specially if you get a taller one but short one will work)...Can hang stuff on the walls without worrying if it will fall...can take extra gas and stuff on the floor and only have to "shift it around" to get sleds out instead of unloading everything.

And if you are looking at small ones for only two sleds and get aluminum there isn't that much weight difference. I too have had them both and hands down would go with style two.

 

[sledheads4]

They are both aluminum. And so far some great advice. I wish I could find a used taller one, but these are what are in my area for my price range.....hoping in a couple years can move up to a better model. Kids are off to college currently. Soon ma and I can upgrade the toys !!!!

 

[cuzzinolaf]

We just had to get a sled out of a friend's tilting clamshell trailer. It was frozen shut and heavy with the snow on top. Saying that I wouldn't even consider 1 and would get 2.

 

[fire126]

They are both nice but the second one seems to be better. The tilt cap will freeze and the snow on top needs to be removed every time you have to open. If your alone the tilt can be a pain to load a sled, unless you have a drive on drive off. Just a few things we have to deal with vintage sledders trailer.

Team Fire Storm
Think Snow!!!

 

[legend02]

I've had the style one trailer going on it's 10 year, wish I would of gotten the style 2 or any type of drive on / drive off, yes the cover can be a pain when it freezes shut, a few whacks with a rubber mallet takes care of that, I always use a push broom to clean off the snow off the top. I always tried to keep the extra gear in the bed of the truck to prevent having to move it when loading / unloading.

The lastest issue with Style one has been the new renegade windshield was way to close to the cover, I solved the issue by using an eye bolt in one of the holes used to screw down the bar and pulling down the front bumpr with a strap,

New trailer is on the list someday.

 

[rakins800]

I've owned both.......I would seriously keep looking. after owning several types of trailers for several years, I FINALY found/bought what I needed all along. Triton PR147. 14 ft. box, 5 ft. V, twin #3500 lb. torsion axles,spring assist doors front and rear,guides and matts installed,stainless door hardware. VERY nice unit. VERY pricey when new. keep your funds ready and keep looking......you can find a great deal if you are patient. 2-4 yr. old models can be had for under 6K. found mine last January and negotiated the price down to 5K. very reasonable considering it was about 10K when new. just something to think about. alot depends on how far and how often you tow. my .02. hope this helps.
www.tritontrailers.com

 

[LarryD]

Two

 

[indy_500]

Well jeez, i've never had the trailer cap freeze shut to the bed on ours! Ever!

 

[polarisrider1]

Well jeez, i've never had the trailer cap freeze shut to the bed on ours! Ever!

I have and it is a pain to open. Not happy with my R&R 12' clamshell, poorly balanced, cheap hinges, cheap latches, ultra thin aluminum. wiring is poorly done, takes 2 men to load it. Pricey for what you get. go with #2. Had both and miss my drive on drive off trailer big time.

 

[kirk600]

I have used both those styles and a gull wing like the Floe Protecktor trailers, and also a enclosed car trailer for the summer toys.
The first style is probably the lightest and shortest so it wont catch as much wind and easy to move when empty. The downfall is the flimsy cover that dents when the wind blows and freezes shut like others have said. My opinion the drive on-drive off in this style is only slightly better.
The second style is alot more sturdy, and can take more abuse from deep snow or tree limbs or acorns falling on it all year long. (trust me the first style will look like it went thru a hail storm) The second style is usually taller so it catches more wind, which reduces your gas mileage but the trailer will last longer. On the second style I used to have I could not move the empty trailer by hand, I had to use my truck. The tongue weight was too heavy to pick up by yourself. Overall I think the trailer i has was 1500 lbs versus 6-700lbs for style 1.

 

[joks79]

I have a non tilting trailer with a fiberglass cap on it. If I had the money i'd buy a trailer like option #2. Buy one like option #2, you won't regret it.

 

[mclovin]

#2 i have #1 not to happy with it.

 

[xcsp]

I have a Triton trailer similar to trailer #1, for my use it does the job, and haven't had any problems. Easy to move around with one person, and I keep the snow cleaned off after each snowfall, so no problem there.

If you go with a trailer like #2, I'd get one tall enough to stand up in, and able to open the hoods on the sleds if needed.

 

[ricko_49]

If it's between those 2, go with #2. I have #1, my ATV wont even fit in mine. THe shell doesn't open far enough. Plus it freezes shut if it sits in the rain/sleet like we just had. Pain in the @##...

 

[markf419]

Different styles of both

Remember that there are variations of both styles. You can have a clam shell cap with a drive on/off trailer, which can still freeze up. But there are also caps that have a front and rear door section that swings up to open, which should cure the freeze concern for this type. With the type 2 box trailer, you can consider an inline. I prefer an inline because they're easier (to me) to tow. being narrower, it offers better visibility behind and because they're longer, they tow better and are easier to backup. Better gas mileage too from less wind resistance due to narrower box. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I have a new 7x26 that replaced an open 3 place and I love it.

 

[Love4Snow]

Sounds like a lot of unhappy people with the trailer #1 should be about giving those away , just wait maybe someone will give you one when they upgrade!!!LOL

 

[legend02]

Sounds like a lot of unhappy people with the trailer #1 should be about giving those away , just wait maybe someone will give you one when they upgrade!!!LOL

I'm not unhappy, it's been a great trailer, have over 35,000 miles on it, but when it's time to upgrade I will go with a two place inline over a tilt with a cover.

 

[t_man]

Agree with #2

I have a tilt trailer like #1 and am in the market for an in-line 3 place version of your #2. If those two trailers are your two choices, go with #2.

I haven't had the top freeze shut, but was in MN last week when we got got freezing rain followed by about 10" of snow. That sure didn't brush off with a broom, and with all the weight there was no way to lift the top. Took me about an hour to clear it off. (It was a great example to help convince the wife why I "need" a new trailer, though!)

I also hate it that I can't store much in the trailer. In version #2 you can put a helmet cabinet, shelves, hanging bars, etc. on the wall but you can't do that on version 1 or it will be too heavy or things will fall off when you open the lid. I can tie down storage tubs between the back of the sleds but have to unload it all to get the sleds in or out. (I do have the spare tires strapped down to the front of the top, though.

As said before, the #1 clamshells usually do not have enough clearance height for four wheelers.

Finally, I have often needed to load the trailer by myself. It can be a real pain with the tilt. You either need a snow bank to back the trailer into so you don't have to tilt, or you have to bring extra weight to put on the back of the trailer to hold it down.

As someone else said, the tilt trailer can be fully functional and can work fine. I've pulled mine well over 10,000 miles since I got it in February 2009 with essentially no problems. However, if I had it to do over again and had your two trailers to choose from I'd go with #2 for sure.