I'm planning to get a small enclosed trailer - probably a 7x12 or 7x14. I'll use it to haul my son's kart and also my wife's insurance booth for car shows. I'd guess we'll use it 8-10 times per year, no more than 200 mile tows. I need a ramp door and side door. Roof AC would be cool (pun). There are lots of these generic boxes for sale out there. What should I look for in terms of construction?
Also, I'm thinking a tandem axle setup. Is there any reason I should consider a single axle instead?
Single axle is lighter and way easier to maneuver by hand should the need arise. If you plan to haul a car or lots of weight the tandem axle is a must but for a kart, single FTW.
Tandems tow much better.
I really hope I never have a single axle again.
Go with the double, it gives you more options and you're not going to be pushing an enclosed 7x14 around by hand. Basically, get yourself a Harley trailer. If you can find one that doesn't have chrome tribal barbed wire graphics or chrome wheels, you'll probably find that it's been used once or twice and is in pretty good shape.
If it's to carry a booth for car shows, consider making the trailer the booth.
There are really two styles of construction; one uses tubing for the wall studs and thin wood on the inside and the other uses Z-shaped sheet metal profiles for the studs and 3/8" plywood on the inside. The one with Z-shaped profiles needs the plywood for strength; the one with steel tubing uses the studs for strength. From a construction standpoint I like the tubing better but I don't know if it really matters. Haulmark, Wells Cargo, and one or two other top end brands definitely have nicer fit and finish than the rest but it really depends on whether you want to pay for it (both of mine have been lesser known names and they've gotten my stuff from point A to B).
As long as you have enough tow vehicle I'd do tandem. It becomes sort of a conundrum because the smaller cargo-only dual axles are still 7k gross weight even though they have less room but they typically only cost a little less than something like a 16' or 18' car trailer. On the other hand the car trailer will probably get a little worse gas mileage due to frontal area but it will only cost a little more, give you more space inside, and you should have an easier time selling it (larger audience potentially even if a 16' or 18' car trailer is at the small end of things).
To give you an idea:
http://www.prolinetrailersales.com/specials/7x14-enclosed-v-nose-trailer
http://www.prolinetrailersales.com/enclosed-trailers/enclosed-car-trailers/8-5x16-enclosed-trailer
how much weight are you going to put in it?
my every day tool/material trailer is a 6x12 single axle and it carries 1000+ pounds of tools then whatever materials we need. had 40 12' sheets of drywall in it. it pulls fine. my old trailer was a 7x14 with dual 8 lug axles, but downsized trailers when i downsized trucks and decided not to tow a rolling workshop with me every day.
If you ever have a blowout at highway speed on a single axle, you will never want one again.
patgizz wrote: how much weight are you going to put in it?
Not much. Even factoring in the underestimating that always happens with weight, I'd say 1000-1200 pounds. The kart is 180, stand 50, tools 100, spares 100, canopy, tables, etc. For the car shows there are boxes of promo materials and the canopy, but again not much weight. We easily fit all of it into the back of the Suburban now.
SVreX wrote: If you ever have a blowout at highway speed on a single axle, you will never want one again.
i've had blowouts at speed on single and tandem axles. i agree, i never want another blowout again. 
We use a 6 x 12 Single Axle for racing. We picked it up from Pro-line right outside of Roanoke, VA It has tube wall and ceiling studs. We looked at the Tandem Axle models but really couldn't justify the bigger trailer at the time. The last time I checked, Proline's 7 x 14 Trailers were 16" on centers on the walls and coming with Radial Tires. They are definitely worth the look. Keep in mind the tire dressing and fuel can take over the kart trailer. You may want additional ventilation
I've always kind of wanted to make a man cave out of a trailer, so it has a use when i'm not using it to haul stuff.
put a white tarp over it to reflect most sunlight, put a little A/C in there with a heavy amp circuit from the garage or something. hey presto.
anyone ever done this?
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