Wondering what brand is best deal for price/quality for a 20 footer or a little longer. Would buy used - if nice condition. Any advice?

TIA,, Tom

Tom,

I spent the last 3 months doing research on enclosed trailers, mostly along the I-5 corridor from Seattle to Portland. I just purchased a 6X12 from Dirk at Olympic Trailer in Olympia becuase he had the trailer and color I was looking for at a competitive price. The least expensive trailers (and one of the largest inventories) was at Bulldog Trailers in Chehalis, WA. They are off exit 72 just West of the highway.

One thing you want to be sure and check is how well they undercoated the trailer, mine was only done about 40% but a call to the manager of CargoMate got it fixed asap with a promise to talk to the undercoating guys at the factory.

It might be different with a 20' but the used market for 6X12's is slim, most are sold by word of mouth and real close to the new price if they have been taken care of.

The enclosed trailer market is real competitive and they don't make a lot of money/unit so you'll quickly find out what their minumum price is. I was a cash buyer and found most would only come down $100-150 on a 6X12. They do however mark up the accessories, flush mount wheel chocks, tie-downs et so you can usually get them to throw them in with the deal.

Good luck

Vibeguy said:

Small world, I bought mine in March of 04, Cargomate, also from the exact same Dirk! :thumbsup:

My advice is to Speciel order what you want.
I bought a 7X12 interstate and had a 30 amp panel put in, Had them move the side door to just in front of the wheel well. Added 7" in height. Spare tire mouted on the toung.
Also had them Rhino line the floor and 6" up all the way around.

I put in my own wheel chocks at 45 degrees.

Bickford motors in snohomish is the Interstate dealer where the person I bought mine from now works. Maggy is her name.
I also didnt get the ramp rear door because the floor of the trailer is only 12-14 inches off the ground.
Good luck
Eric

Our family has bought 2 enclosed trailers and one flatbed from Dirk in Olympia as well. Great guy, no BS, and good prices..... He isn't located in Mottman Industrial any longer, now on Martin Way close to exit 111. Give him a call and come out to take a look. Know many more satisfied customers from his shop as well.

Will check these guys out, and any others please post. Thanks very much for your helpful hints and what to watch for!!!
Tom

Olympic trailers are one of the nicest open trailers I have seen. For enclosed new, try Kiperts in Tumwater, just past the airport.They usually have the best prices on Interstate trailers.

The advice I have is to be sure to get one that is wired with interior lights. Also spring for the spare tire option on the tongue. And GO bigger than what you expect you need. You will always need a bit larger trailer in the future!

I purchased my toyhauler from B&V. Very easy and laid back. Great prices to. A bit of a drive from WA though

http://www.livestocktrailer.com/

My wife bought my 5x10 Interstate utility trailer from Bulldog for my birthday last year. they beat everyone's prices by $400.

Coming from a familly of fabricators, I was impressed with the Interstate fit and finish. Though, I wish they wold have undercoated my trailer. I store it indoors so I guess it's not that big of a deal.

WA_trail_rider said:

Don't know about 20 footers but I bought my Pace 6x12 from 99 West It seemed like the most trailer for the $$. They very reluctantly came down $200

I've squeezed 4 bikes in it before & could have put one more if I had to.
A bigger trailer always seems like a good idea on paper but when you get there & things are tight it could suck. Glad I got the 6 x 12 with no ramp for those tight spots. Here's some pics of my home away from home:
http://www.thumperta...tachmentid=7803
http://www.thumperta...tachmentid=7995

OK, I have modified my Cargomate heavily. I have a Tacoma 4WD rated to 5000 lbs and wanted something I could camp out of, haul all my stuff in or a good chunk of them (see garage, its pretty full) and I ended up just modifying my enclosed Cargomate. I have posted the link in the trailer section replying to other post. So my apologies for reposting the link, but this one is intended for the local area, IE NW. I have a small sized webpage full of pictures, from the beginning, to the "build" and the then the finished product. Along with components, their part/model numbers etc. Not an easy task, tougher for some than others. I come from a heavy mechanical background (see user name) a whiz on fabricating and an electrical wizard (license HAM radio operator, sound of horn tooting in the background :eek: ) and many might not be interested in this much work, but its worth taking a look at for ideas. Which, by the way, I'm open too myself. My Tacoma V6 still pulls this good, but I wouldn't want to drag it all around the countryside. Started out at 2400 lbs, now closer to 2900 lbs. As it stands now, I'm looking for a landscape type trailer in 10 foot to haul just a couple quads, a few 2 wheelers etc. so I wont have to drag this around for just a day ride. So a downside was, its not as easy to haul around for those day rides. But great for the long weekends etc. I have contaced Bulldog and Keiperts and will give Dirk another look as he was good to me on my first one. Webage link is at http://home.ix.netco.../cargomate.html

I bought a 20' enclosed Hualmark - thrifty hualer last year, came with ramp....5K.

