Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator location?

[Magnus_]

Well, since my car is now full road race cage, no side windows, etc.. its enclosed or stay home.

I'm looking at the featherlite 24' trailers.

I intend to get:
Interior Lighting
Recessed Winch
Cabinets
Rear view camera

My questions are these:

Where are you guys putting your spare tires? I assume just crammed up in front between the car and the cabinets? How do you secure them? It'd be really neat if I could put my spare tires somewhere that didn't require me to move/relocate them to unload the car, etc...

Secondly, what about generators. Do you guys even bring them to the track? It'd be neat if I could have a small'ish quiet generator somewhere secured to the trailer for when I didn't have access to power.

Thanks!

 

[1st Strike]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

The tire rack usually mounts above the lower cabinets in the front of the trailer. I have seen them mounted to the sides of the trailer up high above the front of the car. The third place is when you have a raised floor trailer they go between the ramps on the floor of the trailer so your car sits over the top of your wheels. As for the generator Honda makes some of the quietest that I have ever seen. You can carry a conversation standing right next to them with out raising your voice.

 

[boy wonder]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

All the brakes you can get. HD axles. Long tongue. ****** tail. Anti sway hitch. Best tires. Extended ramp.
I would add a large awning. Side escape door put where it works. Tire rack over the rear of car side to side. Tie downs and stops for car. Damond plate runners. small air compressor. Lights for night work,inside and out.
Tongue scale to set up car stops. AC is wonderful. Door step is great. I used portable gen because it would not take up interior space and keep noise out. You will add stuff forever as you go.
Have fun.
Robin

 

[bluesrt]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

LOOK UP TRAILEX trailers.... look up all thier options ect- thats the bentley of trailers!!! would have nothin other

 

[Mopar Boy]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

You can also put the spare on one of the lower compartments of the cabinet. That's what I did so it was out of the way. Only time I pulled it out was the day I actually had to use it!

Generators can sit on the front A frame, or if the trailer is new get them to put the side generator door in. Generator sits under the front cabinets and is out of the weather. When you need it, open small little door.....

Yes. Get a side escape door so you do not have to play Dukes of Hazzard and climb out the window. Doors dont open inside a trailer so if you have to open a car door, open little trailer escape door and the car door swings outside of the trailer. Best thing you can possibly do for a car trailer

 

[Magnus_]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

By spare tires, I mean my spare race tires.

Thanks for the ideas so far!

bluesrt, trailex might be the bentley of trailers, but their website leaves much to be desired. I've seen plenty of featherlites out there. I even own one, and their website is also very informative.

 

[bluesrt]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

i here ya- feather makes a great trailer, to each thier own

 

[David Pintaric]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

I've had three trailers in nine years: 28' tagg, 40' Pace gooseneck, and now a 44' liftgate. You never have enough room...

A 24' is barely large enough to do what we do. But if you are smart with your storage of things, it will work fine. If the SCCA T1 National Champion can run his race program out of one, you can.

Buy a "name brand." Featherlite has a great resale, ATC makes a great one too. I am neighbors with the owner of Trailex, they make a great peice, but not to my liking.

Buy the Honda generators; quite, mobile, and you can use it for emergencies at home (think the NE last year with the ice storms and no electricity for 10 days).

Buy the "electric" package the manufacturers all offer (outlets, lighting, land line, etc). Buy the flooring upgrade, an interior is nice (insulation is helpful). I use shoring beams with e-track for tire racks. I don't like to hang the wall mounts on the side walls as the tires put too much pressure on the wall uprights.

Get ramp extensions, but definitely get a beavertail (pretty much standard with 24' trailers). An absolute must is 10,000 lb GVWR. Some 24' will come with a 7,000 rating, and you will rue the day you bought that trailer. I don't think Featherlite or ATC will sell one with the lower rated axles.

Get an electric tongue jack: you will thank me someday if you do (I expect a beer).

Buy a larger side door (48"). No, you are not fat...but it makes things easier to get in a out...trust me.

If you can spring an AC unit, do so.

