Enclosed Car Trailer Question
 

I am back in the market for an enclosed car trailer. That poses a question, what is your preference between steel and aluminum frames?

I had an enclosed Featherlite some years ago, and the trailer checked all the boxes for me. I recently had a conversation with Graeme, and he prefers a steel frame.

Naturally, the aluminum is lighter.......but comes at a cost.

I don't see having the trailer out in the winter elements, nor do I need something short of a condominium. Do you have a brand preference?

I'm sure some of you guys put on some real miles as well have a defined opinion of a quality unit.

I appreciate your consideration,

Tim

I'm new to the enclosed trailer thing. I bought my first one last year, and I don't know much about them. I was told to get the 5200 pound axles with brakes on all wheels, and that is what mine has. I passed up an aluminum trailer because it was about 4 feet shorter than what I wanted, but the lighter weight would have been nice. Mine weighs 3400 pounds, and with my 3600 pound car in it my truck is working very hard to pull it. I'm amazed at how much harder it is to pull the enclosed trailer over my open trailer. The enclosed trailer is hard to pull even without a car in it.

We have a 1998 20ft Wells Cargo trailer. Bought it from the original owner who seldom used it (I think he told us 1,200 miles in 20+ years). Given its age we did all the necessary mechanical/safety upgrades (tires, brakes, bearings, breakaway box, etc). Then installed cabinets, upgraded lights (interior & exterior), installed a super winch & an electrical system that recharges the marine battery inside our cabinet from the tow vehicle. Electric tongue also.

No doubt new trailers look way nicer but if you find a solid, lightly used "used" trailer you will get great bang for the buck. Remember as long as the axles are straight and no rust, a trailer will last almost forever. Ours has a steel frame, steel structure and I think 5,200 axles.

Best,
Dave

Also depends on what kind of truck you have to pull the trailer?
5200 LB axles are a good recomendation. A side door on the drivers side to get in and out helps too.

Agreed on the side door.

Make sure the car door can clear the wheel well/ door opening molding of the trailer.

Best,
Dave

Mine has the escape door, but I had to build ramps inside the trailer so that my car would sit high enough to get the door open.

Like Freddie said...enclosed trailers are much harder (on the truck) to pull than an open trailer...so a lot depends on your truck's capability. 5200 lb axles, good tires, 12" on center crossmembers, v-nose with droop front, LED lights and side door are my basic "should-haves". Mine is 20' long (not including the "V"), and provides ample room for my 2nd gen Camaros. Mine doesn't have the side door, but wish I had opted for it in hindsight.

I don’t want to hijack the OP, but how can one tell what axles are on a trailer? All I was told is the std duty axle is 5 lug and the other ( presumably 5200#) is 6 lug?

ATC aluminum, you will never buy a steel frame again. They are way heavier, like pulling a huge Chrysler boat behind you. Lol. JMO

Bentley, mine has a tag on the side that tells what the capacity is. And as far as I know you are right about the number of wheel studs. Mine has 6. My open trailer has 5.