WA_trail_rider said:

Better put a turbo on the Vanagon.

-Tyler

I got the "Barn Style" rear doors as well. If you are just hauling dirt bikes you don't need the ramp, it takes up too much room. Also if you are planning to sleep in the trailer at races make sure you get the "RV" style man door on the side. If you have friends like I do they might lock you in if you have the camlock doors all around. BTW, the factory manager sent me 2 cans of 3M undercoating when I complained to him about the factory missing about 60% of the underside.

I have the opportunity to buy a 6 X 10 with the barn doors and an RV style side door. The roof is only 6' which is a problem for me and in general it is a bit smaller than what I would really like. So why would I even consider it?
It is in great shape, maybe 1000 miles in it and the price is right.

The seller is a co worker of mine that I did some work for on the side. Actually it was more playing for me running a JD 200 excavator :p . He is going to give me $500 off for that and he is asking $1200 to begin with, so I would only have to give $700.

Seems like a great deal to me, and if it works out to be way too small I think it would be easy to get my money back out of.

Does this sound like a good deal, or just the going rate?

Toyota,
Definitely some great idea's on your trailer that I will be using on this one should I buy it.

3_V_Rider said:

Hey, I'd be all over that like tooth rot on a crack whore! :crazy: :thumbsup: And drop me a PM if you have any mod questions. :ride:

WE have a 20Ft Wells Cargo, I wouldn't want much bigger for the places we go ride. Tow vehicles are important to consider too, we used to have a 1/2 ton PU and it struggled with the trailer on mountain passes. I would recommend a 3/4 ton truck for anything bigger than 16Ft.

3-V,

I'd buy that trailer for ya! 6' would be perfect as I store my trailer in the garage w/my bikes inside

mx813

The deal is done. I have the trailer at my house and have played with it a little, but won't have the $$ for about a week. He already tried to sign it over to me, but I wouldn't let him until he has the money in hand.

I have examined Toyota's trailer web page and have some idea's from there. I still have some questions that maybe you could help me with.

It definitely is a cheaper model but should do the job for now. It has several downsides which need to be upgraded and any input would be appreciated.

The floor is non treated 1/2" plywood. I am thinking about putting on another layer, probably 3/4" plywood. What product should I treat the underside with?

The trailer walls are constructed of 1 X 2's with steel support on the four corners. I am also considering doubling up the plywood here.

Ceiling height is a little low. I would be fairly easy to raise 6" if I could find sheet metal or aluminum diamond plate with the lip on one edge. Anybody know were this could be purchased?

Tie down type and placement. The primary use will be one big bike and one mini. Occasionally though, I will need to haul two big bikes two mini's and possibly a quad. Believe it or not all of these will actually fit with the quad on end. I am having trouble figuring out how I want to place the tie down points as well as what type of wheel chalks to use.

JUST THOUGHT I WOULD THROW IN MY 2CENTS.
I WORK AT FREEWAY TRAILER SALES IN MILTON WASHINGTON (EXIT 137 OFF I-5) (FIFE EXIT) WE SELL WELLS CARGO TRAILERS AND THEY ARE THE NICEST ENCLOSED TRAILERS AVAILABLE. I MANAGE THE PARTS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT HERE AT FREEWAY TRAILER SALES AND I HAVE WORKED ON ALL OF THE MAJOR BRANDS AND NOT SO MAJOR BRANDS. WELLS CARGO HAS THE INDUSTRY LEADING 6 YEAR WARRANTY. WHICH IS NICE. WE HAVE BEEN SELLING TRAILERS SINCE THE LATE 50'S AND WE KNOW ALOT ABOUT TRAILERS.
FRAMES ARE ALL TUBE STEEL ,16" STUD CENTERS, TORSION AXLES, DOUBLE INSULATED WIRING,SEAL BEAM LIGHTS ,FULLY UNDERCOATED, 3/4" FINISHED FLOORS. ALL BACKED BY THE LARGEST AND OLDEST TRAILER MANUFACTURER, WITH THE LARGEST DEALER NETWORK.SO IF YOU REALLY COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES AND PRICE ISN'T THE ONLY DRIVING ISSUE, COME DOWN AND SEE THE DIFFERANCE. :ride:http://www.freewaytrailer.com/