question for enclosed trailer owners

[02rt10]

I've always had a flatbed trailer that I just recently sold and am in the marker for an enclosed trailer this time around.

The main question I have is what size trailer do you like best? Do most of you have a 20' ? Seems with a 20 the car would fit just fine but not much room for anything else... or am I misjudging the size? Or do most prefer 22...24? I'm thinking don't want it too big cause that's just more weight to haul around -- What size trailer do you have and if you were to do it again what would you get?

Any input is appreciated.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

24' will give you room for a bench and storage, I would never go smaller, easier to get in and around to tie down also.

 

[DrumrBoy]

I agree, 24 feet min. Mine is 32 feet (5th wheel) so there's room for an onboard generator and compressor, racks for 8 tires, and plenty of workbench space. Can even stick a golf cart in there if required. Yes its more off a pain to maneuver but I'm not pulling every weekend so I'm happy with the space vs. cost of operation trade-off.

 

[Mopar Boy]

I have a 24 and a 26. I never use the 24 unless dad has already borrowed the 26!

For sure the space is important. You also want a buffer zone. You will find that you will allays find something to put in the trailer. My suggestion is never go shorter than 24'. I also find the 26' tows a bit better due to a bit more front end length that therefore ads weight. the 24' is too balanced for my likings.

Really trailer size comes down to what do you have to tow it with?

And for what its worth, if I were ordering a trailer now I would do a 28'. By the time I built in the bench, plus car, I could use a wee bit more space....

 

[Mopar Boy]

Here is a thread that may give some idea of trailers. Also a few pics of what can be built into the front of the trailer if you have the space!

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/632312-Enclosed-Trailer-Opinions?highlight=haulmark

 

[5 viper guy]

You could always use something longer

 

[Mopar Boy]

You could always use something longer

Epic first post!

Welcome to the VCA forums and congrats on the first post!

 

[5 viper guy]

thanks Robert

 

[Photog1]

I have a 20ft v-nose and am very happy with it. Did not want to tow any more weight than necessary. If you are a track rat that is going all the time and need the bench and place for extra wheels etc you might want to go bigger, but if you are a once in a while weekend warrior like me then the 20 is just right.

 

[bluesrt]

i have a 23 ft trailex trailer enclosed----- 1900 lbs... lightest around folks

 

[Brian GTS]

20' V nose here. No room for a work bench but plenty of room to get around the car and can still store some things in the V. I actually like the shorter length for getting into tight areas too.

 

[steve911]

27' V-nose here. I converted from an 18' aluminum open trailer.

 

[rpm9000]

I have a 28'. It is heavy but there is plenty of room for other equipment etc. I pull it with a diesel dually.

 

[NI-KA]

28' pulled with a diesel F250 shortbed. No problem.

I like the extra space with the cabinets. Fits my needs.

 

[Nine Ball]

28' Haumark enclosed here. While I enjoy having the extra space and A/C for track days, I also get tired of blowing tires on trips. Thinking of going back to an aluminum open deck trailer.

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[happy56]

It's just like building a garage. You will always find things you want to put in there so buy big as you can.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Nine Ball

Nice looking rig.

Can I make a suggestion on tires? Go load E or put 19.5 rims with load G or H off a small truck. Will solve the problem.

 

[past ohio]

Back to first question, what size, only the author can answer this, what does he plan to carry and what does he use....the larger the trailer the bigger the pull unit becomes....a 20' pulls well with a regular truck plus easier going down the road and handling...also if only being used several times per year compared to commercial use OR weekly usage....then you may haul more junk, I always believe in a winch installed in the front to allow me to load and unload by myself....good luck shopping !!

 

[69MCode]

24 foot and make sure you get an acces door on drivers side of trailer,it was optional on mine.Also may want to check wheel wells inside trailer,viper doors will not open inside my brothers trailer but will inside mine,makes it a whole lot easier getting in and out.Also 2nd.the winch.Good luck.

