Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: 440Jim]
#2775197
05/16/20 06:36 PM
05/16/20 06:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,763 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,763
A collage of whims
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Mine is all steel, beavertail, ramps slide into deck. Started out as an economy trailer, been great for almost 30 years now. I like them as low as possible, so I run 14" tires. Sometimes it carries some 4- and 8-foot 2x8s for really low cars or difficult angles. I added a pickup-truck toolbox on the tongue and a fenced tray between that and the deck. That way it carries everything needed, houses the electric winch, battery, floor jack & etc. I also had bedliner sprayed on the deck and tops of the fenders. I can plug the winch into a feed from my truck, or use its own battery, depending on what I'm doing. Electric brakes on all 4 wheels.
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: topside]
#2775226
05/16/20 08:01 PM
05/16/20 08:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,835 MI, usa
dvw
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,835
MI, usa
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Mines a metal deck home made. Fenders are as low as they can get 235/75x15 load D. Can't open the door all the way on my Challenger, other cars yes. If the deck was taller this wouldn't be an issue. A couple of 2x6 bolted to the deck where the front tire set solved the issue. Wood deck might be nice. If it get bad it's easily replaced. Torsion axles instead of leaf spring. Replacing shackle bushings gets old. 4 brakes for sure. Featherlite aluminum are very nice, but pricey. We had a tilting deck style once. Easy to load unless you were in damp grass. Then it was hard to lock the brakes to hold to get it to tilt. Even when they're low fender to door clearance can be an issue. Removable fender helps that issue. Doug
Last edited by dvw; 05/16/20 08:03 PM.
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: J_BODY]
#2775275
05/16/20 11:14 PM
05/16/20 11:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,711 Portage,michigan
B3422W5
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,711
Portage,michigan
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Having one built i think will be slick Tilt deck drive on, no ramps. Then in front of the deck and separate is a small deck with ramps on the side to drive a golf car on So its actually a split deck tilt trailer. Main deck, little gap, then small deck in front of it for cart
Last edited by B3422W5; 05/16/20 11:15 PM.
69 Dart GTS A4 Silver All steel, flat factory hood, 3360race weight 418 BPE factory replacement headed stroker, 565 lift solid cam Best so far, 10.40 @127 1/4 1.41 best 60 foot 6.60 at 103.90 1/8
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: BCFKody]
#2775323
05/17/20 08:25 AM
05/17/20 08:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,772 Keymar, MD
DusterKid
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,772
Keymar, MD
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What all do you plan on using the trailer to haul? An open deck trailer is lighter but can only be used to cars. A full deck trailer has a little more weight to it, but you can haul lawn mower, cars, lumber, etc. My dad has a open deck and full deck, but with metal decking. Both are 20+ years old. One is a Bri Mar, I forget what the other one is. Only had to paint them once thru the years. The full deck trailer tows a lot nicer when empty due to it having more weight and doesn't bounce as much.
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: Dart451]
#2775566
05/17/20 08:00 PM
05/17/20 08:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,704 MICHIGAN
DynoDave
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,704
MICHIGAN
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Had a R&R aluminum one I really liked. Real easy to push around on the cement slab and liked the ramps at the front for a stone guard. Dislike was they used cheap connectors to splice wires, never had a problem but only used it 3 years. Sold for a enclosed trailer and got 90% of my money back, Mine was 20' could just get a golf cart on the front sideways with 72 satellite. If I get rid of enclosed trailer I will buy another but 22 foot with wide deck part in front. Get a wood deck if going to be used to haul junk or stuff that will be dragged on. I have a '20 RNR now. Love it. Low fenders (Corvette and 3rd gen Trans Am doors clear with them in place), but I did order it with a removable driver side fender just in case. Also had them put their tool box on the front, LED lights and spare tire carrier with spare. I added an HF winch and battery. 1300 lbs new, probably 1500 or so now with gear in the box. Also had them install some E-track the full length, and 4 HD D-rings. It's been a great trailer, and I love the extra protection the ramps-as-stone-shield provide. They are even on "your" side of Michigan. RNR LINK
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: DynoDave]
#2775621
05/18/20 02:07 AM
05/18/20 02:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,073 CA
crackedback
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,073
CA
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Have a Carson Deluxe and it is solid. 20' full deck diamond plate with 4' dovetail. Ramps slide in the tail. Brakes on both axles.
Been all over the country with it.
Last edited by crackedback; 05/21/20 05:17 PM.
