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Hey people, a few of you might recognize this. I was trying to figure out whether I wanted to go with a Hustler or Ferris. I had a guy drop off a Hustler and Ferris and ended up going with the Ferris. So right now I have a Ferris IS 2100Z with a 52" Deck and a 26 HP Vanguard (not EFI) and I love it! I also got the premium suspension seat to go with it and it is so much more comfortable than the standard seat.

Now that is taken care of I really need to decide on a trailer whether it be open or enclosed. I was hoping I could get a little more feedback and it would make it easier to make my decision. Anyway I was really leaning towards an open trailer because I am going to put premium (very expensive) mower covers over my units. They are probably not as protected as they would be in an enclosed trailer but it still gets the job done. I found a good website (WE Chapps, Inc. 2014 - Home) that sells very nice covers for everything including trimmers, blowers, and the like. This way you can cover your equipment and as long as it is secured to the trailer you do not have to worry about loading and unloading it.

The whole reason I am/was leaning towards the open trailers is because of the horror stories I have heard with enclosed trailers. For example, they can get very hot and put extra wear and tear on the equipment. Also that any gasoline that is stored in the trailer in cans or in the equipment can degrade very quickly and create major issues. I have not clue how much of this is true and have heard several people tell me it is true and several others tell me I have nothing to worry about.

Another reason this scares me very much is because I do plan to use this as a "storage unit" for my equipment. I have a very nice Craftsman zero turn that is going to be used as a backup to the new Ferris. Therefore, I will only use the Craftsman from time to time and would hope that the gas does not get really bad. This is also true for my other equipment as well. For example, with my trimmers I alternate between them and always keep a backup in case one runs out of line or something I can just grab the other one and rewind the line later on. How much of this stuff is true? I am definitely starting to lean more towards a 6x12 or 6x14 enclosed trailer. However, if these rumors are true I think I would rather have my equipment a little more exposed to the elements and have nice covers over them where they will receive adequate ventilation.

As always there is much more to be said, but this is already starting to flood like normal. So I am going to leave it alone for now. If there is anything else you need to know please ask. I appreciate any input anyone can give me. I just really want to make certain whatever I choose is a good choice because this is something I do not want to deal with for at least a few years. So if I go with the enclosed trailer that is what I want to deal with for a long time.

Go back and read my posts about trailers in your thread about Ferris verses Hustler!!!!
Not sure how much feedback you need, but education costs money!!!!!
Closed 6X12 and 6X14 are not wide enough, both inside and between the retraction cables for the ramp!!!!!!
Machine covers are a royal pain to deal with on a regular basis!
If you think that fuel storage containers, usually plastic, get hot in a closed trailer, what do you think they do out in direct sunshine????
Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

Mad Mackie said:

Go back and read my posts about trailers in your thread about Ferris verses Hustler!!!!
Not sure how much feedback you need, but education costs money!!!!!
Mad Mackie in CT:smile::biggrin::laughing:

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Yeah I already read them. I will go back because I do not remember if you mentioned the heat issue or not. You are one of the ones that made me rethink the open trailer. I had 100% decided on an open trailer and then started to change little by little.

Did you mention the heat issue? This is going to be used as more of a garage than a trailer for me. Just I am going to use it to transport equipment when needed. So a lot of my equipment is going to sit in this trailer with no use for a little while. I am thinking the enclosed is the way to go now though. I will still have to think it over a little.

I had three open trailers before going to closed cargo trailers. On the open trailers, I never put more than 4.7 gallons in a 5 gallon container because of expansion. Both of the older GTs that I ran for years had black vinyl seats, guess what they do in the direct sunshine!!!!

Open trailers are easier to load and unload and easier to use. If you do go enclosed just poke a tiny vent hole in the gas can

I used to have an open trailer and then I bought a new enclosed. I love my enclosed trailer and will never go back.

If you have the extra money for the enclosed I think you would like it alot better

exotion said:

Open trailers are easier to load and unload and easier to use. If you do go enclosed just poke a tiny vent hole in the gas can

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Everyone has an opinion. I'm going to have a stroke trying to decide what trailer to purchase.

Either way thanks for all the input. I have been told by pretty much everyone who has an enclosed trailer that I will be happy with it. I'm sure that I will be happy with either. Just need to find a way to make up my mind.

Also I will not be able to put any holes of any type in my gas cans. They get moved around a lot and certain it would spill everywhere. Plus wouldn't this slowly release fumes and cause the enclosed trailer to be filled with them? I could imagine someone near me smoking a cigarette when I open the door lol. Boom! $25,000 worth of equipment gone.

They make vents for trailers. they do get very hot but the vents help a fair amount. I store stuff in mine and it keeps pretty well. Intense heat is not that many months of the year. I have a friend that keeps two expensive motorcycles in his enclosed and they are a lot more expensive than 25 grand. Do not have a stroke over a trailer. Not worth it. Buy good insurance.

