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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    2,102

    Default Enclosed Cargo Trailer

    Guys, I'm planning on buying an enclosed general purpose cargo trailer, a first for me. Hoping you might have knowledge or experience to share.

    Trailer will be used for two (primary) purposes:

    1) Protect antiques and collectables my wife purchases and transports for her business. To date she's been making do with the cargo area of a Subaru Forester. Enclosed trailer will enable her to acquire and put larger pieces, like furniture, in her showroom space.

    2) Better way to transport my tools, including large pieces of power equipment, when I have a project away from our house. I've been using the bed of a RAM pickup. This is hobby stuff for me. Am not a tradesman.

    Given its limited rating (1,500 pounds), am not going to put a hitch on the Subaru. Going to use a RAM 1500 5.7 liter crew cab for towing. No plan to replace either of the two vehicles, They are paid for and run well. And I really like my RAM.

    The three boys are now grown men who have put down roots in Idaho, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. We live in Virginia. The trailer will see a lot of road miles.

    I know from my Moomba boating years the security of a tandem axle trailer, but if I have a spare and the right tools to make a tire change, is a second axle necessary and worth the additional expense on a cargo trailer?

    I like the look of a black trailer, but in summer months would white be more hospitable with the interior loaded with tools and used as a project mobile work space?

    Staying on the mobile work space thing, would an interior height greater than 72 inches make sense to keep from whacking my head or do you just get used to the low ceiling?

    Does brand make a difference or, ignoring the hype and marketing, are they all about the same in terms of engineering and durability?

    Since I don’t know what I don’t know, of what else should I be aware about enclosed cargo trailers and factor into the decision on what to buy?

    Greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks! - Deerfield
    2007 Outback - SOLD June 2016
    2012 RAM Crew Cab
    2015 Subaru Forester
    Stuart

    "When you first start out with something new, you're always a little uptight." - Don Rickles

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Springfield Missouri
    Posts
    3,391

    Default

    14' or longer get tandems. The items appreciate the softer ride. Like a boat, you get what pay for. The only one that comes to mind to avoid is the Interstate brand. I liked to paint the floor using traction paint and then install E-trac for tying things down. You can configure as needed. Look for secure gate and door latch. I used mine for a household move, dirt bikes, a RZR. The last ride was a trip from Arizona to Washington state and slept in it in April 2020 when open motels due to covid was far and in between.
    1998 Mobius
    310 HP PCM
    SOLD

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    75

    Default

    to answer some of your questions-

    1. Do not buy white. It always looks dirty regardless of if you use it or not. It'll be hot inside anyway. I had both white and dark gray.
    2. Definitely the taller option. Not only you get headroom, but it's more useful.
    Better resale value as guys with UTV's and landscapers will be looking for them.
    Only negative is that your gas mileage will suffer quite a bit.
    3. The difference in cost between a single 5k axle and dual 3.5K is minimal, but if you are not carrying heavy loads the dual is bumpy.
    Brands don't matter, but components do. Compare apples to apples.
    Hope this helps
    2022 MB F22 Alpha
    2021 Mondo (sold)
    2020 Grand Island Fish
    2017 Sea-Doo Spark

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    since you don't mention size...

    I had a single axle 6x8 that I bought when I was building houses on the side years ago. towed great but was a BITCH to back up and park due to short size. easier to unhook and move by hand. it held everything I needed from a tools standpoint and my old ford ranger with the 4.0 towed it like it wasn't even there. it was bouncy when empty(not concerning but noticable) but once loaded no issues. single axle. headroom was tight as it was 5ft inside-which was fine for what I needed. had it 3 or 4 years and not a single issue with it. iirc it was interstate brand.
    it was white and never noticed that it looked dirty parking on construction lots but never cared about appearance.
    we found most of them to be made very similarly. there were a couple of "higher end" companies in boise but when given the sales pitch on why theirs are better, I didn't see the value but I also wasn't trekking across country.
    sold it when I got divorced for a few ben franklins less than I paid for it. take care of them any you will not have any issues selling it should the need arise. took me 2 days.
    nice thing was it fit into the garage in a corner and didn't take up a lot of space. no swing tongues on them so factor that in when storing. 8ft long was really like 12ft of space.

