Any must haves on my first enclosed trailer

[blackhillsrmk]

I am buying my first enclosed trailer this year. Pulling with a half ton suburban so I am assuming an aluminum is a must!?!?! Any must haves on this trailer I should be looking for...insulated, white walls or plywood walls, flooring type, vents, lights, etc. etc....lots of options out there. I just don't want to regrete saving a few hundred bucks and not getting some options that are really essential.

 

[Spud]

a stripper pole to hold that roofup on them Heavy snow days & nites.

 

[TEC800]

^^^damn, beat me to it!

 

[Extreme-One]

Or a roof support pole to make it a little more correct when talking to the wife...

Also, anodized mirrored interior walls, reflects a lot of light and makes that roof support really stand out.

Defiantly get the walls and ceiling insulated and ski glides on the ramps. Good storage and an area to keep tools... I also have florescent lighting running off an inverter which makes it really handy for working on sleds.

 

[Transporter]

X2 on insulation you dont want to be insulating afterwards,been there started that still not done .

 

[Spud]

Thanks for that correction Scott, I would have pics of them shiney walls but my camera got broke a few hours before. lol!

 

[tudizzle]

what is your budget


How many sleds are you interested in being able to haul?

 

[Trenchmaster]

Get some kind of traction on the ramps, for both the sleds and the people walking up and down them!!

 

[jsledder]

It's probably got LED lights, but if it's an option... get them.
Electric brakes on all axles.
Overdue it on the interior 12v lights.
Wiring that runs through the frame and not clamped to the outside.
Under coating on the frame and underside of trailer.
Ship to shore connector, for when you get a generator to run all the stuff you'll eventually get.
Whatever they'll put in for cabinets/coat hangers/helmet racks...

Those are just basic items, assuming you are getting new and have the choice to add options???

Definately want some traction on the ramps, both for your sleds and yourself. And then there are the options you'll put in yourself over the years.

 

[blackhillsrmk]

Roof support pole and mirrored walls!!! I knew the experience of some of the people on this site would come in handy some day!!! Thanks for the info guys!!
Great ideas…I knew previous buyers would speak up and give me some ideas. And they are greatly appreciated.
Transporter…Thanks for the heads-up. I have been contemplating the insulation myself because it has been pretty easy to find the aluminums without insulation already.
As far as budget??? IDK want to save as much as possible…still have another sled to buy this year, but I have been looking at trailers around $8000. I need to haul four 155s ideally and again, I believe I better go aluminum. Although I was looking at an R & R yesterday and they don’t look that much lighter. Any feedback on the weight of your aluminum compared to steel would be great. Just don’t want to tear up the wife’s new suburban. The main function of the trailer will be family trip in the hills. The trips out west I generally just throw it in the back of the pickup.
Also, any opinions on what manufacturer to go with would be great. I know that featherlite is a favorite, but don’t want to spend those kinda bucks on this one…maybe the next.
Thanks again for all the info.

 

[skibreeze]

Definitely all aluminum, cause rust sucks, not to mention the weight. Make sure that the side door is back far enough. My buddies door opens right at the tallest part of the hood and is difficult to get around. Lots of light and light switches at both ends of the trailer. I put in plexiglass skylights in mine, they are awesome for light. In the pic you can see my ski glides and I put oak cross bars for traction.

 

[Himark]

Something you can add but would be nice if it was already there is a pair of fuel doors. I always hate the short pump hoses that just about but dont quite reach both sleds through the one door.

 

[boondocking fool]

Get some kind of traction on the ramps, for both the sleds and the people walking up and down them!!

x2^^

 

[KAW76]

I have had a few

If you can spend the money and plan on doing more than day trips a heater is good. You can keep your wet gear in there and it will dry over night. They are spendy but very nice for road trips/overnight trips. Aluminum is nice but maybe hard to find a good one for 8k? at least with some options. There is a 2002 Featherlite on CL in Seattle pretty loaded for 10.5k here is the link, if you don't mind traveling?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/rvs/1402951573.html

Good luck.

 

[mtn junkie]

I put extra fuel doors in a must in my opinion a heater is good keep sleds thoughed out and floor dry which will add to the life of the floor good lighting is a must hangers for gear good luck

 

[mtncat800]

I would assume that you are looking at a "V" front with ramp? I just went thru all of this. I went with an 8' wide to get 4 sleds in comfortably. You could do it with a 7' wide but it is very tight, and leaves you no room to work around the sleds as far as fueling. I also went with a shorty, I feel like keeping the profile of the trailer as close to the top of the tow vehicle is a huge advantage. There is some weight savings as well. I know others will probably prefer a true 7' side wall. I borrowed, and demo pulled several types of trailers before I made my decission. Dealers are very willing to assist you in any way they can rite now, and if you think about it, you don't buy a car without test driving it. Why should a trailer be any different. I am finishing mine off myself so that I could set it up the way I want it. Electrical where I want, A.C. down the road, lots of lighting inside, ramp lights outside, and of course the necessities. CD stereo, satelite radio, flat screen TV with built in DVD player. I also cut in a window for ventilation. I am concerned a little about condensation with added heat.

One thing to consider and I missed it completely, is what side you want your walk in door on, and if you want it on the same side as your front ramp door. Mine is on the opposite side from my ramp door and I am not yet sure how I feel about it.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Bkinz]

Get a heater to keep everything warm, and will compliment your "girl sledders" to put that support beam and walls to work. haha Definently get something for the skis to ride on and most importantly traction on the doors. I have a couple found memories of me sliding and landing on my arse out the front door in the parking lot.
Good Luck on your find.

 

[SRXSRULE]

There is only two things that are a MUST.

GOOD trailer brakes on both axles!!!
Weight distribution hitch with sway control bar.

I would also really try to keep it ALL aluminum even the frame. That 1/2 ton Suburban needs all the help it can get if your fighting any hills or wind. Eric

 

[Snowedunder]

Heater

28' inside no less than 30,000 btu.Two fuel doors opposit you,re main door.A 12v battery with a 120v to 12v power inverter.

 

[rockdog2112]

Maybe this was already mentioned but some exterior loading lights would be nice. There has been many timnes I could have ued them. We generally trailer up and back the same day so sometimes we don't get back to the truck until dark.