White or brightly colored helps. Ive seen people put actual Windows with bars over it on the sides and vents on the roof. Even roof fans how much you wanna spend?


He'll just slap an ac in there

exotion said:

White or brightly colored helps. Ive seen people put actual Windows with bars over it on the sides and vents on the roof. Even roof fans how much you wanna spend?


He'll just slap an ac in there

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I already looked into putting a battery in the enclosed trailer. I would want to wire an alarm system, lighting system, and two fans. The first fan would be an intake and the second would be an exhaust. The trailer guy said since my truck is a little newer it is all ready to go. He said that I can also add another car battery to the enclosed and when it is connected to the truck it will charge. If I go a long time without connecting it to the truck I am sure I could get it connected to a wire coming from my house.

I have a $400.00 zero turn cover coming. The guy said I am welcome to return it if I decide to go with an enclosed trailer or just do not like it. So maybe I will let it rain on it a few times with the cover installed and see what happens.

Hexa Fox said:

I already looked into putting a battery in the enclosed trailer. I would want to wire an alarm system, lighting system, and two fans. The first fan would be an intake and the second would be an exhaust. The trailer guy said since my truck is a little newer it is all ready to go. He said that I can also add another car battery to the enclosed and when it is connected to the truck it will charge. If I go a long time without connecting it to the truck I am sure I could get it connected to a wire coming from my house.

I have a $400.00 zero turn cover coming. The guy said I am welcome to return it if I decide to go with an enclosed trailer or just do not like it. So maybe I will let it rain on it a few times with the cover installed and see what happens.

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Intake fan low, exhaust on roof. Extra battery make sure your trucks alternator can handle the extra load. A power inverter will be necessary for non truck power

exotion said:

Intake fan low, exhaust on roof. Extra battery make sure your trucks alternator can handle the extra load. A power inverter will be necessary for non truck power

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Another reason I leaned towards a open trailer. So I do not have to be worrying about anything like this. The reason I really want to get this right is because a trailer is something I do not want to have to look at for a long time after this. For example, in a few years I will probably be looking at another new mower. However, I do not want to be looking at upgraded to a enclosed trailer or buying a open trailer for other convenient options.

I guess this could be another big reason to lean towards the enclosed trailer. I have already put a lot of thought into the enclosed trailer. I thought about using solar panels to power some of the interior hardware/battery.

Hexa Fox said:

Another reason I leaned towards a open trailer. So I do not have to be worrying about anything like this. The reason I really want to get this right is because a trailer is something I do not want to have to look at for a long time after this. For example, in a few years I will probably be looking at another new mower. However, I do not want to be looking at upgraded to a enclosed trailer or buying a open trailer for other convenient options.

I guess this could be another big reason to lean towards the enclosed trailer. I have already put a lot of thought into the enclosed trailer. I thought about using solar panels to power some of the interior hardware/battery.

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I feel like that's alot of work to have to put exhaust fans and batteries and stuff like that. I've had an enclosed trailer for over a year and have had zero heat problems with it and I live in Florida. I used to work for a lawn company who used enclosed as well and never had problems either

One of my trailers was a 10,000 GVW 8X20 with extra height in which I installed a deep cycle battery to power the 12 volt florescent lighting that I also had installed. I used this trailer in winter to haul around my two GTs, one with a 54" plow, the other with a 48" snowblower and a 28" self powered snow blower.
I'm also into model railroading and used it to haul the train modules(tables)to train shows. I gave up customer snow removal in 2010 and sold this trailer.
My current trailer is a 7,000 GVW 7X14 with extra height and I should have bought a 7X16 which would comfortably fit two medium sized ZTRs.

zmister11 said:

I feel like that's alot of work to have to put exhaust fans and batteries and stuff like that. I've had an enclosed trailer for over a year and have had zero heat problems with it and I live in Florida. I used to work for a lawn company who used enclosed as well and never had problems either

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Another thing for me is that some of the equipment will not be used regularly. I am guessing that on a company trailer that has several guys working on one property that all the equipment is getting used on at least a weekly basis. I will have equipment that will be stored in there.

Starting to lean towards the enclosed now. Yeah it is a lot of work to add this stuff to the trailer. I have seen people (several on YouTube) add a additional battery to power an alarm system. Theft is a big deal in some places and people want to be protected.

There are literally people who have protocols for stealing stuff off trailers. A couple lookouts and another guy cutting the hinges off your trailer to clean you out. If you had the alarm if it did not scare them off with the warning tone then it would after the door came off. They are way too loud. Even way out here a neighbor or someone is going to here it and be looking.

