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Enclosed trailer to an open

C

CuzzinOlaf

Active member
I drive a midsize SUV and towing my enclosed trailer with today's gas prices sucks. I am toying with the idea of going back to an open trailer. I would buy a Skinz waterproof cover that covers the skis. They are waterproof and recommend you wash them a few times a season. My biggest concern would be the exposed skid. Has anyone ever made something to keep it protected. I am thinking I can pretty much keep the sled from the road salt if I used this cover and built something out of wood or material to protect the skid. I bet I could go from 10-11mpg to 14-15mpg by doing this..... even more if I was rolling solo with the sled in the center.

Thoughts?
 
If you're worried about the skid, get a salt shield for the front of the trailer. I used an open trailer for years, built a salt shield out of 1/2 piece of corrugated pastic pipe (about 28" OD), 'cause I was to cheap to shell out the $ for a mf'd shield, just had regular covers on the machines and never had any road crap on the skis or skid. Well, maybe a little overspray, but nothing that didn't wash off within a few minutes of riding.
 
I've towed my open 2-place all over WY. Just use the sled cover and go, never had a problem with skid being dirty or covered. The covers however is a different story. Needed the carwash a few times on them.

Might help to install some sort of flap on the back of the SUV. Stop the road spray before it gets close to trailer.
 
I forgot to mention I don't want any type of salt shield. The drag alone makes it almost as bad as the enclosed trailer since my trailer is low and angled. I like the idea of the flap, Vert. Anything I can spray on the skid before I drive? I might try and rig up some sort of plastic or wood just to be safe. The reason I decided on the Skinz cover is because it covers the skis.
 
Get a large flap/brush like the camper guys use. Should do the trick.

Or powdercoat the skid so you don't have to worry about corrosion :)
 
CuzzinOlaf said:
I forgot to mention I don't want any type of salt shield. The drag alone makes it almost as bad as the enclosed trailer since my trailer is low and angled. I like the idea of the flap, Vert. Anything I can spray on the skid before I drive? I might try and rig up some sort of plastic or wood just to be safe. The reason I decided on the Skinz cover is because it covers the skis.
Click to expand...

Cuzz all I've ever done is spray some Teflon based polish on it occassionally. My trailer has a short Salt guard on front ramps, it takes the brunt of most of the spray/mud from road. I will be rigging up some type of removable flap on the back of the F-250 if I decide to use the trailer rather than or in addition to the deck.

BTW Cuzz, what size/type enclosed you got? Maybe we can work out some sort of swap.
 
How far do you have to drive?

By the time you buy a trailer, sled covers and all the other gear you will probably will have spent more than then the extra 10$ a tank you will be saving!

Unless of course its 500 plus miles each way.
 
Vertical_Escape said:
Cuzz all I've ever done is spray some Teflon based polish on it occassionally. My trailer has a short Salt guard on front ramps, it takes the brunt of most of the spray/mud from road. I will be rigging up some type of removable flap on the back of the F-250 if I decide to use the trailer rather than or in addition to the deck.

BTW Cuzz, what size/type enclosed you got? Maybe we can work out some sort of swap.
Click to expand...

2003 Bearcat 12' with swing open doors in the back and just the front angled part opens up. Ramp stores inside.

tudizzle said:
How far do you have to drive?

By the time you buy a trailer, sled covers and all the other gear you will probably will have spent more than then the extra 10$ a tank you will be saving!

Unless of course its 500 plus miles each way.
Click to expand...

350+ miles at the minimum. I found a nice 10' aluminum open for $500. Skiz cover is about $250. What other gear would I need?
 
sounded like you were looking for other stuff to protect your skid.


If you are saving only 3-4 miles a gallon it will take alot of driving to recoup the 750$

you would be saving like 20$(high estimate) a tank......you would have to fill up 37 times just to break even!
 
tudizzle said:
sounded like you were looking for other stuff to protect your skid.


If you are saving only 3-4 miles a gallon it will take alot of driving to recoup the 750$

you would be saving like 20$(high estimate) a tank......you would have to fill up 37 times just to break even!
Click to expand...

I'd save about $85 every trip at 350 miles and over $250 on a trip out west (I live near Chicago) at 1100 miles.

If I sell the enclosed for $3000 and buy the open with a cover, etc, for $750, I'd have an extra $2250 in my pocket.
 
Well like I said unless you had to go 500 miles each way it doesn't make much of a savings.

Guess I was also thinking you were keeping the other trailer and just getting something new.



Have a great winter!
 
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