Time for a new cargo trailer

[Capt J-rod]

Hi guys, It's time for a new cargo trailer as I've outgrown the old one. Is ATC the same guys that started CampLite? I plan to go all aluminum on the next cargo and hope for the BIFL (buy it for life) trailer. The current one is rusting on the frame. I use it for ice fishing and this lovely spray de-icer is literally like napalm for equipment. Any inputs or other MFG's are appreciated. Price is important but I will pay for quality when it is there.

[Merlin]

Good thread. I'll be interested in responses.

I need a new utility trailer and will be buying one this spring. I plan to buy from R&R Trailers unless I hear about a better manufacturer in the next couple of months. They make a quality product on a semi-custom basis (lots of options, including special requests) and are located only about 2 hours from my house. I've corresponded with the sales manager and they are happy to do either factory pick-up or to ship. And, of course, all aluminum. Depending on where you are located, the shipping and/or pick-up costs might price these out of the market for you; they are not cheap (but also not overpriced).

http://rnrtrailers.com

[Capt J-rod]

Im in north central Ohio, so that is very doable. I also have a good friend in kalamazoo. I'm looking 7x14 v nose tandem with added height. What size were you after?

[Merlin]

I need an open utility trailer, no wider than 5-6 feet and no longer than 8-10 feet. It needs low sides, but not a top; and a tailgate, but not a ramp. We use one most every trip into our cabin in the Upper Peninsula and the "road" is not amenable to anything very wide, long, or tall. R&R has just the right thing, with a number of features I will add to get the BIFL trailer. Our current utility trailer (steel and wood) is 22 years old and it's past time for it to retire to an easier life with someone else.

I suspect if you gave R&R a call with your specs, they could fix you up. Will you be gaining a lot of room in going to a 7X14?

[Capt J-rod]

Mostly the v nose will allow me to haul 16' narrow materials. I do HVAC so it's nice to load all the equipment and tools for a job in a trailer. It also serves as storage when not at work. I'm an avid ice fisherman so it's great to keep everything out of the salt and secured. Honestly I can't live without an enclosed trailer now that I have one. My 7x12 has been great, but the liquid de-icer has made the frame start to rust. It's not dead by any means, but the writing is on the wall. If I sell it now it has value and it's depreciated off my books for the business. After discovering and owning a camplite, an aluminum cargo makes good sense. I'm also truck shopping which I hate. I want a crew max Toyota Tundra. I hate the fact that trucks are now $45k. Prices are going nuts on everything, BIFL has never been more important to me. I can deal with wheel bearings, lights and brakes... Frames? not so much.
FWIW I have a Moritz 5x8 dump trailer that is an absolute work horse... Trash duty, stone, mulch, dirt, or just cargo, that thing is a blessing. It's a great size, but get a 10' long one. 8' comes up short when hauling materials. I did the smaller one for work. It fits in a single car garage and it serves dumpster duty on jobs and for the rentals. Fits into the back yards nicely too.

[ADR]

FWIW I own a 20' Featherlite all aluminum enclosed trailer.   It has been great!   Did have to reseal the roof seams on the perimeter after sitting outside uncovered for 12 years.   The roof is fairly thick one piece aluminum.
They have gone up immensely since I bought this one.  No plans to ever part with it.

[Merlin]

Mostly the v nose will allow me to haul 16' narrow materials. I do HVAC so it's nice to load all the equipment and tools for a job in a trailer. It also serves as storage when not at work. I'm an avid ice fisherman so it's great to keep everything out of the salt and secured. Honestly I can't live without an enclosed trailer now that I have one. My 7x12 has been great, but the liquid de-icer has made the frame start to rust. It's not dead by any means, but the writing is on the wall. If I sell it now it has value and it's depreciated off my books for the business. After discovering and owning a camplite, an aluminum cargo makes good sense. I'm also truck shopping which I hate. I want a crew max Toyota Tundra. I hate the fact that trucks are now $45k. Prices are going nuts on everything, BIFL has never been more important to me. I can deal with wheel bearings, lights and brakes... Frames? not so much.
FWIW I have a Moritz 5x8 dump trailer that is an absolute work horse... Trash duty, stone, mulch, dirt, or just cargo, that thing is a blessing. It's a great size, but get a 10' long one. 8' comes up short when hauling materials. I did the smaller one for work. It fits in a single car garage and it serves dumpster duty on jobs and for the rentals. Fits into the back yards nicely too.

How do those avids taste?

That dump trailer looks really cool. With your encouragement, I guess I should look at enclosed trailers. Yes, the calcium and magnesium chloride solutions on roads are extremely corrosive. Tundras are spendy, but hold their value well. Are you trading in the Sequoia?

