Questions about storing sleds in enclosed trailer..

[BigMan]

I've been thinking that rather than pay for a shed to store the sleds and since I have a truck that'll pull it, I might as well make the payment on an enclosed and just store the sleds in it.

A couple questions however: Where I'm at it gets up to 110 in the summer. I've heard guys say to leave the ceiling vents open but I live 30 miles from where I'm going to store the trailer. I wouldn't be able to get over to close the vents in time of a storm. Will it get too hot to leave sleds in the trailer with it closed up in that kind of heat? Can't imagine it would but thought I would ask as I'm not sure what the vents are for other than maybe releasing fumes.

Secondly, are most of the trailers aluminum on the roof or what material is used? I'm curious what a hail storm with lets say golf ball size hail would do to one?

Lastly, I'm wanting to get a used trailer. Something 4-5 years old. I assume most guys insure them? What's a rough idea of premiums on say a 20 footer or so?

Thanks for any info..

 

[SD Coyote]

I have a 7'x23' enclosed, that I store my sleds in. It is all aluminum. It is also black, and has to be in the sun part of the day. It does reach temps here of 100, but not often. I was surprised that it never got much hotter in the trailer than outside. I rarely open the roof vent, but leave the two side vents open all the time. The inside is fully lined with a white fiber board, including the ceiling, but there is no insulation between the walls. It did get hailed on a few times, but only once about golf ball size. I did get a few small dings in the roof, but you really have to look for them. I do have a pic of my trailer posted on here from a couple years ago, if you want to search my posts. I bought mine new, but took my chances without insurance.

Hope this helps you!

SD

 

[Bagger]

Used to store mine in my Charmac trailer. Had the same concerns. As far as the vents go, I left mine open, you can get a cover from any RV place that will allow the vent to work and still keep weather out. They are pretty cheap.

Went through several hail storms, but no damage. This was a 95 ish trailer and fully insulated with expando foam between the two metal layers of ceiling and wall, so it was pretty impervious to the hail damage. (ie, you can't see any, but it did bust up my vent cover!)

Another concern is to make sure the trailer and sleds are as dry as you can get them before buttoning up the trailer for any amount of time. I used to come home, throw in a heater and a FAN and let that run while I packed gear inside, took a shower etc. Then before I went to bed I would shut off the heater and leave the fan running until morning. Dry contents.

I really liked storing mine in there, was nice to not have them in the garage when I was working on the bikes or other project. They were buttoned up and safe all summer.

Check with your insurance company. I have full coverage on our sleds and they threw in coverage for the trailer on my sled plan ! Nice. That is through State Farm.

Good Luck

Bag

 

[Mafesto]

I've been thinking that rather than pay for a shed to store the sleds and since I have a truck that'll pull it, I might as well make the payment on an enclosed and just store the sleds in it.
Also, no property tax on a trailer (in SD) vs another outbuilding.

A couple questions however: Where I'm at it gets up to 110 in the summer. I've heard guys say to leave the ceiling vents open but I live 30 miles from where I'm going to store the trailer. I wouldn't be able to get over to close the vents in time of a storm. Will it get too hot to leave sleds in the trailer with it closed up in that kind of heat? Can't imagine it would but thought I would ask as I'm not sure what the vents are for other than maybe releasing fumes.
Leave vents slightly open & secure with a good HD tape as the wind will work them wide open quickly. Side vents would be a smarter idea.

Secondly, are most of the trailers aluminum on the roof or what material is used? I'm curious what a hail storm with lets say golf ball size hail would do to one?
Hail helps in eliminating your payment booklet!

Lastly, I'm wanting to get a used trailer. Something 4-5 years old. I assume most guys insure them? What's a rough idea of premiums on say a 20 footer or so?
Depends on coverage. Comp is the lions share of premium because of hail risk.

Thanks for any info..

I use mine for lawnmower storage in summer also.
Bite the bullet & go all aluminum, otherwise you will be wanting to trade up.

 

[94fordguy]

I never had a thermometer in mine over the summer but it did get pretty warm on the hot days... leaving both roof vents and the side window wide open REALLY helps with that.

I can't speak to hail damage, but I know the couple times I had the vents open when it rained the amount of rain that got into the trailer through the open vents was minimal.

I have my trailer added to my auto policy - Liability on a trailer under 30 ft is covered by the tow vehicle (mine is a 19', or 21' overall), so it is only a cost for comprehensive & colision if it were to get vandalized/stolen/wrecked and it only cost me about $20 for 6 months with a $1K deductible. I have no idea if hail damage would be covered, but we don't get big hail around here.

 

[skibreeze]

I have had an enclosed for 10 years, love it. You asked about hail, the roof skin on mine is as thick as a pepsi can and luan plywood under that. You look at it wrong and it will dent, I can't imagine what 1" hail would do to it.

 

[BigMan]

Thanks guys for the info.