Good Utility Trailers and Tips?

Yeah. I'm leaning toward just buying a new open trailer.

How many straps should I get?
 
I use an open trailer. It sucks when it rains, but I usually have tarps/shrink wrap to mitigate the issue. I love having high sides on my trailer. Mine are a good 3-4ft high, and gives me lots of different options for securing the load. The ramp is nice, but I actually do pretty well without (I unloaded 2 Arctic Thunders yesterday by myself). 5ft wide is a MUST. Most games are between 24-31" wide, 5 ft usually gives me enough room to put machines side-by-side.

As far as straps, as many as you can afford... I buy 4pks when they go on sale. When moving games for friends or selling machines to newbs, you have no idea how many straps I've given away or just never got back. You can never have too many.
 
I've had problems loading my customers' enclosed trailers when tipping taller games upright on a hand cart.
 
I would disagree on using ratchet straps. Using a ratchet strap over the top is very easy to brake the top of the cabinet just over the marquee. Three times when people tried to help they broke a cabinet. I only use quality Ancra pull straps on my stuff. The cheap department store pull straps have a shorter Hook. Also look into strap extensions. Very useful. I know a lot of people like the ratchets. Just not for me.
 
I use the Harbor Freight 15' ratchet straps. They are longer than what is available at Home Depot or Lowes, they hold up well and they are CHEAP...less than $10 for a 4 pack with a coupon.
 
I would disagree on using ratchet straps. Using a ratchet strap over the top is very easy to brake the top of the cabinet just over the marquee. Three times when people tried to help they broke a cabinet. I only use quality Ancra pull straps on my stuff. The cheap department store pull straps have a shorter Hook. Also look into strap extensions. Very useful. I know a lot of people like the ratchets. Just not for me.

Three times?! Fire your help! Ive used ratchet straps my entire life and only collapsed some crappy pantry cabinets in my day. With games I strap `em tight but not to the max and have never had an issue. Pull straps are for sure handy but more expensive and in my experience not necessary. Although Id take/use them!
 
I would disagree on using ratchet straps. Using a ratchet strap over the top is very easy to brake the top of the cabinet just over the marquee. Three times when people tried to help they broke a cabinet. I only use quality Ancra pull straps on my stuff. The cheap department store pull straps have a shorter Hook. Also look into strap extensions. Very useful. I know a lot of people like the ratchets. Just not for me.
You don't tighten them too much when going over tops of cabinets and they work perfect..I haul all my games on a flatbed with no sides and have never damaged a cabinet! !!!
 
Also, invest in an appliance dolly - the kind with a strap.
Get the real deal..A big red escort Dolly with kick out rear wheels to balance the load..They can be found sometimes on CL for good prices since they are around $600 new...
 
Just to wrap this up since I posted originally.

Anyway, I ended up with a custom solution from Chucks Wagons (here in MA): http://crdsbaby.wixsite.com/chuckswagons - nothing but great things to say about them.

It is 5x8 with 3 foot sides (solid half way up). The ramp is reinforced to support the dimensions of my dolly(s) and there are 9 "D rings" around the outside. Spare tire, wood floor, and outfitted with required signals.

I went with a custom solution since I knew what I wanted plus I just couldn't get a good feel for if "store bought" versions where going to be high quality.

Now I am not dreading the 7 games I have to move from storage this summer. Plus I will be able to quickly move on future deals (cross fingers)....
 

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Just to wrap this up since I posted originally.

Anyway, I ended up with a custom solution from Chucks Wagons (here in MA): http://crdsbaby.wixsite.com/chuckswagons - nothing but great things to say about them.

It is 5x8 with 3 foot sides (solid half way up). The ramp is reinforced to support the dimensions of my dolly(s) and there are 9 "D rings" around the outside. Spare tire, wood floor, and outfitted with required signals.

I went with a custom solution since I knew what I wanted plus I just couldn't get a good feel for if "store bought" versions where going to be high quality.

Now I am not dreading the 7 games I have to move from storage this summer. Plus I will be able to quickly move on future deals (cross fingers)....

Nice! I like it.

What did that cost?
 
I've had problems loading my customers' enclosed trailers when tipping taller games upright on a hand cart.

LOL, just seen this thread and one of Chris's customers is me, got a few games from him and this trailer is right at 6' tall, Galaga and Track and Field would stand up, Centipede and Tapper wouldn't, if anybody is looking to get an enclosed you need to see if they make them a little taller than this one. Very nice not having to worry about the elements!
silveradohauler.jpg
 
Enclosed > 7ft high is the shizznit. Weather and wrapping games sucks.

biggest tip though...avoid toll roads. probably half the game cost when pulling a trailer up and down 95 in the north east.
 
Nice! I like it.

What did that cost?

It was $1700. Sure I could have found something cheaper but it would not have been built to my specs (color included) and this thing is ROCK SOLID. Plus knowing the people who actually build it is nice if there is an issue down the road.
 
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