02-17-2016, 09:57 PM | #1 |
Banned
2230
Rep 2,476
Posts
Drives: Satan's Chariot 2.0
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PA
|
School me on car trailers
Will be in the market for a 1 car open trailer soon. Preferably with a winch.
Anything in particular I should know, do, look for and/or stay away from? |
02-17-2016, 10:10 PM | #2 |
Captain
226
Rep 807
Posts
Drives: 2011 335is 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Chicago
|
What are you towing with?
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2016, 10:13 PM | #3 |
Private First Class
38
Rep 179
Posts
Drives: Chevrolegs
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MT
|
I picked up a tilt trailer and while it is sweet, it takes some boards to get my car (on KW1 coilovers) on and off without scraping the front bumper
__________________
1982 Chevro-legs
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2016, 10:50 PM | #4 |
Banned
2230
Rep 2,476
Posts
Drives: Satan's Chariot 2.0
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PA
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2016, 10:57 PM | #5 |
Captain
226
Rep 807
Posts
Drives: 2011 335is 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Chicago
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2016, 11:56 PM | #8 |
Lieutenant Colonel
209
Rep 1,861
Posts
Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Texas
iTrader: (2)
Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00]
1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00] |
If you have limited towing capacity look into lightweight aluminum trailers. Pricey but the hold their value tenaciously. Trailex, Aluma, Featherlite, ATC, Tommy's. Light trailers are a joy to tow with.
No weight concern, then any $2K steel farm trailer works, look for low deck height or you'll need huge ramps. Torsion axles instead of leaf springs. Wood decks eventually need work. Electric tongue jacks are beautiful devices but overkill on an enclosed. Electric brakes over surge brakes, I like long ramps instead of tilt bed, lockable in-floor spare tire well is a good place for track jack and some tools, removable fenders are helpful for lowered cars with limited door clearance. LED lights because bulbs go out at the worst time. Go for D or even E rated tires, best you can afford, it's worth it as most trailer tires are utter plop. Buy longer bed than you need so you can bring fuel jugs, wheels, tools, pop-up, rig with E track and D rings in the floor. And helps distribute the weight if you ever need it, like ass-heavy 911s. Winch is nice, but not all that needed on an open IMO. I do use a remote winch in my enclosed because it's hard to get out of the car once in. After years of dealing with an open and towing with a car/SUV most eventually end up buying an enclosed and tow vehicle. Enclosed with marine battery inside, solar charging panel on the roof and electric jack is a great set up. I've had my enclosed stolen, full of tools and a pit bike, and many friends have had the same happen. Plan for security based on where your storing it...wheel lock/chocks, hitch lock/vault, chains, gps lowjack etc.
__________________
F80 M3 / Mineral Grey-Silverstone / CCB
Last edited by consolidated; 02-18-2016 at 12:22 AM.. |
Appreciate
3
|
02-18-2016, 12:24 AM | #9 | |
Captain
226
Rep 807
Posts
Drives: 2011 335is 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Chicago
|
Quote:
Even with the newest model optioned out at 3600 there's not enough for a Z06+trailer. Unless you have Forza level weight reduction. |
|
Appreciate
2
|
02-18-2016, 04:37 AM | #10 | |
Private First Class
48
Rep 111
Posts
Drives: BMW M550d G30
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: São Martinho do Porto
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2016, 06:58 AM | #11 |
Bergspyder
1568
Rep 1,246
Posts |
Budget for a transmission.... You need a tow vehicle.
__________________
|
Appreciate
2
|
02-18-2016, 07:07 AM | #12 |
dances with roads
5108
Rep 4,132
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2016, 07:28 AM | #14 |
Banned
2230
Rep 2,476
Posts
Drives: Satan's Chariot 2.0
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PA
|
It will be used for towing wrecked cars & such, not my Z06. Either way, if the Caravan can't handle it then it won't be used.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2016, 10:56 AM | #16 |
Warrant Officer
378
Rep 1,340
Posts |
Get a vehicle designed for towing (the big 3 250/0+ series, Tundras, ect.). Those vans are only supposed to tow small trailers for light stuff. Just because it's rated for the pounds, doesn't mean you should max it out. Trust me on this, the vehicle makes the difference.
__________________
Deleted, ATM I/C and tuned by B.R.R.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2016, 02:45 PM | #17 | |
Banned
2230
Rep 2,476
Posts
Drives: Satan's Chariot 2.0
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PA
|
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2016, 05:03 PM | #18 |
Lieutenant Colonel
815
Rep 1,986
Posts
Drives: 2014 335i xdrive, 2014 X5 3.5d
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Owen sound, Ontario, canada
|
Do not use a van to tow. I killed my brothers Sienna transmission towing my boat, $15,000 damage. Had to put in a new tranny. It was even 500 pound below the limit. Got a 4Runner and no trouble towing the boat...
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-18-2016, 06:00 PM | #19 |
Banned
438
Rep 1,602
Posts |
But used - these things hold their value one they take their new trailer depreciation hit. I have an 18' open hauler. If weight is a concern go with aluminum. Make sure you have a trailer brake controller and don't tow cars with a Caravan. Get a vehicle designed to handle the weight. IIRC my trailer alone is 1500lbs and is an open center design.
Removable/tilt fenders are also a must. Me and some friends converted mine to removable. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|