 

[NI-KA]

WOW, I have done a lot of trailer hauling with trailers that were carrying far more load than we do with cars. I have had flat tires but that was always frm something gettig into the tire like a screw, nail or bolt. What exactly do you think is contributing to your difficulties with tires? Do you believe it to be tire selection as Mopar Boy suggests or something else?

28' Haumark enclosed here. While I enjoy having the extra space and A/C for track days, I also get tired of blowing tires on trips. Thinking of going back to an aluminum open deck trailer.

You must be registered for see images

 

[Nine Ball]

The tires that are blowing are on the trailer, not the truck. 15" load E rating, even brand new ones have blown. I have 19.5 wheels on the truck now, that is an older picture.

 

[SNAKE BITE]

I have 24' V-nose. If/when I do it again I will get the lightest and shortest trailer possible with V-nose to access front of car.
I have also blown 3 tires on my trailer. They were "C" rated and now I've put all "E" rated on with no blow-outs yet.

 

[Matt M PA]

Depends on what you want to do with the trailer. Mine's just used for moving cars...so I don't need all the extra space for benches, etc. I bought my Haulmark 22' for my then Superbird and still use the trailer for other cars we still have. Be sure to go 8.5' wide.

Alot depends on what you'll tow it with. A 28' will give you lots of room, but you'll need (possibly) more truck to pull it.

Tires. I've heard about lots of blow-outs with the tires made in China. I've always had made in the US Goodyear Marathons.

When mine was built, Haulmark asked for the distance from the bumper to the rear of the driver's door in order to corectly place the roadside/escape door.

 

[almsceovh]

I Have a 28" enclosed-perfect size for Viper, Lil Red-both fit perfect, with lots of room for tie downs & extras.

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Must use a Diesel tow vehicle-I use a 09 Chevrolet 2500 HD with the 6.6 Duramax.

 

[past ohio]

Ni-ka....on the trailer tires blowing, have you tried putting nitrogen in the tires instead of normal air ?? Nitrogen doesn't expand as much as regular air, and stays more in line with requirements...when towing, helps to stop about every 100 miles or so, just walk around, touch the center hubs if too hot, and then see if the brakes are okay when pulling out again...

 

[Mopar Boy]

And get a infrared temp sensor and when you stop shoot each tire. I found mine before the blow out happened as it was warmer than the rest.

 

[Viperless]

Blowouts are usually caused by underinflated tires. COLD inflation pressure on your E rated tire is 80psi if I'm not mistaken.

Also, according to Tirerack.com:

However industry standards also stipulate, if tires with the ST designation are used at speeds between 66 and 75 mph (106 and 121 km/h), it is necessary to increase their cold inflation pressure by 10 psi (69 kPa) above the recommended pressure for the rated maximum load.

 

[Matt M PA]

Perhaps off topic from the OP's question....

There's no doubt under inflated tires are a big cause of blow-outs. However, my 1995 Haulmark has always had trailer tires...not truck tires. When I first got my trailer, a few folks suggested I take off the trailer tires and put on truck tires. At the time, the tires were new so I wasn;t interested. When I replaced them a couple years ago I did some research.

"ST" tires feature materials and construction to meet the higher load requirements and demands of a trailer in use. Sidewalls don't have to handle turning...but DO have to handle scrubbing. They also don't need a tread pattern for acceleration traction.

The polyester cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable "P" or "LT" tire.

The steel cords have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements.

"ST" tire rubber compounds contain more chemicals to resist weather and ozone cracking.

Trailer tires rated for 65MPH...going faster degrades the tire.

I should add that when I first got my trailer...I drove far too fast with it. I suppose I was lucky...but now I keep it at 60-65. I'm towing with a V10 Excursion.

 

[SNAKE BITE]

However industry standards also stipulate, if tires with the ST designation are used at speeds between 66 and 75 mph (106 and 121 km/h), it is necessary to increase their cold inflation pressure by 10 psi (69 kPa) above the recommended pressure for the rated maximum load.

Great info. Thanks!

 

[ViperVetteGuy]

I would go 28 ft