The Ultimate Enclosed Trailer Buying Guide | A Deep Dive!

There's a lot to consider when buying an

enclosed trailer. So much so that it can

honestly become pretty overwhelming.

Today, we're breaking down everything

you need to know when choosing the

perfect trailer for your needs. From

frame construction to size, weight

capacity, and even the extra cost that

you might not expect. So, let's dive

right in. First up, let's talk about the

foundation of your trailer, the frame.

The material of the frame will affect

its durability, weight, and longevity.

Fill frames are often heavier and much

more durable, which can be great for

carrying heavy loads, but they're also

prone to rust over time. They're going

to be more widely available than

aluminum frame trailers, though, and

they'll also have a lower price tag

typically. Aluminum, on the other hand,

is lightweight, doesn't rust, is

significantly light, and is significant

and is great for lighter loads. It also

helps you get better fuel efficiency

when towing. While aluminum is a lot

weaker than steel, aluminum frame

trailers are engineered to hold up to

whatever weight the trailer is rated

for. So, you really aren't losing out on

much if anything with how sturdy the

trailer is going to be with an aluminum

frame. So, if you live in a place with a

lot of snow and salt on the roads, you

might want to consider an aluminum

trailer because of the corrosion

resistance. But outside of that, it's

really going to come down more to

preference than anything. Next, let's

talk about the spacing of the framing.

You'll see trailers with different

center spacing, typically either 16 or

24 in. 16inch centers are stronger and

more commonly found in higherend

trailers, especially for heavy duty use.

This spacing is often seen in the floor

and wall studs, giving extra support and

rigidity. On the other hand, 24-in

centers are more common in budget

friendly trailers, which are okay for

lighter uses, but might not hold up as

well under heavy stress. My personal

rule of thumb is that 24-in centers are

fine for the roof, but for the walls and

floor, I don't like anything less than

16 in. Now, let's talk about exterior

panels. The thickness of these panels

plays a major role in the durability and

overall strength of your trailer. Panels

typically range from thicknesses of

point I can't touch.

Panels are typically going to range from

0.024 to 0.080 in thickness with 024

panels being the thinnest and lightest

but also the least durable. It's often

found in smaller budget friendly

trailers. 030 panels are a mid-range

thickness that offers a good balance

between weight and durability making

them great for everyday use. And then

there's the 080 panels which are much

stronger and much thicker. Perfect for

those looking for a more rugged, long

lasting trailer that will withstand more

wear and tear. They will also be made of

polycore typically, which is a much

stronger material than aluminum. And 080

panels also look much better than the

other thicknesses because they have less

waves. On top of those things, polycore

is actually going to be even lighter

than aluminum panels. And so while it

will be a little bit more expensive, it

may be worth the upgrade. Don't overlook

the plywood used in your trailer's

construction. Plywood thicknesses and

quality can vary greatly. For flooring,

you want something sturdy like 3/4in

plywood. This will give you the support

you need, especially when carrying heavy

cargo. Thinner plywood like/ in might

save you some weight and cost, but it

can also reduce durability and support,

especially under heavy loads. Also,

don't automatically ride off trailers

that use OSB. Some trailer brands like

Cross Trailers use OSB wood that is

designed specifically for trailers. It's

not the OSB board that you would go buy

at your local It's not the OSB board

that you would go buy at your local

I can't say lumber yard.

It's not the OSB board that you would go

buy at your local lumber yard. This

stuff is waterproof and much stronger

than standard plywood. Next up, one of

the most important factors, weight

capacity, or GVWR, which stands for

gross vehicle weight rating. GVWR refers

to the total weight your trailer can

safely carry, including the weight of

the trailer itself, cargo, and any

additional equipment. But don't confuse

that with payload capacity, which is

just the weight of the cargo itself,

excluding the trailer's own weight. I'm

so cold.

So, when you're choosing a trailer, make

sure the GVWR gives you enough room for

both the trailer's weight and your gear.

