gostovp
WKR
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2022
- Messages
- 936
I am in a complete conundrum here on what trailer I should buy so I need some feedback/help .... long post coming so bear with me...
I recently purchased a 2023 Can Am Defender HD10 XT (factory glass windshields, factory 1/2 doors, 30" tires), so I had to sell my old 6.5x10 steel utility trailer....machine weights about 1800 lbs with accessories and full tank of gas
I'm torn between the following
1. Single Axle Steel Utility (7x14) with 5500# axle, brakes, and 3700# payload (new locally $3300 plus tax)
2. Tandem Axle Steel Utility (7x16) with two 3500# axles, brakes, and about 5000# payload (new $4200 plus tax)
3. Tandem Axle Aluminum Utility (7x16) ... similar specs to steel, little bit more payload (new about $5800 'ish plus tax)
4. Enclosed Trailer - 8.5 x 16 ... steel is gonna run me about $9k, aluminum frame about $12K to $14K depending on options....
I have a 2016 F150 XLT 4x4 with the 2.7L EB with factory tow package (trailer brake controller, etc....not the MAX tow package....factory rated to pull 8K..but my guess is 7K is more realistic. I also have a truck-cap/topper on it so I do have that to keep things dry and secure.
My use cases:
1. I live in WI, so road salt and corrosion are an issue, but I don't really plan on hauling in the winter all that much.
2. Two to Four hour day or weekend trips here in the midwest to go trail riding or up to our whitetail deer camp here in the midwest.
3. One or Two trips out west to hunt each fall. Mix of earlier season archery and possibly some later rifle seasons (so snow/weather are possible). Would like to trailer the side by side out west as my F150 just gets beat to crap on a lot of Forest Service roads.
4. We currently use a 10x14 Kodiak Canvas Tent for base/truck camp hunting and do have spike gear if we are going to be in the backcountry.
- We have been very happy with the Kodiak as a base camp tent.
My son wants to go in on an enclosed trailer with me as he thinks it would be better to haul gear and camp in that the Kodiak. I'm not so sure...Unless we get an enclosed that has windows and good venting, it just seems like it's a big unventilated box. (There is a new enclosed near me configured like we would want...two 30x30 windows, roof vent, Salem vents, RV door with screen, but its $14K +plus tax...)
I know that an enclosed is great for keeping gear secure and out of the elements, but pulling an 8.5 x 16 enclosed could be a pain with my f150, as I expect the gas mileage would drop to around 10mpg or less, and controlling it in a crosswind with that truck could be interesting. Plus I'm not sure I'm going to use the enclosed enough to justify the cost...I know my wife isn't likely going to want to use it as a camper...she'd rather rent a VRBO near a trailhead. Or she'd rather get a camper van and pull the side by side.
I know that an open utility trailer will not hurt my MPG as bad, is cheaper, is easier to maneuver, is easier to store at my house, but any gear we put on it is open to the world (dirt, dust, theft, etc).
I know a tandem axle pulls better on the highway, and is safer in the event of a tire blowout, but they are a little harder to maneuver around the yard, etc
I know that steel is has a cheaper initial cost, is much easier to weld if repairs are needed, but here in the midwest they can rust pretty badly, but aluminum if not properly built can crack and doesn't have the fatigue resistance of steel.
I literally waiver back and forth each day. HELP!!
I recently purchased a 2023 Can Am Defender HD10 XT (factory glass windshields, factory 1/2 doors, 30" tires), so I had to sell my old 6.5x10 steel utility trailer....machine weights about 1800 lbs with accessories and full tank of gas
I'm torn between the following
1. Single Axle Steel Utility (7x14) with 5500# axle, brakes, and 3700# payload (new locally $3300 plus tax)
2. Tandem Axle Steel Utility (7x16) with two 3500# axles, brakes, and about 5000# payload (new $4200 plus tax)
3. Tandem Axle Aluminum Utility (7x16) ... similar specs to steel, little bit more payload (new about $5800 'ish plus tax)
4. Enclosed Trailer - 8.5 x 16 ... steel is gonna run me about $9k, aluminum frame about $12K to $14K depending on options....
I have a 2016 F150 XLT 4x4 with the 2.7L EB with factory tow package (trailer brake controller, etc....not the MAX tow package....factory rated to pull 8K..but my guess is 7K is more realistic. I also have a truck-cap/topper on it so I do have that to keep things dry and secure.
My use cases:
1. I live in WI, so road salt and corrosion are an issue, but I don't really plan on hauling in the winter all that much.
2. Two to Four hour day or weekend trips here in the midwest to go trail riding or up to our whitetail deer camp here in the midwest.
3. One or Two trips out west to hunt each fall. Mix of earlier season archery and possibly some later rifle seasons (so snow/weather are possible). Would like to trailer the side by side out west as my F150 just gets beat to crap on a lot of Forest Service roads.
4. We currently use a 10x14 Kodiak Canvas Tent for base/truck camp hunting and do have spike gear if we are going to be in the backcountry.
- We have been very happy with the Kodiak as a base camp tent.
My son wants to go in on an enclosed trailer with me as he thinks it would be better to haul gear and camp in that the Kodiak. I'm not so sure...Unless we get an enclosed that has windows and good venting, it just seems like it's a big unventilated box. (There is a new enclosed near me configured like we would want...two 30x30 windows, roof vent, Salem vents, RV door with screen, but its $14K +plus tax...)
I know that an enclosed is great for keeping gear secure and out of the elements, but pulling an 8.5 x 16 enclosed could be a pain with my f150, as I expect the gas mileage would drop to around 10mpg or less, and controlling it in a crosswind with that truck could be interesting. Plus I'm not sure I'm going to use the enclosed enough to justify the cost...I know my wife isn't likely going to want to use it as a camper...she'd rather rent a VRBO near a trailhead. Or she'd rather get a camper van and pull the side by side.
I know that an open utility trailer will not hurt my MPG as bad, is cheaper, is easier to maneuver, is easier to store at my house, but any gear we put on it is open to the world (dirt, dust, theft, etc).
I know a tandem axle pulls better on the highway, and is safer in the event of a tire blowout, but they are a little harder to maneuver around the yard, etc
I know that steel is has a cheaper initial cost, is much easier to weld if repairs are needed, but here in the midwest they can rust pretty badly, but aluminum if not properly built can crack and doesn't have the fatigue resistance of steel.
I literally waiver back and forth each day. HELP!!
