Car trailers

[Onefastsicilian]

Onefastsicilian which dealer did you get yours from? I cant find them anywhere near us.

not local, but here's the same one I have.. 1720lbs.

https://www.bestpricetrailers.com/trailers/263840.aspx#.YvrYPHbMKUk

[lvm3sm46]

Onefastsicilian which dealer did you get yours from? I cant find them anywhere near us.

[Feffman]

If your budget allows, get a nice used 24' enclosed trailer. It makes life at the track more enjoyable with the added security on overnight tows/stays. If the tow vehicle is an issue, set up an account with Enterprise Commercial Truck (https://www.enterprisetrucks.com/truckrental/en_US.html) and rent a 3/4 ton diesel. I've been doing this for years.

Feff

[Onefastsicilian]

suretrac makes a great steel deck trailer and it only weighs 1800 lbs! has a nice 4 ft dovetail to help w lower cars.

[Sergmann]

I'm thinking I'll go with an enclosed gooseneck. Harder to steal but it also tows a lot better. Also keep the open trailer for local stuff. But I keep going back and forth between a gooseneck and 3/4 ton and a bumper pull and a 1/2 ton.

Either way an enclosed trailer would be great. I spend about an hour loading and another hour unloading. AC in TX would be a big bonus. Some people sleep in their trailer but screw that...12 years in the Army has made me hate camping. I want a bed in a climate controlled room.

I will say the enclosed trailer saved my butt during covid. Most hotels were closed so it was either pitch a tent or sleep in the trailer. I'm in new england though so heat wasn't as big of an issue.

[bigjae46]

I have been through three trailers so far. First was an all steel with open center which I bought when I was towing a miata with a Tacoma. Great trailer and served its purpose but had no utility other than towing the car since the middle was open. The second was all aluminum open deck which was great. Light weight, no real maintenance other than bearings and tires. I am now using an all aluminum enclosed trailer which I had to get due to my garage situation and needing storage. The enclosed is nice because I basically have a "racecar in a box" and can keep the trailer full of all my track stuff without having to pack and unpack for every event. Of the three the open aluminum was the best overall. The enclosed is a bit of a pain to tow and nets me 9mpg while towing...If you can afford aluminum its well worth the extra money. My open steel trailer needed wire brush/spray bombing about every 3 years or so. No matter what you end up with if you are buying used make sure to give the trailer a real solid look. Tires and brakes on these things tend to be an issue since a lot of trailer tend to sit more than move. My .02

I'm thinking I'll go with an enclosed gooseneck. Harder to steal but it also tows a lot better. Also keep the open trailer for local stuff. But I keep going back and forth between a gooseneck and 3/4 ton and a bumper pull and a 1/2 ton.

Either way an enclosed trailer would be great. I spend about an hour loading and another hour unloading. AC in TX would be a big bonus. Some people sleep in their trailer but screw that...12 years in the Army has made me hate camping. I want a bed in a climate controlled room.

[eternaln]

I would just get a used steel or wood trailer for now if that is what's in budget. Used aluminum trailers held their values very well even before the inventory shortages caused by the pandemic. I've noticed that users on rennlist have aluminum trailers for sale here and there so you may want to take a look there.

[lvm3sm46]

Slim pickings in the market right now. There is not 1 aluminum trailer in all of the NE. New just isn't in the budget at this time but even if it was I cant even find a new aluminum trailer for sale anywhere.

[eternaln]

It may be hard to be picky when browsing the used market, but things such as a dovetail, a wider trailer, fender clearance and multiple strap points are something that should be taken into consideration. I've had a narrow steel trailer with heavy, short ramps which required long race ramps. Made loading/unloading a real pain and very difficult to do solo.

[Sergmann]

I have been through three trailers so far. First was an all steel with open center which I bought when I was towing a miata with a Tacoma. Great trailer and served its purpose but had no utility other than towing the car since the middle was open. The second was all aluminum open deck which was great. Light weight, no real maintenance other than bearings and tires. I am now using an all aluminum enclosed trailer which I had to get due to my garage situation and needing storage. The enclosed is nice because I basically have a "racecar in a box" and can keep the trailer full of all my track stuff without having to pack and unpack for every event. Of the three the open aluminum was the best overall. The enclosed is a bit of a pain to tow and nets me 9mpg while towing...If you can afford aluminum its well worth the extra money. My open steel trailer needed wire brush/spray bombing about every 3 years or so. No matter what you end up with if you are buying used make sure to give the trailer a real solid look. Tires and brakes on these things tend to be an issue since a lot of trailer tend to sit more than move. My .02

[bigjae46]

All I will say is that all aluminum, while more expensive initially, is the route I would go. I have owned two trailers, both all aluminum construction. The advantages are weight, will not rust/corrode and they hold their value very, very well. I sold my first aluminum trailer (a used aluma open trailer) for exactly what I paid for it a few years earlier.

I can't recommend steel, requires so much upkeep. My wood trailer hasn't been bad. Have to stay on top of keeping the wood deck. Had a tire poke through the dovetail when the wood rotted. DIY re-decking isn't that hard, just need someone to do some quick welding. I treated regular wood and its 3 years old so far. Don't see why I can't get another 2-3 years from the deck.

If you're committed then I fully agree aluminum is just easier in almost every way.

If I upgrade I'm going to an enclosed trailer.

[lcrain]

All I will say is that all aluminum, while more expensive initially, is the route I would go. I have owned two trailers, both all aluminum construction. The advantages are weight, will not rust/corrode and they hold their value very, very well. I sold my first aluminum trailer (a used aluma open trailer) for exactly what I paid for it a few years earlier.

[bigjae46]

My trailer has the stake pockets on the side but no other tie down points. You might have to plan to have some d-rings or hooks welded on after the fact. I use 3333lb straps, probably overkill but the next rating lower is 1000 lbs which is kind of on the limit. I go around the bar/frame on the front to the wheels. I had two d-rings welded onto the back for the rear wheels. They fold down do it doesn't interfere with loading the car by catching on the underside. I just use a regular ratchet strap through the wheel spokes and then hook the snap rings together.

I align the car a lot, I haven't had an issue with the alignment being thrown off by running the straps through the wheels. I don't cross the straps either which might increase the chances of throwing the alignment off...not sure why people do that. If you loose a strap then the other side will start pulling the load off the trailer until it also gets loose. If you go straight back then you can lose up to 2 straps and still be ok.

I want to get some D-rings welded on the front and then use these straps...MUCH faster!

Bulldog Winch Combo Ratcheting Tie-Down Strap - 2" Wide x 10' Long - 3,335 lbs Bulldog Winch Car Tie Down Straps BDW20229 (etrailer.com)

[lvm3sm46]

bigjae46 can you share how you strap the car down etc and which components you use?

[bigjae46]

I use a basic wood deck trailer with a 2' dovetail. I think it is about 2k lbs and the car is 2650-ish. I have race ramps and I remove the front splitter to load/unload the car. My splitter can be removed in about 2 minutes.

I recommend dual 3.5k axles. My buddy used a trailer which heavier duty axles and taller tires. That made loading much harder.

Or you can find a reliable low spot where you can put the trailer tires in to make loading easier. For example, at my local track there is a drainage ditch where I put the trailer tires into. I can easily load/unload without removing the splitter.