It looks like I am going to be building another car for trackdays and SOLO 2 competition, as well as possibly building a trail rig for off road use. Natrually, I am going to need to be able to tow these vehicles to events.

Let me throw some information out there to help you better understand what my needs/wants are in this trailer.

Tow vehicle:
-2006 F150 XLT, 4x4, 5.4L, Suber Cab/6.5' bed, 145" wheel base, currently has 3.55 gears and 35" tires (but soon to be regeared to 4.88)
-Teconsha P3 brake controller installed

The car I am building is a '72 Datsun 510, which is a light car. When everything is said and done, the Datsun should weigh no more than 2,500 pounds, but I plan to add an additional 200 pounds or so in tools and spare parts. Naturally, with the Datsun being small in stature and weight, it is not going to be very picky about what trailer I get... pretty much any of them would carry it. The trail vehicle I am looking to build is also not likely to be very large. I am thinking something in the Bronco II, Ranger, Toyota pickup or Jeep Wrangler size category. With mods, this vehicle should weigh no more than 4,000 pounds.

Okay, so I need a trailer that is strong enough to carry up to 4,500 pounds of vehicle (this is probably higher than I actually need, but better safe than sorry) and that will accomodate a small-medium sized vehicle. With that said, I also need to make sure that the trailer isn't so large that my F150 can't safely tow it to the track or trail with a car on the deck.

So far I've looked at two trailers, one is a 16' Big Tex 60CH and the other was a Featherlite 3110 in the 17.5' size. There is a huge price difference in the trailers, as one is a simple steel/wood construction and the other is all aluminum. In all reality, I am not looking to show-off or have the most awesome looking trailer... as long as it works.

I almost prefer a steel trailer because it would be a lot easier for me to upfit my own accessories than it would be on an aluminum trailer (I don't own a TIG welder, just a MIG and an Arc). I don't think I would go crazy accessorizing the trailer, but I would add a few things to make it better suit my needs.

What other trailers are out there? I just went to the trailer dealer down the street, so I am sure there are others. I know Big Tex is considered a cheaper company, but our motorcycle trailer (Big Tex 29SA) has been great to us and tows very nicely. Am I overlooking anything major?

 

A tandem axle car hauler with 2-3.5k axles will certainly haul 4500lbs.
Your trailer load weight will be close to 7k with either a steel frame wood deck trailer or an aluminum trailer.

Most people think the aluminum wil be lighter, but after adding enough aluminum to equal the strength of the steel and the weight will usually be withing 100 lbs.

Big Tex as well as Featherlite are both good brands. In my opinion the Featherlite is overpriced though. They make a good product but price it like an outstanding product.

Just about every small town between Kansas City,KS and Houston,TX has a trailer manufacturer. Some will be made well and others need to be steered clear of. Usually the lesser name makes will be significanly less expensive.
Besides Big Tex the other most popular manufacturer's are PJ and Load Trail.

Some California manufacturer's like Diamond C seem to cut corners like painting the trailer after decking, looks sloppy and parts of the frame can't be painted because they are covered. This is from pictures I have seen with no 1st hand experience.

A 16-18' car hauler with brakes on both axles, slide-a-way ramps, break-a-way system, enclosed wiring harness (not loose wires ran on frame), correct DOT lighting, new 15" tires/wheels should retail for no more than $2400 delivered in.

Additional features it should have are E-Z-Lube axles, radial tires, pressure treated wood, spare tire carrier.

Higher quality trailers will have flush mount sealed beam lights or LED lighting so you can't break the lighting.

Big Tex installs brakes only on 1 axle, non-pressure treated pine board for a deck and non-flush mount lighting that is prone to breakage.

Long story short....
Don't get stuck on a brand name.
There are usually better trailers for less money than the "Big" boys.

Here's a manufacturer out of the small town of Marysville KS. Fastline.
Good product, good people and a good price.
http://www.fastlinetrailers.com/car.html
Notice the higher quality features I mentioned without the BIG price.
Retail is under $2400

If you are still unsure, go visit a trailer repair center, befriend the service manager, buy them a drink and ask him if there is any local decent brands that are priced well. I guarantee they will know what to stay away from in local brands.

 

These guys are in my town (Bakersfield) and have a good local reputation. Lots of farmers and oilfields using their trailers, and their site says they have car trailers, too, even though not featured on the website.

http://brockstrailersinc.com/

 

I have a 14' Big Tex 60CH that I use for my off road rig. My F-150 seems to tow it fine. Trailer is about 1500# or less and the Explorer is about 5200# or so. So I say get the Big Tex.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I noticed on the Big Tex that a lot of the nicer options it had were options... like brakes on both axles and the spare tire/carrier. I honestly didn't care for the Featherlite on acount of its "made of gold" price tag.

I'll keep looking around (I'm still a ways off from buying).

 

You don't really need brakes on both axles, unless you doing alot of hills. Also you can get a spare tire carrier cheap for it. Infact I just leave mine on the trailer, and then throw it in the bed of my truck when towing. Also maybe look for a used one for cheap. I got mine for $800 bucks. needed new tires, and need the deck replaced, but those are still cheaper then a new trailer.

 

I will be towing in a lot of hills, so having the extra brakes would be a welcome addition. Like I said, I've been happy with my Big Tex cargo trailer but am open to others too.

I'll keep looking around on the local Craigslist and other places to see if a killer deal comes up used.

 

Look closely at the weights of these trailers.
Some are as much as 3400#'s empty with double c-channel frames, while others will only have an angle iron frame that flex a lot and rely on the decking for it's support and can weigh as little as 1000#'s. (Some only have an angle iron tongue as well)



Also depending on the states you might be towing in it may be a legal requirement.

In Colorado, if you have a 2 or more axles on a trailer, no matter the weight rating it is required to have brakes on all axles.

Also in Colorado, single axle trailers used commercially are also required to have brakes.

I can't even begin to tell you how many trailers are not legal here......
Well, at least most trailer Colorado violations are only $500 fines per offence.
But $500 for no brakes on a second axle, $500 for no emergency break-a-way, $500 for improper lighting and the cheaply made trailer can easily cost you $1500 on a traffic stop.

 

Yeah, and that $1,500 could have been spent on a nicer trailer that is legal to start with!