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: BCFKody]
#2775740
05/18/20 02:17 PM
05/18/20 02:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,157 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,157
Bend,OR USA
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Make sure and get the HD 8 lug axles(6,000 Lb.) with 16 inch rims and tires and 12 inch brakes, not the lighter duty 3500 or 5200 lb. axles with the 15 inch rims and tire The reason I'm saying this is those dang 15 inch trailer tires, no matter what weight ratings they are SUCK badly I've had over a dozen of them loose the tread or blow out with no warning, all the major brands do it I don't over load my trailers either I've had 3 enclosed car trailers, two Paces and one other older one, all with 15 inch tires and roims with both the 3500 axles and the better 5200 lbs axles, I didn't order two of them, I bought those two used, but the Pace Shadow 22 Ft 7,000 Lb. rated trailer I ordered I tried to get them to put 5200 Lb. axles in it and the dealer told me Pace wouldn't do that, he also told me that the trailer would weigh under 3000 Lb. empty, he lied That trailer weighed 4360 empty when I picked it up at the factory. It was basically illegal with my race car and some tools in it the first time I weighed it My current Pace 24 Ft enclosed is rated 10,000 Lb. gross and weighs right at 8600 loaded going to the races, I wish it had the 6,000 lb. axles and 16 inch rims and tires. I run the E rated 225x70x15 inch tires on the 6 lug rims, I now buy new tires after 4 yrs, no matter how much tread is on them IHTHs
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: BCFKody]
#2776614
05/20/20 09:52 PM
05/20/20 09:52 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026 Trumbull,CT.
jim sciortino
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,026
Trumbull,CT.
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Kwik Load Trailers - rollback
Easiest open trailer to load from what I've seen (no ramps and no shock like the tilt jobs), plus low angle for slammed cars.
Last edited by jim sciortino; 05/20/20 09:53 PM.
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: BCFKody]
#2776637
05/21/20 12:01 AM
05/21/20 12:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442
NW Chicago suburban area
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I suggest:
over length .. tip-to-tip.. so that it fits inside you garage (with the car on it)... mine was 20"... fit inside my 21" deep garage. open center... so you can work under the car... very important and convenient when you need to do so!) extra long and wide ramps.. preferably that pull straight out/in a beaver tail where the rear tires will just sit flat in front of the angle extra lighting (led) quick release removable fenders (or low height so that you can ope your doors) low flush storage unit (to keep the ties, etc) flipable hand crank winch (or mounted electric) load leveler attachments and bars 4-wheel electric brakes extra max-width... for big wide tires and easier to drive up flush mounted tie hooks front jack top rest the trailer
steel trailer is traditional and less costly, but aluminum is lighter and more expensive... pending how much you'll be trailering (but aluminum typically is full bottom... not open center... and with not as many choices in size as steel are offered)
also... get a spare tire
the above was the one i had built by JB Trailers (Elkhart, IN).... they recently went out-of-business.. was a great trailer for 15 years of seasonal usage,.. towed throughout the midwest ... kept it in my garage with the car on it (worked under the car whenever needed)... I sold it to a friend.. then it quickly got stolen! I hope to get another similar to it (closed would be nice but.. storage becomes the problem).
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: Mopar Mitch]
#2776643
05/21/20 01:01 AM
05/21/20 01:01 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I've built most of my trailers... you want 4 brakes.. a open center at the front so you can change the oil if you want.. I mounted a V-box on the front.. I also welded a coupler on the front so I could slide a winch into it and when done I could put it back in the box with all all my other stuff.. make sure if you go with a beaver tail that the tail is long enough so the ramps can be short.. I did build one that was a tilt bed which worked fine.. didnt need ramps
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#2776663
05/21/20 08:21 AM
05/21/20 08:21 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,977 new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,977
new jersey usa
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Don't know where you live but in this area Econo Trailers are popular and are made in Pa. I had one for 11 years it was great didn`t need anything except tires once. Mine was beaver tail with an open deck. I only sold it because I bought my enclosed and had no where to keep it. There at Carlisle every year with a display. I put a pickup truck tool box on the front and it was handy for tools, tie downs etc. I believe they make 18 to 24 ft. I hauled all kind of stuff, sod, front end loader, 56 Power Wagon etc. on it with 0 problems.
Last edited by 11secdart; 05/21/20 08:28 AM.
68 Dart 410 / 904 92 D150 original owner 21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4 23 Audi Q5 16 Honda HRV
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Re: Open trailer recommendations
[Re: BCFKody]
#2776982
05/22/20 11:02 AM
05/22/20 11:02 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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I've had an Alum Featherlite for years. I have had a number of steel trailers over the decades. I now would never own anything other then alum. When towing empty, no matter what the vehicle, you almost forget its there. I have 15" wheels, and I am normally a huge proponent of oversize wheels. Not sure if what you are hauling with already a light alum trailer on a regular basis that would justify 16" wheels and upgraded axles. As a long time Alum certified welder, I often check out copy cat alum trailers, I have yet to find one with welds/design that matches or exceeds a Featherlite. That does not mean a Featherlite is perfect, but it does follow my maxim, copy's are seldom as good as the original. I hope one area Featherlite would/has improved, ramp storage, which I don't use any longer, but it would not stop me from getting another Featherlite.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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