Sorry if this has already been beaten to death, but can anyone give me some pointers on the pros and cons of tilt style trailers vs. drive on/off style? this will be my first trailer, and i'm not sure which to get. Although I'm looking at a 2 place trailer, most of the time it will just be my sled. thanks

I suggest going with the drive on-off style. I've owned both, and I would never buy another tilt trailer. After several years there was so much slop in my tilt trailer it was almost trash. It was a triton lite with a bearcat cover. I'm not knocking triton at all, they make as good of a trailer as anyone. I always made sure things were tied and clamped down tight too. You will find that the drive on-off type is a much sturdier and well built trailer. Moving the ramp from back to front can be a pain in the rear, but well worth it. Anyway thats my 2 cents worth. Good luck whatever route you chose.

We've got a sledbed drive on/off with a blizzard top. The downside to it is dragging the slush covered ramp from back to front, and the fact that if you park on the side of the road like we most often do, then you need to unload the driver side sled and then kind of lift/ pull the other sled across the trailer bed to the ramp on the opposite side. Of course if you have a parking area where you can back in its perfect.

We've had ours 2 years and just had to replace two of the bars on the ramp that had cracked. We also got the larger tires and it hauls pretty good. Nice to not have to mess with covers on an open trailer all the time.

I haul my sled in the back of my truck. The guys I know with trailers seem to prefer the tilt deck. The tilt deck seems to be much faster to load and unload because you do not have to mess around with a ramp. I have steel cut to build a trailer for myself, but it is a drive-on, drive-off design.

I have owned 2 tilt bed trailers and i just built my drive on drive off trailer also 94ZR580 says he is building his own drive on drive off. seems to me people who have had tilt bed always end up witha drive on drive off. If your house has a garage then you don't have to get a covered trailer because you can just put them in there for the summer or when your not riding. My trailer has the front ramps that fold upwards also make for a slush gaurd. and the back one slides out and hooks up. really it comes down to what you prefer. i use the trailer also for hauling lumber and atv's so the drive on drive off has alot more surface area. and in the front v part i have welded a place for a gas can to be stored.

No right or wrong answer, just what you prefer. I have a Triton tilt, no problems, just added the ski glides and sled comes right off. Next sled will have reverse though :tongue:

I've owned 3 tilts and last year bought a v front Floe ramp trailer with the front flip down ramp/slush guard. Awesome trailer and I only have to pull the ramp out to load (very easy) I would never go back to a ramp, plus the ra,ps up front do an excellent job of keeping the sleds clean :christmas:

My brother in law is on his 5th ramp. They got lost or stolen. The trailer is an open 4 bed Karavan he bought in '98. I prefer the tilt,too much jerking around with the ramps :cussing: Takes less time to load/unload with the tilt. One problem I found with the tilt is ground has a hard time making it thru the pivot area. Just run a jumper from the tounge and the bed in the pivot area. Inop lights is bad news!

my preference is with the tilt trailer, they are quick and easy once you get your routine down. the ramp style trailers i have found to be a nuisance. either the ramp is frozen in and will not come out until u start beating it with a hammer . and once u do get it out you have to start carrying cold steel/aluminum around to get where you want it to be....it prolongs the loading/unloading which equals less riding time and more aggravation....the last thing you want to do after a long day riding and an even longer ride home is wrestling with your trailer....just my 2 cents

I've used both and actually prefer the tilt bed as the ramp is a PITA. Ends up all slushy after a long trailer. Your gloves end up all wet. Another thing is the cover on a drive on/off. It pivots in the front and back, so you're constantly moving pins around and if you forget to replace them and go to undo the other end, you'll end up with a bent top. Easier to burn a belt too on that ramp.

I like driving up the back and driving off the front. Not a big deal. It seems to be a little trickier with a tilt from the number of people I've seen loading sleds on tilts. Either way it's whatever you prefer.

Just a note to everyone with or without a trailer, always wear your helmet when loading and unloading your sled. It may not seem like a big deal, but if something were to go wrong and your sled ends up on top of you, you could be in a world of hurt.

My buddy has a 4-place Renegade. Nice trailer. Just pull down the doors, there's your ramps. They also make a 2-place as well. But then the dollars go up. Like going to White Hen, there's always a price for convience.JMO

My preference is the tilt style. I looked a both types before deciding.

The drive on - off I looked at required you to remove the slush guard. Pull the ramp out of the rear under the trailer, carry it around to the front, lock ramp, undo ski clamp, unload one sled, move the ramp, unload the other and then carry back around and slide back in under the trailer. To load was similar only the ramp had to be connected in the rear.

I figured covered in slush I would get dirty, fastners may freeze up. It looked like more hastle than its worth.

If I can ever afford a v nose drive on off enclosed, that changes everything. The floe also looks good with the drop front and sliding rear ramp. It would be simple too.

With the tilt, I undo ski clamp, pull the tilt pin, jump on the sled, light it up and back off. It tilts down and away I go. My doo without reverse I just lead step on the rear of the trailer and the sled slides right off with a gentle tug.

To load, I just push the rear down with my foot ( pin is still out from unloading) drive one on, set brake, drive other on lean forward and the trailer drops down into place. I walk around, install pin, tighten ski clamps and go. No slush on the suit and no fighting with fasteners. I did change my tilt bolt to grade 8 and I use a 4 inch 5/8 hitch pin with a large d-ring handle and saftey pin just to be safe.

I can load / unload 2 sleds completely including covers in 10 minutes.

I have never had a tilt trailer, mine have all been drive on drive off,,,,I think I like them better,,,,seems easier to me,,,my 2 cents

Wow, a lot of interesting replys. I'm suprised at how many would want a tilt over the Drive on/off.

I do have to chuckle at those who feel the D-on/off is a hassel and causes too much time prior to getting on the ride. My response to people in a hurry is to leave earlier. As far as too many steps in the process and getting your gloves "slushy", it doesn't take that much additional time and wear a "working" glove to unload.

Those who complain about the additional supposed work involved with a D-on/off are also the ones who probably have to dig their 500lb sled out of the ruff a half dozen times a day and not think a thing of it.

JMO,
Jon

I have a tilt trailer and without the slush gaurd, if the trailers off the truck, I drive right off the front. You just have to be careful not to shoot the trailer backwards! I don't mind the tilt if I have to pull it off backwards. We're planning on getting a 4place and I'd have to agree with napadave and go with the front flip down ramp.

I've owned both, put me down for the tilt......that slush covered ramp is a pain to move around, and then to lay in the snow to get the locking pins in place to store it at the end of a ride.... trying to jackknife your vehicle in a tight parking lot so you can use the ramps in the front is a hassle...... with the plastic glides on a tilt trailer sleds glide off pretty easy.......
But it all a preference thing....... do what's best for you.....

DooZ..... :slick: