Clik, I read some of the responses, most were good feedback. I have the privilege of using my dads trailer. He bought it about 10 years ago and hasn't regretted it for a second. 16ft with 2ft dovetail and it tilts. Has a 2 ton floor jack mounted in the tongue. This is far superior to the ones with just a long ram cylinder! Loaded everything from 80s Vettes to beached whales with no suspension EASY! I would highly recommend a full deck. I can pull up to a car with no suspension or only one end, drop the tail down, stick a 4 wheel cart under the car, and pull it right up. Will soon be adding a 12000 pound Warn winch which will make this thing like having my own rollback tow truck! They aren't cheap but it has more then paid for itself over the years! Ours gets used at least once a month and usually more, I would recommend a lock, keeps it from getting borrowed!
Here is one I just thought of. When we hauled the T to its new owner GV Gordon down south we had a ***** of a time getting it on the stretcher. My lot is hilly and has many places to almost drive on the trailer level, BUT the cheater slicks were too snotty and I got NO traction driving it across the steel beavertail. Almost lost the car into the fenders the day before George was take possetion!$&^#@ DAmn a winch sure would have been nice at that moment!
I wonder where the dividing line in the country is between calling the dovetail a dovetail vs a beavertail???
can't tell you any thing specific, but can tell you look for quality!!!!!! The problem with trailers is every Tom, **** and Harry shops every dealer for 200mi radius trying to save $50 on a $2000 trailer. I love my 20' x 102" (outside width) but it was painted with no primer, the wiring is cheap, constantly needing up graded and the ramp design leaves a lot to be desired. Look for a quality forged hitch, underneath for paint /primer and sealed wiring. Don't know who makes such a thing but it would be worth an extra grand unless you want to trade in every other year.
Well, I've thought it over. I think the only thing bad about any of these trailer ideas, is that all of them prevent you from actually driving your car. When is it not practical to drive your car? Is it when you're driving something else, but still pulling the other important one behind you? Does not compute.
Lots of reasons to tow cars, trucks and things............even your usual "ride" if it requires getting it somewhere and leaving it for some reason. Most often project vehicles, for your self or close friends. It isn't just about towing vs driving your car to shows. That is probably least of it for most trailer owners. Broaden your mind.................... Ray
I agree with hnstray. So how many miles does your car have on it? How many mi have you driven it in, one day, one month? I'll give you mine. One day 1,200 mi, one month 8,000 mi. even did Sacramento Ca. to Tampa Fl. in 3 1/2 days. Have you done anywhere near that? Do you have a zip code car or have you taken a long trip with your car alone? Mine has been coast to coast without someone following. If not, then you sure as hell aren't driving a lot. Yes I own a trailer and it's got a lot of miles on it, somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 mi, and the only time my cpe has been on it was when I was building it and when it was broke. The rest of the time my trailer has been used for hauling projects for myself and to flip.
After maintaining and driving with lots of trailers for a boat manufacturing company and now owning a small fleet of my own trailers I will put in my $.02... #1 Electic brakes are cheap and a huge pain in the **** I much prefer hydraulic, the fact with hydraulic brakes is that the force is all contolled by how much force is on the tongue of the trailer its much easier to drive with, plus hydraulic brakes on a trailer mean you can use it on any vehicle. With electric brakes you need a vehicle thats wired for the brakes on that trailer #2 Take all that ****py cheap trailer wire off and replace everything with armoured BX cable to boxes next to the lights. solder all your wire connections and then cap with marrets for easy access for trouble shooting, use reg lightbulbs so they are easy to replace on the road. #3 As much as I like an electric winch a manual one always works wherever you are and with any vehicle if your going electric spend a few extra dollars and get a small solar panel to keep the battery topped when using a trailer mounted battery.#4 a flat deck trailer is always more versitile than an open one, a wood deck is better at keeping things from sliding around and you can nail and screw to it #5 the more hooks there are to hold things down the happier you will be. if you going to be towing alot of cars the lower the trailer rides the easier it is to load. I like to use light truck tires on my trailers instead of trailer tires I find they ride much smoother and most trailer tires are very ****py quality. ALWAYS HAVE A SPARE and its never a bad idea to have an extra hub and bearing kit also. I carry both chains and straps, for cars I prefer chains and chainlocks, things seem to move less with chains I use the straps for soft things like going overtop of doors and decklids to keep the wind from pulling on them. I find with straps if you give them one half twist they wont flap in the wind so no chafing of paint or fraying of straps. As for your trailer choice well go with what you think will work best for your needs simpler is always better. good luck Paul
If your trailer is wired properly, you will have no problem whatsoever in being able to pull it with ANY vehicle with the correct 4-pin, 6-pin, or 7-pin receptacle. Trailers are not wired to that one tow vehicle, unless the owner does that on purpose! Phatrat and hnstray - you guys are dead on the mark! How many of these "anti-trailer" guys have never, ever needed a trailer? None is the answer! They are the same guys calling at oh-dark-thirty on a Saturday morning asking to borrow the trailer, or try to borrow you, your tow vehicle, and the trailer! I've got somewhere between 60K - 80K miles on my hauler, and it's been nearly all for picking up cars or trucks I've bought, hauling rock, or whatever else is too big or awkward for my pickup. Someone mentioned Tommy's aluminum haulers. I really like their units. I've had the occasion to haul with one a couple of times. Mind you, the price is about triple that of a decent, properly-outfitted steel trailer, but it'll likely be the last car hauler you'll ever need to buy!
jonnyonedrip #1--Surge brakes don't allow you to use trailer brakes only. #2-- As hotrodders we're rebuilding stuff all the time anyway. #3-- If you run a charge line from the truck to the winch battery it'll be up when you need it. A solar panel is just something to watch for too not break. I have dragged stuff up by come-a-long but was sure glad I had an good size electric winch when I hauled the dead F-6 dump truck with a frozen brake on one wheel up on the trailer #4--Whatever works for you. #5--Agreed that why I have so many on mine. I run 10 ply truck tires on mine and carry a spare
Ditto on the Tommys! I've had four of his trailers and consider them one of the best all aluminum trailers out there. Not cheap but if you want a light weight well made trailer Tommys is the way to go. I haul a low clearance Panoz race car and have no problem loading it. Fenders are removeable as well. I'll try and post a few pictures for you to see. tommystrailers.com
I personally like www.jimglo.com trailers. wide enough for old cars, fenders come off so you can open the door. easy to load and unload
I have an 18' Texas Rollback. Tows great with my 1/2 ton Silverado long bed. Drops back and down to 5 degree incline, great for low cars! Although the company is no longer in business, nice used ones can be found on the internet. I can load or unload in under 5 minutes, with no help. As stated by many before me.... Brakes on both axles, Always check your load after a few miles, maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! My trailer was a great investment, just don't let too many people know you have one!!!!! You will make new friends and hear from old ones if you do! Be safe!
The Jalopy Journal
