Enclosed car trailers

[Dick G.]

I am considering purchasing an enclosed car trailer. My 65 vert will hopefully get judged this summer. I have a Tommy all-aluminum flatbed trailer which is an excellent flatbed trailer. My tow vehicle would be my 97 1/2 ton x-cab pickup with 25K miles with the vortec. I will not buy a new truck to haul the trailer with the vette inside. I suppose I could drive her to the the event. paintchips? What size do some of you use to haul 1 old vette? All-aluminum is preferable but too pricey for the little bit of hauling I would be doing. Anyone? Thanks DG

[John M.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick,

I think that a 20 foot trailer is just about ideal. Anything more is just wasted space, and anything less is just too damn tight! I agree on the aluminum, it would sure drive the price of the trailer up a bunch

Regards, John McGraw

[Bill S.]

Re: damage in one trip?

how many paint chips can one trip get? don't you get driving points? i drove mine all last summer in VT and live on a dirt rd. didn't notice any chips. if it is for driving if not trailer it. i personally think the main reason to own it is to drive it, thats what makes it all worth it.

[Gary C.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers - check archives

Dick, check the archives, there's been lots of info in previous posts about trailers. Personally, I have a low profile Wells Cargo, with nose cone and it tows like a dream. Make sure whatever you purchase has a 3 ft long tongue on it. Shorter tongues cause a sway coupling affect and impact backing/turning radius. Good luck, Gary....

[Robert Willis]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

I was told to buy a 24 footer. The resale is better on them as race car guys will buy them because they can put a work bench in front of their car or use the room for spare parts-engine etc. A 20ft is all you need but keep in mind a future sale.

Bob

[Terry D.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

I agree with Bill, they were built to be driven, more fun that way too. And besides you'll love all the people looking as you go buy.
Terry

[Harmon C.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick
I have seen some nice tops and sides added to open trailors that look good. If you have a good front on your flatbed it stops most stone chips. If you search for a used aluminum enclosed trailor you could save some bucks also.

Lyle

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick,

IMHO a 1/2 ton truck is too small for this job. My towing experience has been limited but all advice I've received has been 3/4 ton minimum.

[Edward Boyd]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Let's see now: You buy a 24' trailer because you've been told that the resale value is better. You use this trailer for perhaps 10 years cursing the extra 4' you don't need every time you try to maneuver in a tight spot. At the end of the time when your interests have changed or you finally decide to get a trailer that fits your needs you sell the 24' for what - $50 or $100 more? Something diesn't add up here. Purchase what you now need and want, don't obsess about some illusory future resale value. Life and the good health to enjoy it is too short to worry about a few dollars many years down the road.

[Warren F.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick,

I have 2 enclosed trailers, both all aluminum Featherlite models. One is a 20ft, the other 34ft. The 20ft has plenty of room in front and back of the car, since it is only 15'2" in length. The smaller trailer, model 4921 has an arrow nose and actually has more than 20ft of cargo space. My cars are driven, but they are trailered as well. The larger trailer is actually 42ft in length, having 21ft cargo area and 19ft living area. Both tow extremely well, as I have put over 20,000 miles on the two trailers since 2000.

[Ray G.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Hello DG;
I'm No expert.
My experinece has been aluminum opens with 36" high air dams work well.
20' enclosed, have room enough for a Suburban, for trips to judge meets.
While steel trailers are 60% of aluminum they pull much harder(especially w/ a half ton truck)
The aluminum (except the bolt together models) have always returned the original cost(keep in new condition)
Anything longer then 20' needs heavier tow vehicle to absorb cross winds.
Hope that helps.
Ray Geiger

[Bill S.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

put a stone guaurd on the open traler you own and a good cover on the car. what can happen after that? because you implied that you considered driving it, but were concerned of damage before judging then this will solve it. if she is destined to be a show car only, then invest in the trailer and upgrade the truck next. you can fix alot of road use when you add up the cost maintanance gas milage and depreciation. unless its a tax write off with your business it is costly. you will not want to make a habit of towing an enclosed trailer with that truck. if you get a 24' then get a fith wheel. just my thoughts. i plan of driving mine 450 plus miles to have it judged this year and will love every mile as i have taken many road trips with a 66 427 and a 70 Lt1. if they are prepared correctly they are fun to drive.

[Jim S.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Dick
I asked the same question here about a year ago and opinions were quite varied. What I did get out of the responses was to purchase the best quality trailer you can afford and buy what you need, not what you think the next owner will need.
I ended up with a 20' Featherlite and it tows well behind my 99 F150 with a 4.6. I pulled it from Florida to Ohio and back when I picked up my 69 project. Strained a little in the mountains but otherwise pulled better than expected. I will definitely upgrade to a 3/4 ton truck at trade time.
I have used the trailer a dozen times but only once to haul a Corvette. It is great to have around to move the kids and haul anything you want plus being aluminum it won't rust. Also works at storing items and keeping the garage less cluttered as I work on the Vettes.

[John M.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

I had a 5.7L Tahoe and now a 5.3L Silverado and those things pull 18 ft steel open trailer and Corvette like it isn't even there. Not quite, but those engines have all you need.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Enclosed car trailers

Bill,

I think any type of cover on a car that is transported on an open trailer is a BAD idea. This would be no different that a car sitting stationary in a 70 MPH wind storm. The cover will wear through the paint at all contact points.

tc