Moparts

Trailer questions

Posted By: hemifw

Trailer questions - 03/01/11 11:21 PM

Is it better to have a winch or a drivers escape side door to get your car in and out of the trailer? What do most of you guys do to get your car in and out? Im trying to decide what to get for my truck which may be a little wider than a car.
Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Trailer questions - 03/01/11 11:28 PM

Winching in a car/truck ALL THE TIME gets to be a pain
in the butt so if I was buying a trailer for that ride
I'd go with the escape hatch... but you have to watch,
some of them dont go low enough so you can open the
door so then you climb out of the window... plus you
need to have it placed in the right spot..... either
way I would still have a winch
Posted By: Locomotion

Re: Trailer questions - 03/01/11 11:40 PM

I've had a winch, but never hooked it all up! Luckily, I haven't had any breakage but have come-a-longs also, just in case.

Escape door is nice especially if I just need quick access to the car from the driver's side. But with an A-body, I don't have to use it to get in and out, so I carefully drive it in.

As for door clearance, I did make a "platform" for the slicks to drive up on and located where the tires sit when it's all tied down. It's about 3" x about 12" square with bevels on both sides and covered with diamond plate. It helps the car door clear the bottom of the trailer escape door with plenty of room and helps locate the car when driving in.
Posted By: gsmopar

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 02:22 AM

I have both, but have yet to use the winch. ::knocking on wood::
Posted By: '72CudaRacer

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 02:37 AM

Like Mike said, winching it in and out is a pain in the a**, but with a 102" wide Pace Shadow and a '72 E body, a winch is a must. Doors have lexan that does not open and with the way the window and door curves and the lenght of the doors I can't even reach in far enough to put it in park.
So its winch it in, and 4 "Xed" straps, and away we go. Also the car sits low enough that the door wouldn't clear the fender anyway with out raising the car in the trailer.
Funny story, I ordered my trailer, then went to Elkhart, In picked it and brought it home. As soon as I got home I opened the door and drove my car inside the trailer, set there a minute, backed it out, went inside the shop and called Jegs, "send me a winch, and hurry". I went racing that weekend using my old open trailer with a brand new enclosed sitting in the drive way. I didn't think that one all the way through.

Brian Dunnigan
Posted By: Jeepmon

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 02:51 AM

One thing that might help is to pull the car in straight, then crank it hard right so its sitting somewhat sideways.. It gives us just enough wiggle room to slide into the seat.. while sucking in our gut..
Posted By: topside

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:30 AM

I must be goofy: I use a winch even on my open trailer and with whatever car I'm hauling. Don't have to start the car, I put it right where I want it, and I can watch around the car when unloading (I use a 30-foot cable & controller). It also holds the car when I go under it for the tie-downs. Guess I got used to it when I was hauling cars for people, so I don't think twice about it.
Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:30 AM

Quote:

One thing that might help is to pull the car in straight, then crank it hard right so its sitting somewhat sideways.. It gives us just enough wiggle room to slide into the seat.. while sucking in our gut..



I just pull in close to the right inner fender(straight in)
and that leaves me plenty of room with my LITTLE car
to get out... I dont know how people with a big B-body
can open the door enough ... even with a skinny driver
Posted By: Blucuda413

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:37 AM

Ya'll may think this is crazy but it works for me. It's been years since I've been able to get in and out of my car while in the trailer from the drivers doo, the fixed windows make it almost impossible.. However I drive my car in a lttle tight on the drivers side. I then can exit the car on the passenger side by putting my left leg out and squeezing out the door. It works great, try it!!!!
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:44 AM

Quote:

Is it better to have a winch or a drivers escape side door to get your car in and out of the trailer? What do most of you guys do to get your car in and out? Im trying to decide what to get for my truck which may be a little wider than a car.

I use a 4500 lb super winch with a 30 ft. cable, I load the car to the right side of the trailer so I can walk down the left side to watch the front and the right inner fender on the trailer as I load it I have used a 2500 lb winch in the past on another trailer and it would get real slow when the front and rear tires where on the ramp and on the dove tail at the same time The 4500 lb winch will pull the car in with it in park on dirt , Done that accidentily several times
Posted By: Blucuda413

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:53 AM

Myron, how far did you go at the Madris Gras?? Max Williamson
Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:55 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Is it better to have a winch or a drivers escape side door to get your car in and out of the trailer? What do most of you guys do to get your car in and out? Im trying to decide what to get for my truck which may be a little wider than a car.