Hexa Fox said:

Another thing for me is that some of the equipment will not be used regularly. I am guessing that on a company trailer that has several guys working on one property that all the equipment is getting used on at least a weekly basis. I will have equipment that will be stored in there.

Starting to lean towards the enclosed now. Yeah it is a lot of work to add this stuff to the trailer. I have seen people (several on YouTube) add a additional battery to power an alarm system. Theft is a big deal in some places and people want to be protected.

There are literally people who have protocols for stealing stuff off trailers. A couple lookouts and another guy cutting the hinges off your trailer to clean you out. If you had the alarm if it did not scare them off with the warning tone then it would after the door came off. They are way too loud. Even way out here a neighbor or someone is going to here it and be looking.

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Yeah that alarm seems really neat. About how much would that cost?

zmister11 said:

Yeah that alarm seems really neat. About how much would that cost?

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Believe it or not they are dirt cheap compared to the other investments we are talking about here. The alarm system alone is around $100.00 on Ebay. However you will spend at least that buying another battery to power all of this stuff. Go ahead and check this video out here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzenSPDJqE

It has a little "warning chirp" that seems pretty sensitive. So it is probably enough to scare off anyone tempted to steal your stuff. The thing about thieves is that it does not matter who they are, the goal is to get their and get the job done as quick as possible and get out. This is mostly so they are not seen, and if they are seen they are already on the road. Therefore, an alarm system is great as it is a 99% deterrent for any criminal when talking about an enclosed trailer.

My insurance agent informed me of the statistics. He said that there are basically two scenarios. They are as follows.

1.) Thieves drive by hoping to quickly grab or cut something off your open or enclosed trailer while you are working or even while it is sitting.

2.) Thieves try to break into your trailer and take you for everything you have, or even try to drag the entire trailer away with their own truck.

So basically they are either after one or two items max or looking to clean you out entirely. The bad thing about insurance is that it is not cost effective to have really really good insurance. Because you want your rates to be as low as possible. Therefore, if someone drives by and grabs a $300.00 trimmer off of your trailer/truck you eat it even if you are insured. My insurance agent was trying to explain is that it is not worth it to make a claim over something so small for many reasons. For this reason you are better off trying to keep all your equipment secured. If someone comes by why you are cutting grass and is able to steal anything you are probably at a loss for the entire day. If you lose a $300.00 trimmer then you are probably going to lose a couple days or more worth of work, which really sucks.

We have not had any thefts in our exact area where we live at but we are kinda away from town. This would be a bad place to target because you could drive the entire neighborhood and not find one guy mowing grass for a living on a nice day. However, downtown is a totally different story. Plus it is a dumb decision to rob anyone in West Virginia because chances are you are going to meet a few guys that have guns. I have a concealed carry, but I do not keep the firearm with me while mowing. Even though it is a small pistol it would be very uncomfortable.

By the way comfort is a really big deal to me when mowing. I just bought a pair of Columbia Hiking Boots from Dick's Sporting Goods and they are really comfortable and water proof. They are a really nice pair of boots. They have great traction when you are push mowing steep banks and the like. I stopped using them as Landscaping boots the first day. They are so comfortable I wear them on a normal day. I tried on a pair of Red Wings and liked them as well. They just did not have my size.

Everyone talked about what you should look for like comfort, how long the shoe/boot will last, and features like steel toe. In my opinion you should get something that is comfortable even if they only last a year. Anyway this is a topic for another time I guess.

I am going to wait until I get this $400.00 cover for my Ferris and then I will make my decision. By the way if anyone here is wondering what cover I am talking about here is the link to it.

W.E. Deluxe Rider/ ZCover - WE Chapps, Inc. 2014

I have one of those Deluxe Toro Covers over my Craftsman now. They are really, really nice covers. Just it will not fit on the Ferris. They only fit on the smaller residential zero turns. My Craftsman is a 54" deck and it just barley squeezes over the entire machine, which also gives it a great fit too! The Ferris only has a 52" deck and the cover does not even get down close to the deck because of how big the machine is. By the way I removed the ROPS right after the guy left lol.

Mad Mackie said:

One of my trailers was a 10,000 GVW 8X20 with extra height in which I installed a deep cycle battery to power the 12 volt florescent lighting that I also had installed. I used this trailer in winter to haul around my two GTs, one with a 54" plow, the other with a 48" snowblower and a 28" self powered snow blower.
I'm also into model railroading and used it to haul the train modules(tables)to train shows. I gave up customer snow removal in 2010 and sold this trailer.
My current trailer is a 7,000 GVW 7X14 with extra height and I should have bought a 7X16 which would comfortably fit two medium sized ZTRs.

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Since I am just derailing this thread off topic the MoJack Pro's are a pretty cool toy right? I found out when using them to lift a Zero Turn you need to leave the brake off until you get it where you want it. I just used mine yesterday to lift up and clean out my new Ferris!