Car trailer

jamister1 · 09-30-08, 08:33 PM

Just outta curiosity does anyone have access to a car trailer that I could borrow for the mining claim run? It is a little far for me to drive my 55 on its near maiden voyage. It would need to be a heavy duty trailer, enough to support 5k ish, preferably 15+ feet long. I have considered flat towing it but I don't know if I have enough time to build a tow bar and get everything done before then.
I've never flat towed before either but I've heard it is a PIA can anyone chime in on there experiences with it? I'll be using my Ford so it's not like I have to worry about brakes or having enough power.

knoll0351 · 09-30-08, 08:54 PM

I usually have access to a really heavy duty flat bed trailer depending on my neighbors work needs. It weighs well over 2,500 pounds on it's own and is out in Coos Bay so is probably not a viable option. Renting one from like U-Haul would probably be cheaper than a Coos Bay trip, but if you are interested let me know and I'll talk with Vergl

jamister1 · 09-30-08, 08:58 PM

Yeah, Coos bay is a little far, thank you though. I'd be into it $300 in diesel before it was all said and done.
I've rented from Uhaul before and their trailers are way too small and light duty. I used one to bring my 40 home from Portland last year and even that was getting to be a tight squeeze.

knoll0351 · 09-30-08, 09:14 PM

Yeah, I figured but didn't want to be the d**k that didn't offer and should have.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 09-30-08, 09:36 PM

I've flat towed a few times, unlock the hubs, pull or tie up the rear drive shaft, and hook up some lights... I think I preffer flat towing over a trailer, no shaking of the trailer or anything... It'll just follow you like a dog...

Only down side is wearing out the tires... But it's not like it'd be behind your RV and on the road all the time... and backing up isn't such a good idea....

Probably a good idea to get it set up for that sooner or later, or get a trailer...... If you're going to be wheeling it out of area much... I have a tow bar, but I don't think it's beefy enough for that monster....

Also, I do have a friend with a trailer down here, but again it's pretty out of the way... I think the trailer lives in Greenview (About a half hour past Yreka...)

knoll0351 · 09-30-08, 11:42 PM

and wear and tear on suspension parts, bearings, T-case, ...

But seriously it really isn't that hard on a rig to tow it around. Certainly better than driving it. As for a tow bar I do have one that was fabd up for my Suzuki Samurai years ago. I wouldn't want to part with it permanently but for short term you're welcome too it. as I recall it's made from 1/4'' angle mild steel should be plenty thick enough...as well as re-manufacturable. The actuall tow bar hooks to a section of gusited box stock that is atached between the cross member up front. I'll add photo's tomorrow if I remember, and/or anyone is interested.

jamister1 · 10-01-08, 08:54 AM

Post pics, any design ideas will help at this point.

RredFJ40 · 10-01-08, 09:54 AM

My brother-in-law has a flat bed trailer that I MIGHT be able to borrow but it is over here in K-falls and I have no way of getting it over there besides also borrowing his tow rig AND I don't even know if I can make this run

2ndGenToyotaFan · 10-01-08, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knoll0351

and wear and tear on suspension parts, bearings, T-case, ...

If you pull the rear drive shaft, all that's getting wear is the wheel bearings front and rear and the rear diff... but with no load on it.... Not a bad trade off from owning a trailer, loading and unloading... etc.

Here's one idea:

Another:

knoll0351 · 10-01-08, 08:48 PM

True that Jerod, good point. And I wasn't trying to make it sound as a less viable option than trailer. Personally I do prefer towing as well, but it does have it's down side.

Sorry I forgot to take photo's during the day so please excuse the lack of quality.