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trailer suggestions?

Mark T-TB

Mark T-TB

Car Crazy from birth
Well - if we're gonna go to the T/A Nats for the 25-year event- we are gonna need a bigger trailer.
I've been towing the Tiger around for 20+ years using this mildly customized open trailer and a succession of tow vehicles with good success. Two things that I really like here are the tie-down access (can sit on the ground and reach up in there easily) plus the pull-out ramps (no lifting/carrying).
I am seriously considering a new trailer that could carry any of our cars, the largest/heaviest of which is our 65 T-bird at 204" long :rolleyes: and nearly 4700 # :eeks:
I have been admiring the aluminum trailers the last few years, but not sure about the solid deck and the ramps. Also not sure of length needed. Price is a factor, but hopefully not the only one. I don't think that I am ready to go to enclosed(?)
We are currently using an E250 for our tow vehicle (this photo is a few years old).
4UlOw6X.jpg

Any suggestions, feedback, comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,
 
I bought this trailer back in 2005 for $2800 new at Terrys Trailer in OK. I thought I had a pic of the dove tail cut out, which is similar to yours so you can get under it at the rear easily, but I can't find but only this pic. I'll snap one tomorrow while at the TX Buick Nats if you need one. Pulls great, has electric brakes, has the tall metal rock guard up front. Has low profile wheels and fenders, I can even drive the TTA right up on it without using blocks etc and nothing scrapes, can also open the doors of the car, even the TTA, without hitting the fenders as they are so low. Trailer is all steel. I used to pull the GN with a '94 Chevy 1500 ext cab, pulled fine. But google trailer dove tail, that is what you are looking for to access the rear easily.
 
If you can afford it aluminum is the way to go but they are more than i wanted to pay, on the other hand you can buy a steel one around here for about $2000 w/elec. brakes but you would have to fab or buy a stoneguard and i can open the doors as well.
 
Cool Viper Truck! What can they tow? I never looked into it, but I always figured they were weak (ratings) tow vehicles like the lightnings?
I had an enclosed for a few years and i absoluty loved it. The open trailers are easier to deal with that's for sure. i'd go alluminum if I was looking today. maybe one with a tilt bed.
KID
 
We have an 18 ft HD steel with diamond plate, electric brakes, etc. It tows well and is rated pretty heavy. We have had backhoes, tractors, etc on it. Its getting up there in the years, it needs blasted and painted, have replaced the tires once. We have hauled a lot of cars on it also. I think we payed around $1200 for it new. We tow with a 4 WD Silverado half ton, long bed, extended cab.

Heres a picture of it getting ready to leave the TA Nats in 2012.
 
kidsixpack said:
Cool Viper Truck! What can they tow? I never looked into it, but I always figured they were weak (ratings) tow vehicles like the lightnings?
Click to expand...
It tows like a dream. The Lightnings have to be under boost to make big power. The SRT10 makes big power starting at 2000 rpms. Taking off from a dead stop pulling the GN, it will still shift to 4th gear if not in tow mode at 2200 rpms and around 45 mph and will keep pulling all the way up to 75 mph without needing to go down to 3rd. Suspension is stiff enough you don't get much bounce with the trailer either. If not careful you are hitting 80mph with the trailer and car in tow not realizing it. It's towed the TTA home when I bought it across country, pull the TTA up to the Ohio TTA reunion and back, and many times to the race track.
The V10 motor was originally designed to be put in a truck, just never made it there back when Dodge was coming out with all of the eclictic cars like the Prowler and Viper to change the Dodge image.

Here a pic of the dove tail on the trailer:
 
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2QUIK6 said:
It tows like a dream. The Lightnings have to be under boost to make big power. The SRT10 makes big power starting at 2000 rpms. Taking off from a dead stop pulling the GN, it will still shift to 4th gear if not in tow mode at 2200 rpms and around 45 mph and will keep pulling all the way up to 75 mph without needing to go down to 3rd. Suspension is stiff enough you don't get much bounce with the trailer either. If not careful you are hitting 80mph with the trailer and car in tow not realizing it. It's towed the TTA home when I bought it across country, pull the TTA up to the Ohio TTA reunion and back, and many times to the race track.
The V10 motor was originally designed to be put in a truck, just never made it there back when Dodge was coming out with all of the eclictic cars like the Prowler and Viper to change the Dodge image.

