Enclosed or utility trailer

Bighorner

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For those you that use an enclosed trailer for hauling a side by side, how does it do. I can appreciate locking things up and storing things out of the weather, but how to they hold up to miles of cattle guards and ruttted up gravel.
 
Good luck opening the door inside the trailer. I had a grand plan to use one of my enclosed trailers until I pulled it inside and figured out I was gonna have to crawl out the window every time. Nope. Utility trailers are the way to go IMO
 
I use both. And my enclosed trailer is primarily used for goose hunting except when I need it for retrieval cause it fits my quad and tub trailer. Never had any issues with either.
 
Enclosed trailer will keep snow, ice, slush, mud and all other road crud off your rig. A quality trailer will hold up fine on gravel and rough roads. Get the diamond plate guard around the lower front of the trailer if you buyone.
 
We like using ours in conjunction with a tent. I wouldn't take this one off of the gravel very far. It doesn't sit very high and it will tear it apart with the trim on the lower part of the trailer. Got me some nice sheep shit all over the front of it that permanently marked that diamond plate....

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They now make a big side door on some models where you can get the doors of a UTV open to get out. You have to also be carful that the rear ramp door is tall enough to get your rig inside. I have been using an enclosed trailer for 6 years now and like it. I insulate it and put in a vented heater, cold air intake and direct exhaust. Still use a carbon monoxide detector just in case. Tandem axles make it a smooth ride over rough forest service roads.
 
Generally, cheap trailers break whether they are utility or enclosed.

Most Cargo / Utility trailers aren't designed for off road use.

They are designed for paved road use.

Suspension, Tires, and Protection are needed for most trailers for hunting application, especially after a few years of use.

With a lower entry cost, the utility trailer is more economical to modify for hunting applications.

It might be worth it to just park down lower on the mountain and use the side by side to access the areas rather than beating on your trailer, which most are designed to do.

Double Axle > Single Axle in both.

Utility trailers generally tow easier than cargo trailers, especially in wind.

Weight distribution is important in both styles of trailer.

Cargo trailers are more modifiable than Utility trailers, you can turn them into campers and/or have wall storage for all your things.

With Cargo trailers you can't see if things have shifted during your travel and you can open the door to a surprise.

Depending on the height or width of your side by side, you may need a size wider or taller in Cargo trailers.

It can get tight fast if your cargo trailer is too small.

Cargo trailers will require more maintenance over time. A leaking roof will be a bad time if discovered on a camping trip.

A few things that will help in either.

Shocks - You will wish that you did this sooner for ride quality.

Stabilizer Jacks - Allows you to disconnect the trailer without having all the weight on the front jack

E track - Tie Downs, Storage, etc. A very versatile system that is easy to install.

Tire Changing Ramp - The easy way to change tires
 
I just ordered a new 7 X 14’ tandem axle enclosed cargo trailer yesterday. I went with all aluminum this time. My 10 year old steel frame/ aluminum wrap is corroded so badly I afraid it will start coming apart on the road. I use mine year round with lots of time on salted winter roads. Salt/steel/aluminum = corrosion.
 
i use my 7x14 aluminum cargo trailer that i have modified for my hunting rig,,its pretty sweet.
 

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Good luck opening the door inside the trailer. I had a grand plan to use one of my enclosed trailers until I pulled it inside and figured out I was gonna have to crawl out the window every time. Nope. Utility trailers are the way to go IMO
I'm not sure how this isn't a more significant issue for more people lol. The amount of guys I see that don't seem to care and don't have a side access door on said enclosed trailer is crazy to me.
 

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