Custom Enclosed Trailers: 10 Features to Plan Before You Order

If you’ve searched high and low for the perfect enclosed trailer and can’t find it, you don’t have to admit defeat and settle for less. Instead, you can build what you need! Reputable trailer sales businesses love building custom enclosed trailers from the ground up, ensuring customers have the features they need for work and play! 

Are you getting ready to design your very own custom trailer? Here are just some of the many features to plan before you order: 

Trailer Type

First things first. What kind of custom enclosed trailer do you need? Are you looking for a work trailer or a toy hauler, a stacker, or a motorcycle trailer? You are spoiled for choice when working with manufacturers of custom trailers, as they provide a broad range of options based on customer demand, including: 

• Bumper pull
• Gooseneck
• Stacker
• Motorcycle
• Cargo
• Toy hauler
• Work trailer 

Frame Type

Now that you know the type of enclosed trailer you want to buy, you must decide on the frame material. The two most common are aluminum and steel, each with its own advantages. 

Steel is: 

• Generally more affordable
• Simple to repair 
• Impact-resistant 
• Strong and durable

Aluminum is: 

• Better on fuel
• Lighter, so it puts less stress on your vehicle’s engine
• Easy to handle 
• Known for having a higher resale value 

If you’re unsure which frame type is right for you, contact your local custom enclosed trailer business. They can advise you of the pros and cons of each material based on what you’ll be using your enclosed trailer for. 

Hitch/Pull Type

While it may seem like a small detail, it’s worth knowing what type of hitch or pull you want on your trailer. The three most common are: bumper pull, gooseneck, and fifth wheel.

• Bumper pull: Attaches directly to the rear frame of your tow vehicle and has a square receiver tube. They are categorized by class based on your trailer’s weight. 
• Gooseneck hitch: Has a heavy-duty ball mounted in the floor of your truck bed.
• Fifth-wheel hitch: Consists of a pivoting plate on the truck bed that locks onto a kingpin underneath the trailer. 

When choosing a hitch/pull, also discuss floor length with your chosen manufacturer, as it can affect the best option. 

Axles, Suspension, and Braking 

You don’t always know the axles, suspension setup, and braking your trailer needs until you know the type of trailer you need. After all, any custom trailer’s running gear should match your cargo weight and expected driving conditions.

When you have a fair idea of your trailer’s average load, discuss the following features with your trailer manufacturer:

• Single, tandem, or additional axles
• Electric brakes and compatible brake controllers
• Heavy-duty or torsion suspension
• The best tires and wheels
• A spare tire in a convenient location
• A breakaway braking system, where required 

Living Quarters

If you’re going down the custom enclosed trailers route because you want a comfortable home base at the racetrack for yourself and your race car, start thinking about the living-quarter features that will provide the most value for you and your traveling companions. The sky’s the limit! 

• Permanent or fold-down beds
• Compact kitchenette 
• Full bathroom
• Fold-down tables and counter extensions
• Shore power and solar/battery setup
• Integrated climate control, e.g., a rooftop air conditioner and heating unit 
• Smart controls 

Spend a little extra now and save a significant sum on accommodation. Instead of booking a hotel or motel every time you travel with your trailer, you can stay in your trailer! 

Jack/Landing Gear

Enclosed trailers use several different jacks and forms of landing gear depending on the weight capacity, personal preferences, and the tongue design of the trailer, which is the extension of the trailer frame connecting the main cargo body to your vehicle’s hitch.  

For small, lightweight custom enclosed trailers, a manual jack may be more than sufficient. However, most people opt for a hydraulic or electric jack, which has enormous lifting capacity, is low maintenance, and saves you time and hassle! 

Exterior Skin Color 

You’re ordering a custom trailer for a reason. You want it to be unique to you. So, think about your preferred color! Some people go all out with a custom color scheme to suit their business, race team, or hobby. Others stick with standard colors like black, white, silver, blue, or red. Most established custom trailer businesses can accommodate your preferences and needs. 

Door and Ramp Configuration

Convenience is everything when you’re loading and offloading cargo, heavy equipment, vehicles, and motorbikes. Consider which door and ramp styles suit you best. The most common option is a rear ramp door, with the door functioning as the ramp to ensure seamless access to the trailer. These are designed to suit a range of weights. 

Some trailers also have side access doors, which make it easier to enter the trailer when the main door is closed. Discuss your preferences with your chosen trailer sales business, as they can work with you to provide the most convenient entry points. 

Lighting and Electrical Systems

For many people, a custom enclosed trailer is more than a way to haul goods; it’s a home base on the road. With that in mind, superior lighting and electrical systems are crucial! 

For example, if you’re building a race trailer and want to be able to work in it as a mobile workshop, interior LED ceiling lights will be invaluable. Additional outlets, USB charging ports, shore power hookups, and generator or solar power compatibility can also help with both hobby and work-related tasks. 

Interior Layout

If you’re going the custom design route because you can’t find what you want in a new or pre-owned enclosed trailer, interior layout is obviously important. You haven’t found what you need, so you need to make it! Take your time and think about the most important elements. These could include:

• Additional interior height 
• E-track or L-track tie-down systems
• Built-in cabinets and toolboxes
• Overhead shelving
• Workbenches
• Wheel chocks or vehicle restraint systems
• Equipment and tire storage 

Exploring Custom Enclosed Trailers? Talk to the Team at KB Trailer Sales in Cleveland, OH

When you can’t find what you need, create it. KB Trailer Sales doesn’t just sell a comprehensive range of enclosed and open trailers, but they also design and build them. 

Whether you’re looking for a race trailer with all the bells and whistles or a custom cargo trailer with a few helpful solutions, KB Trailer Sales will deliver. Contact us to start designing your trailer today, and experience the KB Difference!