Now, let's talk about the axles. Should

you go for a single axle or axle

trailer? A single axle is lighter, less

expensive, and perfect for lighter loads

or occasional use. But if you need to

haul heavier gear or plan on long

distance towing, a tandem axle trailer

offers more stability, a higher weight

capacity, and better handling on the

road. For most people, tandem axles are

going to be the better choice,

especially if you're planning on

carrying heavy loads frequently or want

some added towing stability. Single axle

trailers definitely have their place,

though, especially if you're going to be

pulling it behind something like an SUV.

Next, let's look at the roof. This can

make a big difference depending on your

needs. There are going to be two main

types of roofs, which are multi-piece

and one piece. Most of the time, a

multi-piece roof is going to be fine

because the way they build them, you

typically won't have issues with

leaking. However, that's not to say you

won't have issues. If you're concerned

about your trailer roof leaking, you

should definitely consider a one piece

roof. One more thing to consider is

whether or not the roof is gvaloom or

aluminum. While galvaloom is going to

hold up pretty well, it's not perfect

and can have issues if left out in the

elements. Personally, I would suggest an

aluminum roof if at all possible to keep

from having issues. Size is also a big

consideration. Trailers come in all

different lengths and heights, typically

ranging from 4x6 ft to 8 1/2x 24 ft and

beyond. Choosing the right size depends

on what you need to haul. For light duty

uses, a smaller trailer is perfect, but

if you need to haul a larger load or

equipment, opt for a bigger size. As a

rule of thumb, get a size bigger than

you think you'll need. People rarely

wish they had gotten a smaller trailer,

but people frequently wish they had

gotten a bigger one. Inside your

trailer, there are a few features you'll

want to keep an eye on. First, lighting.

Most trailers today are going to come

with LED lights as a standard, and for

good reason. You'll specifically want to

look at where the lights are placed,

though. Do you have a single light or

multiple? Do you have a light on the

wall or on the ceiling? Depending on

what you're doing with it, your lighting

needs may be different. But it's always

a good idea to make sure your trailer is

going to have the lighting you'll dang

it. Depending on what you're doing with

it, your lighting needs may be

different. But it's always a good idea

to make sure your trailer is going to

have the lighting you'll need or the

option of adding a light later on if you

find that you want one. Next on the list

is vents. Vents help with air

circulation, preventing moisture

buildup, and reducing odors inside the

trailer. How important your vents are

will be determined by the climate where

you live. However, having adequate

ventilation is going to be important no

matter what. And if you're looking for

temperature control, check for

insulation. Insulated trailers help

maintain consistent temperatures, which

is especially important if you're

transporting sensitive cargo. While it

won't maintain the temperature

perfectly, a thermicool roof can help

keep the interior a few degrees cooler,

especially if you live in an area where

the temperatures get really high during

the summer. I'm tired of walking back

and forth. When it comes to brakes,

almost all enclosed trailers are going

to have electric brakes, if they have

brakes at all. Electric brakes are

pretty common on heavier trailers and

after

and offer better control and safety,

especially when towing long distances.

Not all trailers will come with brakes,

however, and some will come with brakes

on a single axle, while others will come

with brakes on both axles. The number of

brakes that you need will be determined

by the weight of the cargo that you'll

be carrying. If you're unsure what

brakes you need, I would recommend

always going with more. Getting double

brake axles doesn't cost much more, and

you're better off having them and not

needing them than needing them and not

having them. Finally, let's talk about

the hidden costs that might pop up when

buying your trailer. All dealerships

will charge a dock fee for processing

paperwork, though some are more upfront

about it than others. Some dealerships

claim to have no dock fee, but in

reality, their dock fee is just worked

into the price of their trailers. Other

dealerships won't tell you about their

dock fee at all and will beat around the

bush when asked about it. What I

personally prefer is dealerships who are

just upfront with you about it and tell

you when you're pricing the trailer that

the price will include a dock fee of

such and such amount. No matter your

preference though, make sure to know

what your out the-do price is before you

agree to anything. Also, you don't want

to forget about sales tax. In most

states, the out the-do price won't

include sales tax because you pay that

when you go to the DMV and get your tax

for the trailer, just like if you were

buying a car. So, be sure to ask about

all additional fees up freeze. I'm

freezing. So, be sure to ask about all

additional fees upfront so there are no

surprises when you're ready to finalize

your purchase. Thanks for watching and

I'll see you in the next