I use a 4500 lb super winch with a 30 ft. cable, I load the car to the right side of the trailer so I can walk down the left side to watch the front and the right inner fender on the trailer as I load it I have used a 2500 lb winch in the past on another trailer and it would get real slow when the front and rear tires where on the ramp and on the dove tail at the same time The 4500 lb winch will pull the car in with it in park on dirt , Done that accidentily several times



But Cab.... is that reaching in a open window to steer
it.... when I would winch my car in I would have
to steer it by moving the tires... not bad on my car
but if the car is heavy you would most likely need
to do it rolling
Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:58 AM

I put studs in the door where the window struts attach. Using wing nuts allows me to remove the drivers window with little effort.

Makes climbing out the window simple as pie.

However, I do have a winch and unfortunately it has come in handy to many times.
Posted By: chryco

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 02:08 PM

I`ve always used a winch with a remote control. Aim the car straight up the ramp and into the trailer , stop at the wheel chocks . Easy as pie , cheaper than the escape hatch AND more secure.

Attached picture 6505674-IMG_6324a.jpg
Posted By: hemifw

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:43 PM

Thanks for the help everyone, I usually go racing by myself ,so is it hard to get the car out of the trailer with only having a winch ?? I mean does it just roll out on its own or do you have to jack up the front of the trailer?
Sorry for the newbie questions..I just dont want to buy something , then get to the track and have a problem getting the car out of the trailer lol..
Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 03:53 PM

Kinda depends on the ground at the time as to how the car will roll out. Usually no problems until the back tires are off the ramp and then sometimes I'll have to give it a push.

However, mostly by that time the door is clear enough that you could unhook and drive out the rest of the way.

If you go by yourself mostly I would recommend either a long lead on the winch remote or a wireless remote you can be where ever you need to to control the car while pulling it in.
Posted By: Thor500

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 05:04 PM

I like my winch, I'm way less likely to scrape the wall of the trailer while loading with a winch after having a couple beers!!
Posted By: JACK1440

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 05:32 PM

Quote:

Ya'll may think this is crazy but it works for me. It's been years since I've been able to get in and out of my car while in the trailer from the drivers doo, the fixed windows make it almost impossible.. However I drive my car in a lttle tight on the drivers side. I then can exit the car on the passenger side by putting my left leg out and squeezing out the door. It works great, try it!!!!



this is a great post at just the right time. I'm going to pick up our new 28 footer saturday and I wasn't sure how to get the car in. My butt isn't fitting out the driver side of the cuda with the roll bar in the way but.... I think the climbing out the passenger side just might work.... if not. winch it is!
Posted By: Locomotion

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 05:54 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the help everyone, I usually go racing by myself ,so is it hard to get the car out of the trailer with only having a winch ?? I mean does it just roll out on its own or do you have to jack up the front of the trailer?
Sorry for the newbie questions..I just dont want to buy something , then get to the track and have a problem getting the car out of the trailer lol..



Some enclosed trailers have a little dove-tail in the last several feet of the trailer where the back tires may end up on the edge. That helps roll it out, but sometimes it needs a little help.

If you need to give the car a little push to get it rolling while in it, watch how far you driver's door is open. I had a rude reminder.
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 06:28 PM

As already said about the car backing down out of the trailer, if it has a dove tail like mine I have to push it maybe 1 or 2ft. to get it rolling down onto the door when the trailer is level I do use a electric tongue jack and I usually unhook the trailer as most of the races I go to are two days so the trailer is raised up in the front some to start with usually . My trailer is a 24ft. Pace and the car is a 1971 Duster, I load the car so the rear of the car is in barely enough(six to 10 inches to the rear bumper) to clear the rear door, which leaves a lot of romm in front of the car It also places the center of the car over both axles, making the trailer pull really great
Posted By: sg66mopar

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 07:11 PM

I drive mine in and out. The car's long, wide and low and I still get it in and open the door far enough to climb in and out.
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Trailer questions - 03/02/11 07:26 PM

Quote:

I drive mine in and out. The car's long, wide and low and I still get it in and open the door far enough to climb in and out.

Yeah, but you be skinny also Unlike the car
Posted By: '72CudaRacer

Re: Trailer questions - 03/03/11 02:45 AM

Quote:

this is a great post at just the right time. I'm going to pick up our new 28 footer saturday and I wasn't sure how to get the car in. My butt isn't fitting out the driver side of the cuda with the roll bar in the way but.... I think the climbing out the passenger side just might work.... if not. winch it is!



