So here's a question, would you prefer to tow your single sled in a clamshell tilt and load or a 6x12 cargo with ramp door? 70% of the time I'd be towing it with only one sled, but I feel the clam shell would still get better gas mileage as it's much lighter than the 6x12 cargo trailer.

The cargo is nice to just drop the door and back out and have the room to walk inside. But the clam shell would be nice for those few times a year I'd pick up a buddy and not have to unhook and load one in the bed and re hook each time.

 

7 X 14 inline. It will pull easier than any clamshell and you can still get two sleds in there when need be.

Note: you might get this moved to the trailer forum.

 

I just went from a clam for my sleds to a race trailer. wish it was a drive through but thats alright for what i traded him. anyway... my clam didnt get the best mileage while towing, 8-11 depending on conditions with my 5.3 gmc. it is wide and imo that is what causes the issue.

the narrow trailer would better for wind imo. i have towed a 7' x 12 with much better results for mileage, 12-14 in the same sort of conditions.

clams are kind of a pain imo, you have to tilt them and mess around with getting them latched up front. if its a 12' it isnt bad, my 10' was tight, i had to have them right up to the nose of the trailer to have them latched and fit well. plus i had to strap them down in the back to make sure they wouldnt stretch the suspensions back up and hit the roof.

drive into the 6' x 12 and back out to get out and call it a day.

thats just me though!

steve

 

What is the height of the cargo trailer?

The best part of bigger trailer for me is being able to be in it and work on a sled.

 

Had a clamshell, now have a 12' hybrid. Never have a clamshell again. :mellow_old:

 

I hate our clamshell with a passion. Top is super flimsy, and you can't open it with snow on top. Next trailer I get is definitely gonna be a ramp or hybrid.

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7 X 14 inline. It will pull easier than any clamshell and you can still get two sleds in there when need be.

Note: you might get this moved to the trailer forum.

This^^^^^^^^^
Drive in drive out. Plenty of room for gear and anything else. I love mine. Its perfect imho.

 

You only gave 2 options, so I voted. But recognize that if you turn the suggested 6x12 into a 7x12, you will have a fully legitimate 2 place enclosed trailer -- pull one in forward and back the 2nd one in. It only takes one more foot of width to make that fully convenient and functional, even with 2 long tracks. And frankly MAYBE would work with a 6x12 also, but it'll be a bit tight unless you get a 6x12 with a V up front...then it probably will work for two and no need to use your truck bed anyway.

So anyhow that's my true vote you didn't offer...7x12.

And it seems you think the lighter weight of the clamshell will improve your mileage, but I believe you will find it won't make a bit of difference. Aerodynamics of a clamshell are dismal. Therefore they'll both get about the same MPG despite any weight difference...Woudn't surprise me if the cargo does better actually. Aero trumps weight savings EVERY time, if you're doing any amount of highway speeds anyway. And narrower trailers like 6 or 7 foot wide are easier to see behind and to back up with no need for extended mirrors. Clamshells are too dang wide.

 

Wow, not the answers I was expecting really. I thought more would be for the clam. I currently own a 6x12, but like the idea of 2 sleds in the trailer, though when in reality mine would always get the dry trailer and whom ever I'm with would get the bed.

That's also the reason for not listing a 7x12+ v or 7x14, ideally that's what I'd have, but guys are asking a lot for them up here. I'd reeeally like for it to be all alum. While my Sierra has no problem pulling the weight of the steel frames I feel like stopping with 2500lbs behind me in the winter wouldn't be as fun.

i figured I'd pick up a cheap folding ramp since it wouldn't have to be long as the clamshell deck isn't that high off the ground and just skip the whole tilting process by putting a couple slots in the deck and using clips that drop into them on the ramp so I don't have to strap it down or anything. I wasn't a huge fan of the tilt on my old open 101x10' trailer and I imagine having to duck under the cap would add a new level of fun to it.

 

Most 6x12 enclosed trailers weigh about 1300 pounds I think? Add your one sled you're at maybe 2000. Put a second sled in the bed and you get great traction to keep the pickup planted firmly.

Now put 2 sleds in an aluminum clamshell, you're again at about 2000 pounds. Leave the bed empty/light and it'll be squirlly in the slick stuff.

I'd frankly choose the former option for stability and winter hauling. There's nothing like sticking a sled in the bed of a truck to gain traction...though if it's only a half-ton truck it's gonna squat pretty bad loaded like that, might not be ideal either. My experience has always been with 3/4 ton, little or no squat loaded as such, and I loved towing with a sled in the bed to help settle everything down the best possible. Minor pain to load I certainly agree.

If you intend to use a ramp with a clamshell, don't engineer your own...just buy a non-tilt clamshell with ramps designed for the trailer. Very common and many prefer these over tilt beds.

 

The clam shell is used, but basically new, can get it for about $2000 it's a 8.5x12'. I would buy a ramp as well, I have some steel cat walk decking I was going to make a truck ramp out of, but it's pretty heavy and would suck to set up.

Also my truck is a 1/2 ton, but I do have an add a leaf in the rear along with a 2.5" lift all round. She handles weight pretty well for what it is.

I just got a 7x12+ v with steel frame priced out at 4750 tax in. Almost seeming like the best option, I have an offer of $2500 for my 6x12 cargo now.

If only I hadn't just bought a brand new Xrs haha, if I buy a new trailer as well it surely won't snow!

