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Old 05-06-2014, 02:22 AM   #1
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Open vs Enclosed

I'm looking to you folks for some insight who may have had both types of trailers at some point.

My wife, 3 children and I are going fulltiming for 1.5 years beginning in the fall. My wife has a 2014 Toyota Sienna she insists on taking behind us (I'd like to take my 2015 Silverado 3500HD -- too bad I can't put the van in the back of the HD and tow that!)

I'm really struggling with the decision of open vs closed. The biggest consideration for me is, the van has to be able to move it to an overflow lot or parking space. I've seen some of the storage lots at family campgrounds and I'm not taking a 45' coach into them. The van has a towing capacity of 3500lbs. but this wouldn't be a road venture, just shuffling around.

So, I like the simplicity of an open trailer - no crawling around the wooden box of an enclosed trailer and shoehorning my 6'3 280lb. frame in places it doesn't belong to secure the load. It's lightweight (I like the Featherlite 3110) - so no problems moving it.

That's where it ends though. I lean towards an enclosed trailer only because I can bring my tools, our bikes (bicycles), and give the vehicle an enclosed/damage free ride. I also have a '70 442 I'd likely use this for to transport to shows when I'm done.

Open trailer for light weight, ease of load? Enclosed for security, more versatility?


Thanks for the insight/tips!
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Old 05-06-2014, 04:20 AM   #2
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I too had the same question and my initial thought was a tow dolly because I could take any one of my cars with me. Then I quickly moved to an open trailer as I wanted the option of taking my bike with me. After looking at open trailers, I realized that I wanted the security of an enclosed trailer. So, I'm going to order an enclosed trailer; I can take my car, my motorcycle, kayaks and what ever-else I want to carry in a big locked box. I'm looking at a 20 foot enclosed trailer with a 5 foot V-box. This is what will work for my needs. Only you know what your needs are.
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Old 05-06-2014, 04:56 AM   #3
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My new 27' enclosed trailer is getting delivered next week, custom built (MTI TRAILERS) trailering on a open trailer , everything on it gets dirty, enclosed , everything is clean when you unload it. Plus I now will have a portable garage to mess around in on rainy days. As far as parking it when you get to your destination, I always tell/ask them if this size trailer is going to be a problem.....With my other shorter trailer, I have had them offer to grab it at check in with a tractor and park it, or I park it, not so easy parking it with the Coach! With the new trailer, inside of the park, I am going to move it around with my Jeep JK, 310# tongue weight MT, so it will be no problem moving it with the Jeep.
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Old 05-06-2014, 06:24 AM   #4
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If cost is not an issue get a 24' Gold Rush or Motorsport enclosed trailer. They are all aluminum and will be close to 3500# empty and easy to move around. They also have great resale value if your needs change later.
I have had both open and many enclosed. If you don't mind the extra fuel used with an enclosed, it is the way to go for many reasons.
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