Trailer Recommendations

amg280 · October 31, 2008

Hey guys. Not sure if this is in the right section or not, but I will ask anyways.

Im looking for a trailer to transport cars mostly, small to medium. However, I want the ability to be able to put a lawn tractor and other misc things (utility) as well on it. Do you think a heavier duty (twin axle) landscape trailer would work. Ive found one with a 6000 lb capacity, but still unsure about the vehicle being on it. This one is 16' in length. I like the idea of having a small rail going around the entire thing, instead of having a flat plank board. I probably wouldnt be transporting any vehicles over 4000 lbs.

What is the concensus on a trailer brake controller?

Thanks for all the advice.

Rat4go · October 31, 2008

I've transported a 4500 lb 'utility tractor' in a similar trailer so I wouldn't worry about the weight if you stay near 4000lbs. Most tandem axle trailers have 3500 lb axles so the axle capability is 7000 and these trailers weigh less than 1500lbs, so you should be able to do closer to 5500-6000 on such a trailer. The only thing that might be a disadvantage with a trailer with side rails for transporting cars is that opening car doors might be tough (hit on the rail) such that you have to climb out the window.

I have a buddy with a new 2008 2500 with the integrated trailer brake controller and it's super nice. From my experience, the best aftermarket plug-n-play controller is a Prodigy (by Tekonsha).

Draenor · October 31, 2008

I've transported a 4500 lb 'utility tractor' in a similar trailer so I wouldn't worry about the weight if you stay near 4000lbs. Most tandem axle trailers have 3500 lb axles so the axle capability is 7000 and these trailers weigh less than 1500lbs, so you should be able to do closer to 5500-6000 on such a trailer. The only thing that might be a disadvantage with a trailer with side rails for transporting cars is that opening car doors might be tough (hit on the rail) such that you have to climb out the window.

I have a buddy with a new 2008 2500 with the integrated trailer brake controller and it's super nice. From my experience, the best aftermarket plug-n-play controller is a Prodigy (by Tekonsha).

+1 on what the 'ratman' said....

66nova · October 31, 2008

Hey guys. Not sure if this is in the right section or not, but I will ask anyways.

Im looking for a trailer to transport cars mostly, small to medium. However, I want the ability to be able to put a lawn tractor and other misc things (utility) as well on it. Do you think a heavier duty (twin axle) landscape trailer would work. Ive found one with a 6000 lb capacity, but still unsure about the vehicle being on it. This one is 16' in length. I like the idea of having a small rail going around the entire thing, instead of having a flat plank board. I probably wouldn't be transporting any vehicles over 4000 lbs.

What is the concensus on a trailer brake controller?

Thanks for all the advice.

Where are you located? If you are any where near Oklahoma or even if you're not (I think they ship them all over the country), I would highly recommend a trailer from Terry's Trailer. I have owned 2 of them. And between all the members of our car club, there are about 15 of there trailers. http://terrystrailers.com/

You can look in my Sig for my current one. Of course mine is a car hauler without rails, but they do make them with rails. I personally do not like hauling a car with a trailer with rails. I would go with something like this http://www.terrystrailers.com/Images/40.gif that you can put rails on and take them off.

I would also recommend the Prodigy, since that is what I am getting ready to buy for my new truck . I have read nothing, except good reviews.

Outbacker · October 31, 2008

I cannot comment on the trailer, but I will say the Tekonsha Prodigy is an excellent brake controller. Good for 1-4 axles, and operates while moving in reverse (some brake controllers do not). I have used Prodigy on my travel trailer for years and would recommend it in a second.

Cheers.

c4cruiser · October 31, 2008

Hey guys. Not sure if this is in the right section or not, but I will ask anyways.

Im looking for a trailer to transport cars mostly, small to medium. However, I want the ability to be able to put a lawn tractor and other misc things (utility) as well on it. Do you think a heavier duty (twin axle) landscape trailer would work. Ive found one with a 6000 lb capacity, but still unsure about the vehicle being on it. This one is 16' in length. I like the idea of having a small rail going around the entire thing, instead of having a flat plank board. I probably wouldnt be transporting any vehicles over 4000 lbs.

