decks/enclosed,open trailers for snowmobiling

brian h

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What is everyones thoughts that have tried different combinations with pros and cons
for years 3 of us did the deck and open trailer(yes tarped on trailer) then it went to 2 of us so used the deck, then starting using enclosed when 3rd person went. then one guy always wanted to use enclosed for two of us, saying it may snow on trip,( I thought snow on sleds was okay)or dressing in enclosed is better, but for 2 i prefer the deck for less maintence, not having to worry about trailer tires,brakes,electrical etc. especially with how maintence is done by some, yes i'm anal when it comes to maintence and his maintence was lacking on his trailer. But funny how he hated deck and only wanted enclosed has now gone to a deck, so it seems peoples ideas change of what they prefer
I have tried different combinations over the years, and for 2 like the deck, for 3 or 4 either deck and small trailer is nice for trailer is small and light weight and don't even notice it behind truck, but also enclosed is nice for if riding with same group every, weekend can have it set up for the season with what everyone needs . so yes I realize it depends on how many in group may change what you prefer.
The way housing is built with yard space also big enclosed are issues for parking when not using so that is also a con for some.
Yes I have done just me in truck to meet up with others and deck for sure,wont even consider trailer for that.
What is everyone's thoughts with pro's and con's of what they run and have tried with amount in group for commute.
 

TylerG

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What is everyones thoughts that have tried different combinations with pros and cons
for years 3 of us did the deck and open trailer(yes tarped on trailer) then it went to 2 of us so used the deck, then starting using enclosed when 3rd person went. then one guy always wanted to use enclosed for two of us, saying it may snow on trip,( I thought snow on sleds was okay)or dressing in enclosed is better, but for 2 i prefer the deck for less maintence, not having to worry about trailer tires,brakes,electrical etc. especially with how maintence is done by some, yes i'm anal when it comes to maintence and his maintence was lacking on his trailer. But funny how he hated deck and only wanted enclosed has now gone to a deck, so it seems peoples ideas change of what they prefer
I have tried different combinations over the years, and for 2 like the deck, for 3 or 4 either deck and small trailer is nice for trailer is small and light weight and don't even notice it behind truck, but also enclosed is nice for if riding with same group every, weekend can have it set up for the season with what everyone needs . so yes I realize it depends on how many in group may change what you prefer.
The way housing is built with yard space also big enclosed are issues for parking when not using so that is also a con for some.
Yes I have done just me in truck to meet up with others and deck for sure,wont even consider trailer for that.
What is everyone's thoughts with pro's and con's of what they run and have tried with amount in group for commute.

we use the sled deck right now, but once our little guy starts to ride more and on his own iron I'll be going to an enclosed..... heated spot to change is nice, and if you rig the trailer up right you can dry all of your gear in it as well. Parking is always an issue as you stated, and with our current residence an enclosed would not work, but hopefully we'll be able to move in the coming months as well.
 

RXN

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Dad had the open deck. A 2place tilt trailer
Pros: small, light, easy to pull and maneuver, could be used for hauling other items. (Branches ect) handy on the acreage.
Cons: road grime and slush all over the sleds and tarps.
The ratchet straps are exposed so they eventually rust up and seize. Everything is open and exposed.

Had both a 16ft inclosed (sold) and still have a 28ft inclosed.
Pros. Dont even strap the sleds down half the time (short trips). Can come heated (mine isnt). Ratchet straps last longer. Can leave oil and jerry cans in it. Lock the doors everything stays inside. All our gear rides in it, fit four in the truck better. Store the sleds in it all summer. Can use it for moving.
Cons. Heavy. Worse fuel milage. Harder to park/turn around in small parking lots. Everyone wants to borrow it for moving. Maintenance seems higher. Needs a battery for brakes. Passing sucks.

Deck
Pros: easy to drive around around, simple for parking.
Cons: putting the ramp together for loading.
Screwing up while loading or unloading can be painful. Not all jerry cans fit under every deck. Removing it from your truck box when you need the box of the truck.
Other con. Short box decks in sort box trucks with long ass sleds. Too much overhang.
Even on the long box decks. Know where you back end is when backing up.

Currently I'm running an 8ft deck in an 8ft box as well as the 28ft inclosed.

The trailer we use January February. More guys less cost.
Decks in November December and March
 

Mike270412

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Have travelled with up to 5 guys in one truck with deck/open trailer. Really hate hauling all our gear outside. Plus hauling sleds on an open trailer submits them to all the road grime,salt etc,no matter how well they're tarped.Max I will do now is 2 people with deck. Sleds stay relatively clean up on deck and gear can all stay warm and dry in back seat. Any more than that and we take enclosed. A lot of the sledding stuff stays in there year round and I just gotta hook up,throw some stuff inside and away we go.
 

moyiesledhead

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Way too many variables for one answer to this question. How far are you going? For how long? Where are you riding? Is there room to turn around?
Do you need your stuff secured?