EZ Up style canopies are great for what you are doing, but get at least 2 10x10', or a 10x15'. Preferably the former.

 

[Magnus_]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Wow David, that's very helpful. The featherlite guy is going to love me!

I actually have race ramps right now and use them with my current trailer. I was assuming I was just going to use them with my new trailer.

I'd still like to know where others with 24' trailers put their spare set of race wheels. Pics would help!

 

[David Pintaric]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Race ramps will work fine.

Like I said, put two columns of "vertical" e-track on each wall, and span some shoring beams across, wide enough to store tire/wheel assemblies. Maybe position it so the car hood fit underneath when the car is strapped down. On my 40' gooseneck, I had to rows in the very back, so the car fit underneath (even with the wing) because of the ****** tail. This may work for you with a 24' trailer, but I am not sure.

Call me at (330) 519-5876 if you want to talk. It is hard to articulate things typing...

 

[hightest]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Check out the Wells Cargo Mototrac 4000 series with the turn 4 deluxe package. It has everything you would need. In floor spare tire carrier, 48 inch man door & escape hatch door, forged aluminum duck bill ramp extension, ****** tail, checker plate flooring, 5600 lb. axles, interior lighting, exterior halogens, fuse panel with remote electrical hook-up and genrator pocket, etc. I bought one in 2009. I will actually be selling the trailer in a couple of months, as I no longer race. If you like, I could e-mail some photos to you. Sorry I don't know how to post pictures here.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Pics posting info under the New Owners section. Can walk you right through it if you really want to post them.


As for some pics, when I get to my laptop and off my phone I will post some of how I did mine.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

OK. Here is the pics from my 26' Haulmark. I intentionally ordered 2' longer as I did not want to lose the space from the cabinet I knew I would build.

Started:

Test fitting:

Finished:

Also, if you are ordering, consider E track...

 

[Viperizer]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

]Make your life easy.....My has everything on your list of wants..plus a lift...two winches, one for top deck, one for lower deck...attic to store all the tires your ever need...Air Conditoning/ heat pump..tons of cabinets...I am going to order a new one, make you a nice deal on the old..you can have the old Yellow car for a extra 30k....

 

[Shandon]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

I love ATC and heading to go buy my enclosed this week ( third trailer i have bought). 24ft will be fine as long as you think through storage. Generator and compressor are a must for me. AC i plan to add before the season. Get as many bells and whistles as you an afford on the front side. Featherlite and ATC are in a class all their own IMHO. You will get good resale on them. Yes be sure to get a 10k axle rating like David said. You will love it!

 

[Magnus_]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Well I am working with a featherlite dealer on a custom order new 24'. We're going over the options and working on a quote.

I'd really love to see how others are actually storing their spare race tires in a 24' or smaller configuration. David, I kind of understand how you are doing it, but I'd love to see some pics so I can provide featherlite with a visual of what I'm actually looking for.

Also, is really a good thing to store 4 big ass viper wheels/tires on rails near the top of the trailer? I'm not sure how strong the upper structure of these trailers are, but it'd make sense that the closer they were to the floor the better.

 

[David Pintaric]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Well I am working with a featherlite dealer on a custom order new 24'. We're going over the options and working on a quote.

I'd really love to see how others are actually storing their spare race tires in a 24' or smaller configuration. David, I kind of understand how you are doing it, but I'd love to see some pics so I can provide featherlite with a visual of what I'm actually looking for.

Also, is really a good thing to store 4 big ass viper wheels/tires on rails near the top of the trailer? I'm not sure how strong the upper structure of these trailers are, but it'd make sense that the closer they were to the floor the better.

When the shopring beams are attached to each wall and span the trailer, there is a quite of bit of strength there, so the weight of the tire/wheel assemplies is not a problem. I was able to store 3 sets of tires and wheels (because I had two rows) and never had a problem. Trust me, I wasn't the one who invented this! I've seen other people do it.

Visualize 2 rows of e-track going up both walls (rather than sideways) opposite each other. The 2 beams connect, and the car fits underneath.

