Ordering a new enclosed trailer ... size matters

[Scoop]

Those of you who followed, I purchased a new all aluminum Lightning 7x14 tandem axle trailer not long after I bought my P1K5. Long story short, I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get in and out of once the bike was in the trailer, so ... I sold it last fall. I was able to recoup all but $270 of the original purchase price (can't complain).

I think I'm getting ready to order a new one. Same trailer brand, same everything, except a few changes. Not only will it be 2' longer (7x16), but it will include the UTV 'escape hatch' on the left side. And this will be all black instead of two-tone black/silver of the last one (my pickup is black with very only a few touches of chrome).

Anyway, my other choice is ceiling height. I can get it with the typical UTV height of a 7' tall ceiling, but can also add yet another 6" and get a 7' 6" height. That seems really TALL for an enclosed cargo trailer, but it does future proof it somewhat. With that last trailer I bought, it had the 7' ceiling and the P1K5 did get in and out with some room to spare. However, I still have to install my Fox3 shocks fitted with aftermarket springs, and I know that's going to raise it up a bit. I don't necessarily plan on lifts/portals/similar, but you never know.

Would the extra 6" of height make much of a difference towing? My main concern is stability and the wind, whether from the sides or front. I have a 2021 Ford F150 5.0L 4x4 Crew Cab with the 6.5' bed.

I know some of you tow MUCH larger toy haulers but assume most pull with heavier 3/4 or 1 ton pickup trucks, most likely a lot of diesels (sure do miss my 2017 F350 SuperDuty Powerstroke!).

Appreciate the input.

 

[Admin]

 

[Mopower58]

I would get the additional height just in case. If you need a truck that will pull that trailer buy a RAM. 😂 Do they make a V-nose front? My 38foot enclosed had a V-nose but it was a gooseneck.

 

[Scoop]

I would get the additional height just in case. If you need a truck that will pull that trailer buy a RAM. 😂 Do they make a V-nose front? My 38foot enclosed had a V-nose but it was a gooseneck.

My very first new pickup was a 2002 Dodge Ram 4x4 with the 360CI V8. After two transmissions, a host of electrical issues and one under hood fire (brake line @ master cylinder sprung a leak, shot right at the exhaust manifold and caught on fire), I got rid of it after 10 long years. Went to F-Series trucks and have never looked back. Although I wouldn't want to be paying $5/gallon for diesel right now, my favorite was my 2017 F350 Powerstroke. I could pull trailers with multiple machines on it and you wouldn't even know it was back there.

Yes, the one I may order does have a V-nose front. It's all aluminum, too, so less weight to pull (or more capacity for cargo) vs a steel framed trailer.

Thanks, @Mopower58.

 

[Mopower58]

My very first new pickup was a 2002 Dodge Ram 4x4 with the 360CI V8. After two transmissions, a host of electrical issues and one under hood fire (brake line @ master cylinder sprung a leak, shot right at the exhaust manifold and caught on fire), I got rid of it after 10 long years. Went to F-Series trucks and have never looked back. Although I wouldn't want to be paying $5/gallon for diesel right now, my favorite was my 2017 F350 Powerstroke. I could pull trailers with multiple machines on it and you wouldn't even know it was back there.

Yes, the one I may order does have a V-nose front. It's all aluminum, too, so less weight to pull (or more capacity for cargo) vs a steel framed trailer.

Thanks, @Mopower58.

You're welcome, 2002 Ram? 360? We have running water and electricity now! 🙄 360's are old old technology, like the Ford 351. Hemi's and Cummins now. I pulled my gooseneck with a Cummins powered 2012 Mega Cab dually. It never had a hiccup to 60,000 miles when I sold it.

 

[Jankyeye]

whats the price difference between an 8.5ft wide trailer vs a 7ft with a exit door?

 

[906UP]

Get the extra height w the Vee nose, likely you won't be able to tell the difference

 

[Dirtstiffs-1000]

With the extra height and width, you'll want a 3/4 T puller.

 

[Scoop]

You're welcome, 2002 Ram? 360? We have running water and electricity now! 🙄 360's are old old technology, like the Ford 351. Hemi's and Cummins now. I pulled my gooseneck with a Cummins powered 2012 Mega Cab dually. It never had a hiccup to 60,000 miles when I sold it.

If I eat at a hamburger joint and it tastes like s***, I don't go back there again later hoping they changed the recipe. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Glad you've had good luck with your RAM. I haven't had so much as a hiccup out of the five F-Series trucks I've owned over the years.

 

[Mopower58]

If I eat at a hamburger joint and it tastes like s***, I don't go back there again later hoping they changed the recipe. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Glad you've had good luck with your RAM. I haven't had so much as a hiccup out of the five F-Series trucks I've owned over the years.

I've owned Mopars for over 43 years and no problems to speak of. All the manufacturers have a service department for more than oil changes.

