Enclosed Trailer vs Shop Questions

[tintr1]

I'm about to build a garage and was wondering if anyone not only transports but also stores and services their skis in an enclosed trailer? what are your thoughts? good or bad? An enclosed trailer could save me on having to build a larger garage to store / work on skis. Also I have quite a few skis and currently use an open 2 couch trailer configured to hold 4 standups/ waveblasters. Pictures and advice/ thoughts would be appreciated!!

 

[SmittySX]

When building a garage just remember, you can never build one big enough..

 

[AirJunky]

I get storing them in the trailer. But working on them too?

If you have the chance, build the work space. And if possible, build more than you think you'll need.

 

[Yami-Rider]

I've done some work in my enclosed. Prefer to work on my ski in the shop though. Have access to a lot more tools, more space, better lighting etc. I do store them in the enclosed usually.

 

[smoofers]

Unless you are looking at a BIG (18+ feet) enclosed trailer I would definitely build a shop. Even with a big trailer you'd be cramped as hell. Plus, with a shop you can cheaply air condition it, light it, etc.

 

[Mentzel]

I have 5 standups stored in my 26' sled hauler. Without a doubt it is cheaper than a garage. I bought trailer for under $10k. I have them sitting on 4 jetlift carts I roll in and out then down to the lake. The storage part is great but it's kind of a hassle to get the skis up the trailer ramp. Especially if it is wet. Wife and I push real fast then run to get them up ramp. The jetlifts are $500 so that is a downer. I'm contemplating converting 2 carts over to jetlift trailer style carts to make getting them out of water and into trailer easier. Then I can use quad.. (another thousand to convert carts) I have a 2 place trailer I ended up using last summer to drag skis out of water and up the ramp. Then its a pain in the a$$ to get them off 2 place onto carts then into trailer. Hitch hauler may make my life easier to fetch skis out of water. Also a minor annoyance is the handle poles won't open fully when on the carts inside trailer. Even though I have 6'-6" added height trailer; so its tough to get hood off for drying in storage. Then you gotta be careful... Especially when your snow plow guy says hey I moved your trailer for you to plow snow.. Don't worry it was NO PROBLEM. WTF? Skis were on carts and not tied down!

 

[Mentzel]

my setup


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[Mentzel]

If you don’t need to move it I would also seriously consider a shipping container. I bought a new 20 footer and had it painted to match my lake house for $4500. They have bomb proof floors, heavy duty doors/latches and you can get tamper proof locking mechanisms on the doors. It’s a steel box that covers lock so it is really hard to cut. Most dealers will move the container to your location for a reasonable fee. Another plus is they are low to ground so easy to cart skis, quads whatever inside. For another $1k you can get a 40 footer. But you need a space 100’ long so truck can drop and pull away. Very cost effective storage and work area.


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[Mentzel]

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[tintr1]

Thanks for the reply Mentzel! I currently have a 40' container that i use for storage but my trailer wont fit inside, and if it did I would have to crawl over it to get in and around it. I had a 28' enclosed trailer that had AC and lights but I never set it up as a ski hauler because I used it to haul other toys as well. Where we ride and park, a 12' trailer is about all that fits, and I've seen them setup to haul 4 skis, but obviously not able to wrench on them. If people are having good results using an enclosed trailer for storage, I could always slide a ski out and work on it in a much smaller garage space than having enough room to store the whole trailer inside. I live in south Georgia, so snow isn't a problem, but heat and humidity could be!

 

[vomitspot]

i have a shipping container behind my garage
i use it for just storage of motors parts to clean up my garage

 

[Mentzel]

Love the topic.. I think i’m going to start work on a garage myself. So how many little garage doors? And one or two bifold 20’ hangar doors? Slab heat the whole thing or just working portion? Where to get 3 phase power for tools? Phase converter or call utility company?


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