I am considering getting a trailer to haul my GN around. I am looking at 18 footers. Should I get one with a dove tail or without? I am looking in the 7000lbs GVW range so the trailer should be able to hold approx 5000 lbs. I am only looking at trailers with elctric brakes. What else should I be looking for?
What to look for when buying a car trailer?
- Thread starter c&cgn
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IMHO, 18' is too small.
Beavertail/Dovetail? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You check the pictures of mine out here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/24421558IStVHuqjOX
Bottom of the page.
This one is a 20'r has electric brakes. And I've also had a 3500# superwinch installed up front and the handy pick-up bed tool box bolted to the front to carry straps, tools, jack, etc. The added length leaves room in front of the car to carry other things, like race gas, etc.
I also went to a great deal of trouble to find one with the bed high enough to allow the car's doors to be opened over the the trailer fenders (very important point). I got tired of fussing with the removeable fender on my last trailer.
Get plenty of D rings or whatever they offer for tie downs.
Beavertail/Dovetail? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You check the pictures of mine out here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/24421558IStVHuqjOX
Bottom of the page.
This one is a 20'r has electric brakes. And I've also had a 3500# superwinch installed up front and the handy pick-up bed tool box bolted to the front to carry straps, tools, jack, etc. The added length leaves room in front of the car to carry other things, like race gas, etc.
I also went to a great deal of trouble to find one with the bed high enough to allow the car's doors to be opened over the the trailer fenders (very important point). I got tired of fussing with the removeable fender on my last trailer.
Get plenty of D rings or whatever they offer for tie downs.
My trailer is only 16' and is bare bones with no dove tail but gets the job done. A dovetail is much prefered when hauling cars with low clearance in the front such as our cars. My ramp angle is too steep and I have to raise the front of the trailer to lessen the angle plus add boards to extend the ramps so the front spoiler doesn't get smashed. A shorter trailer does mean more manuverablilty and requires less storage space, however. TurboDave's storage box and d-rings are really nice to have and a winch is highly recommended 'cause it's hard to push a broken car on the trailer, trust me. I went out an got one after the first couple of times. It's all in what fits you and your budget.
I've only towed my GN once, and it was on a 16' rental trailer with surge brakes. Not much fun for me. It was 400 miles each way and I was white Knuckling it the whole way 
TurboDave, I'd be a little worried about the weight factor with a 20' trailer. I don't have a rig like yours
I just have a K1500 Ext cab short box 4x4. I am not sure if a 20 footer would be a little much for my truck or not, considering my 3600 lbs car as well. What do you think?
TurboDave, I'd be a little worried about the weight factor with a 20' trailer. I don't have a rig like yours
I just have a K1500 Ext cab short box 4x4. I am not sure if a 20 footer would be a little much for my truck or not, considering my 3600 lbs car as well. What do you think?If you can afford a new open trailer,do it. I bought my 18' for $1000.00,used added new fenders[$150],new brakes[$150],new lights[$50] changed from Ford/Mopar lug style to GM[$35for rear axle] new wood deck[$100],added tie down rings[$45]paid to have fenders/tie downs welded on[$100]
so my $1000 trailer now cost me the price of a brand new one..and I just sold it for $1200
but now I have a Classic 24' enclosed
so my $1000 trailer now cost me the price of a brand new one..and I just sold it for $1200
but now I have a Classic 24' enclosedChris Cornett
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I have an 18' trailer and it is plenty big enough for my TR or GS. The fender thing is a big deal so make sure your doors will open. I paid $1500 for mine brand new with brakes and it is a beavertail. Nothing fancy but it gets the job done just fine. Your truck should be able to handle it with no problem. Just be sure to install a brake controller and use the trailer brakes it makes a big difference.
Originally posted by c&cgn
I've only towed my GN once, and it was on a 16' rental trailer with surge brakes. Not much fun for me. It was 400 miles each way and I was white Knuckling it the whole way
TurboDave, I'd be a little worried about the weight factor with a 20' trailer. I don't have a rig like yours
Not sure what the towing capacity is for your truck, but for a trailer like mine, figure 2,000 to 2,200 for the trailer and another 3650 (for my car) and the whole thing comes out at 5850 max (say 6,000) for fudge factor.
