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What Size Enclosed Snowmobile Trailer Do You Need?
Find the right enclosed snowmobile trailer size based on sled count, track length, towing needs, and storage space, with recommendations for 1 to 4 sleds.
- June 19, 2026
- 8 min read
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You’ve probably seen it at the staging area near McBride: a brand‑new enclosed trailer, two mountain sleds crammed inside, ski tips pressed against the front wall, and the ramp barely closing. The owner is kicking snow off his boots, muttering, “Should have gone one size up.”
In Alberta, choosing the right enclosed snowmobile trailer is not just about fitting the sled inside. It’s about track length, tow vehicles, -30°C warm‑up shelters, and whether you ride 10 weekends a year or 30.
A good rule is to start with two questions: how many snowmobiles you are hauling, and what track length they have. Once you know those two things, the rest becomes much easier.
Key Takeway
- 1 sled fits a 5×10 ft trailer, the simplest option for solo riders
- 2 sleds fit best in a 14 ft trailer with V-nose room to spare
- 3 sleds need a 7.5×20 ft to 8×22 ft trailer for mountain sleds
- 4 sleds need an 8.5 ft wide trailer, sized 20 to 26 ft total
- Half-ton trucks tow 2 sleds, but 3 or more need a 3/4-ton truck
The Two Questions That Determine Your Trailer Size
Generic snowmobile trailer guides give you one sizing chart and call it done. The problem is that those charts are almost always built for trail riders in Ontario or the northern U.S., running 121-inch to 137-inch sleds on groomed trails close to home.
If you are riding out of Calgary and hauling to the mountains, that context does not apply to you, and the sizing recommendations that come from it often run too small by the time you load two long-track sleds with full gear for a weekend in the Crowsnest, Highwood, or Nordegg.
Before any size chart is useful, two questions have to be answered.
How many snowmobiles are you hauling?
Sled count sets the floor for length, axle configuration, and width. A trailer sized for two sleds won’t comfortably hold three, even if forum users claim they “squeezed” them in. Consider loading style too: do you want drive‑in/drive‑out convenience, or are you okay with angling and reversing? This affects not just length but width (7′ vs. 8.5′).
What's your track length?
Track length is the single biggest variable. A 129″ sled is roughly 10′ overall; a 165″ mountain sled can push 12′ from ski tip to bumper. For two 137″ sleds, a 12′ flat floor is often the minimum, while a 10′ V‑nose (measured to the V) might work if you use the nose space.
For Alberta’s mountain crowd running 154″–174″ tracks, add 2–3 feet to whatever the salesperson recommends. When in doubt, measure your sleds with a tape measure—it’s free and saves you from buying (or renting) the wrong size.
Enclosed Trailer Size Chart for Snowmobiles (1 to 4 Sleds)
| Sled Count | Track Length | Minimum Enclosed Size | Long-Haul Comfort Size |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 sled |
Any |
5×10 ft |
5×10 ft |
|
2 sleds |
Up to 137″ (trail) |
7×12 ft + 2′ V-nose
|
7×14 ft + 2′ V-nose |
|
2 sleds |
146″+ (mountain) |
7×14 ft + 2′ V-nose |
7×16 ft + 2′ V-nose |
|
3 sleds |
Up to 137″ (trail) |
7×18 ft + V-nose |
7×18 ft + V-nose |
|
3 sleds |
146″+ (mountain) |
7×20 ft + V-nose |
8×22 ft + V-nose |
|
4 sleds |
Up to 137″ (trail) |
8.5×20 ft + 4′ V-nose |
8.5×20 ft + 4′ V-nose |
|
4 sleds |
154″+ (mountain) |
8.5×20 ft + 4′ V-nose |
8.5×26 ft + V-nose |
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Enclosed Trailer Size Guide by Sled Count
Best Enclosed Trailer Size for 1–2 Snowmobiles
For 1 snowmobile, a 5×10 ft enclosed trailer is the right size. It comfortably fits a single sled with enough room to load and unload without difficulty.
For 1–2 snowmobiles, a 7×12 ft, 7×14 ft, or 7×16 ft enclosed trailer can all work, but each one fits differently depending on track length and how much extra space you want. Every option in this range includes a 2-foot V-nose, so width is rarely the limiting factor; length and sled size are what actually decide the right fit.
But you may be asking why you are not suggesting one length for the 2 snowmobile? Because two sleds at 121 inches and two sleds at 165 inches need very different amounts of room.Let me explain how each one actually performs for our renters.
A 6×12 ft works best for two shorter trail sleds, up to around 137 inches of track. We’ve had renters load two trail sleds in here with no issues, but there’s not much room left over for gear once both sleds are in. If you’re just hauling the sleds and nothing else, this size gets the job done.
A 7×14 ft enclosed size is most of our renters’ pick for two snowmobiles, and for good reason. It fits two trail sleds with real breathing room, and it still handles most mountain sleds without a struggle. You get enough leftover space for fuel cans, helmets, and gear bags, which is what makes this our most recommended size for a typical two-sled trip.
7×16 ft enclosed is one of the best choices if you’re running two longer mountain sleds, 146 inches or up, or if you simply want extra space. We’ve seen renters use the extra length to walk around the sleds while loading, store more gear, or even use the trailer as a place to warm up between rides. If you want zero tightness anywhere in the trailer, this is the size that delivers that.
So the honest answer is: all three fit 2 snowmobiles, but the 12 ft is the minimum, the 14 ft is the sweet spot, and the 16 ft is the comfortable choice for longer sleds or extra gear.
