Trailers..

[shakes_26]

I searched here for trailer info, after 15 pages of BS and not one real trailer thread, I decided to post.

I'm thinking open trailer, lightweight, tandem axle, maybe a toolbox/tire rack in the front. I found H&H makes a nice one for about $1800=$1900. Thats gonna be my max.

Any experience with this type of trailer? Anyone already buy one and happy with their model xyz? :help:

[DEFYANT]

PM MI2QWK4U. He has a pretty nice set up.

[Marauderman]

Five-O has a nice one--maybe he can throw you some 411 and re-post his pics--they are sweeeeet!!!

[Jerry Barnes]

Marc,

Speak to Dave and Mike Z. they have researched trailers recently. I bought an inexpensive trailer my first time out($1,400) and bent the axle hauling my Marauder to Texas. The weight of the car is a bit much. I then baught a all aluminum trailer with heavy duty everything from Trailer World and it ran about $6,500. Two of my trailers were stolen a couple of months ago and I have replaced the 28' enclosed trailer I brought to Florida and I just ordered a new 18' aluminum trailer again from Trailer World. Made a few modifications this time. E-track, tongue tool box with built in 9,000 lb wench, heavy duty axles, extended tongue, etc. If you have any questions please give me a call.

Jerry

[mpearce]

I then baught a all aluminum trailer with heavy duty everything from Trailer World

If these are the folks from Bowling Green, Kentucky...

My wife and I have personally been on their lot, (Buick GS Nationals) and they make fantastic stuff. Good choice IMO.

-Mat

[Breadfan]

... with built in 9,000 lb wench, ...

That's a bi.....uh, nevermind. ;)

This thread is interesting. I'd like to end up with a nice size car trailer someday, something that could haul a car or truck. I wouldn't even know where to start looking. The info about the cheaper trailers getting bent axles with the weight of a Marauder is important stuff.

[MI2QWK4U]

Just a place where you can also look..
http://motors.listings.ebay.com/Other-Vehicles_Trailers_W0QQfclZ3QQf coZ1QQsacatZ66468QQsocmdZListi ngItemList


Unless you know exactly what you are looking for, and ask the right questions, ebay is a great place to get screwed on a trailer.

[Jerry Barnes]

If these are the folks from Bowling Green, Kentucky...

My wife and I have personally been on their lot, (Buick GS Nationals) and they make fantastic stuff. Good choice IMO.

-Mat

Mat,

They are the same people. If anyone calls, ask for Wally and tell him I recommended Trailer World. I have been very pleased with their products. And in terms of Breadfan's comment about hauling a car or a truck, I got a flatbed trailer from them because we haul our F150 and it may not fit in a enclosed trailer. We use the flatbed trailer for quick trips locally.

I have a 12' enclosed motorcycle trailer and a 28' enclose car hauler trailer from Pace American(Shadow GT model). Both are great trailers and the people from Pace treat us very well. But, Pace did not offer a flatbed trailer, so I went with Trailer World for that trailer.

And Dave is absolutely right, be careful of what you buy on EBAY that is not a regular brand name. There are a lot of people that build trailers in their garage and sell them for very cheap, but in some cases you get what you pay for. I paid $1,400 for the first trailer and sold it 6 months later for $600 due to the bent axles. That was not a good deal. Dave's trailer is very nice and seems very sturdy.

Thanks

Jerry

[MI2QWK4U]

Make sure you do your homework on any trailer. I started doing mine when I saw FiveO's trailer. I bolded the MUST haves for you. I wanted a trailer with duel 3500 lb axles. I also wanted electric brakes on each axel. I also wanted the electronic break away control unit. You also want to be sure to ask about rims and tires, by law they can give you used rims and tires, not always matching, so buyer beware. My trailer came from a reputable company direct from the factory, and came with 16 in new rims, with brand new tires. I also made sure it had a matching spare rim and tire. I also prefer a steel bed to wood planks. First off, it may cost a couple hundred bucks more, but its well worth it. You dont want to replace wood in 2 or 3 years! Another nice feature of the steel deck is the diamond plate gives you some traction when wet, and the tie down rings are incorperated in the deck, a little better than useing stake rings on the wood bed trailer. It is a 16ft flat steel bed with a 2 ft dovetale with ramps, so basically 18 ft overall bed length. You will need at least an 18 ft bed, the dovetail is nice for loading and that was another must have.
I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is WHO you are buying from. As I discovered, you can buy a trailer kit, build it, and sell it. Problem is, some of these trailers you see on ebay are being built in a guys barn that may not have the welding or other equipment to built it right. The guy I bought mine from is a reputable dealer, and he told me about these do it yourself trailers on ebay, and the horror stories about accidents, and outright fraud propigated by some scamsters. The general public not knowing about the used tire and rim thing is important too. You think you are buying a "new" trailer, and you assume that means new rubber....not true! My best advise that I can offer on the trailer thing is find a good dealer in your state. I called 3 of these "Trailer and RV SUPERSTORE" places untill I found one in Monroe, an hour away from me. The dealer was honest and had all the right answers to my concerns. They had a couple of different models in stock, so I set off, looked at them all, and picked mine out. The important thing is mine was built in a trailer factory, not some guys barn. While I think the aluminum trailer is nice, expect to pay a full double the cost of a steel bed trailer. The cheapest aluminum 18 ft flatbed trailer, w/dovetail, duel 3500# axels, was $4,800. Most were around 5K.
As described:
7,000# GVWR Trailer weight is 1,400# (means I can haul 5,600# on it)
18 foot steel bed car hauler (16ft + 2 ft dovetail)
tie downs built into steel bed & ramp storage
Duel 3500# axels
electric brake on each axel
five 16 in new rims with new tires (includes spare)
electronic break away controler
reciever hitch and ball for the truck
Out the door for $2,295 + sales tax

