Car Hauler Questions

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S4Cruiser

S4Cruiser

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So now that I have a tow rig the next logical step will be to pick up a trailer. I want to get something that will tow either the 40 or the 80 weight and width wise.

Obviously I will be looking for a tandem axle with electric brakes...but...

A couple questions;

Do I need a 7k GVWR or 10k GVWR?

Do I need a 16 or 18 foot length or longer?

How wide should I be looking for?

I took a quick stroll through the trailer dealer here in Burlington today. They had a ton of options and I left not really knowing what I really needed vs. what was available on the lot.

I'd like to find a used trailer as I'm not in a hurry. I want to buy once vs. getting something and wanting an upgrade later.

:cheers:
-Jon
 
5th wheel 2 car hauler, you'll wish you had it once you buy a single hauler....trust me. or you could just do it ass backwards like I did and buy a nice trailer with nothing to tow it....NO IT'S NOT FOR SALE!
 
Careful in ads when they measure the length. A lot of the time they measure the tounge. But 18' minimum. 20' if you can. Think of how long your truck is and it's not even a crew cab or long bed. If you ever needed to tow your own rig back an 18' would be on the small side. 7K :flipoff2: Hell no...have you ran your 80 accros a scale yet? Something tells me you are already there. And if you dont' think you can bend those axle tubes trust me you can.

5th Wheel is nice, limits the amount of people that can borrow it, puts more wieght evenly over your front suspension and less leverage, substantially reduces your turning radius and allows you to put on more tounge weight if necessary. Not to mention much easier to get a 40' trailer that way so you can tow two rigs at once or one rig and throw on a camper on the front part with a large box for tools.

But if you are not looking for anything to crazy 20' at least 10K if not 14K of course e brakes and don't forget that if you can get a tilt bed those are very handy. Dovetails are nice but they drag all of the time and since you are not planning on picking up any lowriders you should be fine with a standard trailer.

Lastly if you can find a builder that will "Bend the rules" get a trailer that is wider than the legal limit. Just say you bought it in TN or AL and you are good to go. When I towed home my Step Van it sure came in handy. Barely fit over the tire wells and rears were hanging over. Try fitting a full size rig on the BS legal limit for trailer width here in NC. Throw on some 315's and you are riding over the tire well to get it on.

My dad actually builds trailers back on the West Coast...I know I know Traylor's Trailers. Just to expensive to ship one out here.
 
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Something else, check for local auctions-tons of companys with heavy equipment are going out of business, get a used trailer at a good auction price rebuild all four hubs, paint it, tires and you have a new trailer for much cheaper. Just a month ago we bought 3 tandem axle trailers for under $2,200 total. Did just this on one of them and it paid for the other two...
 
My trailer is 16'x7' and works great for towing my FJ40 buggy. The width is perfect for my rig even with 1 ton axles. I have 3500 pound axles with brakes on the rear axle. I am planning to add brakes to the front axle soon.

If I had it to do over again I would get an 18' trailer with 5000 pound axles. I have towed some full size trucks and a Suburban on my trailer, and they overhung the rear.

Here's where I got mine - right in your back yard. It is a great trailer, and he had the best prices of any of the dealers when I bought mine just over 5 years ago. Three of my buddies have bought from him since and also been very satisfied.

Burke Trailers (Elon, NC) - custom-built Utility Trailers
 
R.K. said:
My trailer is 16'x7' and works great for towing my FJ40 buggy. The width is perfect for my rig even with 1 ton axles. I have 3500 pound axles with brakes on the rear axle. I am planning to add brakes to the front axle soon.

If I had it to do over again I would get an 18' trailer with 5000 pound axles. I have towed some full size trucks and a Suburban on my trailer, and they overhung the rear.

Here's where I got mine - right in your back yard. It is a great trailer, and he had the best prices of any of the dealers when I bought mine just over 5 years ago. Three of my buddies have bought from him since and also been very satisfied.

Burke Trailers (Elon, NC) - custom-built Utility Trailers
Click to expand...

