Enclosed Cargo Trailers

woodruffhunter

woodruffhunter

Long Time Member
Messages
3,756
I am looking for some direction and advice for enclosed trailers. I believe that your experience will likely help me more than a salesman.....

I plan to use the trailer for storing and hauling my UTV, along with tents and some gear. My UTV is a crew cab Kawasaki Teryx. I have used a flatbed trailer in the past, which has worked fine, but I like the idea of storing my UTV in an enclosed trailer (mostly in winter) when I am not using it.

A couple of questions I have are:

1- What length do you recommend?
2- Do you like/recommend the aluminum construction?
3- So you like having the side door entrance, is it worth it?
4- Have you upgraded the interior (floor coating)?

Is there anything you would change about the one you bought?

Would welcome your feedback....

Thank you!
 
I've got one that I use often and wouldn't be without. I bought it new in 2019. Its a 16' Charmac with 2-3500 lb axles. It easily hauls 2 4-wheelers and all my camping stuff. I camp in it quite a bit as well. Here are my answers to your questions:

1- What length do you recommend? 16'
2- Do you like/recommend the aluminum construction? I like the aluminum construction. Even fully loaded, it tows pretty easy with a standard gas pickup. Aluminum skin picks up a lot of dents when traveling on gravel roads.
3- So you like having the side door entrance, is it worth it? Definitely worth it. Great for fueling access and if you end up camping in it like I do.
4- Have you upgraded the interior (floor coating)? I didn't upgrade the floor but it would be a good idea. I have a carpet that I put in it that can be removed and cleaned.

If I did it again, I might look for a model with a wider box and the fender-wells inside. If I could keep the same amount of ground clearance, the extra width would be nice. The deck on mine is a bit high but I love the clearance. A ramp rear door with stabilizers is a must for loading ATVs. -------SS

image0.jpeg
 
This Is What I'd Get!

1722117967010.png


Mine Does Have A Side/Man Door!

Mine Is Shorter Than The One In This Picture!

Interstate Trailers Are Perty Decent Quality!

The Ford will easily Pull The Bigger Longer Trailer!

Mine Is A Storage Shed For My Sleds & Other Misc BS!

BIG BUBBAS Kinda Up Your Way Use To Sell Interstates,I Don't Know If He Still Does?

You Better At Least Look At The Interstates!

You Know What They Say woodruff?

The BIGGER The BETTER!:D
 
elkassassin said:
This Is What I'd Get!

View attachment 152292

Mine Does Have A Side/Man Door!

Mine Is Shorter Than The One In This Picture!

Interstate Trailers Are Perty Decent Quality!

The Ford will easily Pull The Bigger Longer Trailer!

Mine Is A Storage Shed For My Sleds & Other Misc BS!

BIG BUBBAS Kinda Up Your Way Use To Sell Interstates,I Don't Know If He Still Does?

You Better At Least Look At The Interstates!

You Know What They Say woodruff?

The BIGGER The BETTER!:D
Click to expand...
Man, that looks like plumbing money; a little out of my budget :D
What is the length of your trailer?
That sounds like a great setup.
I am tired of pulling around a flat bed....
 
I'm Not Sure The Length On Mine?

It Was Built For 2 Sleds With Some Elbow Room Up Front For MISC BS!

One Thing I Was Just Looking At Is If I'm Not Wrong?

Looks Like Interstate Trailers Have Made Some Changes?

I See Some Of Their Enclosed Trailers Don't Even Look Like There's Any Vents On The Roof?

I Know They Are A Pain & Kinda Cheap Built But Anything You Haul Store In The Trailer That Runs On Gas Is Gonna Vent Vapors In To The Trailer,I Have 2 Vents On Mine & I Leave Them Slightly Cracked Open All The Time!

Looks Like Some Of The Newer trailers Have Side Vents!



woodruffhunter said:
Man, that looks like plumbing money; a little out of my budget :D
What is the length of your trailer?
That sounds like a great setup.
I am tired of pulling around a flat bed....
Click to expand...
 
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elkassassin said:
This Is What I'd Get!

View attachment 152292

Mine Does Have A Side/Man Door!

Mine Is Shorter Than The One In This Picture!

Interstate Trailers Are Perty Decent Quality!

The Ford will easily Pull The Bigger Longer Trailer!

Mine Is A Storage Shed For My Sleds & Other Misc BS!

