Buying enclosed v-nose...need advice

[soft hat]

i'm sure opinions will vary, but would you guys rank the top 3-4-5 brands in terms of quality?

looking for all aluminum construction, probably 7' wide...3-4 place.

thanks.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I don't have enough experience with all the brands but I just bought a 2003 Haulmark. Nice 12' deck with v-nose (20' total). I can fit three sleds in it. Two axles with brakes. But...this biotch is heavy. I have a 3/4 diesel truck so I'm good, but definitely think about the weight if you are spec'n trailers. I got this for a great deal otherwise I might have waited and found something that a smaller truck could pull just in case.

Obviously you want a fuel door and side door. But some trailers don't have them. I think it would be bad to go with a single axle too. Dual axles are heavier but ride so much better. Good luck.

 

[skibreeze]

I don't have other brand experiences, but I have been happy with my Cargomate. IMO, there just aren't any day and night differences in quality in most. Little things, like smooth skin, integrated locks/handles, and other options are what what make the difference. Those are some of the things that mine doesn't have, but it gets the job done and keeps us and the sleds out of the weather.

 

[soft hat]

enclosed

good info. thanks guys.

i have a 1/2 ton gmc yukon xl denali that i pull with, so weight is definitely a factor.

trailering capacity is about 8000#, but the truck weighs about 6000#. i don't think you ever want to get into a situation where the trailer weighs more than the truck.

want capacity for 4 sleds....looking at the 7' x 22' aluma, all alum frame. trailer is 2200# plus 2000# of sleds....

that's pushing it for my rig in m opionion.

 

[skibreeze]

Keep in mind that 4 sleds are going to weigh way more than 2,000 lbs. I'd factor 3,000. Plus there is 4 people's gear, the spare tools, oil and misc. stuff that ends up in an enclosed.

 

[SnoKing]

good info. thanks guys.

i have a 1/2 ton gmc yukon xl denali that i pull with, so weight is definitely a factor.

trailering capacity is about 8000#, but the truck weighs about 6000#. i don't think you ever want to get into a situation where the trailer weighs more than the truck.

want capacity for 4 sleds....looking at the 7' x 22' aluma, all alum frame. trailer is 2200# plus 2000# of sleds....

that's pushing it for my rig in m opionion.

What ever you by, make sure the roof bracing is adequate to handle a good snow load if you are not cleaning it off occassionally.

I had a 1/2 ton Suburban with a 5.7 V-8 We came out west from ILL pulling a 4 place enclosed with 6 sleds and gear for 6 people in it. Carried all 6 of us in the Suburban also, The trailer did have brakes on both axles and I did use an equalizer hitch/
We got about 8 MPG

 

[soft hat]

trailer

what's an equilizer hitch?

8mpg is pretty good considering? my milage goes to crap when towing, but to be expected w/o a diesel.

as said above, you're right when you start talking about weight, gear, and tools....etc. was thinking i could talk myself into that number.

should maybe get a 3 place 7 x18' and just leave the back up sled at home.

 

[SnoKing]

That's a hitch with 2 torsion arms that have adjustable cam locks to reduce the tongue weight.

We did blow one tire but that was my fault. I did have all of them aired up but this one had more wear on it then the rest.

As luck would have it, I had been driving for about 6 hours and my dughter just took over. She was only driving about 15 minutes when it blew.
This trailer story was easy. I have some others that were considerably more trouble.

 

[ModZZilla]

I have a R&R 29'- 7' wide- 3 axle. Very lite, pulls like a dream, no sway because of third axle. Haul 4 162" Ms Get 10-12mpg with my Escalade.

 

[soft hat]

trailer

nice guys, thanks.

am leaning towards the 7 x 22 then and take 4 rigs. does no good to have the back up sled sitting @ home.

the equilizer hitch, is that then seperate from the trailer and you hook it into the rig--like a seperate piece alltogether?

i'll do a little reasearch on that.

 

[soft hat]

trailer

also--modzilla, 10-12 in your caddy. that's awesome.

my gmc gets 7-9 at best with my 4 place floe. it's wide, and has the the snow shield/ramp on front. i backed up to a 7' wide aluma...and it wasn't any wider than my truck. they must pull sweet.

thanks for the help.

