Who has the best prices on enclosed trailers/carhaulers?

[LaserModVee]

I am asking this question on all of the boards I participate in. The more people that see this, the better chances of finding the right deal.

New or used. (Used must be in excellent condition).
Prefer white in color.
24-28 feet.
8'6" or so wide.
Nothing fancy needed, will customize myself down the road. Just the essentials for now, d-rings, brakes on both axles, etc.
Prefer in Ohio or surrounding states, but may travel for the right deal. Especially if it's between Ohio and the Sunshine State...God's country...Sunny Florida... :D :D :D

Need it soon, (within 3 weeks).

[Gordie Miller]

in a big way on enclosed trailers. Not talking about custom stuff, just general construction and quality of materials used to build it. I know LMV that price is the very most important thing to you, but, if you buy the cheapest, it'll shake itself to pieces before long. Since I know you don't have much money, your better off to spend a little more up front and save it down the road!

[LaserModVee]

Thanks for the reply!

I am a believer in you get what you pay for as well.
What brands would you recommend?
What materials and features should I look for?
What should I look out for and stay away from?

We looked at a new Haulmark today. I was not impressed. It was leaking where the snow was melting and had the wood inside all wet.

Your help is much appreciated,
Brian

[mikesufka]

Hey

I'm also looking at enclosed trailers for motorcycle hauling. I looked at haulmark too and wasn't that impressed. Now, I have my "list" down to two: the Featherlite and Rance.

I've been told that Featherlite is "the best", but the Rance is just as good. Both have all aluminum frames.

I priced out a Rance 7 X 12, tandem axle, pretty decked out, and it was about $6000. The Featherlite, if I added all the features that I put on the Rance, was about $2000-$3000 more.

Anybody know anything about these?

Mike Sufka
St. Cloud, MN

[Raceman]

In the late 80's I bought a Pace and hated it. I made one trip with it and brought it home and sold it.

Last year I bought a new 28' Exxis. It's all aluminum and I think one of the nicest I've ever seen. It's got the 8 lug 16" wheels. The dealer told me that the people who started FeatherLite sold out and started Exxis 5 years later after thier non compete expired. I think either the Exxis or the Featherlite are hard to beat.

I know the Featherlite can be bought with either alum. or wood bottom. I think that if you buy the all alum, you're probably through buying trailers. Pricey now, but cheaper in the long run, not to mention fuel savings from the lighter weight.

[stvhelm]

I thought you might be interested in this toy hauler. theres a few others like this one too. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2406857039&category=6727

[mikesufka]

Helmut

Thanks, but no thanks. Little big for this guy.

What ever happened to Mark Soliman? Is he still boating? I remember he gave me a ride in his Virage at Firewater 2000(?). Haven't seen his name on the board in a long time.

Mike

[CDave]

Maybe National Dragster classified or Roush Racing?

[stvhelm]

he has since gotten married started a new job and bought a home that he has been completely renovating. he still has the boat and he plans to use it this season. last season was hectic for him. I still talk to him once in a while.

[Gordie Miller]

Enclosed trailers......Featherlite is a very nice trailer. Secondly, Mark Soliman, chief jerkoff of Long Island. He came to firewater in 2000, brought his boat on a PIECE O **** trailer, it broke in half as he pulled into town. I personally(while working for Baker Marine)repaired his trailer(better part of Friday if memory serves correct)using parts and steel aquired locally. Charged him shop rate of 70.00/hour and 50.00 for parts, enabling him to use his same PIECE OF **** trailer to return home. Otherwise he would have had to BUY a NEW trailer 1000 miles from home for god knows how much or leave the boat in Chicago and make other arrangements to get it home. Somehow he skates on the bill and when contacted about it, he refuses to pay saying the bill(approx. $330.00) was outrageous. He was billed straight shop time(4 hours) plus parts. He then proceeded to RIP the Bakers and ME as scam artists. If he would have bought a trailer suited for the job in the first place, we could have all avoided an ugly scene, but hey I'm not bitter about it, NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Mark Soliman is a world class JACKASS in my opinion, but hey, I could be wrong. OK, let the bashing begin!