A couple of things I've learned over the years;

1) go to the Walmart and buy 3 or 4 swimming pool "noodles", cut a slit in them long ways with a razor blade and use them on the door cables. It protects your paint and keeps someone from getting cut by taking a "shortcut". I use lime green ones on mine and can spot my trailer easy, from a long way away.
2)NEVER, EVER try to load your car with a winch with the tounge down. You will be surprised how fast the car will come at you when it crest the dove tail.DAMHIK
3) When loading the car with a winch, ALWAYS have the side door open. This gives you an escape route if something goes wrong, i.e., see above.
4)I keep various thickness' of scrap wood about 12"-18" long (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 2"X4") to level the door or flap. If not, the weight of the car will twist it up if not level (side to side)
5)I also block up the rear corners of the trailer when dropped, to take the "bounce "out of it. The crew chief really likes this one.
6) Get some wheel chocks and keep them in the trailer to use when you have to drop it on an unlevel spot.

I'm sure there are others that can add to this.

Brian Dunnigan
Posted By: pro6pakRR

Re: Trailer questions - 03/03/11 06:26 AM

Quote:

I dont know how people with a big B-body
can open the door enough ... even with a skinny driver



Mike, Doug does it all the time with my car.Even with the cage in it.I have a 32 ft Hallmark Edge,with a 70 roadrunner.

Attached picture 6507354-roadrunnerintrailer.jpg
Posted By: thehemikid

Re: Trailer questions - 03/04/11 03:30 AM

Fwiw... I put a ~4'x 1' mirror in the DS front corner & a ~18"x 18" mirror on a bungy quick connected rack on my Pit Pal on the side door, so I can see both the trailers inner fenders as I drive in. This way I can offset the car by myself to the PS for more room to get out & be able to just walk down that side. E-body's are wide in there, & if you've got fixed windows on one, it's hard as heck to get out with the way they curve in at the top.
...Tongue up, mirrors in, mirrors out. It don't hurt to be skinny. DS door would be nice.
Posted By: rowin4

Re: Trailer questions - 03/04/11 03:53 AM

I winch mine in, I'm to old to try to slide out over the bars and through the small opening of the door. Mine goes in straight with the winch pulling from the center of the car, the remote goes to the end of the dropped door, just line it up and push the button.

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Trailer questions - 03/04/11 04:43 AM

Quote:

I winch mine in, I'm to old to try to slide out over the bars and through the small opening of the door. Mine goes in straight with the winch pulling from the center of the car, the remote goes to the end of the dropped door, just line it up and push the button.



My winch is mounted under the front cabinet, centered in the trailer left to right, I attach the winch line to the rear end housing on the drivers side and pull it in from the rear door with the long power lead Dusters are not as wide as it B and E body cousins
Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Trailer questions - 03/04/11 05:45 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I winch mine in, I'm to old to try to slide out over the bars and through the small opening of the door. Mine goes in straight with the winch pulling from the center of the car, the remote goes to the end of the dropped door, just line it up and push the button.



My winch is mounted under the front cabinet, centered in the trailer left to right, I attach the winch line to the rear end housing on the drivers side and pull it in from the rear door with the long power lead Dusters are not as wide as it B and E body cousins



Glad I have a little car... I hug the right side
(about 2" off the inner fender) and drive in... it
leaves me plenty of room to get out... I use to
winch my car in backward on my old trailer to get
the weight right in the trailer.... pain in the butt
Posted By: rowin4

Re: Trailer questions - 03/04/11 06:31 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

I winch mine in, I'm to old to try to slide out over the bars and through the small opening of the door. Mine goes in straight with the winch pulling from the center of the car, the remote goes to the end of the dropped door, just line it up and push the button.



My winch is mounted under the front cabinet, centered in the trailer left to right, I attach the winch line to the rear end housing on the drivers side and pull it in from the rear door with the long power lead Dusters are not as wide as it B and E body cousins



Glad I have a little car... I hug the right side
(about 2" off the inner fender) and drive in... it
leaves me plenty of room to get out... I use to
winch my car in backward on my old trailer to get
the weight right in the trailer.... pain in the butt





The problem with the winch mounted in the cabinet or centered in the trailer is that you trip over it al the time, mine is located on the side just in front of the car with a pulley going to the center. No trips . Also I never loosen the front strap tie downs. When loading, bring the car about 6" ahead of final position ,hook both front straps, release the cable to slack,the car will roll backwards,hook up and tighten both rear straps.To unload reverse the order.I do not use the winch for a extra tie down.
Posted By: 68roadrunner

Re: Trailer questions - 03/04/11 12:10 PM

not a problem. just drive the dragster in and jump out, easy as pie.
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