here is my tow vehicle, now looking for trailer

[n1gzd]

Here is a glimse of my tow vehicle:

DSC_9055.JPG (155.55 KiB) Viewed 4598 times

I am still saving money for a trailer and doing research. What brands besides Haulmark and carry-on should I consider (that are in about that price range - not fancy ones)?

Rebecca

[nateh]

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/image ... Z-mUHQfDnA

[breakaway500]

CargoPro is a good one..so is Mission,Featherlite,ATC. There are a lot of trailer manufacturers out there..just make sure it has what you are looking for and they have been in business for more than a few months. Truck looks real sharp! Make sure you do some towing prep to it...check all fluids,replace any that are questionable.Look the brakes/suspension /tires over well.Replace belts/hoses as necessary.Do filters and plugs on the engine. Make sure the spare is accessible (not rusted into place). The wheels on your truck are the lightest and strongest(forged) alloy wheels that GM ever put on a 3/4 ton truck.

[brucesallen]

I think Cargo Pro is now Thule. They are aluminum.

[n1gzd]

The brands mentioned above are above my price range (too fancy for my wallet).
Does anyone have any negative things to say about Haulmark or Carry-On (basic steel frame covered on the outside with aluminum and on the inside with plywood). electric brakes. 5200 lb axles (so I can put a heavy antique car in it if I need to). 8.5x20 (or possibly as long as 22 or 24 if I change my mind).

Also, another question, has anyone ever stored their towing vehicle in the trailer?

thanks,
Rebecca

[MiataSteve]

I have no experience with the enclosed trailers, but you might want to take a look here.

http://www.trailerplaceinc.com/enclosed.htm

[breakaway500]

Don't know what your budget is, but I paid $9k. total, for my CargoPro 20x8.5 all aluminum (frame too) trailer two years ago from this outfit:

http://www.actrailers.com/ Very good people..and they have leftover and used trailer deals now and then...

You can store in the trailer,you just have to be careful about the tongue jacks foundation,and no loading/unloading unless your truck is hooked up... ...

How not to load....

[n1gzd]

If I buy haulmark or carry-on I can get a new 8.5x20 for $5500-6500 depending on axle rating. I am leaning towards the $6500 option with the heavier axles.
These models have a steel frame which is heavier. I can have just under 10k lbs gross weight with about 3100 lb trailer (something like 6500 lb payload) if I get the 5200 lb axle option. I am leaning on paying a premium for that so that I can take heavy american cars in it. I don't know if I would be able to put my 19 foot long Desoto in it though (trailer place says yes if I have no added storage in the front). Probably I will add some storage so the Desoto would need to be transported with a borrowed open trailer or something if needed.

Rebecca

[dradernh]

Just as used cars & trucks are cheaper than new, so are trailers. If you go to http://www.racingjunk.com & register, you can sort Used Trailers by Nearest to Farthest to start looking at those that are closest to you. This $5K asking price trailer is one example of what's out there: http://www.racingjunk.com/Used-Trailers ... Shape.html. If you are unfamiliar with trailers in general, you might want to take someone who is familiar with them with you if you start looking at used units.

[chaos4NH]

Call Bruce Flanders at Forrest Marine, Tyngsboro. I have bought two 24' Cargo Pros from him. Excellent to deal with and he will tell you why NOT to by a Pace or Haulmark, both bottom end units. He will also tell you to purchase the longest trailer in your price range as resale is much better. Mine were (are) both 24'.
http://www.forrestrvs.com/
Let him know that I sent you his way, please

[n1gzd]

thanks for the great tips. I am already a member of racejunk and am aware of the three trailers within a reasonable driving distance that are in my price range.
Two of them are 24 feet and don't have 5200 lb axles. The 20 foot one is a little far away and would need a little work. For $700 more I could get a new one. Someb people might advise that I don't buy a 20 foot trailer instead of a common longer size such as 24 feet). 20 feet is more than long enough for a Miata or MG Midget. It is barely long enough for a large antique american car (and with a workbench, would not fit a 19 foot Desoto).

At this point I am exploring all options with only these requirements so far:

Max $6500 (new or used).
Must be in perfect condition for that price (if used must be in perfect shape). I am seeing lots of used trailers that are almost as cheap as low end new one.
must have 5200 axles to increase utility (bought a truck that can handle it).
must have electric brakes.
must have 3/4 inch plywood.
must have single piece roof (no seams).

what else should I insist on? I don't care about built in work benches (nice to have but if I build my own then I get what I want not what someone else wanted). What i am looking for is an empty box that is basic but important stuff well made.

I would consider 24 feet but then it is larger to store. does anyone who has a Miata and a smaller trailer wish that they had a 24 foot trailer?

Sam, I will call the guy you referred me to (he is not there now).

thanks again for the excellent advice.

Rebecca

PS: I found a secure indoor parking spot for my truck but I had to pay for it ($100/mo). I am still hoping to find something cheaper later. As last now I won't have snow sitting in the bed all winter and nightmares about it getting hit by a snowplow (It could be where it is parked now).

[chaos4NH]

Because of snow loads in our area (and the future possibility of a sitting platform on the roof) I had the roof supports specified to 14" spacing rather the the normal 16" to 18" (depending on brand). As for the axle ratings, if you can find a good deal on a used one with 3500 lb axles, you can have Ted Drotloff up grade to 5200 lb axles for pretty cheap money. Actually, I suppose a lot of the mechanics in the club could do the conversion, but Ted put new axles and brakes under my camper, so I thought I would give him a plug

[n1gzd]

still looking at racingjunk.com and craigs list every day. I have called a few people only to find out that it is already sold or something is wrong with it. no prospects on racingjunk right now. I sent a couple of questions to two craigslist guys today.

orignally I was thinking 20 feet but I have encountered quite a number of adds from people who were selling or trade for larger one.
Now I am probably looking for 24 feet.
Rebecca

[Bobc]

IMHO there is no such thing as too much trailer , I bought a 20' for my 2nd gen camaro it was kinda cramped, 24' works out very well.
I have a 36 foot goose neck that has 28 main foot of floor and it is awesome( drag car + fourwheeler tool boxes). You always need to put some thing else in the trailer anything longer than 28' as a tag (bumper pull) can be a handfull to move around.
The best part of a enclosed trailer is you park it and everything can stay on it ready to go for the next trip.

[n1gzd]

I am expecting that I can tow 24 foot with ~10k lb gross wt with my 3/4 ton GMC with 6.0L with just about all of the HD options (a lot of the time it would be a lot less than GW). If this would be marginal then I will go back to the original plan of looking for 20 footer. Am I correct in expecting that it can tow 24 feet ok? I have a brake controller of course.

Rebecca