Need Info on Enclosed Trailers

Granny

Granny

One day at a time...
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Location
Cabarrus County (Rimertown)
I am looking into the idea of converting an enclosed trailer into a camper which would be equipped with only the appliances/necessities that I need. I am considering a 14-16 ft model with tandem axles and 4-wheel brakes, and I would want a side door toward the front, and double doors (no ramp) on the rear. My main questions for those who may have some experience with these type trailers are as follows:

1. most important, are they watertight, or prone to leaking in bad weather?
2. do the doors seal tight? leaks are not wanted!
3. I will probably want to add some windows... comments especially welcomed regarding this

To what degree of inside finish I might go is still up in the air. My intention would be to equip it with a fresh water tank, 12v pump, sink, shower, toilet (portable), and a comfortable full-size bed. I am planning to eliminate propane completely and use only electric appliances that my 2000w Honda can handle such as an electric heater and electric water heater. Both require 1500w, but would not need to run at the same time. Other appliances would all be low-demand and I believe I still possess enough common sense to make them get along together.

All comments, suggestions and criticism welcomed! ThanX in advance! :beer:
 
Trailer will start at about $3500. By the time you do mod I would think it wouldn't be worth it.

.02¢
 
Buy a work and play. Used. Same results.
 
Yup. I'd look for one of the little work n play trailers. They have ones about that small for quads and bikes. It'll come with all the appliances and windows and stuff you need, but will have a ramp door out back.

As to the original questions, the quality varies tremendously. I mean, Craigslist is full of "companies" selling enclosed trailers for less than you can get a similar decent flat bed. Corners are getting cut somewhere.

But our camper is essentially an enclosed car trailer. And save for some minor leaks from time to time (all due to aging or broken RV components... like the rooftop sewer vent), it's been fine. Since the structure is all metal, it's probably more durable (and definitely less rot prone) than a similar wooden camper.
 
Appreciate the feedback guys! All of you have confirmed my thinking that a cargo trailer is made better way than a camper. Example: I just looked at a 2012 model camper that seemed fairly nice until I stepped into it and noted the floor felt like a sponge. I bid the owner farewell and headed back home. The work-n-play trailers are very nice, but a new one is way beyond my budget, and used ones are practically non-existant right now... maybe toward fall some will show up... wait and see.

In short, this is basically going to be our last shot at camping. We really liked our pop-up, but found it to be more work than a couple older folks need... especially when one suddenly, without warning, goes out-of-commission, and these days that can be either of us. Our last trip turned into a nightmare, and I sold the pop-up a week later. We need something simple... pull in, level a little, unlock the door, sit the chairs outside and enjoy our time. I don't know if I can actually accomplish that or not, but if not then we will be calling it quits... for good this time. ThanX again for the replies! :beer:
 
I've used cargo trailers for years for work, the construction varies. Most are built with floor and wall members 24" on center. The Horton Haulers are built 16" on center and seem to be an overall better trailer. Look for a solid one piece roof, none with the plastic nose at the top front. I'd go ahead and spend the money for a double axle with brakes, and the rock guards in the front. Like anything else, the more expensive brands are better built. The first thing I do is screw down a second layer of plywood flooring, the single layer of 3/4" can flex.
 
My 7x14 doubled as a cabin when we'd go somewhere overnight with the dirtbikes. I insulated mine fully and made bunk beds. I was perfectly comfortable in anything but summer. I sold it right before last summer when I was going to try out a portable AC unit, which I think would have been fine.

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@HGSR Is the most recent hillbilly hilton creator. Hes got a pretty sweet setup for the family to take to the races.

Work and Play and MotoTech build some nice units, but the prices are up there. Unless you absolutely must have all the amenities, what CastorTroy posted is pretty handy. Plus the trailer still is able to be used for whatever else you may need.
 
Reviving an old thread (please review first post)..... after spending over a month digging through page after page of trailer ads, plus going to several trailer lots and actually looking, I honestly can't say I know a whole lot more than I did when I started. I do know you can easily find a thousand dollars difference in the price of two identical looking trailers by simply driving a short way down the road to another lot... and they all say their trailers are the very best made.

Presently, after coming to the conclusion that most private sellers seemingly have the notion their scuffed-up, dented, used trailers are worth more than the new ones I have decided that maybe one of the cheaper single-axle 6x12s will work just fine for my purpose. I was originally looking for one with barn doors, but have found the ramp doors to be more plentiful. Looking at some on a lot I also noted the barn doors don't appear to seal well at the center. I could see light from inside of two different of the higher-priced models. I am now thinking maybe the solid, flat ramp door may seal better... don't know though. In all probability the rear door won't be used as I plan to locate the bed in the rear for better weight distribution.