Cool - thanks. I'll go check these guys out one day this week.
 
Unless I am wrong, storage is about to be a concern for you based on the # of vehicles not to mention a huge trailer?

The 5th wheel is nice for two rigs but I really think the 3500 (1 ton) series with dually rear would be more appropriate for that? Might be stressing the 3/4 ton / SRW, I am sure it could do it, but not really set up for it.

Equipment trailers, flat bed trailers, deckover trailers, skid steer trailers, utility trailers, tilt trailers, auto hauler trailer, Hudson Bros Trailer Mfg

Hudson has a good reputation, I know several of the "dually + buggies" boys are using them.

I would get a trailer that is longer than the 80 by 2' or so on each end, so I think 18-20' is approp?

Hudson Brothers Trailer Manufacturers, Inc, Indian Trail, NC

We are using an equipment / backhoe trailer and I would rather spend the money upfront for the BEEF. The one above has a SEVEN INCH beam!!!

Make sure to get a good trailer brake, and for another 500ish I think I would get the weight distribution stuff, I know it makes a HUGE difference in our 28' camper. (Campers move around more though since they are a giant sail)
 
shinton said:
Unless I am wrong, storage is about to be a concern for you based on the # of vehicles not to mention a huge trailer?
Click to expand...

Most definitely at our current house; however we are planning to move to the Raleigh/Cary area in the spring/summer.

I do have a place to store the trailer in the meantime though.

I'm definitely not planning to get a 5th wheel. 18-20' is what I'm looking at and seems the best option from everyone's thoughts.


Thanks again for the links and feedback.
 
I went and checked out Burke Trailers in Elon this morning. This guy does some awesome work. I think I'm going to get him to build me one.

I'm planning on going with a 10,000lb 18' x 7' with slide out ramps and dual electric brake axles.

Anyone think this is not enough trailer to tow 'either' the 80 or 40?
 
That is plenty of trailer, a bit of overkill on dual brakes, but additional cost is probably not "that" much more anyway.

Get the electric jack in the front, I "think" the modern requirements are for a breakaway system anyway so you will have a battery box, etc.

Also, even if you don't use it at first, get them to have a place to mount a winch on the front of the trailer. (In case the cruiser is not moving under it's own power, etc! Or you are buying a "parts" rig....ask me how I know..)

When it comes time to buy straps / I really like the ones that just go around the axle tube and then you put the rachet part on. This is a nice kit...

273_516_large.jpg


The reason I mention that is to make sure the trailer has the hoops/tie downs to match the straps / system you want to use!! (Mine just have the square boxes for putting in the wooden walls. I make it work, but hoops are nice!)

Sam
 
Good points Sam.

The trailer I looked at (one already built but with fold up ramps) had only the box style tie downs on the frame rails. I might get him to add some D rings to the top of the sides for easy access for straps, etc.

I like the strap kit you pictured...looks like all I would ever need - got a link?
 
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i have towed a lot and i love a tilt trailer (no ramps to mess with). i like the electric jack, brakes, and the winch (for when u tow junk home u find on craigs list). i like the tires at least 3/4 of the way back because it rides better empty. i would love a featherlite trailer.
 
Everything everyone here has mentioned would be what i get for my next trailer that mine right now does not have. Then again i think i am going to do what Woody and a bunch of other have done with their trailers one day.
 
southerncruiser62 said:
5th wheel 2 car hauler, you'll wish you had it once you buy a single hauler....trust me. or you could just do it ass backwards like I did and buy a nice trailer with nothing to tow it....NO IT'S NOT FOR SALE!
Click to expand...

As someone pointed out a 5th wheel in Jon's truck that is a relatively short wheelbase could be a little scary if it was longer or a duelly then it would be perfect because it has the best engine/tranny combo out there for hauling. Just stability under a heavy load could be a factor.
 
Gooseneck will work fine w/ a 2500HD. I've seen it many times with 25'+ trailers.

:beer: R
 
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