Enclosed trailer advice

[sf jakey]

Looking to move to an enclosed trailer from an open landscape trailer for hauling my SXS and other gear. Current trailer is a single axle 7x12. Looking at a tandem 14 or 16 long, v nose. My question is about width. Lots of the narrow 7’ wide models, but not many 8.5 wide. Is the extra interior width really worth it, or is it wasted? I go back and forth, but my gut tells me the narrower model is easier to tow due to better visibility along the sides plus less profile outside the vehicle would make it a little better on fuel economy. 14’ is plenty long, but the extra 2 feet on a 16’ I think may tow better. Any feedback about the trailer is appreciated. I use the SXS on private ground, so save the bashing on those. Thanks

 

[Team4LongGun]

You’re on the right track-the 7’ is much better to tow and see around, but-it’s a PIA to walk around your machine when it’s loaded. Make sure you have a man door and possibly a V nose drive off ramp which will make getting at stuff much easier.
I have both sizes and prefer the 7’

 

[madgrad02]

I would go bigger...pain to get machines as mentioned above... I would suggest one thing as I like mine... I have a 8x14 Aluma trailer (only a single axle), but I have a SnoCaps top on it as opposed to a rigid-sided trailer... way lighter and can maneuver by hand if needed.

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(not my actual trailer, but a pic for reference)

 

[packer58]

I built out a 7X14 V nose and was great for a couple quads or my Yamaha Rhino, but ...........now I have a Pioneer 1000-3 and am in the process of building out a 8.5X16x7 foot tall V nose. A few things to consider, machine has to fit in the door opening, if your going to attach folding tables or cots to the walls that take up interior width you'll need a trailer wide enough that allows you to open the door and get out of your machine once in the trailer .....depending on machine width of coarse.

Feel free to PM me, I cane really shorten your learning curve modifying and enclosed trailer for hunting purposes.

 

[wyosteve]

Unless you have a 50 in. wide SxS, I'd strongly recommend going 8.5 wide. Saw and talked to a fellow at the dealership trying to unload his Razr from a 7 wide. He said he regrets not going wider. He really had to squeeze to get in and out of the door on his. You can always get tow mirror extensions on your truck if you think you need more vision capability. Just my .02.

 

[cobbc03]

For reference I'm 6' nd 185, with some layers on it is tough to get in and out of the trailer with my Polaris Ranger in there. I would go for a custom built one that is 8' if you can find one, if not the 8.5 will do fine. I would also go 16 foot just for the extra space.

 

[PineBrook413]

I'd go wider for the SXS. I've owned 7x16 and 8.5x20 and the 7x16 is great for ATV's and gear but SXS are wide and you'll be fighting it.

 

[BigE]

I went with a 16 foot v nose 8.5 ft wide enclosed trailer which mainly carries a four door RZR. With bigger wheels and tires the width is necessary, also getting around the car to get inside to load/unload it from the trailer is needed. Or you can plan to take the door off before you load it. The extra space in the front holds a couple of fuel cans, tools, fire extinguisher and a spare tire each for the utv and the trailer.
When pulling with my f350 no issues with visibility etc. I pull with a Yukon about half the time and the mirrors need an upgrade.

 

[Tremain4414]

I’m a bigger guy (6’4 240) but I don’t think I’d go any smaller than my 8.5 foot. Maybe if I was loading and unloading with a winch that might be a little easier but for me being able to just drive it on and hop out is really nice

 

[Winnie]

I have an 8.5 X 16, very similar to the one pictured above and I agree with Tremain, no way would I go narrower. I put my Polaris Ranger in it and gear for 4+ guys elk hunting and it works great. If you are going to add anything to it (furnace, shelving, cabinets, etc) the added space is huge. One last thing, we commonly use it as sleeping quarters after we get where we are going and then you really appreciate the additional space. I had a 7' wide one prior to this one.

 

[awbowhunter]

I have a 16 foot v nose. Pretty sure it's 6 foot wide X 6'3" tall. I load a polaris general in it. I have to back it in and then I can barely open SXS door enough to slip out the trailer side door. If I did it again I might go with a wider trailer but it fits. General has oversized tires and roof. And it barely clears door opening to load. Kinda like a tuna in a sardine can...lol

 

[Titan]

I would definitely go 16' long. Sometimes you need the extra room to get more weight up front with a SxS.

 

[jblam]

I will 5th or 6th vote for 8.5 width, it is really nice to be able to have a few different options for sleeping arrangements inside and the extra 18” makes a big difference. Also being able to move stuff around in the trailer after the SxS is loaded is great.

 

[displacedtexan]

7' will tow easier because of visibility like you said, and slightly because of less wind resistance.

8.5' will be easier/more comfortable to load, and more versatile as far as layout etc if you decide to sleep in it.

My preference would be for wider, unless I was planning on towing it in town a lot. Or a lot of tight mountain roads.

 

[Remfire]

I would go with the 16 ft over the 14 as for width. I use my utv a lot and like the wider trailer just makes all things around the sxs and trailer easier, plus when I use the trailer for other things I don't mind the extra square footage. Little to see towing but I rarely town in town so meh.

 

[Tremain4414]

Definitely agree with the above posts as far as length. Especially with the V nose, it you plan on filling it in with cabinets or storage the extra sq footage is nice. As it sits, I can load my sxs and have plenty of room in the front and behind/under the sxs for gear and coolers. I tow with an F350 and don’t think Id really notice the length differences between 14 and 16 feet but when loading, the extra square footage is really nice to have.

 

[sf jakey]

Thanks for all the good feedback. Looks like I will go for the 16x8 v nose. Any tips or photos of ways to customize with flip down beds etc are welcome.

 

[Tremain4414]

Here’s a few pictures of how I customized mine. I just did E track with the U bracket snap in things which hold a 2x4. I put 5 of them together then line the top with plywood to make a bed. Ended up doing a bunk bed setup.

Also found a nice 6’ piece of butcher block table for sale at Home Depot. I attached some fold down brackets which allow it to fold down against the wall. Added another smaller fold down table for eating and bigger U brackets up above to hold the 2x4’s for the bed while I’m storing them. Couple of smaller E track pieces with hooks for hanging stuff and a built in cabinet/storage in the front and that’s about it. Think I’m going to install one of those diesel heaters this year but other than that, it’s a pretty comfy mobile camp which I can setup and tear down in about 20 mins by myself

 

[Beendare]

I just bought a 14’cargo trailer (effectively its only12’ of space) off of Copart pretty cheap and plan on building it out...bring on the ideas.
I know I want a bed that can be raised up out of the way in the back when hauling my quad.

I would like to get a shower in it...but its probably too small for that.

 

[drpnw]

@Beendare any updates on the trailer build? i fantasize about this on the regular, im just not sure im ready to make the leap on a cargo trailer