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Time has come for a open car trailer. What are good models/sizes/prices.

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Old 05-18-03, 06:35 PM
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Time has come for a open car trailer. What are good models/sizes/prices.

The car breaks and its a hassle to get it home. Time for a trailer. But which one. What size and how much. Will be driving up too 500 miles towing the FD behind the TRD Tundra and need a good trailer but one in the 800-1200 dollar range. Can I get a new one for this price? Slightly used? What brands? Types of brakes? Whats everyone else using to tow thier RX7's on? I searched and found nothing.
Old 05-18-03, 08:01 PM
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i tow my fd track car on a featherlite 18 ft car hauler. since i tow with a tacoma, i really needed the lightness of an aluminum trailer. u should be able to find a new steel trailer for about 1000 bucks, or maybe even less. if you go with aluminum, it's a LOT more. i bought mine used and it was still a lot more.

some goodies i think u gotta have...
1. electric brakes
2. aluminum box mounted on tongue to carry stuff in and to house #3
3. a winch.....to pull the car onto the trailer when it won't move on its own....hopefully not too often.


good luck

fabian
Old 05-18-03, 08:01 PM
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You might find a cheapo model trailer new for that amount. My open trailer is an 18 ft. dovetail with removeable fenders, dual axels and electric brakes. I paid $1900 for mine. The only thing mine did not come with is a spare tire and "break away" option on the brakes. I have since added a load leveling hitch that controlls sway (another $250) and a toolbox for the front.

Besides some of the high end trailers (Featherlight = $$) there really are not national brands worth paying for. Almost every major city has a trailer manufacturer. Mine was made here in Birmingham and is very good quality. I am sure you can find a trailer manufacturer in your area.

Be sure to buy a proper sized trailer for the car you plan on towing. I would not consider anytying shorter than a 16 ft. deck and definately get one with a dual axels.

I saw a buddy of mine dump his race car into an interstate guardrail because it was too heavy for the trailer (unsprung single axel). It was ugly. His car was totaled, the trialer (borrowed) looked like a pretzel and the truck (also borrowed) needed a new bumper.

Good luck.. and be sure to check with your insurance company!! Don't assume that your truck insurance will cover attachments. I pay only around $10 a month extra to have an extra $10,000 coverage for towed attachments.
Old 05-18-03, 10:09 PM
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Do a search for a Trailex trailer. They are manufactured in Canfield, Ohio and are aluminum. The company is still in business building trailers. Everyone knows Featherlite, and as a result, they are big dollars.

I bought mine a couple of years ago for $700 and felt I got a good deal. The trailer is 14 ft long, weighs about 400 pounds, is a dual axle with surge brakes on both axles. It is a 1967 model, and looks as good as new. I towed it from Ohio to Key West this past winter, and the motorhome didn't know it was there. It tows beautifully behind my S-10 Blazer as well.

It isn't big enough to haul tires and other things on, but if you tow with a Van, truck, or SUV, you should have plenty of space, especially if your FD is a track car. I have used it on a number of occasions to tow my rental cars to the track as well.

db
Old 05-19-03, 01:30 PM
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As above, in addition, make sure it has removable fenders, unless you don't mind crawling through the window, and make sure it has a long enough ramp(approach angle) that you can get your car on without bottoming out the front. Nice wide ramps(my 17x12s will not fit on many ramps). Some way to at least mount a come along in case your car is not running. To get these features at your price try some of the IT car forums for a good used trailer. Hope this helps, Carl Byck
Old 05-19-03, 07:23 PM
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Thanks guys. Good info. I hate to rent a trailer when I know I will be needing one in the future. well..... and now..
Old 05-20-03, 03:02 AM
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Re: Time has come for a open car trailer. What are good models/sizes/prices.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom
...towing the FD behind the TRD Tundra...
Heh, I have the same two vehicles
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