    our shopping found most of them were about the same in construction unless you got up into specialized trailers.

    good luck.
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    South Georgia
    Posts
    1,953

    Default

    You could look at a v-nose if you are going to be concerned with hwy fuel mileage. Especially if you go with a taller trailer. I take it if you are only needing something that replaces the storage space of the SUV, you don't need anything very big. But, walking in a trailer hunched over can be a pain. And think about the door (s). Do you want swinging or fold down ramp? Even a side door option added if you get anything 12 ft long or more. You can always add plywood walls yourself too if you want to save a little money. Or even make your own built in wooden shelving.

    Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk
    2021 Moomba Makai
    Black Cherry Metal Flake & Fire Red
    Nibral OJ 15.5x15 Altitude/Wake prop w/1.76 trans v-drive
    Wet Sounds bow speakers & 10's on the Tower & ported sub

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Reno, NV
    Posts
    741

    Default

    Enclosed sled trailers are lightweight, have side door access, dual axle, ramp, good clearance, and can come in low profile options. E-tracks are awesome for anchoring loads.


    Making my new SA build come true!!!
    2020 SA 450 Wife calls it White Cloud. Said it makes her feel "Classy"
    2017 Sanger V215sx. We call it Viagra because it's the little blue pill that gets everyone up (Sold)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    2,102

    Default

    Guys - I appreciate your advice. Thanks! We have landed on a 2018 single axle 7 x 12 v-nose enclosed trailer, w/ both rear ramp and side door. Interior is minimal finish with only 3/4 plywood on floor and 3/8 plywood on sides. Includes new spare. Manufacturer is Arising Industries Inc. I am 6'2" and can stand fully upright inside the trailer. Buying from the original owner. Asking price is $3,000. Will post pics of i can figure it out. Again, thanks for the advice. - Deerfield
    2007 Outback - SOLD June 2016
    2012 RAM Crew Cab
    2015 Subaru Forester
    Stuart

    "When you first start out with something new, you're always a little uptight." - Don Rickles

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    2,102

    Default

    Back with an update and another question.

    Update: The trailer was sold to another party the day before we went to pick it up. We continued to look and decided to buy new. Order was placed in March. Trailer will be ready to pick up the end of this month. Will post a picture.

    Question: Anyone have experience with Dodge Durango? Pros? Cons? The RAM 1500 has 200,000 miles and last week encountered an engine issue that will be expensive to repair, so looking for a replacement. Will be used to pull the cargo trailer and travel between Virginia, Wisconsin, and Idaho.

    Appreciate any advice on the Durango v another RAM 1500. Thanks.
    2007 Outback - SOLD June 2016
    2012 RAM Crew Cab
    2015 Subaru Forester
    Stuart

    "When you first start out with something new, you're always a little uptight." - Don Rickles

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Ft Gibson Lake OK
    Posts
    395

    Default

    I dont have direct experience with the Durango. Have a friend with one and my neighbor has one. The neighbor pulls a 16 ft cargo trailer with it all the time. They do use a leveling hitch when they pull it. Not 100% sure what they have in it far as weight goes, but it seems to do the job.
    2021 Makai

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    258

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by deerfield View Post
    Back with an update and another question.

    Update: The trailer was sold to another party the day before we went to pick it up. We continued to look and decided to buy new. Order was placed in March. Trailer will be ready to pick up the end of this month. Will post a picture.

    Question: Anyone have experience with Dodge Durango? Pros? Cons? The RAM 1500 has 200,000 miles and last week encountered an engine issue that will be expensive to repair, so looking for a replacement. Will be used to pull the cargo trailer and travel between Virginia, Wisconsin, and Idaho.

    Appreciate any advice on the Durango v another RAM 1500. Thanks.
    I drive a Durango. We have the 5.7 Hemi and use it to tow our Mojo to local lakes. We used to tow an enclosed trailer with it 300 miles to Lake Powell and it did just great. There is an option for load leveling suspension on the back end, which seems to work really well.


    2016 Moomba Mojo Surf Edition
    2000 Sharpe Houseboat 70x16 (Lives at Lake Powell)

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