 

[Walden]

Trailer

Soft hat,

I pull a Triton 7x24' plus v. The fit and finish on the Tritons seem very nice and it's heald together really well. I've compared to an Aluma from the outside and they also seem nice. I pull with a Duramax, but 7x22 should pull ok for you so long as you get brakes on the trailer axles. Mine has a 6'6" interior height which seems to add some wind drag, but is nice for walking inside. If I were doing it over I'd get a shorter height as 90% of my time I'm pulling it, not walking in it. I'd def recommend the 7' and make sure to get a side man door and side gas door or doors.

Good luck.

 

[AndrettiDog]

good info. thanks guys.

i have a 1/2 ton gmc yukon xl denali that i pull with, so weight is definitely a factor.

trailering capacity is about 8000#, but the truck weighs about 6000#. i don't think you ever want to get into a situation where the trailer weighs more than the truck.

want capacity for 4 sleds....looking at the 7' x 22' aluma, all alum frame. trailer is 2200# plus 2000# of sleds....

that's pushing it for my rig in m opionion.

Pulling is all relative to the truck and trailer. My truck is rated to pull 15,000 lbs, which is obviously heavier than the truck. If you are rated at 8,000 lbs, that is more than your truck weighs. Braking and trailer load are huge. Still you don't want a load that kicks your @ss everywhere you go. Do you have the 5.3 motor?

 

[soft hat]

trailer

my rig has the 6.2L 380hp. i think 417 lbs torque? she's got a snort with that package. drives nice.

not as concerned about power, as i am weight. like you said, don't want that thing pushing me around.

 

[Coldfinger]

nice guys, thanks.

am leaning towards the 7 x 22 then and take 4 rigs. does no good to have the back up sled sitting @ home.

the equilizer hitch, is that then seperate from the trailer and you hook it into the rig--like a seperate piece alltogether?

i'll do a little reasearch on that.

Maybe I missed it but a 22' x 7' may not be long enough for 4 "long" track sleds. Depends what length your tracks are.

 

[soft hat]

trailer

i'm in the 146/154 range. nothing longer. i drew the chalk footprint out on teh driveway and pieced them together. the 22 should work for me, but doesn't leave a whole lot of room.

 

[Mark's RMK]

I have a R&R 29'- 7' wide- 3 axle. Very lite, pulls like a dream, no sway because of third axle. Haul 4 162" Ms Get 10-12mpg with my Escalade.

Same thing only mine is the 7-1/2' wide. Took skiis off for summer and I have a 151, 4- 144, and a 136 in it for the summer.

Pulled it to the Snowies and on to Pinedale with my 2004 5.3 Suburban from MN. Got around 10 mpg. Sure beats putting covers,etc on every day and not having frosty sleds to start the days ride.

R & R sells factory direct so you eliminate middleman and your custom order your trailer.

Mine came with recessed D-rings in the floor. I've had to relocate every one so if I was doing it over, I'd have them leave them in a box for me to install. I would also been smart to get the floor and ramp made capable for hauling a car.

All three axles have brakes, the new Dexter never adjust. No one is commenting about axles but I would make sure they had the lube feature like Dexter and then get LED lights.

 

[MORSNO]

and then get LED lights.

Ever have issues with snow build-up over the rear lights while hauling down the road? Incandescents create heat that melt most of the snow, but I've thought about swapping to LED's. I would hate to get get hit because someone couldn't see my tail/brake lights.

 

[WIS.REV]

I have a 7.5X18 w/6' vee nose. I have had 2 163's, and 2 154's in it. Just have to invert and stagger. Sometimes a guy has to be creative and try a few different arrangements with the sleds. Pack your gear around the sleds and you are good to go. I have also pulled a 7X22 w5' vee nose, and that pulls a little nicer because of the width. When you need a workshop though, the 7.5 width is a lot nicer to work in.

 

[Mark's RMK]

Inner Fender

Have you done anything with the inner fender for going over the top or do you just slide the sled over after clearing the fender?