Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
#1
Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
I am looking to buy one in the next year or two for my new '05 S281. Not that I want to trailer it everywhere but eventually I would like to hit some out-of-state shows and take it with me to the beach (from Indiana). I've never looked at them, just curious how they work out.
Is 8.5' wide enough to be able to drive it in/out and be able to open the doors, or are there doors on the sides of the trailers to allow this?
Do you have to strap the vehicle down once parked inside or do they ride pretty securely?
Is 8.5' wide enough to be able to drive it in/out and be able to open the doors, or are there doors on the sides of the trailers to allow this?
Do you have to strap the vehicle down once parked inside or do they ride pretty securely?
#2
RE: Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
ORIGINAL: sowaxeman
I am looking to buy one in the next year or two for my new '05 S281. Not that I want to trailer it everywhere but eventually I would like to hit some out-of-state shows and take it with me to the beach (from Indiana). I've never looked at them, just curious how they work out.
Is 8.5' wide enough to be able to drive it in/out and be able to open the doors, or are there doors on the sides of the trailers to allow this?
Do you have to strap the vehicle down once parked inside or do they ride pretty securely?
I am looking to buy one in the next year or two for my new '05 S281. Not that I want to trailer it everywhere but eventually I would like to hit some out-of-state shows and take it with me to the beach (from Indiana). I've never looked at them, just curious how they work out.
Is 8.5' wide enough to be able to drive it in/out and be able to open the doors, or are there doors on the sides of the trailers to allow this?
Do you have to strap the vehicle down once parked inside or do they ride pretty securely?
#3
RE: Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
I use one all the time, it's a Pace 24 foot, but unless you are racing you need one that big, an 18 foot would work fine. Yes you will need to strap the car down inside, and you will be climbing in and out the window. The side doors are just for access to the trailer. Torsion bar susp. is a nicer ride than leaf springs. What are you planning on pulling it with? While a half ton with load bars will work it's a scary ride. Plan on at least a 3/4 ton, diesel if you can get one, the one I mentioned is towed by F350 Diesel duelly, and man does it pull nice.
#4
RE: Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
Thats what I was afraid of - I currently have an F150 with the 4.6 and 132K miles. Can't imagine thats going to do the trick without tearing up the motor and tranny. I already pull a 6x12 utility trailer full of band gear and thats a hard enough pull. But upgrading to a 250 or 350 down the road to just pull the trailer wouldn't be out of the question.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
#5
RE: Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
We pulled that 24 foot with a F150 Crew cab to Fla. last year, it did it but WOWIE it was kinda freaky, the wind would blow and move the truck all around. Now with the F350 the truck is stable as can be, my buddy owns the truck and paid 13k for it with 126k miles but thats barley broken in for a diesel, its even a crew cab long bed dually, the damn thing sounds like a school bus. Look around and you can find decent trucks.
#6
RE: Anyone with Enclosed Car Haulers??
I've got a 24' Timberwolf enclosed trailer that I use to tow my Stang to the drag strip with my '97 F150 with the smaller 4.6 engine and auto trans. JD is right about really needing a bigger truck if you are going to be towing long distances. I only go 28 miles one way to the track and there are not a lot of long grades on the way to the track but the truck does struggle with those that are there. I've towed the same trailer with my friends Chevy dually truck and it's a world of difference in the ride contol with the dual wheel truck. Ride is harsher but much more stable and the 454 in that truck of his makes plenty of power but loves to drink gas too! LOL
If you don't need any storage space in the trailer, you could probably get by with a 20 ft long one but the 24 ft is more popular and would be easier to sell later if you decide to upgrade. You can also install a 12 volt winch to use to pull the car into and out of the trailer instead of trying to drive it in and them climb out the window! You can get a good one for about $500 that will handle the load. Another thing you need to be concerned about is the length of the trailer door and whether or not you need extension ramps on it to be sure the undercarriage of the car clears the hump where the door is attached to the trailer. This is especially important if the car has been lowered at all. The best advice I can give you is to go to several trailer sales places near you and talk to them about what you need and what they have to offer. They can give you good advice about what you need to tow it with and how best to order one to fit your precise needs. They do make them with side doors that allow you to open the car door if you choose to drive it into the trailer but you need to make sure the door is positioned exactly where it needs to be for proper weight distribution in the trailer and proper tongue weight on the hitch. You can spend a little or a lot depending on the model and options you get on an enclosed trailer, so take the time to look around and do some research before you buy one. And don't forget to check into used trailers too. Most racers take damn good care of their trailers and there are some good deals out there if you look hard enough for them. If you go with a tag along trailer rather than a gooseneck or fifth wheel version, make sure to use a weight transfer hitch and a sway bar on the hitch too! Some brands to consider are Haulmark and Featherlite but there are many more out there.
If you don't need any storage space in the trailer, you could probably get by with a 20 ft long one but the 24 ft is more popular and would be easier to sell later if you decide to upgrade. You can also install a 12 volt winch to use to pull the car into and out of the trailer instead of trying to drive it in and them climb out the window! You can get a good one for about $500 that will handle the load. Another thing you need to be concerned about is the length of the trailer door and whether or not you need extension ramps on it to be sure the undercarriage of the car clears the hump where the door is attached to the trailer. This is especially important if the car has been lowered at all. The best advice I can give you is to go to several trailer sales places near you and talk to them about what you need and what they have to offer. They can give you good advice about what you need to tow it with and how best to order one to fit your precise needs. They do make them with side doors that allow you to open the car door if you choose to drive it into the trailer but you need to make sure the door is positioned exactly where it needs to be for proper weight distribution in the trailer and proper tongue weight on the hitch. You can spend a little or a lot depending on the model and options you get on an enclosed trailer, so take the time to look around and do some research before you buy one. And don't forget to check into used trailers too. Most racers take damn good care of their trailers and there are some good deals out there if you look hard enough for them. If you go with a tag along trailer rather than a gooseneck or fifth wheel version, make sure to use a weight transfer hitch and a sway bar on the hitch too! Some brands to consider are Haulmark and Featherlite but there are many more out there.
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