[Capt J-rod]

The sequoia will be traded eventually. I have a Tacoma that I love and plan to keep, the wife drives the sequoia. The tacoma pulls the camper ok, but gets pretty cramped with two kids. The long term is to buy a tundra and get the wife in a Subaru Outback. The tundra will be the new company truck. The sequoia has 120K and is going strong, I plan to run it to 150-170k. I am to the point where a Toyota is the only truck for me. I considered a Titan, but they just aren't there yet and continue to struggle with the new model. We looked at your land cruiser... Amazing vehicle, but I can have two tundras or one land cruiser. The scary part is that the land cruiser can probably outlast two tundras if the rust doesn't get it. I told the wife she can have one when we pay off the house lol.
As for the Avids, many times that is all we catch lol. They taste like ribeye at the local restaurant and are waaaay cheaper per pound. I think I have walleye down to just over $200/lb by the time you get the boat and tackle in there. Every one is always worried about gas and a boat, I always laugh and say that gas is the cheapest thing that goes in my boat.
If you are looking at a flat bed utility I would really consider a dump, but I can't say I've ever seen an aluminum dumper. Sorry the pic is sideways, I'm not smart enough to flip it on the inter webs.

[Merlin]

I hear you on boat costs. Even the few small boats I have are the typical "holes in the water you pour money into".

Our Land Cruiser is truly a BIFL vehicle. I use a wonderful product called Fluid Film to stop any rust. I can highly recommend the Outback. We really like ours. Especially in these surprise 12" snowfalls like we are having today in Lansing! 

[Capt J-rod]

I use fluid film on everything... I bought an undercoating gun and a gallon of fluid film. I have a hose attachment that gets into the tubes. Every fall I power wash and scrub the hell out of the frames of the vehicles. Let it dry and spray the hell out of it. In the spring I wash it all off. The hard part is remembering not to power wash the frame in the winter. I also drilled the doors and tailgate and put in the plugs. I get a gallon of WD-40 and spray all of my doors, rockers, and everywhere else. Good to hear on the Subaru. The wife drives 100 miles a day round trip to work. I would buy another sequoia, but its hard to wear out a $55,000 truck every 5 years. That and the 18mpg is a little harsh. I should have bought the tundra instead of the tacoma, but the 2nd gen tacos are bulletproof and the resale is just stupid. The problem I'm in is buying a $35k car and a $40K truck at the same time. I also hate having two vehicles the same age as this cycle will repeat itself in 5-6 years. UGGGH! What part of the U.P. do you go to? We went up 3 years ago and loved it. We hope to go back up this summer. We always end up at platte river in the L.P. and hang out in the dunes, Leland, Frankfort, and Traverse City. We love that area and it always draws us back each summer. We don't even need a map anymore.
Other than the mess, the gun is the way to go. Wear the white suit and a spray hood, it takes two days to get that stuff out of your hair... Don't ask how I know.

[Merlin]

We go to our cabin straight north of Newberry, MI in the eastern U.P. We certainly know the T.C. area well too.

Good to know another Fluid Film enthusiast! The gun and gallon are much cheaper per application, but I've stuck with the small rattle cans because I get good control in tight places and I don't have that Fluid Film hair-do when I'm done. 

A 100 mile round trip to/from work! Wow! For sure get the Subie. It will cut your gas cost almost in half and be a safe, comfy ride. Unless you need that 3rd row for the kids. Highlander?

BTW, if you haven't discovered the Lake Huron coast yet for camping, give it a try sometime. We are doing our annual "follow the bird migration" north in May this year, starting at Port Crescent State Park and ending at Harrisville State Park. Beautiful parks all along the coast, with great beaches and with no crowds like on the T.C. side.

[tco2612]

I camp at Lake Superior and Blind Sucker Camp Ground in the spring and fall my wife and I are hooked at camping in this area of the UP.We also like Copper Harbor and porcupine mountain.

[Merlin]

I camp at Lake Superior and Blind Sucker Camp Ground in the spring and fall my wife and I are hooked at camping in this area of the UP.We also like Copper Harbor and porcupine mountain.

You like some nice places! One of the other members on here mountain bikes at Copper Harbor. See my message to you about property!

[mojospeople]

I camp at Lake Superior and Blind Sucker Camp Ground in the spring and fall my wife and I are hooked at camping in this area of the UP.We also like Copper Harbor and porcupine mountain.

You like some nice places! One of the other members on here mountain bikes at Copper Harbor. See my message to you about property!

I might resemble that last remark! We're actually in Marquette right now for a long weekend of fat biking the groomed trails up here. No camping this time - rented a cabin and it's awesome! Hope to get back up here to camp later this summer. With any luck we'll split the time between Marquette and Copper Harbor. Heaven on earth!

[tco2612]

You gotta love the UP...................... GREAT PLACE TO BE..........................