Trailer for quads
Jan 1, 2003 | 06:22 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Weekend Warrior
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12
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Trailer for quads
I need to buy a trailer for my 2 quads. (03 Grizz and 03 Kodiak) Does anyone have recommendations on a trailer type and brand? Are there used trailer sources? I am from southern Minnesota.
Thanks for the help!
Rich
Thanks for the help!
Rich
Jan 2, 2003 | 01:06 AM
#2
Trailblazer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Trailer for quads
Well, these can be spendy. If you want to carry 2 utility quads end to end, a 14 ft trailer is barely enough. But if you want to carry them side to side, a 12 footer will work, but the trailer will need to be wide enough. I had a 14 ft enclosed trailer built and it was all I could do to out in my Eiger and a Quadrunner 250 end to end. I'm looking at making a flatbed right now, a 12 footer, 78" wide with an end gate/ramp and a side gate/ramp. If you go to [S=]http://www.utilitytrailerkit.com/[/S] you will see kits. I'm going to probably do the 3500# single axle using their plans #1112. Of course, these are kits, you'll need a welder, chop saw, grinder etc. The hardware less steel is under $275, this is for everything, ie ball mount, tounge jack, axles, fenders, springs etc. Not sure what the steel will cost, but I'm going to order the plans for the model 1112. If you want a ready made unit, you can get those smaller ones, but it will haul one quad and maybe a 2 wheeler, if you want to haul more than a quad, expect to pay over $1000 or close to it. Then there is used ones too.
Jan 2, 2003 | 10:26 AM
#3
Pro Rider
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,205
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From: NL
Trailer for quads
I have a double snow mobile trailer, flatbed, 8' wide 10' long. Works great, usually load from the side with ramps and have room to spare for gear. If loading snow mobiles, I use the tilt load feature and load from the rear. Trailer is galvanized steel with 3/4" plywood deck, paid $900 CDN. Enclosed is the way to go though if you have the $$$.
Jan 3, 2003 | 06:36 AM
#4
Super Quad Patrol
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Jan 9, 2003 | 05:54 PM
#9
Trailblazer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 67
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Trailer for quads
I use a Zeeman side loading atv trailer, it has built in ramps on both sides so you can drive on with one set of ramps and drive off the other side with the other ramp. Nice heavy duty trailer. My only beef is that my Prairie 650 and 360 are so long that the folded up ramps rubs on both the front and rear atv racks. My buddies kodiak does not. The trailer is powder coated and pulls quite well. The tires are larger than alot of other atv trailer I've seen.
Jan 12, 2003 | 02:21 PM
#10
Trailblazer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31
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Trailer for quads
I did quite a bit of research before I bought my trailer, so I can offer some (probably way too much) insight.
First of all, since you're in MN (most years plenty of snow, salt, etc), I'd highly recommend an aluminum trailer. Powder-coated steel will eventually rust. It may take a long time if you take really good care of it, but one little scratch is all it takes to get it started.
Another important thing to consider is how you want to haul them. If you haul them end-to-end, you can get away with a pretty narrow trailer (6') but it's going to be pretty long (14'+). If you go with a side-loading trailer you usually go to 7' wide, but then it only has to be 8' long for two ATV's. The problem with these, as idahoprairie mentioned, is that the longer ATV's don't quite fit. If you're willing to go up to 8' width, you can get two ATV's side-by-side. The shortest 8'+ width trailer you're going to find is probably going to be 10'. You can get two ATV's on that easily... but add just two feet and you can get a third ATV across the front, or add four feet and you can get two more side-by-side. You never know when you're going to have someone else riding along with you, or when you will want to haul some extra gear (tree stand, ice fishing gear, etc). Keep in mind, however, that an 8'+ trailer is going to be wider than almost all tow vehicles, so it will require a bit more attention when towing.
Other things to consider...
- Wood thickness and quality: 1/2" is ok, 5/8" is a lot better. Quality-wise, just look at the warranty. The plywood on mine is guaranteed for life.
- Brakes: for two ATV's, you don't really need them if you have a decent-sized tow vehicle, so they could just end up being more of a headache than anything. Some people swear by them, but I've pulled three ATV's on my trailer with an F-150 and can comfortably say I don't need them. A good guideline is that trailers with a GVWR under 3000lb don't really need them.
