Trailer Door Preference

Webs

Those of you that have enclosed trailers, do you prefer having a ramp door or swinging doors in the rear of the trailer. Why would you pick one over the other. Also do you have a brand of trailer that you prefer?

dougchips

I used a ramp door for a week before buying a trailer with swinging doors. The ramp doors take up to much space to fold down, driveways are only so long.

Spend the extra money for the "V" front, the extra cost is worth the money. Stay away from the lowes/depot trailers they are not the best quality. Spend the money on lettering, the trailer can be your traveling billboard.

Webs

what kind of trailer do you have? I have been looking at wells cargo and haulmark.

Mike Finley

Just ordered my trailer, got the swing doors for all of the above, plus was reminded during our latest snow storm how much it would suck to have to shovel a place behind the trailer just to put the ramps down the next morning, not to mention having to shovel off snow just to close them.

dougchips

Both are really good choices! I have a Horton Hailer 6x12. I could not find a good used trailer, searched a 200 mile radius on e-bay. I think that I spent $2200 or $3000 and then $1000 for painting and lettering.

I am really happy with the trailer and would buy the same brand again. In the past 4 years I had to replace the tires once and some bulbs, she treats me well.

Big Dave

I've got a ramp door on mine and wouldn't have it any other way. I have never had any issues with not enough room to lay the door down. Mine is extra tall and it's only 7' long. I've needed it to load and unload some heavy stuff that can be put on dollys and rolled in without heavy lifting.

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Do one thing at a time, do it well, then move on.
http://www.bigdaveswoodworks.com

wolffhomerepair

I went with the ramp. Much easier on the knees walking in and out all day long. Also bigger tools can be rolled in and out like Dave said. I have a 7x12 King Cobra and have had no problems with it so far.

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http://www.wolffhomerepair.com


" Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time "

Toothpick

We have the swing doors as it works best for us. A lot depends on what you use it for. Generaly speaking people that use thier trailer for instance delivery purposes such as cabinets would prefere ramps because they great using with hand truck. Where as using it as a tool crib I prefere swing doors because I'll usually leave the doors open all day even in bas weather if it isn't blowing in the trailer plus you don't need a landing zone for the ramp. An idea I had with ours is welding some brackets underneath the trailer for a self storing ramp that can clip on the rear then I can have the best of both.

pruane

If you are in and out all day I would go with the ramp.

joasis

I just bought an 8 x 20 CargoMate trailer, with a ramp...reasoning for me is the weight of equipment coming in and out. My new insulation machine weighs 400 pounds, and if I carry our concrete equipment, much easier to roll up the ramp, then lift to the door.

The correct choice would be "it depends".

Since I am diving into the insulation business as a sideline, I will get graphics on the trailer.

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Robie

I too just purchased a new trailer 8.5 x16 Haulmark. It's my second Haulmark and I have been happy with it. I opted for the swing out doors because of the added length issue with a ramp. I made a ramp that I can haul with me and use as I need it.

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If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson

King of Crown

if you work in crowded areas dont get the ramp, but if you have the room, get the ramp.

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Real nice guys

dayexco

we bought a 8.5 x 20' cargo mate last yr with swinging doors. i hate the swinging doors, love the rest of the trailer. we're normally working out in an open field, no wind protection, and those little plastic restraints with the knobs on the end of them last about 6 wind gusts, and they're gone. like joasis said.......the ramp would be VERY nice to load/unload stuff and not have to worry about the wind.

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someday, i'll be as patient as Nick.

skylands

I also did the 8.5X16 Haulmark. I went with the swing doors because this is our shop. We did work benches, cabinets and hardwired it. We pull up to a job and plug it in.

Now I'm thinking of getting another one and load it up with hardware and lumber. This one will have a ramp.

Edsollen

6X12 with ramp door works great for our general remodeling business.
Joel

Webs

You guys are making it hard on me. I thought I had my mind set on getting the swinging doors but from the sounds of it, most of you like the ramp door. Decisions, decisions

jstrand23

I also have a 6x12 tandem enclosed with a ramp door. Found a used one with some miles on it for a song(under 2k) Previous owner (Farrior Service) had it insulated with 1/4" foam and lined with trimcoil. I originally wanted swinging doors but couldn't pass up the price/trailer. Love my ramp door and wouldn't go back as i don't have to step up, my knees creak enough while walking. Also you only need like 3 ft or so more with the ramp door in the rear coming down compared to the swinging doors.
United Cargo trailer. Only bad part is one of the fenders being half ripped off by a flat tire from the previous owner. $100 for a new one, but spent that money on the Lettering.

Jason
Strand Carpentry

ApgarNJ

i've been shopping for trailers for a while and I know i'm going with a ramp. i don't work in cramped city streets and most of the jobs, if there is room for a trailer, there is room for the ramp. and if not. i'll have a 4' side door that i can get in and out of with anything i need. i plan on having an air compressor to wheel in and out of it, generator with wheels. these are all things that are a pain to pick up and put into a trailer or truck if you don't have ramps or an extra helper. and most of the time i'm loading things at the house before i leave for work, and i'm alone.
wells cargo is probably the brand trailer i'll buy.
16 or 18' long. i'm also going to wire mine so i can plug it into my generator or into a house receptacle.

QWIKWHIP

I opted for the ramp door also. I have a tandem 7x12 V-nose made by United Trailers. Only had it for a couple months now, but seems like a quality trailer. I like the idea of the ramp for wheeling water heaters, boilers, furnaces, etc in and out with no problems.

Plus it's nice to be able to get my snowmobile in it if I have to.

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JCW Residential Services
Heating - Cooling - Plumbing

RobertCDF

I have a 6x12 with a ramp door. I rarely use the ramp doors as I leave the trailer at most jobs stocked with tools. I would rather not leave it open for the world to see whats in it.

Get an flanged inlet from marinco and wire a breaker box inside. Wire a bunch of outlets around where you need them. Add some 12V lighting inside as well as some 120V. Bolt your compressor to the floor and buy a few 100' flexeel hoses. Put an air outlet on the outside of the trailer. So you can keep the doors closed in the winter with the heater runing for breaktime (not as important if you work inside)

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks