gil7247
VIP Member
I currently have a 10 foot enclosed and since I have picked up 2 more sleds as spares I'm trying to decide which way to go so I can occasionally use all 4 sleds. Do I pick up a 4 place open and keep my 2 place? I would only be using the open trailer when company comes over. Or do I pick up a 4 place enclosed and sell my 2 place? The majority of the time I will only be using me and my wifes 2 sleds and the trailhead is only about 10 miles away from my house.
My concerns about the open trailer are obvious, but I only intend to use it occasionally and for a short distance.
As for the enclosed I am concerned about slightly higher price and weight. I know I will need to add a brake controller to my truck if I go with the enclosed but I'm not sure about the open.
I have a 2009 dodge 1/2 ton with the hemi so I have plenty of power I'm not worried about that.
I haven't pulled either an open or enclosed that big so I kinda would like an idea of what I'm getting into.
Also, both of the current trailers I''m looking at are 8 foot wide. I have 2 Vipers with 5.7 pilot skis , a 99 Vmax 700 w/ precision skis and a 02 zl550 Cat with stock skis. By my measurements they are all a between 46 and 47 inches at the widest I think they would be okay side by side, Will these fit on a 8 foot trailer width wise or am I wrong?
Any advice/ opinions would be greatlt appreciated.
Thanks Gil
My concerns about the open trailer are obvious, but I only intend to use it occasionally and for a short distance.
As for the enclosed I am concerned about slightly higher price and weight. I know I will need to add a brake controller to my truck if I go with the enclosed but I'm not sure about the open.
I have a 2009 dodge 1/2 ton with the hemi so I have plenty of power I'm not worried about that.
I haven't pulled either an open or enclosed that big so I kinda would like an idea of what I'm getting into.
Also, both of the current trailers I''m looking at are 8 foot wide. I have 2 Vipers with 5.7 pilot skis , a 99 Vmax 700 w/ precision skis and a 02 zl550 Cat with stock skis. By my measurements they are all a between 46 and 47 inches at the widest I think they would be okay side by side, Will these fit on a 8 foot trailer width wise or am I wrong?
Any advice/ opinions would be greatlt appreciated.
Thanks Gil
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doubt the 1/2t would handle a 4 place enclosed, or at least i wouldnt overload one. the four place open would be a better fit for occasional use.
heres another option, although with the 1/2 t its requires some additional parts(air bags), look at a sled deck.
what i do, but i have a more suitable tow vehicle, i have a 28' enclosed, a two place open as well as a sled deck(toy up). when the family goes, as all the sleds are in the enclosed, the enclosed goes. if i am going with a friend, its the sled deck. more than one friend, sled deck and 2 place open. saves me from loading and unloading several sleds.
heres another option, although with the 1/2 t its requires some additional parts(air bags), look at a sled deck.
what i do, but i have a more suitable tow vehicle, i have a 28' enclosed, a two place open as well as a sled deck(toy up). when the family goes, as all the sleds are in the enclosed, the enclosed goes. if i am going with a friend, its the sled deck. more than one friend, sled deck and 2 place open. saves me from loading and unloading several sleds.
staggs65
Moderator
I haul a 4 placed enclosed with a 1/2 ton gmc.
This may not help but my choice would be to keep the 10ft enclosed and add a 4-place enclosed all aluminum (likely +/- 1000lbs less than same size steel). I may get flamed for this but if you are only going to drive 10 miles each way with the 4-place and if you are a careful driver you may not need to add the brake controller if that is holding you back. That Dodge has some good size brakes compared to the earlier generations if I recall? I've towed with a 99 Ram 1500 that has disapointing brakes for that size of truck, but being careful I've never had an issue with very occasional heavy trailer loads, not always with working trailer brakes.
Back to the enclosed trailer, are you talking 4-place clamshell or 4-place V-nose w/hinge down door ramps, or something else? Clamshell will be a bit lighter, but the cover is heavy and more cumbersome to open especially with one person, and not as nice in the wind to open/close. Hinged ramp doors are nice, and the ~6ft interior height trailers are nice to have also.
In any event, enclosed is nice if you can swing it. Keeps sleds out of weather at all times when loaded. Gives a nice place to carry gear and change clothes at trailhead. Don't need to cover sleds for travel, and some don't even tie them down just hit the parking brake. Most enclosed have light(s) inside for nightime visibility. Can lock anything inside to prevent theft. (Side note to anyone, if you have any trailer with a separate aluminum ramp, store it out of site/lock it up when unattended in public or even at home, people like to take these ramps right out of the underside carrier).
What was the original question...
Hope I've helped
Back to the enclosed trailer, are you talking 4-place clamshell or 4-place V-nose w/hinge down door ramps, or something else? Clamshell will be a bit lighter, but the cover is heavy and more cumbersome to open especially with one person, and not as nice in the wind to open/close. Hinged ramp doors are nice, and the ~6ft interior height trailers are nice to have also.
In any event, enclosed is nice if you can swing it. Keeps sleds out of weather at all times when loaded. Gives a nice place to carry gear and change clothes at trailhead. Don't need to cover sleds for travel, and some don't even tie them down just hit the parking brake. Most enclosed have light(s) inside for nightime visibility. Can lock anything inside to prevent theft. (Side note to anyone, if you have any trailer with a separate aluminum ramp, store it out of site/lock it up when unattended in public or even at home, people like to take these ramps right out of the underside carrier).
What was the original question...
Hope I've helped
gil7247
VIP Member
Thanks Guys I'm just starting to look around and weigh my options. I am reluctant to spend the buck on the enclosed that I'll probably use 2 or 3 times a year but I'm keeping an open mind. Your opinions are appreciated. Gil
We have a 27' Rance Renegade and love it. I will never go back to an open deck. Ours is a deck above the tire design, so the sleds sit side by side one in front of the other. Easy to get 4 sleds with enough room to walk around inside also. The enclosed adds so many benifits.
Extreamly clean while traveling, no salt or debri
Summer storage ie clean sleds
heated area to service if needed
secure parking overnight if desired
many more than I can think
your 1/2 ton should have a towing capacity of 6 to 8klbs no problems.
pick an aluminum with a strong frame. Ours is in great condition with well over 75k miles and at 13 years old still pulles great.
If you buy used, upgrade your tires to the strongest you can get. I have a line on some 14" rim low profile trailer tires with exteamly strong sidewalls if you need.
Good luck Al
Extreamly clean while traveling, no salt or debri
Summer storage ie clean sleds
heated area to service if needed
secure parking overnight if desired
many more than I can think
your 1/2 ton should have a towing capacity of 6 to 8klbs no problems.
pick an aluminum with a strong frame. Ours is in great condition with well over 75k miles and at 13 years old still pulles great.
If you buy used, upgrade your tires to the strongest you can get. I have a line on some 14" rim low profile trailer tires with exteamly strong sidewalls if you need.
Good luck Al
4-place open deck trailers are a pain in the neck. Not only do you have to cover the sleds all the time (even in the dark). You can't just toss anything in the trailer. When you leave the trailer to go riding, you have to put everything you want locked up in the truck. But the real kicker is that everything you put on the trailer gets subjected to a salt bath, at least here in Michigan. You can't cover it all, and covers only last so long and then you are buying another one.