Learn me: enclosed snowmobile, I have seen people use them as kart trailers. Advantages over a traditional enclosed trailers. I am guessing less weight, aluminum so less rust?, better mpg for vehicle? Slower speeds because of the small tires? Disadvantage is enclosed trailer higher ceiling? Anything I am missing?
Some quick info:
- not all are aluminum, there are a lot of steel framed snowmobile trailers.
- plywood decks are easy to replace if necessary
- no issues at highway speed or above, just keep bearing greased (although my experience is in winter use)
- they are short, so backing can take some getting used to
- some tilt to load is nice for sleds, but you might want to consider a ramp setup.
I don't think it is wise to think of a clamshell as "waterproof" probably better to think as water resistant. See that daylight at the forward hinge? I don't think that open-ness completely goes away.
This may then mean that other items on the floor get wet. But, then also ask yourself how will you be packing things. These clam shells don't have "wall structure" like a box trailer. It's best to think of the clam shell as a flatbed with a cover. As a flat bed, you'll want ways to secure items to the floor.
I think the small tires take advantage of the likelihood that these trailers will travel down cold roads in cold temp. Your results might vary using them on 90 degree days on 120 degree pavement.
You can probably find temperature specs on the tires, but I see plenty of those trailers used in the summertime for non-snowmobile tasks so they must be okay in warm weather.
I am borrowing my current trailer (pictured below) from my B-inlaw, which is free to me as long as I store it. I would like something a little bigger, without sacrificing MPG. I previously had a open 48 in. x 96 in HF trailer that I sold, which was okay but ideally more room and a enclosure would have been nice. Triton are the ones that I have been looking at because it would be nice as I could throw my kart stand and tools in the trailer instead of my car. However I am still concerned about the wheel base looks to be small and the wheel tire options for the summer. While I would love to have a standard enclosed trailer, I normally store my trailers behind my house in which I push into position without a vehicle, and I don't think that would be possible with a standard trailer but I think the Triton might be light enough to do so.
A few more comments based on previous posts:
- The wheelbase just takes some adjustment for how quick it responds when backing up.
- The track width seems narrow with the wheels under the deck, but I have had no issues towing with single sleds on a 2 place trailer when the single sled is loaded on the left/right with room for the second sled to be loaded.
- the springs are typically short slipper style leafs, so they tend to ride hard when empty or lightly loaded. They are typically set up for 1200 lbs of payload (500ish per sled)
- I've used mine as a utility trailer in the summer without issue. If I was going to be using it in a warmer climate I would eventually change to a narrower tire (i.e. boat trailer) to reduce risk of the trailer hydroplaning in the rain.
- Some have grease fitting in the axle and are drilled to get grease to the inner and outer bearings (I know my Karavan has this). If I was using it a lot in warmer weather I'd put in a set of bearing buddies to keep everything well greased.
-Moving by hand shouldn't be a problem, especially with a cart. They can be hard to push around with two sled on them, but when empty they can be moved easily. They are actually light enough that when empty and hooked to a hitch one or two people can pick up the rear of the trailer and swing it around.
- project idea- start with an open deck snowmobile trailer and use the info in this thread to build a custome enclosure: Tear drop camper thread
edit: some links in the tear drop camper thread are dead, but googling Foam diy camper would get you more info and ideas.
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