Enclosed Car Hauler advice

[Jim S.]

I'm planning on purchasing an enclosed trailer soon to regularly transport a C-2 or a C-3 between Ohio and Florida. Maybe 2500 to 3500 miles a year. I have reserched the archives and already determined what specs I need. I have a Pace, Wells Cargo and Featherlite dealer within 50 miles of here.

I know Featherlites reputation for quaility but does anyone have knowledge of issues with a Pace or Wells Cargo. Is the Featherlite worth the additional $5000.00 for the same features. I plan on making this a once in a lifetime purchase.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

I purchased an enclosed Beige 24ft beaver tail Haulmark 10,000# axle weight about 1 yr ago. Don't purchase the #3500 axles. You immediately will be fully loaded or more and only have load range C tires.
I got a quote from a dealer in KY south of Louisville that advertises on the web. I took that quote to my local Haulmark dealer and they reluctantly matched it. I saved about $1400. I bought it for $8305. I picked it up at the factory saving delivery costs. It has aluminum wheels, load range D tires, spare tire mounted inside, finished ceiling and walls, checker board linoleum floor, 2 ceiling lights, 2 additional lights at floor level to see under the car for tiedown at night, rear loading light, 2 roof vents, (1 powered) 2 salem vents, Stone guard on front, additional side markers tied into the turn signals Chrome trim around rear door and front corners, 48" pedestrian door.
I elected to forego the Driver side escape door, which typically is too high to clear the car door, in favor of a winch to get the car in & out. The advantage is if you have a car or anything that isn't running you can still get it into the trailer using the winch. The costs are about the same.. door or winch. Winch size is #4000. Works great! A friend, who has a trailer with escape door, recently needed to bring home a dead car. Guess what, the winch worked great

[Joseph T.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

I opted for the 24 foot haulmark with #3500 axles and would in hindsight prefer the heavier 6 bolt axles...for safety.

The 24 foot does the job..but I find it is much bigger then necessary for a Corvette. If your planning to use your trailer exclusivley for a particular car and not for carrying extra equipment, parts, tires etc..

Then..pulling a smaller trailer makes life a lot easier...travelling, parking, fuel economy, wear and tear on the tow vehicle etc.

If buying again..I would buy a higher quality smaller trailer custom fit to the car I want to haul and add all the extras... Winch, side door, track tie downs, extra lights, power jack,spare tire and mount, weight distribution hitch, anti sway bars, 4 to 6 ratchet tie down straps, 4 axle straps or tire nets etc.

You either need a side escape door..or be able to open your doors over the inside trailer wheel fenders.

$8000 should put you into a very nicely equipped new trailer to fit your needs.

Good luck and take your time..it is a very important purchase!

Joe

[William C.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Along with the larger axle package (at least with Pace) come larger tires and larger BRAKES. Makes the heavier axle package an even better buy for the money.

[Gary C.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Let's not forgot at least a 3 foot tongue draw (length from the hitch to the nose of the trailer). This will help alot with swaying from semi's and cross winds. Also, a 10,000 equalizer hitch with anti sway bar is a safety must. Additionally, a 3/4 ton tow vehicle provides best safety with a stronger suspension and frame. If it's a pickup, overload camper springs are still available as an option.

On the side excape door clearance, believe you can special order the trailer to provide provide clearance. If you need to know the height which will clear a C4 door, e-mail me and will measure my Wells Cargo. Good luck, Gary....

[Joseph T.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

The longer tongue will also allow you to open the hatchback or cargo doors on the back of your vehicle.

Joe

[Harmon C.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

If you want to run with the big trucks get a dually diesel with a fifth wheel trailor. No sway at any legal or illegal speed and no slowing down going up hill. $80,000 for tow equiptment may be cheap insurance for your body and your Corvette. Their is a wreck about every year in the NCRS from towing so buy the best you can afford and drive it safely.

