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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: Rhinodart]
#3164659
07/31/23 07:19 PM
07/31/23 07:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,219
Someplace you aren't
SomeCarGuy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,219
Someplace you aren't
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I can’t justify a new trailer to use once a year. I also can’t justify paying basically the new trailer cost for a used. Seems people pay that for used so that’s all I see them priced at. So I just borrow small trailers from family and don’t go to long distance shows. I used to buy cars all over the country and had a 20’ open. Awesome and I wouldn’t want an 18 if buying new.
I want my fair share
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: nuthinbutmopar]
#3165008
08/02/23 07:47 AM
08/02/23 07:47 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
new jersey usa
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You are right lots of options.. I have a 2000 Hallmark 20 ft. I bought new it has been a great trailer and the only problems in years of owning it were a frozen rear ramp door hinge and a slight electrical short. It tows great but looks terrible with badly faded paint. I would like to replace it with a new one but prices are high ( I paid $5200 back in 2000 the same trailer now is around $15,000 ) If I do replace it it will be with another Haulmark. I have looked at others (ProLine , Look etc ) but read bad reviews on them " you really do get what you pay for " One trailer dealer told me that the Look trailers were so bad he stopped selling them. Aluminum trailers are getting more popular but although my race car and stuff I carry isn't heavy I worry about the aluminum cracking over time.
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: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: gtx6970]
#3165023
08/02/23 09:11 AM
08/02/23 09:11 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
3hundred
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
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As a steel fabricator I wouldn't consider aluminum unless weight was the overriding factor. Aluminum doesn't give or bend as much as steel, meaning it's more prone to breaking out right. It also doesn't absorb vibrations as well as steel, which is not good for trailers that are subject to constant dynamic loading going down the road.
'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: 6PAX]
#3165066
08/02/23 12:12 PM
08/02/23 12:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,493
On the run…
BloFish
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,493
On the run…
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My Texas Rollback trailer has been rock solid since the day I bought it back in 2010. Too bad they went out of business.
Last edited by BloFish; 08/02/23 12:13 PM.
It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose…
as long as you look good doing it!
‘65 A100
‘69 ‘Cuda
‘73 Vega GT
‘06 Mega Cab
‘14 Mercedes SLK
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: 3hundred]
#3165421
08/03/23 08:28 PM
08/03/23 08:28 PM
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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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As a steel fabricator I wouldn't consider aluminum unless weight was the overriding factor. Aluminum doesn't give or bend as much as steel, meaning it's more prone to breaking out right. It also doesn't absorb vibrations as well as steel, which is not good for trailers that are subject to constant dynamic loading going down the road. This is all spot on, speaking as a Certified 3G alum welder for over 40 years. I own a open Featherlight I mentioned above. If you plan to use on a regular basis, IMO the first thing to look for on an Alum trailer is ANY structural weld. The less welding the better, the location is also critical, they all will eventually fail based on time of use, and loading. It's the nature of the beast. Seems to me the most problem prone area is where the A frame tongue gets welded to the rectangular flat car carrying platform. The less welding there the better. Don't forget all welding on alum only make the alum weaker, and the weld causes a stress concentration in all situations. Featherlite has been the best execution I have seen so far. All this said, I would never own a steel one car carrier trailer. This is what I design, fabricate, weld and install in Alum for over 4 decades. 
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: jcc]
#3165452
08/03/23 09:58 PM
08/03/23 09:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,589
Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,589
Freeport IL USA
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Aluminum or steel?
When (not if) the aluminum cracks, its screwed. The material has reached its stress point, any repair increases the problem, it adds new stress points. Steel can at least be repaired.
Aluminum does not rust, but is does corrode, and that corrosion is amplified at any point the aluminum is against steel. Corrosion on aluminum has the same effect as a crack in aluminum, except welding on the corroded aluminum is a lost cause.
I find it interesting that the guy that doesn't want to buy a used trailer because the cost is close to the new price, is concerned about the value of a new trailer he wants to buy and sell in a year. Because the trailer is HIS, people are going to line up to buy his one year old trailer and near the cost of a brand new one?
The deal with trailers is, you buy the one you want now, then 5 years down the road, you can probably can get your money back out of it if its still in good shape. Not because your trailer is now so valuable, but because the new trailers are more expensive, so the one you have, priced at what you paid for it 5 years ago is now a bargain.
Rules for buying a trailer,
1) Don't buy the cheapest trailer you can find. Its the cheapest because someone cut corners someplace.
2) Choose the length of trailer carefully. Long trailers offer more space, but are harder to maneuver, and they take up a lot more space when they are not being used.
3) Aluminum or steel? The older the trailer gets, the more problems they have. An enclosed trailer you don't have much choice, but on an open trailer, if saving weight is not a high priority, steel may be better.
4) On an open trailer, pay attention to the fender height, and the ramp length. Will you be able to open the door on a car on the trailer? Longer ramps weigh more, but improve the loading angle.
5) Hinges on loading ramps. The hinges location on most trailer loading ramps are in bad locations and can deteriorate pretty fast. Those are usually the least lubricated things on trailers, and are usually a royal pain to replace.
6) If you want to get your money back out of a trailer, expect to keep it at least 5 years, and take really good care of it.
