Forum Discussion

_DJ_1's avatar
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2015

Anyone make a "decent" enclosed trailer?

TC'ers probably pull more trailers than other RV's so I THINK this is a good place to ask.

Early this year I bought a new TNT 7X14 enclosed trailer designed for UTV's. I thought it looked real good when I got it. I knew it needed caulking, sanding and painting on the inside to make it acceptable.



But now that the weather has warmed up this is what in looks like.



I know they like to use lightweight sheets to keep the weight down but this is ridiculous!! I went inside it the other day during a stiff wind. Sounded like someone was beating the thing with a hammer as the metal was flexing so bad!! One day this "tin foil" will rip itself loose from the rivets.

I'm not finishing the inside now. When it cools off next Fall I'll sell it and look for a decent trailer.

Thanks for your suggestions and comments.....DJ
Truck Campers
  • DougE's avatar
    DougE
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    You didn't really describe the inside finishes. If you don't have it, 3/8" plywood sheathing goes a long way towards stiffening up the trailer and keeping it dimensionally stable especially if the sheets run lengthwise rather than up and down.
  • R2D1's avatar
    R2D1
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    I've got a Wells Cargo 7x14 and it's charcoal gray also. It looks just like yours does in the sun. I've been thinking I need to figure out some way to read the wrinkles and use it as a thermometer! I suspect the warping is less on a white trailer. Dark colors absorb more heat probably causing the aluminum to expand more resulting in greater distortion.

    Edit: I find it interesting that your side door is on the left side of the trailer. Was that an option?
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    My model train club has been using WellsCargo.com for many years. They have held up with our much maint.

    Good luck in your search.
  • Jfet's avatar
    Jfet
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    What is the thickness of the aluminum? We see quite a bit of buckling on a hot day on our 0.040 aluminum roof on our homebuilt camper but we planned for this and it floats with no rivets or anything to pull loose. I have not noticed any buckling on the 0.063 aluminum side panels but they are held with Sikaflex which probably allows some expansion.

    Aluminum is going to expand with temperature increase, not really any way to get around that. Perhaps if it were thicker it would just flex the whole frame and bulge the trailer walls outward. Might look better.
  • trail-explorer's avatar
    trail-explorer
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    That's pretty much the normal scenario. The heat causes the aluminum skin to expand and contract somewhat.

    Same with the wind, it causes the skin to flex.

    Every brand of aluminum trailer I've seen does the above.

    Your trailer actually looks like a really nice trailer.

    Some manufacturers have higher end model where the skin is "bonded" to the frame rather than screwed to the frame. This bonded skin usually doesn't warp as much in the heat.

    Any trailer with skin that's screwed or riveted to the frame will do what yours did. The skin won't come off. I've never heard of that happening.

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