Best Enclosed Trailer Size for 3 Mountain Sleds
For 3 mountain sleds, you need a 7×20 ft to 8×22 ft enclosed trailer with a V-nose. Trail sleds under 137 inches fit a 7×18 ft plus V-nose, but mountain sleds at 146 inches or longer require the larger 20 to 22 ft range for safe, repeatable loading without tight maneuvering.
Best Enclosed Trailer Size for 4 Sleds
For 4 snowmobiles, an 8.5 ft wide trailer in the 20 to 26 ft range is the right size. Short trail sleds fit an 8.5×20 ft with a 4-foot V-nose, while four mountain sleds at 154 inches or longer need an 8.5×24 ft or larger to load and unload without staggering machines.
The V-Nose: Why It's Not Just Extra Space
The V-nose is a kind of storage room. It gives you a dedicated spot for fuel cans, helmets, and spare oil, without stealing a single inch from your sled floor. Plus, the aerodynamic shape cuts through the wind better, which matters when you’re towing long hauls.
But watch the measurements. There’s no industry standard; some manufacturers include the V‑nose in the total length, others don’t. A “7×14 + 5V” and a “7×19 including V” are the same trailer, just labeled differently.
When you’re renting or buying, always ask: “Is this 14 feet of box plus a V, or 14 feet total including the V?” Get it wrong, and you could end up five feet shorter than expected.
Don't Forget Your Tow Vehicle
We see this every winter: A guy buys a 24′ enclosed trailer for his crew, hooks it up to his V6 Ford Explorer, and gets stuck on the hill leaving Bragg Creek.
Know your GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
A 24′ enclosed trailer loaded with 3 mountain sleds (600 lbs each), gear, steel skis, and a heater weighs 5,500 – 7,000 lbs.
- Half-ton trucks (F-150, Ram 1500): Okay for a 12′ or 14′ trailer with 2 sleds. Borderline dangerous for 3.
- 3/4-ton trucks (F-250, Ram 2500): The minimum for 20’+ trailers in the mountains.
Pro tip for Alberta highways: On ice or snow, add 500 lbs of tongue weight and 1,000 lbs of trailer weight to your calculation. Winter conditions require more trucks.
Before sizing your trailer, take a minute to verify your truck’s towing capacity. Our towing capacity guide explains weight ratings, payload limits, and how to match the right trailer to your truck.
Buying vs. Renting an Enclosed Trailer in Calgary
Neither option is universally better. It depends on how often you ride, where you park, and your budget. You don’t need to own a $15,000 trailer if you only ride 5 weekends a year. Knowing which category you are in before you spend $8,000 to $20,000 is worth a few minutes of honest thought.
When buying makes sense
If you ride eight or more times a season, haul two or more sleds regularly, and plan to use the trailer as a year-round storage and gear base, buying is almost certainly the right call. It’s also a smart way to test sizes before buying, comparing a 7.5×18 against a 7×14 on real trips. Just book early; Calgary’s rental availability gets tight from December through March.
When renting makes sense
If you go out four or five times a season, renting a trailer for each trip often costs less than the depreciation and insurance on a trailer you own. The break-even math usually favours renting until you are consistently above six to eight trips per year.
One timing note: enclosed trailer availability in Calgary books up fast during prime season, from December through March. If renting is the plan, do not wait until the forecast looks perfect to make a reservation.
Calgary rental options
Calgary riders have solid local options, including Westside Rental, offering enclosed trailers from 10 to 24 ft with electric brakes, E-Track, and unlimited mileage, useful for a 400-plus kilometre round trip to the Crowsnest or Nordegg. Pickup or delivery across Alberta is available, making it easy to test a size before committing to a purchase.
For Calgary riders, Westside Rental is worth knowing about. They offer enclosed trailers from 10 ft to 24 ft, with electric brakes, E-Track tie-down systems, and unlimited mileage included in the rental, which matters when your round trip to the Crowsnest or Nordegg is 400-plus kilometres.
Trailers can be picked up in Calgary or delivered anywhere in Alberta, which is a practical option if you are staging a group trip and want the trailer waiting at a basecamp rather than towing it yourself.
Putting It Together
The right enclosed snowmobile trailer size is not a single number. It is the intersection of how many sleds you haul, what tracks they are running, what your tow vehicle can handle, and what you want the trailer to do beyond the obvious.
For most Calgary-area riders heading into mountain terrain with two sleds, a 7×16 ft box plus a 5-foot V-nose is where the math keeps landing. It handles mountain track lengths, gives you genuine gear and warmup space, and pulls without drama behind most 3/4-ton trucks. Riders with shorter trail sleds can step down to a 7×14 plus V and be well-served. Anyone running three or four sleds needs to take width and loading layout seriously from the start.
If you are not yet sure what size you need, rent first. Calgary has good local options, and one real trip in a properly sized trailer will teach you more than any article can.
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
What size enclosed trailer do I need for two mountain sleds in Alberta?
A 14 ft trailer is the minimum for two mountain sleds (146"+), but a 16 ft trailer with a 2' V-nose gives you comfortable loading room and extra gear space.
Can a half-ton truck like an F-150 tow an enclosed snowmobile trailer?
A half-ton truck works fine for a 12' or 14' trailer with two sleds, but three sleds or a 20'+ trailer require a 3/4-ton truck like an F-250 or Ram 2500.
Does the V-nose count toward the total trailer length?
It depends on the manufacturer. Some include the V-nose in the total length, others list it separately, so always confirm before buying or renting it.
Where can I find an enclosed snowmobile trailer for rent near Calgary?
Westside Rental is based in Calgary and offers affordable enclosed trailers from 10 to 24 ft, complete with electric brakes, E-Track tie-downs, and unlimited mileage.
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