[DougD]

I just made the switch from an open to an enclosed trailer. I've been trailering for the last 6 years. I had an 18' MacLander tandem axle open trailer that pulled like a dream behind my 5.8L F250 4x4. Not so with the new 20' enclosed Interstate. With the open trailer, I could set the cruise at 65-70 on most any interstate short of big hills. The new enclosed trailer's aerodynamics are like pulling a billboard. I had to sell the F250, and am currently in the market for a diesel powered bad boy to yank the trailer around. Don't underestimate what it will take to pull the enclosed version. In addition to the poor aerodynamics, by the time you get the car, spares, canopy, pit bike, tools, etc., it can get pretty heavy. Plus, you may have additional weight in the truck you're pulling with, so you have to factor that in as well.

On the plus side, it's really nice to have what amounts to a garage with you at the track. We set up a 10'x20' canopy right next to the trailer, and once the car is out at the track, you can use the empty trailer for a place to relax, get out of the sun, wind and/or rain. Long cross-country hauls are much kinder to the car when it's protected in the enclosed trailer. I went to SAAC Does Vegas a couple of years ago (a 1600 mile haul through the Rockies, one way), and by the time I got home, my car was absolutely trashed by the road grime, tire spray, dust, dirt, rocks, etc., it accumulated along the way. With the enclosed trailer, and a Cobra with no roll up windows or top, I don't feel I can justify slowly killing my car on an open trailer. If it's a short 100-200 mile trip, I drive the car. Over that, and she goes into the trailer for protection. And you sleep much sounder in the motel on the way when you know it's locked up, out of sight.