Enclosed trailer feedback?

Here's the deal. Looking @ enclosed trailers and not looking for a camping out cadillac model. The trailer will not be used a lot but want some feedback to help with the decision making process. Here is the criteria:

Don't want to spend more than $2300 to $2500 ish before tax and title fees.

Would like to haul maximum of 3 bikes.

Torsion bars or leaf springs?

Definately a ramp door and side door?

Room to put small bench in for tools and storage up front?

6x10 v-nose? 6x12 straight front? Or can I get by with 5 foot width?

I also don't want a heavy monster to pull.

I plan to paint on my own Husky graphics.

Any feedback would be helpful.

I bought a Pace out back 7 x 14 for $2899 brand new. I would get one with dual axles , they tow much better and if you get a flat it is not as bad. They are not that much heavier and if you want load or unload with out being hitched single axels dont work very well. If you drive any gravel roads you will get a flat. I would also look at the 7' wide , the bikes are more parallel in the trailer and the fit better especially if you want room for a bench and tools . I also like the tire shoes that need no tie downs. In your price point you are probablly looking at leaf springs , you should be able to go 7x12

V nose regardless, for better gas mileage one would think?

Torsion bars. Ramp door with side door is essential. V-nose makes a huge difference in gas mileage as well as towing "feel". If you are using a V6 or small V8, a V-nose is mandatory. A 6X10 should haul 3 bikes without a problem, IMHO a 6X12 is wasted gas. A 5X10 is too small for 3 bikes but great for 2.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/rvs/2500950666.html

Local craigslist for a sample

I got a nice 16ft tandem 7000GVW for $3800. 8 ft wide 7' headroom. Buggy, 2 bikes, 2 kayaks some bicycles etc
This is more trailer than I normally need but it will move furniture and material so i'm sure it will be useful in the long run. Everyone has friends.....

You probably could get by with a Single axle but the tandems seem safer and look like they tow better.....but they're heavier. 10' x 5' could work...maybe 6

i have a 6x12 single. 6x10 coule haul 3 easy, i put em in at an angle up against the left wall. I would do 6x10 if i was choosing again, less weight but i have 3-4 feet in front of the first bike to change or whatever now. Man door is a must. Torsion would be cool but springs are easier to find, i am putting shocks on mine now to try and smooth it out. Barn doors work fine, i like em. Ramp doors get in the way, trip on em running around the pits, and i like having the back of my trailer open at the track. I have a rotten 2x8 that works perfect for loading. Mine tows fine with my dodge 3500. I can tell its there though, surprised at the weight, i would go minimal if i was you, i loose 4-5 gpm with my diesel 6 speed when hauling my enclosed with a CR125, toolbox, 2 powerbars and a gallon of water.

LOL , my duramax goes from 20mpg to 8mpg pulling my trailer! I think a V-nose would be awesome but since ive never owned either type you should just ignore anything i say on the subject!

I've been wanting a small one like this to tow behind my Tacoma. 4 cylinders baby! My buddy had the same truck and towed similar weighted trailers and didnt suffer too bad so I think I'll be alright til I swap the 4bt in Maybe in a year or two.
I was thinking somewhere around this size but was looking at used trailers so I may not get a V-nose or what I really want. Was originally thinking 7x10 for two bikes cofortably with rack for wheels/slicks, bench, and some other tools needed for the track. Oh and I want to make a fold down cot that will go on the wall!

Here's some of my trailer

fits 3 bikes and tows really well. Aluminium floor with recessed front wheel , mesh walls, ramp door, aux battery powers cabin lights, ipod dock, tv/ dvd player, and air compressor.

Things I learned about bike trailers:

1. The bigger it is, the more you WILL carry. If you have a Dodge Van with a 450hp 360ci towing a 16' trailer, you'll carry 3 bikes, all your tools, easyups, carpet, pic-nic tables, air compressors, air conditioners, toilets, generators, pit bikes, kids toys, books and magazines, friends gear, and all your riding cloths (even the old ripped up ones!). Conversely, if you have a single rail trailer towed behind a Honda Accord, you'll have bike, gear, small tool bag, and a cooler.

2. All up hills are difficult with a trailer. If you have that same Dodge Van with a 450hp 360ci towing a 16' trailer, you may do some hills at 80mph but you won't average that on I79! Conversely, if you have a single rail trailer towed behind a Honda Accord, you can get from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania on time, with the A/C on.

3. Bike trailers rust faster than Fiats, Lancias, Garden Tractors and out door furniture, or anything on a boat.

My trailer had a flat front and was of similar height to the tow vehicle yet in 1999, I spent $18,000 just going to the races. I also had a 5x10 - hauled 3 bikes and all our gear but was a single axle. It didn't change my gas miliage 1 cent and it carried less.

By going to the smaller set up, I was able to take the extra money and stay in a nice hotel.

Flatbed HI-LUX trucks, i wish we had setups like that in the states. Probably a cool diesel too!!

I'm happy with my little 6x12 single axle & leafs. Weighs 1300# empty.

I paid about $2500 or so new back in 2008. $100 worth of Herculiner bed coating, $100 for wheel chocks and $50 for steel plate & tie down points.
Fits 3 bikes, gear & gas with room to spare or 4 bikes if you strategically pack.

Wish it still looked this new!

I don't have an answer about what trailer, but I highly recommend this system for a quick, easy, clean, safe way to secure your bikes in or on a trailer.
http://www.boltiton.com/

Keep the advice coming, I appreciate all the great feedback, pointers, what works and what doesn't.
Today I drove 1 1/2 hours out my way on the trip home from traveling for work. Thought I was going to get a good bargain, use a lot of your suggestions. Pulled up and sign on door said be back in hour? Just turned around and left.

I have a 6x14 single axle flatnose with barn doors. I wouldn't want a shorter one. No complaints, if I had it to do over I would do the same. I get 15-16 mpg going over the mountians to Eastern OR and back with my Bigfoot camper and 94 F350CC diesel.

Do you have a link to what you are having built ? Sounds pretty interesting.

7x12 Homesteader, V-nose, Ramp door, Side door. Pull it with a F150 5.4L. Never know it's back there, best pulling trailer I've owned. Think it was $2400 out the door brand new.

Looks to be a better built trailer than the Haulmark, welded steel tubing rather than channel. I personally like the ramp door

Well after tons of searching, haggling over prices and etc...... I got a deal on a 6x12 with a baseball size dent in the front stone guard. Might be where I cut the hole to vent the generator.

I took and painted/clear coated on some Husky graphics last night. Still need to put our racing numbers off to the right of the White/ Black emblem. Will do the 756 number in white and the 388 in black.

In the next two weeks we will build a bench in the front and build removeable wheel chock/tie down system.