 

[Smitty335]

If I eat at a hamburger joint and it tastes like s***, I don't go back there again later hoping they changed the recipe. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Glad you've had good luck with your RAM. I haven't had so much as a hiccup out of the five F-Series trucks I've owned over the years.

Hamburgers, try the Snack Shack St Paul AR 72760. Ole fashion hamburgers and such, I don't think they have web site.

 

[trigger]

I'd personally go with the extra height if it's something you think you might need down the road. The only difference it's going to make is having a little more sail to catch the wind and if it sways too bad you can always add a weight distribution hitch.

 

[Scoop]

whats the price difference between an 8.5ft wide trailer vs a 7ft with a exit door?

Not sure. Oh, and I misspoke - the proposed trailer would be 7.5" wide, not 7.0" wide.

 

[Scoop]

Hamburgers, try the Snack Shack St Paul AR 72760. Ole fashion hamburgers and such, I don't think they have web site.

I'll take a Tallyburger before just about anything else.

 

[WagginTail]

Just FYI my pioneer is 80" tall right now. 28" itp blackwaters, SuperATV arms and the fox shocks

 

[RedorDead]

whats the price difference between an 8.5ft wide trailer vs a 7ft with a exit door?

I have an 8.5 x 28. I prefer a narrower trailer for a SxS, because the wide trailers are significantly wider than the truck. You have to be always mindful of curbs or running off the pavement edges on narrow roads. It’s a great interstate trailer but it’s a handful on back roads.

Re the price, I’d say there’s little difference between paying for extra width vs an extra door.

 

[Vikes79]

Those of you who followed, I purchased a new all aluminum Lightning 7x14 tandem axle trailer not long after I bought my P1K5. Long story short, I didn't realize how difficult it would be to get in and out of once the bike was in the trailer, so ... I sold it last fall. I was able to recoup all but $270 of the original purchase price (can't complain).

I think I'm getting ready to order a new one. Same trailer brand, same everything, except a few changes. Not only will it be 2' longer (7x16), but it will include the UTV 'escape hatch' on the left side. And this will be all black instead of two-tone black/silver of the last one (my pickup is black with very only a few touches of chrome).

Anyway, my other choice is ceiling height. I can get it with the typical UTV height of a 7' tall ceiling, but can also add yet another 6" and get a 7' 6" height. That seems really TALL for an enclosed cargo trailer, but it does future proof it somewhat. With that last trailer I bought, it had the 7' ceiling and the P1K5 did get in and out with some room to spare. However, I still have to install my Fox3 shocks fitted with aftermarket springs, and I know that's going to raise it up a bit. I don't necessarily plan on lifts/portals/similar, but you never know.

Would the extra 6" of height make much of a difference towing? My main concern is stability and the wind, whether from the sides or front. I have a 2021 Ford F150 5.0L 4x4 Crew Cab with the 6.5' bed.

I know some of you tow MUCH larger toy haulers but assume most pull with heavier 3/4 or 1 ton pickup trucks, most likely a lot of diesels (sure do miss my 2017 F350 SuperDuty Powerstroke!).

Appreciate the input.

I think you’d be happier with a 8x16 or wider than the side hatch thing. Of the trailers I’ve seen that had them, you still had to be a gymnast to get out of the buggy, duck under the side door, and then take a huge step down off the fender.

the side door is likely adding weight and maybe some sealing or alignment problems down the road too.

1/2 ton trucks can pull pretty good as long as you feed them the fuel……BUT you’re never going to beat a HD truck pulling enclosed trailers / campers in windy situations or weather. It comes down to frequency and comfort level in my opinion.

 

[EMAW]

We have a 8.5x16 with the extended height (7.6). I bought it when trailers were hard to find and drive 600 miles to get it. The P1K fits perfect and it’s easy to get in/out!
The V-nose version would have been my choice but, we could not locate one at that time. The dealers I talk to could also not assure me a delivery date if we had ordered one.

 

[TripleB]

I'll take a Tallyburger before just about anything else.

I bet you would.

 

[Backwoods]

You're welcome, 2002 Ram? 360? We have running water and electricity now! 🙄 360's are old old technology, like the Ford 351. Hemi's and Cummins now. I pulled my gooseneck with a Cummins powered 2012 Mega Cab dually. It never had a hiccup to 60,000 miles when I sold it.

Misery loves company 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[Scoop]

1/2 ton trucks can pull pretty good as long as you feed them the fuel……BUT you’re never going to beat a HD truck pulling enclosed trailers / campers in windy situations or weather. It comes down to frequency and comfort level in my opinion.

I don't disagree at all.

Before my current half-ton, I had a '17 F350 PowerStroke SuperDuty Crew Cab 4x4. It's likely the only truck I wish I had never sold, but that also means I'd be paying $5/gal for fuel. It was my favorite vehicle when towing or hauling, but not when unloaded. Beyond that, that same truck I paid $79K for brand new would run me just under $98K today. These last few years have just made things stupid.