Carry-On Trailers

[jcmseven]

I am considering the purchase of a Carry-On enclosed 20 foot trailer to haul my equipment. I have gotten a rough price of around $6K from my dealer on the 7000-10000 pound gross weight trailer. It has upgraded wheels, brakes on both axles, heavy duty deck, etc. Based on my internet research it seems like a really nice trailer, but I have no personal experience with this company, nor have I ever owned one to compare price. I know my local trailer dealer (different from the one about whom I spoke) sells another brand, and has a 20' one at $4500.00 but it has brakes on one axle, standard wheels and tires and wheel wells which would make it tough to put a car in it, despite it technically being wide enough in the box. Both are 8.5' trailers. I have a lot of experience in open trailers, but not much in enclosed ones. Right now, I am getting a new Gator, have a 950 JD ZTR and own a 2320 JD compact-none of which would challenge this trailer in either size or weight, but have thought about upsizing my tractor at some point in the future and this both these trailers would hold a mid-framed JD compact machine with the ROPS down. My family and I are also planning a trip across country in 2011 and would like something to pull behind our rented 42' diesel pusher to hold our car. Any thoughts or suggestions on what to look for, or things/brands to avoid??

John M

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have very little experience in enclosed trailers but make sure you go for the 10,000# unit. Its easy to get them loaded up and overweight. Make sure on a 10K unit it has brakes on both axles, 7K is ok to have brakes on just one but if you want both axles you can do it for less than $200. Also make sure it has tie downs heavy enough to handle your tractors or cars weight. E-Track is ok for lighter items and very handy but add $$$$. Also make sure the tail gate or ramps are rated to handle the loads you have and will have in the future.

Chris

 

[tommu56]

around here Haulmark and Carmate

Haulmark Trailers - Car Trailers - Thrifty - Thrifty WT2



Car Mate Trailers 2011 CM818EGL Cargo Trailers

The carry-on ones are at TSC I looked at them when I was buying my single axel 5x12 and they didn't seem to be as robust as the carmate I bough.
Plus the trailer dealer made a spare tire mount in the a frame I would have had to do that my self (I can do it just never enough time).

tom

 

[Skyco]

Like many things quality is all over in enclosed trailers. I've owned 3 brands, Wells Cargo, Haulmark and now a Featherlite. The Haulmark was ok but not quite as well made as the Wells Cargo. The Featherlite is top quality, but costs roughly twice what the others cost, all aluminum even the floor etc. Some enclosed trailers I've seen are really poorly made, look at things like floor thickness, are the walls lined so something falling over doesn't put a dent that shows up outside on the skin, how thick is the interior skin, how thick is the exterior skin etc, is the roof aluminum or steel, which will eventually rust out etc.....
An all aluminum trailer will weigh less than a steel frame/wood floor one.
I'd carefully compare brands and decide what the quality is worth...if it is going to have a rough life and get beat up then I'd buy a lower cost one. Somehow I suspect if you have a 42' diesel motorhome you might like a better quality trailer

 

[brain55]

I've owned two enclosed trailers, not for hauling equipment but for my mobile shop set-up. The first one I bought on a tight budget and with little knowledge of what I really needed. It was built by a company in Phoenix called Trail Boss. It was a 22' wide body with exposed interior rated for 10,000 lbs with two 5200 lb Torque-Flex axles. I tried to do as much research as I could about what everything I put in it was going to weigh, I sadly underestimated. I'm sure by the time it was said and done it weighed closer to 14,000 lbs. But that is kind of beside my point here. This trailer was really poorly built, there were gaps between supports that they just filled with weld instead of correcting the fit, I was constantly repairing broken supports for the walls. I was not happy with it at all, and it really needed to be replaced by the time it was 2 years old. My overloading of it caused the axles to fail prematurely, the axles needed to be replaced once a year, and the 10-ply tires would not hold up and I replaced them with 14-plys which held up great. Part of my issues were propably because the weight was constant, with an equipment or car hauler the weight gets removed on a fairly regular basis.

The trailer I have now is a Wells Cargo. The fit, finish, and weld quality on this trailer is far superior to my first trailer. This trailer is a 28' wide body gooseneck rated for 20,000 lbs and has two 8000 lb Torque-Flex axles and 16-ply tires. I have had it for over a year and a half now and I'm not at all disappointed with it. Of course it cost 3 1/2 times what the first trailer did, partly because of my options this time around, partly because of the gooseneck and 8 years of inflation, but I would say mostly because of the quality.

I would say overbuild it with as high of quality of manufacturer as you can. The floor is the weak point in that trailer. The standard floor of an enclosed trailer is 3/4" plywood the heavy-duty is usually 1 1/8" plywood, normal open equipment trailers have 2" x 12" planks. I would get the heaviest floor that they offer and add additional floor supports, standard supports can be as wide as 24" down to 16", I would probably go to 12" if it were mine with a minimum of the 1 1/8" plywood or double up the 3/4" plywood, some offer a tongue and groove type flooring closer to what you would find on an equipment trailer. I would also want d-rings welded to the frame rather than the hold-downs they will offer as standard equipment that will just be screwed through the plywood floor. I would try to upgrade to 6000 lb axles and 12-ply tires especially with cross country trips in mind.

Do some more research. I don't think Carry-On is going to be the right manufacturer for what you are looking to do. I think you are going to want to spend at least twice as much on a trailer to be happy with the results.

Brian

 

[jcmseven]

Very good advice. I am going to take some more time and choose the right trailer for me. I have an open utility trailer already, so I am not hurting on time. I want the best I can get.

John M

 

[LoPresti Lawnscape]

Then if you want the best, get a Pace Silver Arrow Aluminum enclosed trailer.

As far as flooring goes, have it and the tailgate rhino lined and do 1 foot up the side walls.

It's about 2 grand but saves and protects the floor and you can wash it out with a garden hose. Best thing I did for my Pace.

Also get the smooth exterior....No rivets.

 

[wallace]

I am a Carry On dealer.
With that being said Carry On is a entry level trailer. (you get what you pay for)
They make a decent cheep trailer.
If your looking to haul across country get a higher end trailer such as a Car Mate or Wells Cargo.
You may also want to look into getting torque flex axles and maybe even bonded sides.
For a price referance....
I have a 20' 10k with beaver tail car hauler in blue for $5,695