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: poorboy]
#3165455
08/03/23 10:29 PM
08/03/23 10:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,449
It's a dry heat
gtx6970
OP
Too Many Posts
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OP
Too Many Posts
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,449
It's a dry heat
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Aluminum or steel?
When (not if) the aluminum cracks, its screwed. The material has reached its stress point, any repair increases the problem, it adds new stress points. Steel can at least be repaired.
Aluminum does not rust, but is does corrode, and that corrosion is amplified at any point the aluminum is against steel. Corrosion on aluminum has the same effect as a crack in aluminum, except welding on the corroded aluminum is a lost cause.
I find it interesting that the guy that doesn't want to buy a used trailer because the cost is close to the new price, is concerned about the value of a new trailer he wants to buy and sell in a year. Because the trailer is HIS, people are going to line up to buy his one year old trailer and near the cost of a brand new one?
The deal with trailers is, you buy the one you want now, then 5 years down the road, you can probably can get your money back out of it if its still in good shape. Not because your trailer is now so valuable, but because the new trailers are more expensive, so the one you have, priced at what you paid for it 5 years ago is now a bargain.
Rules for buying a trailer,
1) Don't buy the cheapest trailer you can find. Its the cheapest because someone cut corners someplace.
2) Choose the length of trailer carefully. Long trailers offer more space, but are harder to maneuver, and they take up a lot more space when they are not being used.
3) Aluminum or steel? The older the trailer gets, the more problems they have. An enclosed trailer you don't have much choice, but on an open trailer, if saving weight is not a high priority, steel may be better.
4) On an open trailer, pay attention to the fender height, and the ramp length. Will you be able to open the door on a car on the trailer? Longer ramps weigh more, but improve the loading angle.
5) Hinges on loading ramps. The hinges location on most trailer loading ramps are in bad locations and can deteriorate pretty fast. Those are usually the least lubricated things on trailers, and are usually a royal pain to replace.
6) If you want to get your money back out of a trailer, expect to keep it at least 5 years, and take really good care of it. Im not against buying used at all. But seems all the used ones I see are priced close to , same as or even more than some new ones. Thus why I am asking for options/ opinions. My purpose here is I have a trip back east with the car next year I want to do. And all in Im looking at a 4000 - 4500 mile round trip. Alum will save me a little on overall weight and maybe a little off the fuel bill. But if resell is less desirable, then I will rule that out. Renting a U haul will cost me almost $1500 by the time Im done. And I have Nothing to show for it. Thus why I started to look at just buying one and resell it when my trips were done. And Not loose 1500 if at all possible. I missed a nice looking 2020 18ft flat deck trailer today for $3500 . Spare tire and winch were included. I saw it 3 or 4 hours after it was listed, and the guy said he had a guy enroute to ck it out. He marked it sold shortly after Ive decided at a minimum 16ft. and max of 18ft due to storage constraints getting it in and out of where i will store it
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: 71TA]
#3165484
08/04/23 02:01 AM
08/04/23 02:01 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
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Last edited by Cab_Burge; 08/04/23 02:03 AM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: Rhinodart]
#3165548
08/04/23 12:04 PM
08/04/23 12:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
new jersey usa
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My first trailer was an open 16 ft Econo Trailer made in Pa. I paid around $1300 for it back in the 80s , it was a great trailer made of steel only thing I ever replaced was tires once , I towed all over the place with no problems including hauling a heavy 56 Power Wagon, a small front end loader , sod , full size pick up etc. I believe they still make them but the price went up. I would have kept it but had no where to keep it. Several racers I know still have them and use them all the time.
Last edited by 11secdart; 08/04/23 12:06 PM.
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: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: gtx6970]
#3165578
08/04/23 02:30 PM
08/04/23 02:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,733
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
GomangoCuda
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,733
Moved to N.E. Tennessee
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When Looking at used trailers make sure you closely inspect the tires or just assume they will need to be replaced. Check dates, sidewall cracks, weight ratings. Also be aware that a lot of used trailers wind up with car or truck tires on them which is very much against DOT regulations. Some years ago Pennsylvania DOT was actively pulling over car hauling trailers and handing out tickets for incorrect tire type and/or weight rating. Probably worse now.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#3165591
08/04/23 03:13 PM
08/04/23 03:13 PM
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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 personally am very skeptical of the alleged real uniqueness of trailer rated tires, other than its a legal escape clause for manufacturer liability. Weight limits and size are of course another matter. Semi's often have all position tires used, steering, drive and trailer.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: Looking at trailers - so many options and choices
[Re: GomangoCuda]
#3165609
08/04/23 04:43 PM
08/04/23 04:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,079
CA
crackedback
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,079
CA
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When Looking at used trailers make sure you closely inspect the tires or just assume they will need to be replaced. Check dates, sidewall cracks, weight ratings. Also be aware that a lot of used trailers wind up with car or truck tires on them which is very much against DOT regulations. Some years ago Pennsylvania DOT was actively pulling over car hauling trailers and handing out tickets for incorrect tire type and/or weight rating. Probably worse now. IIRC, the use of truck tires is OK, they are weight de-rated for use on a trailer.
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