That really is a good price for that type of trailer.
It is made by American Manufacturing Inc. for USA Trailer Co. American Manufacturing is out of Toledo, OH. It is model # UT18S

Hope this helps some.

[shakes_26]

Thanks Dave, theres the info I was lookign for. And I agree for the ebay thing.

Here is what I'm looking at link (http://www.hhtrailer.com/05CarTrailer.asp)

The website also has a detailed description of their desing/build process. A for real trailer builder.

The TL16 has a fewadditional features, and I think they even make it in an 18ft plus 2ft dovetail, the 16 also has that option. SO it looks like it would comeout with dual electric brakes and breakaway to about what you paid.

Thanks for the input!


PS I prefer the single axle brakes, I've towed a few big trailers before, and the duals tend to get the trailer squirrely when panic braking is required. The single axle brakes may have less braking force but they allow the trailer to stay straight....a real bonus..the trailer staying behind the truck....


As described:
7,000# GVWR Trailer weight is 1,400# (means I can haul 5,600# on it)
18 foot steel bed car hauler (16ft + 2 ft dovetail)
tie downs built into steel bed & ramp storage
Duel 3500# axels
electric brake on each axel
five 16 in new rims with new tires (includes spare)
electronic break away controler
reciever hitch and ball for the truck
Out the door for $2,295 + sales tax

That really is a good price for that type of trailer.
It is made by American Manufacturing Inc. for USA Trailer Co. American Manufacturing is out of Toledo, OH. It is model # UT18S

Hope this helps some.

[MI2QWK4U]

I looked at that very trailer when I was looking around. Lidio talked me out of it, actually my dad did a good job changing my mind on that one too. Their contention was the open deck. Lidio has one simular to that one, and he hates it. The frame flexes with a bit car on it, and it doesnt offer any protection from road debris. For a couple hundred dollars you can get a solid steel, or wood, deck. It offers protection, versatility, and a sturdy platform to walk on. They thought it was a lot of money for that open trailer for what you got. The versatility is nice too with the solid deck. My Car Hoist will be delivered this week sometime. I got free shipping, only catch, was that it wasnt free to a house, only to a depot. The depot is 10 miles from me, so I jumped on it. The lift comes bundled on a pallet. Since most houses dont have a hi-lo, they dont deliver to the house. When it gets to the Depot, I will run over with the trailer, have it loaded up, and bring it home. Now the guy putting it together for me would have done the same thing, for an extra $300 bucks! So by getting free shipping and picking it up with the trailer...I saved $250-$300 ! Couldnt have done that with that open ramp trailer. Trust me, I have no regrets with the solid deck, I think just about anyone will stear you that way. Good luck!

[GreekGod]

Classic builds enclosed models with extruded aluminum floors. Probably well worth the extra cost.

[MI2QWK4U]

Classic builds enclosed models with extruded aluminum floors. Probably well worth the extra cost.


I guess that depends on what your budget is? I knew what I needed out of a trailer, did the homework, and came under what I thought it would cost me. I thought Charlie was somewhere around the $2000 goal.

[shakes_26]

Thats right, the goal is about $2k, remember I dont have MartyO money, or Jerry resources, heck I dont even have Dave money.

Now if I were tripping over sacks of $100 bills I'd go for the setup Don Walsh Jr has..OMG:eek: but thats like fairy tale zone there. Where's Mike Z, doesn't he have a trailer too?





I guess that depends on what your budget is? I knew what I needed out of a trailer, did the homework, and came under what I thought it would cost me. I thought Charlie was somewhere around the $2000 goal.

[MI2QWK4U]

Where's Mike Z, doesn't he have a trailer too?


Mikes on a well deserved Family weekend getaway! He doesnt have a trailer yet, but He is getting the same setup that I have.

[MI2QWK4U]

Marc,
This is why you DONT want the open bed Trailer you were thinking about! This is my new 4 post car lift. I saved $450 bucks on shipping costs from California on this 2000 pound package. It had free shipping to one of a few local freight depots. If I had it delievered to the house, it would have cost $450. But since I had the solid steel bed trailer, it took me 15 minutes to drive there, 10 min for them to hi-lo it onto the trailer, 5 min to strap it down, Im sure you get my drift. I haul all sorts of crap with this thing. Just thought I would throw this in for your consideration!
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/5/2/100_2333.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/5/2/100_2330.JPG
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/5/2/100_2334.JPG

[mpearce]

Dave,

I like that trailer...a lot. Did you use the stock hitch on your truck, or did it require any upgrades? Do you need a class 4 or 5 hitch to haul your Marauder?

-Mat