Lyle

[John D.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Lyle and others, I have tried various versions of GMCs for towing. Now have the best set up. 2500 series w/6.0 and 4.10 rear end. Runs up and down the mountains with the big trucks. Keeps up with the diesels. But doesn't pass many gas stations. Brute torque on the mts of WVA and VA. Trick is to get rid of OEM tires and go with E rated Dunlops. Rides smooth. Trailers:3500 lb axles too small. Remember guys to change your trailer tires often. Notice how they crack big time? I see lots of trailer accidents all over the interstates-most because of blow outsand high speed. Ever wonder why guys have to go 80 towing their expensive toy inside? Keep trailer tires fresh and maximum air pressure. Maintain the axles and brakes. Ever hear all the clicking sounds from trailers going by you say at a show parking lot. Means they broke a shoe spring. Had Dexter axles 3500# on vendor trailers. Kept breaking little springs. Then replaced all with new stuff and haven't had any trouble since. Next trailer will have 10,000# axles. Like Clupper said. Use the equalizer bars big time. REally smooths out the ride.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

I recently bought a Thule 20' V nose all aluminum trailer. Yes they are a little on the expensive side but they are built very well.It weighs a little over 2500 lbs. with a GVW of 7500 lbs. My cars weighs 3200 with give you about 1800 lbs. of cargo. As a comparison I used the Featherlite, and to me it seemed like you get more for your money in the Thule. It's equipt with rear ramp, man door, side escape door,finished interior,cabinets in V (aluminum),LED lights,rear entry lights,side marker lights,roof vent, stone guard,and chrome sides. I also had the electric tounge jack installed along with weight distribution bars and the sway brake. My dealer said that it was way over kill but as you guys have mentioned safety is most important. With all the bells and whistles it cost 13k. Maybe you saw it in Carlisle, I also installed a laminate wood floor. Hope this gives you another choice. Kevin

[Michael S.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Go buy a high end (expensive when new) used trailer instead of new cheap trailer. There are lot's of nice, top of the line, used trailers on the market. You will still pay at least what a cheap trailer costs new or a little more but have a MUCH better piece of equipment.

You can buy a nice used Featherlite or other highline trailer for the price of a junk new Pace/Interstate/Wells Cargo etc. Let's face it, most people use their trailer very little on the road so wear or use should be minimal. The enclosed trailer becomes an extra garage for most people. High end trailers age/weather much better than the cheap trailers. Go look at the cheap trailers when they are 1 year old. The aluminum sides look like a wash board with rusted fasteners and the finish/paint/fiberglass has faded and looks bad. Cheap price new equals crappy looking 1 year old trailer!

My enclosed trailer was built in 1989 by Trailer World Bowling Green KY when Richard was actually building his own "Super Duty" line of trailers. The trailer has an extruded aluminum structure with complete "Stainless Steel" exterior sides and a 1 1/2 inch oak hardwood floor. Sticker price was $16,000 in 1989. I purchased/stole this trailer in 1993 for $6000. The trailer still looks like it did 16 years ago. The stainless steel sides still look new and the trailer pulls like new. The trailer has ALWAYS been stored outside!

If you are "truly" going to make this a once in lifetime purchase, buy a HIGH LINE TRAILER USED!!!

[Dick W.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Want ya money back Mike? My '84 Feldman (Trailer World) still looks good, and it very serviceable (pulled it to the San Antonio Convention) but I would like a shorter trailer.

[Michael S.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Dick,

Is it not amazing how long a well built piece of equipment will last?

[Dick W.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

We sat down the other day and figured that my trailer has 250,000 + miles on it. And the way it was overloaded most of the time. Heck of a good trailer. Only trailer on the market to compete with it today is the Goldrush, which Richard Feldman told me was the only real competitor he had in the class of trailer he built.

[Michael S.]

Re: Enclosed Car Hauler advice

Your and my experiences with well built highline trailers kinda supports my point about buying a new or used highline/highend trailer in the first place instead of that Pace/Haulmark crap most people "invest in". Hardly and investment but definetely an expense. Buy good equipment to meet your needs ONCE and use it for years!!!