Hi All ...... Still sitting tight on when to go purchase an 850 and 550XP. With winter upon us in the North East I have some storage issues .... I have garage space that may open soon which will be a much better choice than trying to put two XP's in our 24' enclosed race trailer nearly filled with misc stuff. Plus in light of the economy something doesn't seem right about throwing 20k at a couple of ATV's even though I have my mind made up that I am going to buy them.

I am going to need a small trailer and I was wondering what size and type I should be looking at. I am buying the two ATVs but would also like room for a buddies which means 3 spots. I want to keep the cost down but need to have something capable that tows well as most of my riding will be 1 - 4 hours away. Should I consider the front and side load as an option? If anyone can help with some suggestions that would be great.

Thanks

- brian

 

Im no trailer expert but I bought a 7x12 for our three(now 4) machines. I got the ramps integrated into the railing so there isn't a tailgate. I like it because there is room on the sides after being loaded to put the elk tent, poles, chairs, shovels, etc. 3 fit tight front to rear(better measure to be sure, all my machines are older so the width may be different)
There is a little manpower to put them all on but I don't mind. The rails can load one from the side in the very front. The other two have to be manhandled into place. That being said, I now use my aluminum ramps to load them. I can load all 3 from the side and only have to manhandle the middle one.

 

my new enclosed trailer wouldnt work for you, but something i found that makes trailering smooth is the newer style torsion axles they are using on some of the enclosed trailers now. i would look and see if they are available on the open ones, pulling mine down dirt firelanes in maine to the camp and i dont feel the trailer bouncing at all in the ruts.

 

The trailer 94harley is talking about is pretty sweet. I like the idea of the ramps being the rails. I needed room for my two sportsmans and predator. After looking at the many options and price, I went with a 14' car hauler trailer. It was $2200 brand new. A utility trailer that would haul three atv's cost $1875. I opted to pay the extra money so I can also haul other heavy items, like my fj or hay or whatever. It hauls very nice, way better than any utility trailer. I do wish I bought a 16ft instead of a 14ft though. 14' is just enough, but it would be easier to load with a 16'.

 

I bought a new 72" by 10' landscape trailer with the mesh drop-down rear gate last summer. I can tell you this, there is NO WAY two Sportsmans are going to fit side-by side on my trailer.

So that means I would have to have truck-bed-style ramps leaning on the side of the trailer to mount 2 atv's and that's just not safe!

Maybe a kids quad could fit behind my aTV when it's on the trailer or maybe the smaller chassis Sportsman, But it's difinately not designed for 2 atv's. (and that's ok because I only own one!)

Also, with the mesh rear gate up, on the highway traveling 65-70MPH, there is A LOT of drag. Next trip I take the ramp is staying home!

What you MAY need is a snowmobile style trailer. BUT What I don't like about those is you hit the brakes hard in a panic stop, and off goes $20K in wheelers! Also, I don't trust tiedowns. The snowmobile-style trailer is SO OPEN that I completely dis-like them. But they are cheap and may get the job done. Who knows.

You wrote that you will have to travel a considerable distance to go riding. (1-4 hours) That might get old after a few months. So I suggest you buy 2 slightly used Sportsmans. Let the other guy take the bath on the 1-2 year depreceation. Then if you decide the up-to 1/2 day of traveling(up to 8 hours round trip) get's old, you can cut your losses!

 

Here is a link to a link (sorry at work [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]) but look to the bottom of the thred to give you some more idea at this trailer will fit in a normal 1 car garage with 2 quads on it!
http://forums.atvconnection.co...17/threadid/555856.cfm

 

I got a used 101" by 12' skimobile trailer. I can fit my 2 long quads (both almost 8' long) and a buddies quad with ease. I put up a 2x6 border around the trailer to keep things in along with eyebolts to tie everything off.

 

One thing I would make sure it has, Integrated ramps. I had a smowmobile trailer and when I was unloading my ATV the coupler poped off my truck. The ATV was halfway down the ramp. I sold that trailer two days after this happend and now I have a tandem axle (more safer) 14x8 with an integrated tailgate. Thrills should be on the trail not unloading an ATV.

 

whatever you get spend the extra money on aluminum. they last longer and weigh less.

 

I just bought this one last week. 77"x14'. I really like the PJ trailers vs the Big Tex, Longhorns. Not much to choose from around here. She also (dealer) mentioned a price decrease starting January 1, but I needed it now.
http://forums.atvconnection.co...id/52/threadid/555569.