SomeGuy25thZ

Hey all, im researching trailers to purchase for using to haul my current street car to races/shows and also for hauling a future road race car.

I have searching a lot and have found all sorts of trailers and varying prices.

I've been looking mostly into trailex aluminum trailers because they are light weight and will be easier to tow with. I have an 07 tahoe.

I most recently found:

http://www.enclosedtrailersforless.c...-trailers.html

and they have nice enclosed trailers for very low cost. im wondering if anyone has heard of these trailers or would not use them. basically any thoughts/opinions to help me buy my first trailer. Not looking to spend a lot so thats why these are a real eye opener. can get ALOT for way cheaper than any other trailer i have ever found.

used open trailex trailers cost 5-7k and enclosed are compeltely out of the question - 20k+

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

aluminum and cheap are not in the same sentence ever. Maybe but an open featherlite trailer as those are aluminum and very nice. Otherwise I wouldn't buy that cheap no name brand, you're better off buying a few year old hallmark, etc that is a better built unit. Those will have multi-piece roofs or sides that WILL leak. If you don't have much money a quality open like a US CARGO would be a good choice. Obviously you'll be at your vehicle's towing limit too with the truck loaded down and an open and car on the trailer IMO. You don't have a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck.

SomeGuy25thZ

thanks for the info. since they custom build everything my thought was to go up to their facility and check it out and even have then construct the walls/roof a specific way if they allow to prevent any leaks or anything but that may be a stretch.

I'll keep looking as i hope people start putting or trailers for sale for the spring season.

GMan 3MT

iTrader: (4)

Personally, unless you want the pimp factor or just have money to throw around, I don't see a need for an aluminum open trailer. Yes, it would be nice, but not if I'm paying for it.

http://www.texasbraggtrailers.com/tr...ers-custom.htm

This is what I have. I towed with a 4.0L V6 Ford Ranger (yes, it was marginal)

A used (steel) open trailer should run less than $2k. I got mine new for a touch over $3k after all the extras. I bet there's a lot of used enclosed for around $7k. New I bet there's a few for around $10k.

Check out here for used (and some new) stuff.
http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1...homeCategories

If you get an open, the one thing that is a must for me is that the ramps must come out the rear.

SomeGuy25thZ

The only reason i was consider aluminum was the light weight. with the Tahoe, which is 2wd btw (father bought it for use in GA where he lives and some how i ended up with it in NY... lol long story) so i wanted to minimize the GVW because i am limited on towing capacity. a steel 2000 lb trailer with a 3300 lb car, fuel, tires, etc.. will exceed capacity quickly and i dont feel like driving 3 hrs to race tracks with such conditions.

but you are right for the cost it much better to go with the steel. i'll have to see whats economical for me. i def dont have 5k to through away for a trailer cause that can pay for my CMC2 build.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

with a tahoe i'd limit yourself to an open trailer IMO. Most enclosed trailers are in the 4-5k range without a car in them once you add tools fuel etc inside them. It adds up quickly

Fast 383

iTrader: (2)

Your truck should be able to tow an open steel trailer with ease. Make sure you buy a good name brand trailer because there are certain features that really make loading and unloading, as well as towing much more comfortable. If you end up with a trailer that you don't like it will defer you from using it as much as you want to.

When I bought mine the biggest thing was the ramps. I wanted super wide ramps so I could load it myself with ease. They also pulled out of the trailer and locked instead of removing them from the sides and installing them. I could have my car loaded by myself in like 10 minutes flat. You also have to consider a flat bed or open bed. I chose an open center just incase I needed to climb under and do some work.

My trailer was made by Premier trailers. I would definetely reccomend them. It cost $2150 brand new at the yard (from TP Trailers Limerick,PA).

AlkyIROC

My Pace Daytona 20' enclosed is rated at 7000 pounds. With a 3000 pound race car in it, that only leaves me with about 1000 pounds of other stuff I can put in the trailer before reaching the weight limit. With an open trailer, you can haul a heavier car. My old 16' open was also rated at 7000 pounds but the trailer probably weighed 1500 pounds.

As mentioned above, with a Tahoe, I wouldn't recommend an enclosed trailer. I pulled my open trailer for years with a lowered 454SS shortbox pickup truck. I put some air bag helper springs in the rear to help with the tongue weight but had no problems pulling the trailer. Now that I have an enclosed trailer, I use an F350 diesel to pull it and never even notice it's there.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

Don't all the Tahoes have 4L60s? Ugh, I wouldn't want to tow an enclosed trailer with a car inside with one at all. In addition to the weight, you're towing something that has the aerodynamics of a small house.

I picked up a new 18' Econo Trailer last month for just under $2K. I have an '03 Lightning, which is rated at 5000 pounds -- with the Camaro on an open trailer, probably weighs around 4700. I used to have a '99 Lightning when I had my old '90 WS6 and never had any issues towing. But the Lightnings have upgraded transmissions with Super Duty internals. Just the short wheelbase is the biggest issue (load leveling bars and anti-sway system are musts).

Pat

TB2

iTrader: (1)

The Tahoe is definetly your obstacale. I bought a mint used US cargo 8.5' x 20' for $2800. But I also have a F250HD to drag it around with. If you can get something that could tow more, I would definetly recommend a used enclosed. Unbelievably easier. If not, there are always deals on open trailers with enough looking around. Many of them are just large enough to haul a car which would work well with that Tahoe.

SomeGuy25thZ

thanks for the input guys. I'll be searching around and see what i can come up with.

BIG_MODS

iTrader: (9)

Pat, those econo trailers look nice. Good price, light, the wheels are more forward than most which is good for front heavy cars. You have any pictures of yours? That website seems limited.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

I'll get some pictures in a week or so. I dropped the car off (for Megasquirt install ) down in Va. Beach and left the trailer at a buddy's house there. Should be going back sometime within the week to pick everything up.

I have at least three friends who have had the same Econotrailer for 5+ years, and all three have used them to tow pony cars of some flavor. The biggest difference between the older ones is that now they use LED lights. The jostling around with conventional bulbs would cause them to go out, so I'd always seem to be replacing a few lights on my old trailer every time I used it. Hopefully the LEDs are more durable.

Pat

BIG_MODS

iTrader: (9)

Hey Pat, I see you got an 18', do you think a 15' would be ok for a 3rd gen? Our cars are 15.5' long but the wheel base is 101" (8' 5"). The only reason I am even debating this is the 18' won't fit between my house and garage but the 15' will. The guy at Econo said people haul full size cars on the 15' all the time, I just want to get your opinion since you own one and maybe you had something else that drove you to get the 18'.

AlkyIROC

15' trailer? When I had a 16' open, with the nose of the car right up to the front railing of the trailer, the back of the car still hung off the back of the trailer. The wheels have lots of room but how much of the car do you want exposed off the back of the trailer? An 18' trailer means none of the car body is beyond the dimensions of the trailer.

SomeGuy25thZ

you should also consider where the car sits as far as weight balance. you dont want to have more of the weight towards the rear of the trailer in this situation.

slow305

iTrader: (2)

I had a 15' Econotrailer when I had my '90 WS6, and it worked fine. It just seemed like there wasn't much room at the front for strapping the car down (I'm guessing there might be other attachment points further back).

Here are some pics I took today of the current setup (click on pics for hi-res versions):


Trailer does not come with the weight distributing stuff or the sway controller. All of that was Harbor Freight specials. But pretty easy to mount up.







Pat