Enclosed vs Open Utility Trailers: Pros, Cons & Cost

Enclosed or open. It is one of the oldest questions in the trailer world, and the right answer depends entirely on what you haul and how much you care about protecting it. Both types move cargo down the road just fine, but they do it in very different ways, at very different price points. Let us break down the real pros, cons, and costs so you can spend your money where it counts.

What Each Trailer Type Really Is

An open utility trailer is an exposed deck with side rails and usually a ramp gate. Your cargo sits out in the open air. Think landscaping trailers, flatbeds, and the classic utility trailer hauling mulch, lumber, or a mower.

An enclosed cargo trailer is a fully walled and roofed box on wheels with doors that lock. Your cargo rides inside, out of sight and out of the weather. These are what contractors, movers, vendors, and toy haulers reach for when the load needs protection.

The Case for Open Trailers

Open trailers win on simplicity and price. Because there is far less material and labor in an open deck, they cost significantly less to buy than a comparable enclosed trailer. They also weigh less, so they tow easier and let a smaller vehicle pull more actual cargo.

• Lower purchase price for the same deck size
• Lighter weight, so easier towing and better fuel economy
• Load from any side, top, or angle, which is great for bulky or awkward items
• Nothing to catch wind, so less drag and less crosswind push
• Simple to hose off and maintain

The downside is right there in the name. Everything is open. Your cargo is exposed to rain, sun, road grime, and anyone who walks by. There is no security when it is parked, and no protection from weather while you tow. For dirt, gravel, lumber, and equipment that does not mind the elements, none of that matters. For tools, furniture, or anything valuable, it matters a lot.

The Case for Enclosed Trailers

Enclosed cargo trailers cost more up front, but they buy you two things open trailers simply cannot: security and weather protection. Lock the doors and your cargo is out of sight and hard to get to. Close them up and rain, road salt, and UV never touch your load.

An enclosed trailer is really a lockable, weatherproof storage room you can take with you. For a lot of buyers, that is worth every dollar of the difference.

• Locking doors keep tools and cargo secure day and night
• Full weather protection from rain, sun, and road spray
• Doubles as mobile storage or a job-site workspace
• Keeps expensive gear out of sight from would-be thieves
• Interior walls and floor can be finished, shelved, and outfitted
• Generally holds resale value better than an open trailer

The trade-offs are cost, weight, and wind. Enclosed trailers are heavier, so they ask a bit more of your tow vehicle, and their tall sides catch crosswinds, which you will feel on a gusty day. On premium enclosed trailers, an exterior finish like our Poly-Cor polymer coating helps the trailer shrug off weather and hold its looks far longer than bare metal, which protects your investment over the years.

Comparing the Cost

There is no getting around it: for the same deck size, an enclosed trailer costs more than an open one, often meaningfully more, because you are paying for walls, a roof, doors, and finishing. But cost is not just the sticker. Think about the full picture:

1. 1Purchase price: open trailers win, plain and simple.
2. 2Protection value: if weather or theft could damage your cargo, an enclosed trailer can pay for itself the first time it saves a load of tools.
3. 3Resale: enclosed trailers, especially well-kept ones with a durable coating, tend to hold value better.
4. 4Versatility: an enclosed trailer works as secure storage between hauls, which an open trailer cannot do.

Financing helps close the gap too. At Outlaw Supercenter we offer financing for all credit types, so stepping up to an enclosed trailer that better protects your cargo does not have to mean paying the full difference out of pocket today.

Which One Should You Buy?

Go open if you mostly haul dirt, gravel, mulch, lumber, or equipment that does not mind the weather, and you want to spend as little as possible. Go enclosed if you carry tools, furniture, valuables, or anything that needs to stay dry, locked, and out of sight, or if you want a trailer that doubles as mobile storage.

If you are torn, most folks who haul for work or carry anything worth protecting are happier long term with an enclosed trailer. Browse both in our inventory online, or call Outlaw Supercenter in Douglas, Georgia at (800) 281-5084 and we will help you weigh it out for the way you haul.