BIG BUBBAS Kinda Up Your Way Use To Sell Interstates,I Don't Know If He Still Does?

You Better At Least Look At The Interstates!

You Know What They Say woodruff?

The BIGGER The BETTER!:D
Click to expand...
I have a 26’ sled trailer. I have 4 sleds that live in it during the winter. And it holds my boys dirt bike and my atv in the summer. The super clamp sled and atv tie downs. Plus I can safely haul other random crap.
 
I Just Looked woodruff!

The Rectangular/Box Part Of My Trailer Is 14' Long!

The V-Nose On The Front Is Another 5' Long!

And Then A Couple More Feet For The Tongue!

So Around 21'-22' Total Length!

If I Were You I'd Go Longer!

But.....................!

Them Longer Trailers In The Hills In The Winter Time Can Get You In A Bind Perty Easy!

My SIL Law Has A Longer Model & Once In A While......................,Ya!
 
I would add windows and vents for the summer time to air it out with your machine in it. I sleep in mine during the hunts, roll out a piece of carpet, fold out a cot and I’m good to go. I would upgrade the floor for sure, also the more tie downs the better. I believe mine is 20’ behind the v-nose, always better to have too much room than not enough.
IMG_2501.jpeg
 
I have an 18' Charmac, similar to the one in the original response, EXCEPT it is the wider model, with wheel wells inside. It is amazing how cumbersome it can be to get in and out of a UTV once parked inside a narrow trailer. Having a side man door is essential in my opinion. You can't shut the ramp and stay inside otherwise.

Length is influenced by the length of the vehicle(s) you are towing. With a quad seat UTV, 16' may be short, especially if you want to store other gear.

I painted the floor of my trailer with epoxy paint, and installed e-trac on the floor and the walls. Very useful. Also check the roof height compared to your UTV. Some machines with light bars, bigger tires, etc., will not fit inside trailers with a 6' ceiling. I prefer the 7' inside height models.

Bill
 
Thanks for the great advice. Dumb question on my part: What is an e-track?
I’ve been looking at different paint/epoxy options.
 
Not sure where you're located, but Double R in Nampa will custom build you exactly what you want for the same money as a standard trailer. I've had them build a couple and they're great.

Ground clearance is the biggest concern, most cargo or car haulers are too low. you want straight axles at the least and deck over if you really want to get off the road.

If you're leaving the pavement get spring axles not torsion. the white vinyl walls and ceiling are a nice option and Polybead flooring is the only way to go.

My newest one is a 14' deck over sled trailer with enough extra height for my Ranger. I can take it anywhere a trailer should go and it's useful year-round.
 
Lark - V-nose 16' Ramp rear ramp with side door. You won't be disappointed.

I used to have a trailer that I hit my hear on the rear door 200 times going in and out. I said I would NEVER own a trailer like that again. So, I got the extra tall model, so I didn't have ANY clearance issues with whatever side by side I bought.

Got it about 8 years ago. Still looks like new.

IMG_0300.jpeg
 
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I am glad that I started this thread. I thought that I had considered all the options. I was not even close. The width, vents, and overall length, and several other tips has me changing my mind as to what I initially wanted.
 
Ringneks said:
I would add windows and vents for the summer time to air it out with your machine in it. I sleep in mine during the hunts, roll out a piece of carpet, fold out a cot and I’m good to go. I would upgrade the floor for sure, also the more tie downs the better. I believe mine is 20’ behind the v-nose, always better to have too much room than not enough.View attachment 152498
Click to expand...
I slept in one only one time there was some gas that had leaked on the floor and I didn't know it until about half way through then night when I tried to get up to pee and feel down and was so dizzy it screwed up my scouting trip as I was dizzy for the whole day
 
Togwotee said:
Not sure where you're located, but Double R in Nampa will custom build you exactly what you want for the same money as a standard trailer. I've had them build a couple and they're great.

Ground clearance is the biggest concern, most cargo or car haulers are too low. you want straight axles at the least and deck over if you really want to get off the road.

If you're leaving the pavement get spring axles not torsion. the white vinyl walls and ceiling are a nice option and Polybead flooring is the only way to go.

