truepath
Minnesota
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I'm in the process of enclosing a small flatbed trailer that I've used to haul bicycles and a dual purpose motorcycle. The flatbed works fine, but the toys are subject to easy theft, road dirt and water so I decided to enclose it. Its been a good project for the long winter months. I'll post a picture or two once the project is done which won't be for awhile since its going to have to warm up before I can spray paint. I'm wondering if anyone else regularly tows a utility trailer with a B and what your experience has been doing it.
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retraite
Wanderin' about
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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We tow a 6 x 12 V-nose single axle enclosed aluminum trailer with our PW Lexor (6.0 liter power). We're usually at around 3,200 lbs or so.
We added independent rear air bags with in-cab pressure controls on the "B", a brake controller, aux ATF cooling w/thermostatic fan, bigger tranny pan (added 3 quarts of ATF), an ATF temp gauge on the A-pillar, and a remote TPMS for the trailer tires in the cab of the "B".
58mph is my max 'cause we weigh so much as a combination.
A bit over 20,000 miles on the "B", towing for well over half those miles.
Works for us.
Cheers.
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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truepath wrote:... I'm wondering if anyone else regularly tows a utility trailer with a B and what your experience has been doing it. Good idea about enclosing your flat bed trailer. I followed your path somewhat by have a custom open trailer fabricated for hauling my dresser motorcycle. After about 3 years of having the motorcycle splashed on by rain and dust, I decided to go enclosed. We tow with a small C - about the same as a larger B. Would not go back to an open trailer. The enclosed actually pulls easier than the open trailer (didn't seem to bother the RV with either one). Spent some money on our enclosed, but have been offered more for it than I paid for it. In the long haul, I don't think I will lose money.
Had -
Now (similar to this one) -
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy (click View Profile)
Gene
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Gene in NE wrote:truepath wrote:... I'm wondering if anyone else regularly tows a utility trailer with a B and what your experience has been doing it. Good idea about enclosing your flat bed trailer. I followed your path somewhat by have a custom open trailer fabricated for hauling my dresser motorcycle. After about 3 years of having the motorcycle splashed on by rain and dust, I decided to go enclosed. We tow with a small C - about the same as a larger B. Would not go back to an open trailer. The enclosed actually pulls easier than the open trailer (didn't seem to bother the RV with either one). Spent some money on our enclosed, but have been offered more for it than I paid for it. In the long haul, I don't think I will lose money.
Had -
Now (similar to this one) -
Now that is a cool looking MC trailer.
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Gale Hawkins wrote:Now that is a cool looking MC trailer. Thanks, it draws a lot of attention. Mine is actually all white. The picture I posted shows how the back swings down to form a ramp and the top hinges up. Here is a clicky Ironhorse Trailers.
Looks like this -
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truepath
Minnesota
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Thanks for the comments. I think that an enclosed trailer can significantly increase the utility of a B as the comments here show. My trailer project is coming along, but has been slowed by the cold weather lately. I don't have a heated space to work in so when it gets down to below about 25 degrees I have to stop work. I'd like to get the trailer done by March since I'm planning a trip to Big Bend NP in Texas then and I want to bring a mountain bike and a dual purpose motorcycle.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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If you do not get it built in time you could just buy a used enclosed trailer with the back door ramp then sell it after you get back for about the same if not more money if you find a good deal now.
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truepath
Minnesota
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Good idea Gale. I should have probably just bought a used one in the first place and forgot about modifying my flatbed.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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As a warning if you have a place to park an enclosed trailer they are hard to ever sell because they stay full of stored junk. 
We just picked up a heavy built 1995 7x14' enclosed three door trailer for $1750 with a factory RV roof AC unit and wired with a 30 amp electrical service. It came with insulated board under the floor and in the walls/ceil.
The plan is to convert it into a 100 sq ft shop.  We need to tear down an old building and build a shop but it is a ways off and I really want to get all our shop tools in one place and have a small work bench in out of the elements.
You can build your own enclosed trailer to better suit your needs however. If one was going to haul cycles in an enclosed trailer it would be good to fit a piece of channel steel for the tires from end to end to insure the weight was well supported vs one wheel being supported by just 3/4" plywood with no steel support at that point.
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truepath
Minnesota
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Gale,
Using a large enclosed trailer as a shop space is a really good idea. If you have room in your driveway it gets around the zoning (and property tax) issues that would occur with building a separate building for a small workshop. It has the other advantage of being portable with multiple uses. I'm going to give this further thought since I am realizing that one can really not have too many trailers.
The trailer I'm enclosing has a diamond plat steel floor and I've also built a front wheel chock for the MC, but your point is well taken on this since most commercial trailers use plywood for the floor.
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