- Tire size: the bigger the wheels, the less times they have to turn to get somewhere. At the same time, though, the bigger the tires, the higher the trailer will ride.
- Axles: for two ATV's, you really only need one. Three ATV's is borderline (two axles will pull smoother), and for four you really need two. Torsion axles will ride smoother than spring axles.
- # and location of tie-downs: Some trailers don't come with any, others have a few in fixed locations, and others have tie-downs that can easily be moved. These are the most convenient but also the most expensive. A good tie-down system can make a BIG difference.
- Tilt vs. Ramp: for snowmobiles tilt trailers are fine, but IMO for ATV's you want a ramp.
- Enclosed vs. open: Enclosed/covered trailers are nice, but they also limit what you can do with the trailer. If you're not sure which way you want to go, buy an open trailer from a company that offers a cover for it (there are several). That way you can try it without a cover, and if you decide you want one, you just buy the cover instead of having to get a different trailer.
Depending on how fancy you go, you can spend anywhere from $750 to $3000 for an open trailer, and far more for an enclosed. If you want the best, Triton and Floe are generally regarded as two of the best out there (both use aluminum). After all my research I went with a 12' tandem-axle Triton (Elite 12VR-101-2) and I couldn't be happier. If you want more info on mine I'd be happy to provide it. In the end it really comes down to how much you want to spend. Here are websites for a few of the more popular manufacturers:
Triton
Floe
Karavan
Shoreland'r
First of all, since you're in MN (most years plenty of snow, salt, etc), I'd highly recommend an aluminum trailer. Powder-coated steel will eventually rust. It may take a long time if you take really good care of it, but one little scratch is all it takes to get it started.
Another important thing to consider is how you want to haul them. If you haul them end-to-end, you can get away with a pretty narrow trailer (6') but it's going to be pretty long (14'+). If you go with a side-loading trailer you usually go to 7' wide, but then it only has to be 8' long for two ATV's. The problem with these, as idahoprairie mentioned, is that the longer ATV's don't quite fit. If you're willing to go up to 8' width, you can get two ATV's side-by-side. The shortest 8'+ width trailer you're going to find is probably going to be 10'. You can get two ATV's on that easily... but add just two feet and you can get a third ATV across the front, or add four feet and you can get two more side-by-side. You never know when you're going to have someone else riding along with you, or when you will want to haul some extra gear (tree stand, ice fishing gear, etc). Keep in mind, however, that an 8'+ trailer is going to be wider than almost all tow vehicles, so it will require a bit more attention when towing.
Other things to consider...
- Wood thickness and quality: 1/2" is ok, 5/8" is a lot better. Quality-wise, just look at the warranty. The plywood on mine is guaranteed for life.
- Brakes: for two ATV's, you don't really need them if you have a decent-sized tow vehicle, so they could just end up being more of a headache than anything. Some people swear by them, but I've pulled three ATV's on my trailer with an F-150 and can comfortably say I don't need them. A good guideline is that trailers with a GVWR under 3000lb don't really need them.
- Tire size: the bigger the wheels, the less times they have to turn to get somewhere. At the same time, though, the bigger the tires, the higher the trailer will ride.
- Axles: for two ATV's, you really only need one. Three ATV's is borderline (two axles will pull smoother), and for four you really need two. Torsion axles will ride smoother than spring axles.
- # and location of tie-downs: Some trailers don't come with any, others have a few in fixed locations, and others have tie-downs that can easily be moved. These are the most convenient but also the most expensive. A good tie-down system can make a BIG difference.
- Tilt vs. Ramp: for snowmobiles tilt trailers are fine, but IMO for ATV's you want a ramp.
- Enclosed vs. open: Enclosed/covered trailers are nice, but they also limit what you can do with the trailer. If you're not sure which way you want to go, buy an open trailer from a company that offers a cover for it (there are several). That way you can try it without a cover, and if you decide you want one, you just buy the cover instead of having to get a different trailer.
Depending on how fancy you go, you can spend anywhere from $750 to $3000 for an open trailer, and far more for an enclosed. If you want the best, Triton and Floe are generally regarded as two of the best out there (both use aluminum). After all my research I went with a 12' tandem-axle Triton (Elite 12VR-101-2) and I couldn't be happier. If you want more info on mine I'd be happy to provide it. In the end it really comes down to how much you want to spend. Here are websites for a few of the more popular manufacturers:
Triton
Floe
Karavan
Shoreland'r