Enclosed or Open Trailer

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by HandOverFist

Dan - I tow an open all steel trailer with a 2004 Silverado SB 1500. It has the 5.3 engine and 3.73 gears w/automatic. I have no idea of the trailer weight, but it has to be way heavier than a aluminum version. Trailer has brakes and the truck does very well, but I don't tow over 65mph. A recent addition of Helwig air bags made it much better to tow with...no more scissor action after road dips. I like to keep an eye on intervals due to what I feel is marginal braking with this set-up.

This is a good idea. I like the Pickup Truck. My car with trailer will approach 6500lbs. 5700# at current estimation with a 1300# trailer.

Have a 1994 Caprice Wagon that I have been customizing and fixing up for a few years. It has airbags, Belstein Shocks, rebuilt the ABS and Brake systems at a good cost. New Trans lots of stuff. Have a new engine being built. The current engine has 212k miles but does not burn any oil. Use to leak but got all that fixed.

D

[Run to Rund]

My 21' Target open weighs 1370 lb. I can send you a pdf of the Wells Cargo brochure showing their lightest enclosed with 18' box is 2900 lb.

[Geerhead55]

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

My 21' Target open weighs 1370 lb. I can send you a pdf of the Wells Cargo brochure showing their lightest enclosed with 18' box is 2900 lb.

That seems about right. I bought a 24 ft. Wells in '03, and if I recall the brochure correctly, it weighs around 3200 lbs. Its one of the best purchases I've ever made.
Danny Durham

[Run to Rund]

Here are a few more Wells Cargo weights, from their brochure:
7700 lb. gvw, 7000 lb. axle gawr
18' box, 20', 22, 24'
2900 lb, 3100 lb, 3300 lb. 3500 lb.

10,000 lb. gvw, 10,000 lb. gawr
box length in feet--18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32
2900, 3100, 3300, 3500, 4000, 4500, 4850 lb.

Note that thicker aluminum (.040") skin and 3/8" interior side plywood add weight. A lot of people use heavier floor materials instead of paint.

[Jim Carter]

In regards to the rough weight of an aluminum enclosed, I recall Motorsports Trailers telling a friend of mine who was picking his up that they are about 100 lbs. per foot.
His 24 did work out to 2400 lbs. empty. That would bring the aluminum in about 500 lbs. lighter than the steel Wells Cargo's quoted earlier. Plus it won't get any rust or termites.