My newest one is a 14' deck over sled trailer with enough extra height for my Ranger. I can take it anywhere a trailer should go and it's useful year-round.
Click to expand...
Why the spring axles over torsion? I thought the torsion axles were an upgrade and provided a smoother ride? I’m thinking of getting a 14’ x 7’ with a v-neck and dual axles…

Thanks,

Horniac
 
PleaseDear said:
Mine worked great as a Quad garage year-round and was ready to roll with my RZR2 inside.


You will be happy with one for sure.



Robb

View attachment 152510

View attachment 152511
Click to expand...
What size box is on that trailer? I have the same RZR but maybe a little longer (just over 10’) with the front and rear brush-guards. I was wanting to go as short as possible for use on narrow mountain roads to be able to hopefully get turned around. Also I wanted a dual axle as I always seem to have trailer tire blowouts. I think I could get by with a 7’x12’ but if I went to the 14’ V-nose and figured that way I could also fit a 4-wheeler if needed…
 
If you get a nice one you will sleep in it a LOT. If you get a basic one with wood interior, you will only haul your UTV.

I spend 10-15 nights a year in mine. I love the heater the lights and not having to set up a tent. mine is 20' long and gets to most places.
 
And That Right There Is Why Me & My Son Decided Not To Build A COMBO ATV/Sleeping Quarters Out Of An Enclosed Trailer!

Even If The Fuel Doesn't Get Spilled On The Floor ATV's & UTV's Vent Vapors & It Soaks In To The Wood!

goforbroke Makes A Good Point As Well On The Trailers With Wood!





DeerHunter53 said:
I slept in one only one time there was some gas that had leaked on the floor and I didn't know it until about half way through then night when I tried to get up to pee and feel down and was so dizzy it screwed up my scouting trip as I was dizzy for the whole day
Click to expand...
 
Horniac said:
What size box is on that trailer? I have the same RZR but maybe a little longer (just over 10’) with the front and rear brush-guards. I was wanting to go as short as possible for use on narrow mountain roads to be able to hopefully get turned around. Also I wanted a dual axle as I always seem to have trailer tire blowouts. I think I could get by with a 7’x12’ but if I went to the 14’ V-nose and figured that way I could also fit a 4-wheeler if needed…
Click to expand...
Ya!

And Some Other Misc Gear!
 
goforbroke said:
If you get a nice one you will sleep in it a LOT. If you get a basic one with wood interior, you will only haul your UTV.

I spend 10-15 nights a year in mine. I love the heater the lights and not having to set up a tent. mine is 20' long and gets to most places.
Click to expand...
Do you have pics of yours? What make and model is it?
 
Definitely get the extra height. An awning is nice also. Purchase mine around 2000 to haul my gear and quad. Great for hunting and family camping. Wanted it small and narrow to get into tight spots 6’x12’. Hard enough getting a truck through the trees and tight spots with a smaller setup. Installed E-track inside and used it for making bunks for the kids when they were little. In ‘08 I purchased a Rhino and reworked the inside to haul it and my gear. Sort of a pain loading/unloading the Rhino in such tight quarters, but made it worked. Last few years I have had whoever goes with me haul the Rhino on a small flatbed trailer. This way I can leave my cot and shelving up all the time. Makes it nice to pull over and sleep if needed. Getting too old to sleep in the front of the truck. Also started taking a freezer and solar generator. Messy and unorganized in picture, but this was home away from home on many hunts. Still take my tents also. Mounted heavy screen metal door on rear and have Velcro on screen walk in door for warm/buggy days. Also use a pop up Clam for cooking.
IMG_7207.jpeg
IMG_7208.jpeg
 
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We do alot of work on them, We see more 16' and 14' I ask if they are big enough they usually says yes. Few of guys ask for a couple fold up beds on the sides and still have room for S&S. I would ask anybody you know if they would get one longer then the one they have now might help you to buy the first one that fit what you need in the long run. PD is right on they ask for vents on top alot.
 
"If you're leaving the pavement get spring axles not torsion"

What's the rationale behind this?

Thanks,

Horniac
 
Horniac said:
"If you're leaving the pavement get spring axles not torsion"

What's the rationale behind this?

Thanks,

Horniac
Click to expand...
Please explain why? (Serious question)
Better ground clearance?
I have had mine for over 20 years w/torsion axles. Been great so far. It is only 6’x12’. Been over a lot of dirt roads. Both axles have brakes and I have had chains on all 4 on crappy snowy/icy dirt roads. I liked the lower height.
 

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