 

I echo what Craze1cars has said.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I'm the opposite. Put them all in the trailer and roll out. Don't want to carry a ramp, don't want one on my truck. I use my truck for other stuff. Fuel caddy, tools, and other things go in the bed with a tonnou cover not the trailer.

Bigger trailer for more room = happy Steve

I towed my 8.5 x 10 clam for a lot of miles on some terrible roads with no problems swaying, spinning, or swaying.

My clam and my new to me race trailer.
The nice part about clams, they are cheap. Plus a 8.5x12 would be much better than a 10' for room for bags and stuff.

Steve

 

There's the clam, and my current cargo.

 

That's a lot nicer clam than my little Chilton is. I'd be on the fence a bit too ha-ha.

If it is going to be one sled most of the time- th cargo definitely. The clam will track different with only one sled on it unless you can load it in the middle (mine I can't)

Can't get my two pics to load from my phone ATM...

Steve

 

I'd move the sled to the center of the clam after driving it up, I would possibly even buy those super tracks glides/grips so I could just drive it up the center and still have ski guides in the center as well.

You guys got me stumped now, do I deal with the 6x12 cargo and bed loading for this year and look for a 7x12 or 14 ( 2 137" sleds fit in a 7x12+ 2'v right??) for next year or maybe this year. Or do I sell the cargo and get the clam and have $300 gas money and deal with having to clear the snow.

I also like the idea of having a space to tinker on the sled, as I just signed a lease on an appartment with the girl friend and will be keeping the sled/trailer at my parents place out of the city.

I was also talking with a guy about a older " hybrid " style that's 101x12' and has a ramp rear door. I imagine it'd weigh about the same or a touch more than the 6x12 cargo, but is only 64" interior height, so not even close to standing for me at 6'2" bare foot. I can get it for a fair bit cheaper then the clamshell even. The looks don't bother me, heck I almost prefer the crappy beat up look, that way people will think there are crappy beat up toys in it. Not a brand new sled.

Thoughts on it? Here's a pic.

 

If that hybrid is solid, and cheap, sounds like best option yet IMO of the 3 you are considering (for hauling two sleds). Looks like dual axles...possibly brakes? That would be another benefit you probably don't have with the other two, just need to put a controller on your truck if you don't have one.

Yes a 7x12 will fit 2 long tracks -- even without any V at all. But one has to be forward, the other backwards. You asked that earlier.

But this all brings me back to the fact that you only tow a single sled most of the time. That hybrid, or the "dream" 7x14 or 7x12, are both kinda overkill for one sled. And you already have a 6x12 in the driveway. So that option is entirely free, and couldn't be easier.

Have fun agonizing LOL...your choice.

 

Steel sucks, after three or four years it will be junk. Use it in the summer and its fine, winter will ruin it......

 

Yes the 6x12 is the cheapest option, especially considering I got it for $700 as the guy had to move it to make room for his new trailer he was picking up the next day. The 7x12/14 would be over kill a bit, but I could make use of it in the summer as a sleeping cabin at the cottage haha.

I also fully agree alum is the way to go, we use salt up here and lots of it. I see lots of newer trailers rusting out. I can get a 7x12+v all alum seamless exterior for $6000 taxes in brand new, but man that seems like a lot of coin to have in a trailer for 1 sled most the time.

I'm haggling with a guy on a 7x12 steel right now, if I can get him down to 3500 I might pull the trigger, I know it'll start rusting in 3-5 years, but it'll still do its job for 10.

 

Not sure where you are from but r&r trailers in MI are pretty reasonably priced, I'm going with a 7x12 plus 2 foot v nose. All aluminum with rear ramp is $3795. Just called on it a week ago. I've been having the same dilemma as you on deciding on trailer needs. What it comes down to for me is the 7x12 an fit 2 sleds, most likely pull nicer, as will be much more useful in the summer time for other toys

 

Yes the 6x12 is the cheapest option, especially considering I got it for $700 as the guy had to move it to make room for his new trailer he was picking up the next day. The 7x12/14 would be over kill a bit, but I could make use of it in the summer as a sleeping cabin at the cottage haha.

I also fully agree alum is the way to go, we use salt up here and lots of it. I see lots of newer trailers rusting out. I can get a 7x12+v all alum seamless exterior for $6000 taxes in brand new, but man that seems like a lot of coin to have in a trailer for 1 sled most the time.

I'm haggling with a guy on a 7x12 steel right now, if I can get him down to 3500 I might pull the trigger, I know it'll start rusting in 3-5 years, but it'll still do its job for 10.

Looking at the ads in our local Auto Trader magazine and they have a new all aluminum inline NEO 7' x 18' w/5'V (23') for $6000.

RnR has the same trailer for $6000 as well---Both trailers are dual axles with electric brakes. These trailers are the basic package.

I had a 7' x'18' w/5' V and was able to run three 1200 Renegades (137") straight in. When needed I could get three Renegades and an Adrenaline(120"). In this case you have to drive two in and back two in.

You may want to check these two companies out. I'm pretty sure you can get a 12" or 14' all aluminum hybrid for not much more than $3500.

Good luck in your search.

 

You guys get way better prices on stuff down there. I can get a 7x12 all alum for about $6000 tax in up here, cheapest I've been able to find. Our dollar is weak though.

 

You guys get way better prices on stuff down there. I can get a 7x12 all alum for about $6000 tax in up here, cheapest I've been able to find. Our dollar is weak though.

OOPS---Didn't notice you were in Canada. You guys up there sure get the short end of the stick on pricing.

 

I love my single clam.

 

I'm happy with this

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