Car Hauler

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[lowfat]

Looking for a car hauler this year...only hauling a 2500lbs small car and doing it behind a SUV with a smallish 6500lbs tow cap. No real budget although I know if I wanted a 2000lbs rainbow 16ft I could buy it new for $2500. I am interested an a 'lighter' trailer...more like 1500lbs, e-brakes and both axles etc. Not really interested in buying used (but would consider it) because I don't want to deal with maintenance and have no idea what to look out for.

No idea where to start. Anyone can help point me to a trailer dealer? Why do you recommend them? What did you buy from them?

Thanks,
Ryan

[JTC]

You could talk to these guys if you looking for light. A few years ago when I visited the Island I saw the HT Vehicle 17 trailer. It was at the Catherham builder http://www.caterhamcanada.com/
He hauled the trailer and Catherham with a Honda Pilot. Very nice trailer and the car wasn't bad either! 

http://www.expresscustom.com/nav_group_5.php?gaz_page=2

[lowfat]

Thanks Tracy, I got in touch with them...pretty pricey but look like nice trailers and seriously lightwieght. The real question is if they have some sort of distribution for Alberta...taking the time to travel there to pick it up makes it infinitely more expensive to me.

Anyone else dealt with a local source?

Thanks,

[Talonman]

Buy rite trailers, I will get the contact info for you in the morning.

He is a racer and understands the needs.

[Siegfried361]

Just rig up a tow bar.  Waaay cheaper.

[rally99]

Airdrie trailers had a really nice looking aluminum tilt at the world of wheels, I have no idea on $.....
 
watch out for too cheep, keep in mind that running gear for a tandem axle with brakes / tires / springs etc is aproaching $1500 not including steel / decking / labour / etc.  Especially if it is a rally trailer it will get abused a bit (turning around on narrow roads when picking up a broken car sometimes means backing into a ditch ...), and stronger is better....Otherwise, check the welds - do they look "pretty" and does it look like someone spent some time and cared, and did they weld all the way around the tubes at the joints. 

You may want to think about a lift off fender that will let you open the car door when you put it on the trailer ( crawling out the window gets old in a hurry ) and a winch is really nice to have - even the $30 hand cranked boat winch I have on mine - really helps ( sooner or later you will have to put a non-runner on the trailer, yours or a friend's ) even if just to let you stop part way on while you can still open the door an get out and pull it the rest of the way....

Whatever you choose, spend the extra few $ and get the "easy lube " hubs - this is a grease nipple on the axle hubs, as you walk by the trailer with a grease gun while working on the toy, a quick squirt and you never have to worry about running the trailer bearings dry

Mike

[lowfat]

A lot of good advice there. Thanks.

Yeah, I don't think I'll going for the $2500 trailer. I think for $3500 I can get a good steel trailer, good treated douglas fir dec, Dexter Axles with local parts, ez lube hubs, radial tires, brakes on all four, and a break away kit.

I'm thinking the Aluminum trailer is certainly nice but for $6-7000 the weight savings of 500-800lbs...well it's a debate. I also it puts a niche in the resale. I have even considered lately a 14ft/16ft v-nose enclosed at near $10K but it's also a lot to justify for mostly luxury advantages not functional.

Thanks...still open for places to buy.

Thanks,
Ryan

[CRXsi]

If you are considering enclosed then also look what's available in the USA. There are many 24' enclosed going for $5000 so smaller should be cheaper, these are of course used but some are only a year or two old...

[lowfat]

Hi Gord. Where would I look for such trailer used in a nearby state? Did you have an example?

I have starting looking into the weight's of 7x14ft v-nose, steel enclosed trailers. I believe a decent one could be found brand new locally for $5-7000 dependingon options. the 8ft/8.5ft wide enclosed is out of the question due to weight but the 7ft one can be found at ~2200lbs. that's 3-400lbs more then an 16ft open steel.

There are pros and cons to enclosed...specifically 7ft wide ones. The pros are all luxuries and I'm sure you all can imagine. The cons? I'll be getting out the window of the car for one (an available option is an 'escape' door on the side). My car will fit no problem but not many other types of car would (maybe this is a good thing ). Weight/wind...so, how big a deal is this?

I have no real experience towing in the driver seat. My tow vehicle is an SUV with a 4.7L V8 with a real truck frame and solid rear axle but no leaf springs and a shorter wheelbase. Rated at 6500lbs capacity so more then the typical 5000lbs tow SUV but not a 3/4 truck. My car weighs ~2500lbs and I might be taking another 400lbs of gear on a road trip? With even a 2500lbs trailer, I'm still under my capacity but I really don't think I want to be pushing it. if making a decision between a 1800lbs open hauler and a 2200lbs enclosed, should I be concerned?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Spec Volcanic]

not sure if this is helpful for you, but in maybe for someone else... a different division of the company I would for is about to run the attached ad maybe there is a is something there for you