What is the concensus on a trailer brake controller?

Thanks for all the advice.

I wouldn't think a landscape traier would be suitable for transporting cars. You are effectively placing a load on the deck at 4 points (each wheel footprint) and that could be a lot of weight. Also the ramp will most likely not hold the weight of a car's axle.

The rails may be nice for tieing down tools and equipment, but most rails will not allow a car door to open.

Specific-built car trailers will usually have removeable fenders or the fenders will be low enough to get a car door open. You can always add a 2x12 to the deck so that the left side of the car will be raised. Some trailers come with stake pockets on the sides of the frames so you can add sideboards. You can also get stake pockets to weld or bolt on the trailer.

Car weights can be suprising. My 87 Corvette that I haul on my PJ car hauler weighs 3400 lbs. It's not physically large, but the weight is suprising. And you really don't want to load a trailer to its maximum gross weight. You should look at open car trailers that are 18' long and include a 2' dovetail. The angle of the dovetail helps with loading angles.

A good trailer should have two 3500 lb capacity axles with electric brakes on both axles. Some trailers come with installed D-rings but it's a good idea to add a few more, usually at the corners or flush-mounted on the deck.

You should get some good quality 2" wide ratchet straps with a 10,000 gross load rating. Ratchet straps have a "working load limit" or WLL that is 1/3 of the gross rating. This means a 10K strap has a WLL of 3,300 lbs. Straps like this will be all you nead even for heavy large cars. Also get some axle straps and some lengths of Grade 70 chain and chain hooks.

As far as a controller, I also think the Tekonsha Prodigy is an excellent choice. They are easy to install and Tekonsha offers a "plug and play" harness for your truck. No wire splicing, crimping, soldering or cutting, just the two connectors. The Prodigy is easy to set up and brake gain settings are easy and display on the controller.

Many car trailers come with loading ramps but they typically are too short and too heavy. I bought a set of these ramps. They are aluminum. 6 feet long, will handle 2500 lbs and weigh about 20 lbs each.

Wingnut · October 31, 2008

Hey guys. Not sure if this is in the right section or not, but I will ask anyways.

Im looking for a trailer to transport cars mostly, small to medium. However, I want the ability to be able to put a lawn tractor and other misc things (utility) as well on it. Do you think a heavier duty (twin axle) landscape trailer would work. Ive found one with a 6000 lb capacity, but still unsure about the vehicle being on it. This one is 16' in length. I like the idea of having a small rail going around the entire thing, instead of having a flat plank board. I probably wouldn't be transporting any vehicles over 4000 lbs.

What is the concensus on a trailer brake controller?

Thanks for all the advice.

Where are you located? If you are any where near Oklahoma or even if you're not (I think they ship them all over the country), I would highly recommend a trailer from Terry's Trailer. I have owned 2 of them. And between all the members of our car club, there are about 15 of there trailers. http://terrystrailers.com/

You can look in my Sig for my current one. Of course mine is a car hauler without rails, but they do make them with rails. I personally do not like hauling a car with a trailer with rails. I would go with something like this http://www.terrystrailers.com/Images/40.gif that you can put rails on and take them off.

I would also recommend the Prodigy, since that is what I am getting ready to buy for my new truck . I have read nothing, except good reviews.

I live just a couple of miles up Sooner from that place, and I know at least a dozen people that have bought trailers there as well. Great place, really good prices.

97SierraGMC · November 1, 2008

trailer brakes are awesome and very easy to install on GMT-900 trucks... even if you dont exactly NEED them but the trailer has them i would HIGHLY suggest getting a controller...

i haul a car trailer full of scrap metal to the junkyard every once and a while and it is really nice having the trailer help stopping 3000Lbs worth of metal so my trucks brake dont have to work as hard..

amg280 · November 3, 2008

Thanks for all the advice guys, its much appreciated. The new Tekonsha P3 looks interesting as well, and its only 40 or 50 bucks for than the prodigy.

It looks like I got some homework to do on a trailer...