We're getting ready for our big move from NJ to CA real soon, and I'm shopping for a trailer to get my A project cross-country. Obviously, open trailers are usually a LOT cheaper than enclosed ones. However, I'm concerned about all the car/metal thefts I'm hearing about on a daily basis. Pocketbook-wise, I'm leaning towards finding an open trailer, but my concerns tell me to get a closed one. Another issue is storage of the trailer once we get to CA...since we haven't found a place yet, I'm concerned about storage (or lack thereof) for it. My thoughts were that buying an open trailer might be easier to re-sell once we get out there. So I'm kinda torn all around. Any advice?
I much prefer a enclosed trailer. Keeps prying eyes and hands OFF your goodies. A enclosed trailer also makes for a great storage room, once you get where you are going. Go to racing junk ... they usually have a few great buys ... if you take your time and look around. http://www.racingjunk.com/category/13/
Well, I should also mention that my budget is a maximum of $3000....and really sub 2k would be nice. My wife just lost her job, so taking the "getting it stolen" risk might outweigh the dollar outlay...esp. if the chances of it getting nabbed really aren't as high as I may think they are :/
When all the alternatives are considerd there are no decisions to be made. 3K max pretty much puts you into an open trailer choice in today's market [since the price of steel went crazy]. Long shot you might be able to find a closed fixer upper, divorce related or such fire sale, or someone who might want a trailer moved in the direction you are going. Ed
I like Haulmark enclosed trailers. I had one new drove it for 6 yrs. NY to Fla twice a year never any trouble. Just the tires. Trailer tires seen to loose their thread. I tired every thing. had 2 spares, always rotated, maintained the proper tire pressure, check for dry rot, etc. Good Luck Tony
Buy a landscape trailer. There are more of them and they are cheaper. Build some chip-board sides on it, load car, bury with other household items, tarp the top and set sail. Camouflage is typically one of the best anti thefts. Make it look like there is nothing worth stealing, or at least like the effort outweighs the payoff. did you know that a study showed a wallet with baby pictures was nearly twice a likely to be returned? Apparently even crooks have some empathy.
Check craigslist...and when you find a suitable trailer pay attention to the tires and the GVW, and be sure to repack the bearings before it leaves the driveway. And as was mentioned, a flat bed can be 'converted' with sheets of osb/plywood. .
X2 buy a regular car trailer and make plywood sides and a roof for it.... I watched a guy do that at the Lowes by my house last winter
If you want to make a trip south first my neighbor has a 16ft enclosed 2010... wants 2800 obo for it?!?!?! Ill have to check what width it is.... Its a general trailer... but it would hold an A-bone and some house stuff...pm if you want more info... if not.. searchtempest.com find all the CL adds in your area! GOOD LUCK!
I use a Closed Trailer. Out of sight, out of mind. I do have mine built up by a manufacturer in Red Bluff, CA. He gets you what you want, when he promised and the workmanship is very good. One I have has over 80,000 miles on it. I have an axle counter mounted. All of mine have disc brakes too and LED lighting all the way around. There is good interior corner and ceiling 12 volt LED lighting too. Normbc9
I've never owned an enclosed trailer, but I was lusting over the idea. I met a guy with a really nice pickup and he told me he switched back to a open trailer after the straps got loose. I have used open trailers to move from Minnesota to Arizona behind a 26 foot truck without incident, twice. If you really don't need a trailer aside from moving to Florida, rent one.
I found this HALLMARK 24 footer for the ASKING price of 3 grand. http://www.racingjunk.com/Used-Trailers/2240744/24-ft.-enclosed-car-trailer.html You know it could most likely be bought for less ... and then sold when you get to where you are moving to. There must be a few good deals like this in your area.
Get a landscape trailer and do the sideboards. You will burn a lot less fuel.try to get one with the same boltpattern as your tow vehicle. ounces saved cut fuel consumption. Pull the wheels off your coupe to lower it and make it easier to hide.
Alot has to due with the tow vehicle, will it to a closed trailer over the Rocky Moutains! What are the towing capabilities of your vehicle? Are you going to load that vehicle with stuff? Most important thing is being safe going cross country!
That particular trailer is not real good for traveling cross country as it appears to have 3500 axles, with a 24 footer weighing in at a little over 3000 pounds dry that leaves under 4000 pounds for payload. You would probably overload it. Duece is right, I think the best bet is get the best deal on either style and just sell it when you get done with it.
He has a Model A " project " so it should not be all that heavy. When I had a enclosed trailer with the 3500 lb axles ... I carried 8,000 lbs often with no problems. I used it in my FIREWORKS business and that stuff is heavy. I did buy a new trailer ( old trailer was 12 years old and had been depreciated off tax wise ) and ordered it with the 5200 lb axles to get the 6 lug wheels ...
Ive seen your posts related to trailers in the past, and know you know you stuff regarding them. I also, having been in the trailer business know that PACE is twice the trailer as the Haulmark. I figured if he bought an enclosed he the coupe would be the least of what he would be taking in that trailer. On a separate note on Wed I had my car hauler at my shop and my utility trailer at the house. The car hauler is an open 18 foot 10K flatbet, my utility is a 6 foot by 11 foot with a ramp and a single axle 3500 rating. So what do I do I need to get my 30 coupe back to the shop so I load it in the utility with about and inch and a half to spare on the sides, once I got it in the rear tires were just in the trailer with the fenders and bumpers hanging out, I had to slide the ramp gate off and leave it at the house. To unload I backed it out onto the raised lift in the shop. I guess moral of the story, use what works!
I looked at Craigslist for Northern New Jersey and there are LOTS of trailers listed. OPEN /or/ ENCLOSED. This one was the first enclosed on the list ... asking $3,500 ... you know you could get it for less ... and this trailer has the big axles and big brakes. ( 6 lug wheels and 5200 lb axles ... 5200 X 2 = 10,400 lbs load ratings ) http://newjersey.craigslist.org/for/2554665879.html Or a cheaper OPEN for $1,700 http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2554656131.html LOTS more to choose from on Craigslist.
Have you ever thought of renting a u-hauk or rider truck A 30 footer would hold the project and alot of other stuff.And think of the adventure along the way. With all your stuff locked behind you ,you cancatch I-78 to I-81 to I-40 amd head west to a ew adventure, Good luck!
Man, so much for "subscribing" to threads via the iPhone app...can't select email notification (at least I didnt see it) :/ THANKS for all the info. I think I'm going to go with the open trailer and build a box around it like some of y'all said. Taking the tires off the A is a great idea too! Here's what's going to be on the truck (a 2011 Toyota Tundra, 4.6L V8 4x4): Model A ch***is, 305/Powerglide combo, rear half of the body, no cowl Flathead motor Possibly a 283 That's it, as far as I know. The trailer I found at a dealer in north Jersey (used) is pretty heavy duty. It's got about 5 crossmembers going down the center, each with U shaped tie downs welded to them. It's about 14-16 feet long, and I figure I can lock the motors in between the crossmembers at the front and then pull the A in behind them (or over, between the rails). Whattdyathink?
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