[outboards4life]

cargo express makes a nice trailer, decent prices too from what I remember. http://cargoexpress.com/

a really really nice trailer is a T & E trailer, they build extremely nice stuff.http://www.tande-racetrailers.com/index.html

United expressline is another one that i haven't heard complaints about http://shen-valley.com/United_Expressline/united_expressline.html

Wells cargo is also a pretty good one.
http://www.wellscargo.com/index.html

Depending on funding if you got it, I would buy a T & E trailer. probably the nicest trailer out there. Hope this helps.
Travis:cool:

[tdogcarter]

In the long run, you will save just in the fuel alone, and they are heavy duty. Use 2 5/16" ball, dual axle electric brakes, welds look like it is bent aluminum.

Wells Cargo, exactly in the name, if your looking for a cheap Cargo trailer, and don't care about whats inside. Buy it up, because if something happens, just leave it.

Worked for a lawn care place, and the well cargo we had, fit the budget, and boy was it a POS.
22' with one axle brakes, and only a 2" ball. Frame looked beafy, but weighted a ton. The standard jack on the frame would not even lift high enough for our truck, so we would always have to bring wood to get it back on the truck. Came with cheap tires and rims, wood inside was 1/2" 5/8" & 3/4" was optional.

Featherlite, you can get a diamond plated aluminum floor, with d rings, and everything built into the floor. Nice looking trailer.

Trey

[Jay Smith]

Titon Trailers,

David Allen is an X- Boat racer and builds a hellofa good trailer for those looking for a bargin and a good quality trailer. He is building Richard Hammontree a killer 45' alum. goose for race boat as we speak.

He just built me a small enclosed to carry parts and have a mini shop to take to races and rallys and we love it ! He will build custom in any configuration material and color........

His factory is in Kingston , Ok.....
Tell David I sent you.........

[Instigator]

Just bought a KZ Kargo from Cargo Plus in Indiana.
Cargo Plus has a website, KZ does not.
I shopped and eductaed myself before buying mine.
Here's what to look for:
Thickness of skin- mine has .030" as all the good ones do but a lot of the cheaper ones are thinner.
Number of studs/cross memebers- think mine are 18" o.c., cheap ones are 24" (if ordering new it's cheap to ad what ever you want, as I did)
Flor material and thickness- mine is 3/4" pressure treated ply. a lot of 1/2 and 5/8 particle board.
Walls- simialr to above
suspennsion- cheap=leaf springs, good=torsion bar
tires/wheels-cheap smaller tires, plain wheels (=weight capacity)
doors=side man door is usually an option, rear ramps have different weight capacities and verify spring assisit
stone guard on front- option on cheap, standard on mine
rounded plastic leading roof edge-option on cheap, standard on mine
frame-channel on cheap, tube on good
pick up one of the free wheels (think thats what they are) at the door of all the local groceiry stores.
In the back section of trhat mag, there is ads for every one in that business, almost all are made in Indiana.
My trailer was requirement of this new job.
They quoted me $4200. from their source.
I got exact same options and specs for a $1000. less.
Rocks in Cols is very competitive too.
Another place in Indiana ia huge and was right there on prioce and would probably stock what you are looking for if you can't find used.
Gary

[Raceman]

Gatur, I sho' iz glad you iz "eductaed" now. I'z been worried about you bein' un-eductaed.

[Instigator]

only on trailers.
life in general I'm still lost:D

[B. Vruwink]

Featherlite or Exciss are definitely the premium trailers. Featherlite has greater name recognition and therefore better resale value--especially in the North country. After you pull a Featherlite or Exciss you will own nothing else.

For those who have an interest, the attached trailer is for sale---2 years old.