Anyway, I have no desire to drive to-and-from Georgia, so I have been looking at Big Tex in Greensboro, and even got a quote... still undecided. So, the big question... does anybody on NC4X4 have any experience with these guys, and what do you have to say about them? Has, anybody bought from them or does anybody currently own one of their trailers? Your opinions, please!

This is the model I am currently looking at: Big Tex Greensboro, North Carolina Cargo Trailers | Enclosed Trailer | Big Tex

Appreciate any, and all, opinions! THANKS MUCH!!!
 
I bought my Big Tex car hauler from GSO

Good experience. Good deal.

I bought my enclosed (covered wagon) from North Carolina Trailer Sales | Used Trailers for Sale Roanoke VA, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte & Asheville, NC on Business 85 between Thomasville and Lexington. They sell Big tex as well and would have matched GSO but had to ORDER what I wanted.

NC trailers has a bigger selection of enclosed.

My biggest concern was Dexter axles and brakes. I've had the cheap chinese knockoffs and parts were a bitch (even though they CLAIMED they tool Dexter parts)

Never had issue with a Covered Wagon or my Dexter.

BTW....ramp door is the only way to go.
 
^^^ THANK YOU CasterTroy! :beer::beer::beer:

This is the kind of info I am looking for... good or bad.
 
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UPDATE: I drove up to NC Trailers in Thomasville this morning. The place was not what I was expecting to find judging from the website, but I found what I was looking for at what I feel is a very good price. I have not ordered yet as I have to put up another carport in the next few weeks, but I have a copy of the estimate and all I have to do is call when I am ready for it. I ended up with a single-axle 7x12 Freedom, with Dexter axles and brakes. The other dealers I talked to couldn't (or wouldn't) do brakes on a single axle. Thanks again CasterTroy for putting me onto them! :beer:

I am considering doing a build thread when I get started. :)
 
Granny said:
UPDATE: I drove up to NC Trailers in Thomasville this morning. The place was not what I was expecting to find judging from the website, but I found what I was looking for at what I feel is a very good price. I have not ordered yet as I have to put up another carport in the next few weeks, but I have a copy of the estimate and all I have to do is call when I am ready for it. I ended up with a single-axle 7x12 Freedom, with Dexter axles and brakes. The other dealers I talked to couldn't (or wouldn't) do brakes on a single axle. Thanks again CasterTroy for putting me onto them! :beer:

I am considering doing a build thread when I get started. :)
Click to expand...

I haven't kept up with your thread, but my neighbor has an almost new 14x7 Freedom dual axle for sale $2600. It is nice, clean well serviced with lock track down the sides. Pm if you want more info. I paid $3500 a little over a year ago for the same trailer new.
 
And if that one doesn't have brakes, it's just a matter of spending about $100 and pulling some wire.
 
Granny said:
Please explain!
Click to expand...

Take off the tires, take off the hubs. Bolt on backing plates, pack the bearings, bolt on the drums, put the tires back on. Run a 12ga wire from the brakes up to the neck, splice it into the 7-pin.

I was a bit off on my pricing, though. Backing plates are $30/side, drums are $45/ea. So you're looking at more like $150.

Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 3,500-lb Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 etrailer Trailer Hubs and Drums AKHD-545-35-K

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs etrailer Trailer Brakes AKEBRK-35R

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs etrailer Trailer Brakes AKEBRK-35L

If you want name brand Dexter stuff, it's only a few bucks more.
 
A flange on the axle is required in order to bolt a backing plate onto. Most non-brake axles I've seen have not had that flange. A flange can be welded onto a straight axle tube, but it must be welded (near perfect) 90° perpendicular to the centerline of the axle shaft. I'm not sure you can even do that on a drop-axle. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
Unless I'm mistaken all Dexter axles use the same tube and backing plate mount/flange

I know mobile home style axles don't use a flange and that is what makes converting them so difficult
 
Right. I've not been under a huge number of trailers, but all of the Dexter style ones I have seen had the flange. I wouldn't bother with welding one on. I just bought a brand new 3500# axle the other day for $70. At that price, it's not worth the effort.
 
New axles with brakes are only a couple hundred bucks. I priced them a year ago and 7000lb 8 luggers were somewhere between 3-400.
 
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