Enclosed Trailer vs Open Trailer: Which Should You Buy?

At Trailer Place, we sell both enclosed and open trailers
every day. Each has clear advantages depending on what you’re hauling and how you use it. Here’s an
honest breakdown to help you decide.

Open Trailers: The Pros

• Lower cost — Open utility, flatbed, and equipment trailers cost 40-60% less than equivalent-size enclosed models.
• Lighter weight — No walls or roof means less trailer weight, which allows more payload and better fuel economy.
• Easier loading — Load from any side. No doors to navigate. Overhead clearance isn’t a concern.
• Versatility — Tall items, irregular shapes, and equipment that won’t fit inside an enclosed trailer.
• Better visibility — You can see your load while driving, making it easier to spot shifting cargo.

Enclosed Trailers: The Pros

• Weather protection — Rain, sun, dust, and road debris can’t reach your cargo. Essential for electronics, furniture, and moisture-sensitive materials.
• Theft deterrence — A locked enclosed trailer is much harder to steal from than an open trailer parked at a job site overnight.
• Mobile workshop/storage — Many contractors use their enclosed trailer as a permanent mobile tool shop.
• Professional appearance — Enclosed trailers can be wrapped with your business logo and branding.
• Dual purpose — Works as a trailer during the day and secure storage at night.

Cost Comparison

Here’s what you can expect to pay for new trailers at Trailer Place:

• 6’x12′ open utility trailer: $2,500-$4,000
• 6’x12′ enclosed cargo trailer: $5,500-$8,000
• 7’x16′ open equipment trailer: $4,000-$7,000
• 7’x16′ enclosed cargo trailer: $8,000-$12,000

The enclosed trailer costs roughly double — but many buyers find the security and weather protection
worth the premium, especially for commercial use.

Best Uses for Each

Choose an Open Trailer If You Haul:

• Lawn mowers, landscaping equipment, and yard debris
• Construction materials (lumber, drywall, concrete)
• Heavy equipment (skid steers, excavators, tractors)
• Vehicles (cars, ATVs, UTVs) that don’t need weather protection
• Bulk materials (gravel, mulch, soil — in a dump trailer)

Choose an Enclosed Trailer If You Haul:

• Power tools and expensive equipment that need security
• Furniture, electronics, or moisture-sensitive cargo
• Motorcycles, race cars, or collector vehicles
• Business inventory and merchandise
• Event/band equipment, catering supplies

Our Top Recommendations

Best open trailer brand: Iron Bull
and Aluma — Iron Bull for steel value,
Aluma for aluminum longevity.

Best enclosed trailer brand: Cargo Craft
(steel, built in Texas) and Alcom (aluminum, premium quality).

Visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 to see both types side by side.
Call (979) 532-1486 for pricing.