Need Trailer Advice for ATV

I need some advice on ATV/Sled trailers. Purchased a Polaris ATV on tracks and will pick it up later in January. I need to get a trailer. But I am thinking that eventually I will want room for a second ATV or sled. Then there is the need for several (up to 3) Otters I will tow to my favorite fishing spots. The question is, enclosed or open trailer? Length? If you had to do it again, what would you get if money were less of an issue but flexibility was? Full sized tires or mini? Single or dual axle?

If it were me I would buy what James has if you have seen it on the show. I would get a four place snowmobile trailer with the plastic cap. Enclosed trailers are nice but you could push around the snowmobile trailer in needed.
DT

not having road salt/slush all over your machines and gear is enough of a reason to spend the extra $$ and get an enclosed trailer. With the top cap, the footprint they cast is huge though, I just don’t have the garage space for one in the winter….

I have an Aluma. After owning several painted black steel utility trailers, I got sick of seeing them chip and rust. Trailers in SD take a beating in the winter with all of the sand/gravel and salt chemicals they put down. The Aluminum trailers cost a little more up front, but will still look good years down the road. Aluma specifically, makes an accessory front shield to protect your ATV from being totally blasted by salt and rocks. I also use my Rock Tamer mudflaps to try and deflect as much as I can, even though they don’t seem to work that well.

I agree with andy, if your using it in the winter an aluminum trailer is the only way to go. My 5 year ols utility trailer spent a month in my garage last fall getting stripped and re painted with truck bed liner as the powder coat started coming off in sheets. Not terribly expensive in material but for the value of the time I spent on it I could have bought a new trailer, maybe even more than one.
If your plans for it will all fit in am enclosed/capped trailer id go that way, I use mine for many uses outside of hauling atv so for me a lid would limit what I can do, but I also have a fiberglass topper on my truck for things I need under cover

Not sure how wide a track machine is, but 2 Full sized wheelers take up the width of a 8.5′ trailer pretty easily. An ATV and a sled side by side, not an issue. I would say a 4 place trailer would be what you need, then you can park them front to back…especially with 3 portables also. Then it just comes down to, how do you want to have them ride… exposed or enclosed. Enclosed and locked, you can go to the motel overnight and not have to worry too much… Aluminum, thought that would be a no brainer… who buy’s a steel snowmobile trailer in Minnesota anymore ??? do they still make them ???

For what your describing I would get a 4 place enclosed aluminum snowmobile trailer with a v nose and dual ramp doors. This will protect from the elements and deter thieves. Also a great garage during times when not trailering. I had to help a guy off the ice yesterday who’s ATV was malfunctioning, his machine was covers in salt spray from being on his open trailer.

My Polaris 570 Sportsman with tracks is 54″-55″ wide. Don’t even think I could get a sled along side it on my snowmobile trailer. I have a Dandy Aluminum cap on it and it won’t fit under it. I got in there but the cover was rubbing on the handlebars and back rack. In the process myself trying to figure out what to buy. I’m thinking a single axle 6.5’X 12′ V front enclosed with big tires and have it the same height as my truck topper.

super_do wrote:

My Polaris 570 Sportsman with tracks is 54″-55″ wide. Don’t even think I could get a sled along side it on my snowmobile trailer. I have a Dandy Aluminum cap on it and it won’t fit under it. I got in there but the cover was rubbing on the handlebars and back rack. In the process myself trying to figure out what to buy. I’m thinking a single axle 6.5’X 12′ V front enclosed with big tires and have it the same height as my truck topper.

Why not go a step further? I bought a Firebrand fish house 6.5 x 14 with a ramp door and haul my tracked Yamaha Grizzly. It trailers beautifully and you can get them as a shell, or fully finished depending on your desires.

Thanks for the advice everyone…you have succeeded in confusing the hell outta me. Seems like a boat issue all over again. Just one trailer is just not enough. But Aluminum is definitely the best take away here. Funds are too tight to get an enclosed this season so a used 4 place will have to be the ticket for now. Clown, I am seriously on board with the toy hauler enclosed RV thing. Gotta start yet another savings fund now. lol, my poor wife. I keep telling her I’m almost done collecting toys for the outdoors but keep discovering new ones.

I can’t offer any advice as far as trailer size since my wheeler just has standard tires and not tracks, but I can tell you that a covered trailer would be really nice. My wheeler is 10 years old and is VERY rusty. I do have regrets over not buying a covered trailer knowing full well that much of my travel would be done in the winter. I bought an ATV cover, but that only helped a bit. The rims, lower frame, and suspension parts still got very rusty.

I’m 100% confident that the next ATV purchase I make will include a covered aluminum trailer, but the darn wheeler I’ve got now just won’t die. I’m getting impatient for some shiny new toys, but can’t pull the trigger when the one I’ve got still works as well as the day it was new:).

Let my former step son use that ATV for a sort time…it will never be right or probably ever run again.

castle-rock-clown wrote:

Let my former step son use that ATV for a sort time…it will never be right or probably ever run again.

If we can find a way to trick the wife so she doesn’t know there’s been any sabotage, this might just work…..

I’m sure any neighborhood teenager could get the dirty deed done.

I bought an enclosed trailer for my sleds about 12 years ago and never looked back. I cant imagine pulling my sleds in the winter without one. Everything arrives dry, nice and clean with no messy covers to deal with.

Another benefit of an enclosed trailer in the winter is if your machine freezes up you can close the top most of the way and run a heater inside to thaw it out.
DT

deertracker wrote:

Another benefit of an enclosed trailer in the winter is if your machine freezes up you can close the top most of the way and run a heater inside to thaw it out.
DT

Bingo. And an emergency repair shop!

And,
if you spend all your motel room money at the bar it doubles as that. I heard….
DT

Hah!