I would think a K1500 should be rated to tow 6,000, yes, no, maybe?
My previous trailer was one of those cheapy $1400 dollar jobs (18') and I still had to have the fender modded to be removable.
I was able to tow that rig easilly with my Explorer, anywhere I wanted. Even pulled it over the Cajon pass with no sweat, strain or pain.
The secret to easy towing is to make sure the load is balanced. Get it too far aft, and you're in for some scary times
If you are talking open, 18' is fine! The deck would be 18' overall would be in the 23' or so neighborhood. If you are talking enclosed, then, yea...too small for sure.
Things you should look for...get the spare tire mounted...easier than having to toss it in your tow vehicle all the time, saves space etc.
Also, not sure what you will be using for a tow vehicle, but you may want to look at a weight distributing hitch if you're on the boarderline with pulling capacity.
Lastly, if you are looking at 7k GVW, invest in dual braking rear axles.....
These are just my opinions and prefs from years of towing.
Things you should look for...get the spare tire mounted...easier than having to toss it in your tow vehicle all the time, saves space etc.
Also, not sure what you will be using for a tow vehicle, but you may want to look at a weight distributing hitch if you're on the boarderline with pulling capacity.
Lastly, if you are looking at 7k GVW, invest in dual braking rear axles.....
These are just my opinions and prefs from years of towing.
Thanks for the info guys! I'll make note of these things for when I start looking around.
I have heard about the fender thing before, so hopefully I will be able to take a trailer on a "test drive" and put my GN on and off a couple of times and make sure the doors will open.
I'll double check the rating on my truck and see how much I can tow. I think the trailers I have looked at are in the 1800lbs range so with that and my car I should still be okay.
Any particular style of chassis or deck that is better or worse?
Thanks,
Clayton
I have heard about the fender thing before, so hopefully I will be able to take a trailer on a "test drive" and put my GN on and off a couple of times and make sure the doors will open.
I'll double check the rating on my truck and see how much I can tow. I think the trailers I have looked at are in the 1800lbs range so with that and my car I should still be okay.
Any particular style of chassis or deck that is better or worse?
Thanks,
Clayton
First thing is having a good tow vehicle. Something with enough HP and brakes to actually be able to safely tow with.
Next is at least one axle with electric brakes, and a GOOD brake controller.
Dovetail, and the ability to open the car doors when on the trailer.
Extra tie-downs.
Good wiring.
Think of it as an investment. Going first class isn't going to cost anything over time. Making due, just makes things miserable. I over spent a little probably compared to some folks, but I can drive the car on, scinch her down and run at 75 MPH all day and all night.
trailer info
I couldn't find what I was looking for ,at a reasonable price, so I built mine, it's modeled after a "lo boy" it has dropped axles, lo profile tires, removable fenders,( two pins) 8000lb winch, all aluminum bed, aluminum ramps, electric brakes, 16ft bed, by 7ft wide, 102 max width,
I tow with a 01 chev silverado, 1500, I've been cross country (coast to coast ) more than 10 times, I usually set the criuse at 70 mph, and get 13 to 14 mpg, rarely do I wish for more power,
(cajon pass is one time, but still go 55 mph up it, with 57 chev sedan in tow)
look around, see what every one else is using, ask questions at the track, then form your own opinion, based on your pocket book, and what you feel is safe!
good luck
cruzn57
I couldn't find what I was looking for ,at a reasonable price, so I built mine, it's modeled after a "lo boy" it has dropped axles, lo profile tires, removable fenders,( two pins) 8000lb winch, all aluminum bed, aluminum ramps, electric brakes, 16ft bed, by 7ft wide, 102 max width,
I tow with a 01 chev silverado, 1500, I've been cross country (coast to coast ) more than 10 times, I usually set the criuse at 70 mph, and get 13 to 14 mpg, rarely do I wish for more power,
(cajon pass is one time, but still go 55 mph up it, with 57 chev sedan in tow)
look around, see what every one else is using, ask questions at the track, then form your own opinion, based on your pocket book, and what you feel is safe!
good luck
cruzn57
trailers
Any questions you have can be answered by my wife. (hopefully
)
She is the owner here in MN. www.mgtrailersales.com
Any questions you have can be answered by my wife. (hopefully
)
She is the owner here in MN. www.mgtrailersales.com
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