 

[Magnus_]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Thanks David. I have the visual perfect. I'll have to explain it to them as it seems it would make sense to have them build it in before they close up/insulate the walls.

 

[treesnake]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

When the shopring beams are attached to each wall and span the trailer, there is a quite of bit of strength there, so the weight of the tire/wheel assemplies is not a problem. I was able to store 3 sets of tires and wheels (because I had two rows) and never had a problem. Trust me, I wasn't the one who invented this! I've seen other people do it.

Visualize 2 rows of e-track going up both walls (rather than sideways) opposite each other. The 2 beams connect, and the car fits underneath.

THANK YOU....!

Never thought of that.... The crossmembers, if fitted correctly, would actually add support...
With two vertical rows of E-track, you could easily place a "top" and convert to a table...

Hope this makes sense...
I stack my wheels/tires (4 high) centerd over an E-track rail. I place a quick connect, connection loop in center of stacked wheels/tires and directly outside the front and back of the tires. Total of three connections.
I then take two 1" ratchet straps and place hooked end through center of four wheels and hook onto e-track loop in center. Then connect binder end of straps to e-track rings on outside of tires, one to the front loop and one to the back loop. Tighten them up and you are good to go.
I have hauled my spares and rain tires this way without any problems...

Wish I had a photo...

 

[David Pintaric]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Get 7' ceilings, also. Horizontal e-track on the walls...

 

[Viper X]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

I'm on my second trailer too, which I orderd from Pace. Nice unit. 10K axles are a must as are race ramps and interior lights.

Many good ideas above.

I ordered extra deep upper storage cabinets with doors and no "work bench" below. I don't need a work bench at the track. I use the cabinets for fluids, wash bucket, hose, cleaners, towels, small parts like spare lug nuts, bolts, electrical items, tape, battery tender, etc. etc.

I stack one set of tires vertically in each front corner, 2 sets total spare race tires and secure the top tires with bungee cords. Works very well and doesn't take up much space. I also store a set of Cups or PS2 tires on the side wall along with a spare for the trailer - you never know.

In the lower trailer "spare tire" compartment, I store another spare tire for the trailer along with a garden hose, brake pads and other spare parts. I store other spare parts like brake rotors, calipers, sensors, water pump, alternator, etc. in plastic storage bins. I also bring along 4, 5 gallon plastic gas containers.

I ordered a 5 foot side door for the golf cart, which we always bring along.

All of the above fits easily in my 24 foot trailer along with a winch, HD battery and tie downs.

Trailer weighs 10K when loaded.

Didn't order AC as I don't drive in the heat. Our So Cal driving season starts in the Fall, i.e. late Sept / early Oct and runs through May / June. No track events for me in late June through early September. Way too hot out here.

I tow it with my 2010 RAM 2500 HD 4 x 4 Mega Cab with Diesel engine. Lots of room in the rear seat area for driving suits, helmets, camera, etc.
Tools are stored in the bed of the truck along with jacks, ice chest, etc.

My truck tows this trailer very well. I did add air bags to stabilize the ride at speed. There are areas in the West where we can tow at 80 mph and this truck does that easily.

Guess I'd recommend you spend some time deciding how you'll use your trailer, then set it up the way you like it.

Good luck,

Dan

 

[TrackAire]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

All excellent responses and ideas. The electric jack in the front is a must have, you can't live without once you have one.

Trailer manufacturers spend all their money on the body, interior, chassis, etc, and then put on the cheapest crap tires you can buy. Most "trailer" tires are made in China, many still bias ply. If possible get 16" rims....this allows you to put real E load range radial tires on the trailer. Much less rolling resistance and much better protection from blowouts. A lot of our clients are in the construction industry and many have switched to high end Michelin steel belted radials for their equipment trailers and have seen blowouts and failures drop to near zero. Featherlite is one of the few trailers I've seen at the track (24 foot tag trailer) that have 16" rims from the factory .......I wouldn't tow with anything but 16" radials if possible.

Good luck with the new trailer!