Kinda like there's no perfect RV.
 

skegpro

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I prefer 4 place heated enclosed.
Dump it at the house in revy.
7ft deck with flip up extension.
And then deck to every staging area.

Park sleds inside to melt off every night.
 

1200

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I run deck and 2 place open trailer . Its great for me i only ever drive a couple hrs each way no overnights. I can park and turn around allmost anywhere. Most of the places i go there is minimal parking. I think u will end up getting what works best for you. I've had a sled deck for 23 seasons cant see changing now .
 

ferniesnow

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Basically, I only transport sleds with my wife and/or son. So only 2 sleds at the most. I have an F350 club/crew cab with the suicide doors. There is enough room for 2 people plus gear and 2 sleds. No need for anything bigger. I put a custom flat deck on it (Sliver Lake Manufacturing out of Idaho) and it serves our purpose very well.

I do not need to transport a group for hours to get to the mountains. I am 10-30 minutes from most staging areas. Easy for early or late season riding and no dangerous loading nor unloading. Lots of times, I find parking very close to the entrance as there is normally something available that I can squeeze into. I use tarps on the wet days and the set-up has served me very well.
 

acesup800

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Have travelled with up to 5 guys in one truck with deck/open trailer. Really hate hauling all our gear outside. Plus hauling sleds on an open trailer submits them to all the road grime,salt etc,no matter how well they're tarped.Max I will do now is 2 people with deck. Sleds stay relatively clean up on deck and gear can all stay warm and dry in back seat. Any more than that and we take enclosed. A lot of the sledding stuff stays in there year round and I just gotta hook up,throw some stuff inside and away we go.
Hope you are tarping the sleds on the deck....
 

Treerider

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We run a 23' Charmac enclosed for December through to mid April. Not heated or Insulated yet. Fits 3 155"-163" sleds comfortably. Mid April to May long weekend we go to a STF 8' foot deck and 2 place open when roads and overall travel conditions are much better. Just trying to decide how much we want to put into the enclosed trailer that we have to get it to what we want it to be. Would like to have the deck on the truck and pull the enclosed, but need to put some form of extension into trailer to get the clearance for 155"-163' sleds on deck. Need to put about 20" - 24" to have turning clearance and get propane bottles mounted.

We usually have 2 - 3 people in riding group and carry a spare sled. The best in our world would be to have 4 sled hauling capacity all riding season with whatever our setup is.

We run a 1 ton dually. Travel an average of 4 1/2 to 6 hours to riding areas from home. Overnight is involved in all trips and our goal is to have a minimum of 20 days of riding per season.

We are considering purchasing a used 4 place in the 26' - 28' range that is insulated and heated already so that we have a 4 sled capacity for the main riding part of our season.

Love the deck and 2 place open for mid April riding season until we shut down in May. Staging access is more challenging for us when we are driving upwards of 10 - 15 k up the access roads to unload at the snow in some areas.

Just our $0.02
 

LUCKY 7

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I used to pull a 2 place trailer all the time and pu the buddy most days then finally clued in and thought wtf I'm his personal taxi. Then I bought a ramp and the sled rides in the back on my truck unless my son comes out then my 2-place open trailer works perfect. I also sled all the time around Fernie so my travel is very short
 

Mike270412

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I did notice,last trip, that my trailer brakes weren't working. I better get them fixed before I have a big fiery wreck and kill a whole bus load of nuns.
Have travelled with up to 5 guys in one truck with deck/open trailer. Really hate hauling all our gear outside. Plus hauling sleds on an open trailer submits them to all the road grime,salt etc,no matter how well they're tarped.Max I will do now is 2 people with deck. Sleds stay relatively clean up on deck and gear can all stay warm and dry in back seat. Any more than that and we take enclosed. A lot of the sledding stuff stays in there year round and I just gotta hook up,throw some stuff inside and away we go.
 

0neoldfart

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I’ve owned 2 and 4 place open deck trailers, 5 decks, and two enclosed trailers (28’ heated and 19’ not heated), I prefer a deck, as the weight is on the truck, easier parking and access. That said, i don’t ride in larger groups these days, and often I ride areas that are difficult to stage from. So your needs/ group size may dictate a trailer. I also have a 1 ton with an 8’ box, the truck boss stays on the truck year round.
 
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