Here a pic of the dove tail on the trailer:
Click to expand...
They did make the ram with the V10 a while back. It was quite a workhorse. Sounds like it will really work ok for pulling the toys. After they installed the Viper Motor in the truck I just never really considered it a work horse because it is such a good performer.
Cool Stuff!
KID
 
Thanks for the info.
I am trying to scope out my options...
Rob - that looks like a nice set-up. I could only wish for that kinda towing power :eeks: from our van (2003 w/5.4 - 2V).

The "name brand" aluminum trailers are more $$ than I was expecting, but do offer those couple of advantages. I try to spend a lot of time deciding on these things so that I don't regret it a year down the road (paralysis by analysis? :bash:). We usually only tow maybe 2 or 3 times a year.
 
I rent aluminum that's whole flat bed tilts to make loading easy for TA's, I install winch I rent from them. It has box in front to carry it with chains or straps etc. Easy tie downs already installed. Great trailer. $41.50 a day. Never had a problem. RT 12 Rental Arlington heights IL
 
trailer solution

... and now for "the rest of the story":
I decided to stay with "what I know"... bought an open deck steel trailer from the same NJ (local to us) manufacturer. Added my [same design as old trailer] custom hinged stoneguard, everything was completed just a few days before we left for the TA Nats. All went well, and I am pleased with the new set-up.
Here is a pic of our "rig" ready to depart the Holiday Inn in Dayton.
Thanks again to everyone that chimed in :thumbup:
138FHQQl.jpg


Next up is a trip with our other "Bird" in October, we'll see how it goes with a 4700 lb. car aboard :eek:
 
Thanks.
The stoneguard looks a little "high" with the TTA, however it seems just about right for our '65 T-bird.
 
I like the 17ft featherlights you can also get 24 footers both have removable fenders on both sides

never know when this will happen !




 
tta299 said:
I like the 17ft featherlights you can also get 24 footers both have removable fenders on both sides

never know when this will happen !




Click to expand...
Hell yeah, i'll give you 2k for the trailer and won't even hear it run..:cheers: seriously that is the way to go.
 
TTA984 said:
No joke, enclosed would be nice. Keeping the car away from road debris and the elements!
Click to expand...

Agreed. Had a chance on a real nice 24 ft enclosed with a finished interior, shade awning, nice set up. Didnt work out.

I know if I had one, I would take my cars to a lot more events.:cool1:
 
I don't like enclosed harder to load and u cant see 1/2 as much backing or hauling... I can use a 24ft anytime I want ... I refuse to... unless u are skinny as a rail an do the dukes of Hazzard thing
 
I looked at used and new enclosed. I wasn't to impressed with the new ones I was looking at for 8-9k. So I decided to look at used. Thought I found a deal so I picked it up. Went to alter a few things and realized it wasn't that good of a deal. Gutted the entire inside what unexpected kick in the pants. Major learning experience to say the least. Luckily I have a good friend that bulids truck bodies and I've been able to get help and supplies at a good price. Almost done as I need it for the GS Nationals.
 
TTA984 said:
No joke, enclosed would be nice. Keeping the car away from road debris and the elements!
Click to expand...

That would be sweet. We've been to quite a few events over the years (including the 2014 TA Nats) where the rains were nasty, and bringing your own garage would be very helpful.
I thought pretty hard about this. For our 2 or 3 road-trips a year, I hope that I'll be happy for the foreseeable future.
Enclosed trailer with a 4700# car (our 65 T-bird) goes above the 7500# wt, then you are into heavier axles, etc, etc. (unless you have the $$ for alum, which I could not justify). Our current (and hopefully for many years) E250 Rollx conversion van tow vehicle maxed out at 7500# trailer load.
I also hate to store things outside, and can't fit a tall trailer in my pole barn.
 
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