Cheers,
George

 

[Mopar Boy]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Very good point on the 16". Upgrading mine to load E this spring. Load No Range are just not worth the risk.

 

[Viper X]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Good point on the tires guys. I lost three tires on three straight trips with my first tire.

Switched to a quality set of Goodyear trailer tires and now more issues.

You may want to check the load ranges on the various 15 inche tires before switching to all new 16" wheels though as that can be "spendy".

Dan

 

[ROCKET62]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

There's a pretty nice trailer in the classifieds that happens to be pretty close to you:

http://classifieds.viperclub.org/showproduct.php

 

[Mopar Boy]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Good point on the tires guys. I lost three tires on three straight trips with my first tire.

Switched to a quality set of Goodyear trailer tires and now more issues.

You may want to check the load ranges on the various 15 inche tires before switching to all new 16" wheels though as that can be "spendy".

Dan

Valid point Dan.

 

[Magnus_]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Ok, I got the first quote back.

$38K for a 24' aluminum trailer with all the fixins. Sound in the ballpark?

 

[steve911]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Ok, I got the first quote back.

$38K for a 24' aluminum trailer with all the fixins. Sound in the ballpark?

Sounds high to me. What are all the fixins?

 

[Magnus_]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Standard options:
24' enclosed trailer, 8' 6" wide, 6'6" tall 24' long
Tandem axle 4.8K rubber torsion. ST225/75R15 LRD
Spare Tire Carrier
2 5/16" Coupler
Electric Brake
Dome Light
LED Light package
Floor smooth extruded aluminum
No door above fender
2" beavertail
Aero nose

The options I had quoted on:
3500# electric tongue jack
110v switch
48" fluorescent light fixtures x 2
48" door
3/4" R-2.8 EPS Insulation + white .040 aluminum on walls/ceiling
110V receptacles
Reinforce for A/C + A/C 15,000 BTU
Motor base 50 amp inlet (120/240v) 8 space panel box with 36' cord
Battery package with recharge leads
Add 6" to trailer height (Takes it to 7')
Winch Assist for rear ramp (Not quite sure what this is)
Laminate base and upper cabinet (83" wide x 72" tall, 3 doors on 22" deep x 40" tall base w/23" deep counter top)
Winch Bracket
Winch 4000$ with 50' cable + 15' corded remote (I want wireless, cords are dumb)
Generator compartment
19' Awning

 

[David Pintaric]

Re: Enclosed trailer questions 24' Featherlite, securing spare tires, generator locat

Standard options:
24' enclosed trailer, 8' 6" wide, 6'6" tall 24' long
Tandem axle 4.8K rubber torsion. ST225/75R15 LRD
Spare Tire Carrier
2 5/16" Coupler
Electric Brake
Dome Light
LED Light package
Floor smooth extruded aluminum
No door above fender
2" beavertail
Aero nose

The options I had quoted on:
3500# electric tongue jack
110v switch
48" fluorescent light fixtures x 2
48" door
3/4" R-2.8 EPS Insulation + white .040 aluminum on walls/ceiling
110V receptacles
Reinforce for A/C + A/C 15,000 BTU
Motor base 50 amp inlet (120/240v) 8 space panel box with 36' cord
Battery package with recharge leads
Add 6" to trailer height (Takes it to 7')
Winch Assist for rear ramp (Not quite sure what this is)
Laminate base and upper cabinet (83" wide x 72" tall, 3 doors on 22" deep x 40" tall base w/23" deep counter top)
Winch Bracket
Winch 4000$ with 50' cable + 15' corded remote (I want wireless, cords are dumb)
Generator compartment
19' Awning

I assume the "19' awning" is a "roll out" version; if so, I think you will be dissatisfied with it. To me, those type don't extend far enough from the trailer to give significant shelter. That's why I sued the 10x10' or 10x15' EZ Up-style canopies. Heck, I bough 4 10x10' from Walmart for $100 each and wire-tied them together to give me a nice paddock area! (I now have a more conventional 44'x16' canopy that attaches to the trailer).

Other than that, you appear to have things covered well.