Conference asd::snowmobiles

    Some friends and myself are looking into buying a 4 place enclosed
    v-nose trailer. There are so many to choose from I was woundering if
    anyone has any comments on brands, steel vs. galvi vs aluminum etc.
    Also we may be interested in looking at a good used one if anyone knows
    of one for sale. Also if you know of any dealers that offer more than
    one brand so we can see the differences between them that would also be
    useful. thanks for any help.
    dave
    

    
    
        Exsiss is a nice trailer.  Featherlite is the best, in my 
        opinion.  Huge bucks would be spent.  Aluminum is the ONLY 
        way to go if you and the pals are going to spring for it.  
        Anything else, (Steel frame, alum sides) turns ugly to fast 
        and scares the bee-jee-bees out of the perspective buyer
        once you are done with it. 
        
        The steel is/was fine for you, but you're selling it just 
        when it would be a problem for "me". 
    
        I have seen some four-place works of art out there.  I wish
        I had ten grand hanging around to set one up as nice as my
        two place. Well, in the end it would be much nicer than my 
        two place.  Generator, lights, heat, tool box, storage and 
        Kathy Ireland!!! 
    
        I can dream, can't I? 
    
        Good luck. 
    
    
       -Rick.
    
    
        

    Some of the four-place solid(as opposed to tilt top) trailers can
    get pretty expensive. Most have options like on board batteries
    for lights, power converters, venting systems, different styles of
    ramps systems, different axle and wheel combinations, etc. Basically
    you get a rolling workshop with secure year round storage. You get to
    add the other neat stuff light generators, compressors, storage, etc.
     Then there is the cost of the toy to tow it. Not cheap either.
     Some of the better brand names have web sites so you can browse
    on-line at what's out their. 
     Keep us informed if you get one. We would all certainly be jealous
    (especially Rickratt(tm)). 
      
      snowman
      p.s. During the DEC trip in Quebec this year these guys had a Pace
    Arrow motorhome towing a tilt top four-place trailer. Talk about one
    long rig! 
    
    

    Dave,
    
      Gary makes a good point about what type of vehicle you/your buddies
    have to pull a 4 place unit.  You do not want to have to upgrade the
    tow vechicle so what is the towing capacity of that vehicle?? 
      That towing capacity will dictate whether you should be looking at
    a steel or aluminum trailer.  Steel/Galv will be 20 to 30% cheaper than
    aluminum but weight is the issue.
      I would recommend buying a used aluminum trailer for some number of
    reasons:
    - let someone else take the depreciation first year
    - most 1 or 2 year old aluminum trailers are still in showroom shape
    - if any of your buddies drop out,  you can recover most/all of your
      investment
    - Used 4 place trailers are in demand by contractors/motorcycle
      folks/small businesses  so selling them has a larger market
    - Owning a 4 place trailer has a different set of issues with it than
      a 2 place trailer...(electric/hydraulic brakes, maintenance,
      registration fees, load leveling hitches etc)
    
      Now,  as far as dealerships having multiple brands I only know of a 
    few:   Hooksett Kawasaki---Featherlite and HaulMark Trailers
           Poor Farm Trading Post---Trition and HaulMark
           Amherst Motor Sports---EXXISS and others
      Most dealers have contacts that can bring in all kinds of trailers,
    so just call and see what they have...Some dealers will have special
    sales during the snowmobile shows as well.
    
    My penny,
    Kurt
    

    Oh let's talk $$$$
    
      In general,  bear bones v nose 4 place trailers...(no dealer bailout
    pricing here, just in general)
    
    
    Aluminum:
    
    EXXISS  Trailer  @ $ 9,500
    Featherlite Trailer @ $ 10,000 
    Cam Trailer @ $ 8,500
    
    
     Steel or Galv:
    
    Haulmark   @ $ 6,800
    TimberWolf @ $ 5,700
    Pace       @ $ 6,000
    Kristie    @ $ 5,500
    Interstate @ $ 5,400
    
      There are lots to choose from.  I just wanted to give you a idea
    based on some figures I have seen.. You should be able to buy a used
    trailer 1 year old for 20% cost of new, a 2 year old trailer at %30
    cost of new etc...watch out for the optional goodies,  it can be 
    expensive.
    
    Kurt
     

    
    
        Of the two top aluminum brands, Exxsis and Featherlight, 
    I'd go with a Featherlight first, even though it cost five 
    hundred bones more.  Why? 
    
        Brand name.  Both are very nice trailers but at resale 
    time, it's the Featherlight that will stand out at the flea 
    markets and more important, the WantAd pages. The quality is 
    the same but the name goes a long way.   There are not too
    many people who know trailers as well as some of the folks 
    here so the Exxsis would require some major sales speak on 
    your part when working the deal.  It's just not worth it 
    because then they (may) look at you like a used car salesman.
    
        The overall impact is a 5% uplift which gets cut out to 
    a buck twenty five each.  Not to bad for owning the best. 
    
        I'd still suggest going out and buying a small fleet of
    two place tilts.  I have very clear memories of four place 
    hell.  If you want to reach to the back seat and choke one
    of your best friends to death, then something is wrong.
    
        
       -Rick.
    

    Dave,
    
      Here is a radical idea....buy a Triton or Karavan aluminum 4 place
    trailer.  Cost will be between $2,900 and $3,100 new.  The weight will
    be 1,100 pounds for the trailer. 
      Next,  purchase a aluminum cap, custom built - 6 feet high with 
    popup doors on the ends for drive in-drive out access, pick your color 
    etc.  The cost will be about around $2,900.  The weight will be 5-600
    pounds.
      Put it together for a cost between @$ 5,900 to $ 6,100.  The weight
    will *only* be 1,600 pounds and you have a carrying capacity of well 
    over 3,000 pounds.....
    
      What do you think of that???  good or bad idea???
    Kurt