snaphappy

I’m shopping for enclosed trailers, but then I asked myself, what advantage does an enclosed trailer really give me? Keeps the car clean I guess. And honestly, just looks awesome.

But an open trailer is cheaper, easier to use, better in the wind, easier to see around, needs significantly less maintenance, for example, doesn’t need to be painted and resealed. Right?

Are there other reasons to buy an enclosed trailer?

RossP

It really depends what you are going to use it for. If you are just going to do trips to tracks within a days drive, and dont plan on needing alot of extra tools, storage, spares etc. I would go with an open trailer.

If you are going to be taking multi day trips where you stop at hotels to sleep, and/or need to carry more spares, tools, etc then I would go enclosed. In the end an enclosed trailer is the safer option for your car beyond just keeping it clean.

(Also, this is probably a better thread to have in the Towing/Trailers specific sub-forum).

D1ESEL

I just purchased a Featherlite 3110 and had them install one of the factory Featherlite Airdams on it and it's been fantastic and kept the car very clean.

Super stable over the road and is super easy to use and well made.

gerryros

An enclosed also provides shelter from the elements and a decent place to set up for the weekend. My Featherlite 4926 has an insulated roof, AC, heat, shore power hookup, cabinets. On my annual November VIR trip, for example, typically cold and gets dark early, I have a warm well-lit space, coffee maker, laptop, music, folding chairs, ac outlets for charging, running air compressor, etc. When it rains like it did all day today at the track, I have great shelter and all my track gear stays completely dry.

Auto_Werks 3.6

If you already have the right truck to pull enclosed, it's a no brainer to go that way. If you need to upgrade your tow vehicle, then it starts to be a little more of a decision making process. I bought my first enclosed trailer this year, and it's been an incredible upgrade. I actually use it as a rolling tent for camping at multi day events. Even without AC it also makes a nice sun shelter for a break mid day if the venue doesn't have any air conditioned shelter.

VividRacing

Personally just picked up a trailer by ATC, good stuff.

74goldtarga

You don't necessarily need to go all-in on cost for enclosed. My 20' Stealth v-nose enclosed does everything I need and was relatively inexpensive. It isn't as heavy (which is good) or as heavy-duty (bad) as Featherlite. Featherlite is gorgeous but a cheaper trailer like mine gets the job done. My old tow vehicle could barely tow the enclosed and would've been fine with open which makes a big difference as said above. In the winter I store the car along with 2 sets of wheels and tires (junk tires that will come off next summer) which keeps my garage clear in the sloppy Minnesota winter.

177mph

Painted and resealed? Are you buying a trailer or a boat?

Ive had both and never painted or resealed my open or enclosed.

ngng

need to reseal the roof, typically with a self leveling sealant like dicor or you'll get leaks

bweSteve

3 years ago, similar to 74GoldTarga, I bought a less-expensive enclosed V-Nose trailer ($6k), and spent time painting the underside of the flooring (so all the road debris would not eat that up). then also spent time encapsulating the wiring for all the lights (so stones & debris don't eat that up either). Also spent a lot of time on the interior getting it painted with many coats of epoxy paint on the floors, walls, mounting points for various tools, spare-tires, cabinets, etc. It has held up very well so far.

Plus, similar to 74goldtarga, I also use mine year round to store a older Camaro that I prefer not to be in my main garage. Much less expensive than paying monthly fees renting a "u-Store" unit. Only downside during the spring/summer/fall, is that when I want to use it for hauling my othe cars, I do have to perform some swapping. But that can be fun too, since it's a great excuse to go for more rides while swapping.

My .02 is that I would have spent just about the same amount of time altering, improving, etc on a more expensive trailer anyway. So that's a wash. And a new suspension on a new trailer (even a less expensive one), still hauls much better than a used one with lots of miles.

I could literally use this trailer for 10 yrs, sell it for $3K, turn-around and buy another,... repeat process, and after 3 decades be waaaaay ahead from an cost perspective (especially if I include the cost of renting a u-store-it unit!!).

=S