Trailer Recommendations

[David G.]

I am shopping for an enclosed, aluminum trailer for my 67 Coupe and 78 Pacecar.
Is anyone using a Featherlite 4926 or Haulmark RT Lite? Is 24ft inside length what I should be looking for? (don't plan on using cabinets etc) What is best tie down system to use? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

[Warren F.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

David: I use the Featherlite 4926 model in 20ft length. I hauled my '71 LS6 'vette approximately 15,800 miles in 2001 with absolutely no problems. The stock D rings in the trailer work excellent in their current location. I recently purchased a larger Featherlite with living quarters so that traveling with the car is economically a bit easier.

[Dave S.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

Dave,

I decided on the all aluminum Trailex. They will make it to your needs and at 1600 lbs. it pulls perfectly. 1600 miles each way to Florida towing w/ a Jeep Cherokee was a breeze. I'd give it serious consideration. Good Luck w/ the search.

[Warren F.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

David: The Featherlite 20ft model 4926 in V nose format will give you approximately 4 ft in front of the '78 and 2ft behind it when tied down in this size trailer and I believe it weighs empty 3300 lbs. Cost was $9912.00 in 2001 here in California. Wonderfully built trailer and the height of trailer is low, with ramp door down, easy to drive in. With your '78, exiting will be easier as the T top is unlatched laid on top of other, door will only open partially and must climb out by using door sill and steping on inner wheel well. Not sure how exiting with midyear will be, I would guess a bit more difficult, have never tried.

[Jerry S.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

I use the top of the line Haulmark 20 foot trailer. Suggest you get the heavy wight tires and ring tie downs front and rear. For a few dollars more you get the wide side door exit so room is available to exit your car. Also suggest you get vinyl on the walls and floor so everything cleans up nice. We paid $7200.00 after looking around a little. In fact we bought the trailer on line.

[Don S.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

David--

I recently had a bunch of posts re this subject. If you look up current archives you will see them. I had problems with the trailer gvw specs. They supplied 7000 pound axles (2*3500)Thre trailer weight was 3880 and the car weight was 3342 eqals total 7222 which was illegal from the get-go. I had them keep the one they custom ordered for me and order a new one.(after a big fight and for the same price and with 10400 lb axles (2 * 5200). Your 78 weighs 3572 lbs so be sure you get the correct axles and tires.The one I ordered was a haulmark 24 ft. with cupboards but I confess that I do not know the ideal length to order..
Don Steele

[Don S.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

David--
The advice re extra door is good . The cost is not too much and you then get two doors. mine are 48 inches wide and make opening the side door of the vette easier for exiting. You still get the door near the front on the other side. The trailer people said that the door still may not open in the vette because it is so low to the ground and may not clear the wheel projections but this could be corrected by putting in a couple of removable lengths of lumber.
Don Steele

[Jean C.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

Dave, whichever trailer you wind up with, you may want to spring for an electric winch to pull the car into the trailer.
Charlie

[Zachary K.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

I agree with Dave. I purchased mine in 2000, hauled quite a few times, including across country to the Monterey National. What a pleasure. I towed with a 350 cu. in. 1500 Series Short bed Pickup. No stabilizers and problem with swaying while either passing large trucks or while they are passing you. They will build to suit your needs, and have a variety of options that you can include. I looked at trailers for 2 to 3 years before deciding on Trailex and am very happy I did. Good Luck.

[mike cobine]

Very good point on weight

David,
Don brings up a good point, one which most overlook. Enclosed trailers are heavy, more than most think. So be sure you not only have enough GVWR to cover the car and empty trailer, but the dozens of things you are likely to include on each trip.

While most think only of the car, you should think of much more, such as:
- lawn chairs
- coolers
- dining fly, canopy
- trailer awning
- tool box (ever weigh yours?)
- cleaning supplies
- spare tires

The disadvantage of a big enclosed trailer is that you tend to fill up that big empty space in front of the car. You see nice trailers at shows and events with cabinets and shelves and you realize they would be nice - a great place to store lots of items. You realize instead of carrying loose items in the tow vehicle, you can put them in the trailer and have a nice, neat clean car or truck to ride in.

That all costs in many, many pounds of extra weight.

An enclosed trailer with an 8000 lb GVWR is only good for formula cars for racing or people who haul with a crew cab duelly who remember to put everything in the truck.

And the closer you get to the GVWR for your normal load, the more likely you are to have a hauling failure.

[Michael S.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

You can use as short as an 18 foot enclosed trailer for a Corvette. You will also be able to haul your 78 Corvette. Just in case you want to haul something else, a 70-72 Monte Carlo and Chevelle will also fit in an 18 ft. trailer. The Monte Carlo just barely. Buy high end used if possible. You can usually get a deal from someone who needs to sell and never used the trailer much.

A 20 foot is probably your best bet. For resale, a 24 foot trailer is by far the easiest to sell used. A racer will be a 24 foot, they will pass on a 20 foot as there is not enough room for all the crap racers "think" they need. An 18 foot is a tough sale except to a show car guy. Also get at least 10,000 lbs axles on ANY trailer you purchase. Bigger is better with axles as the brakes also get bigger and better. Also, I like a lower ceiling (6 foot max) so the trailer has a lower profile going down the road. Since you are not racing out of the trailer, why have a tall air grabber. I vintage road race out of my 18 foot trailer with a Shelby GT-350. The extras for the car end up in the bed of the crew cab.

My 18 foot trailer has polished stainless steel front,sides and ramp door, extruded aluminum frame with a oak hardwood floor. It's 14 years old and looks as good as the day it was new. It also "always" sits outside! That stainless steel is great for looks and longevity. I purchased when it was 3 years old for a steal. The original owner paid $16,000 in 1990!

There are deals out there if you look. Don't rule out a used high end trailer. The price of new high end trailers has dropped a lot in the last 5 years. That makes used ones even more affordable.

Check with the Nascar boys in North Carolina. There are several companies who do nothing but travel and do the show car thing for the race teams. They are no coming off the road and you can sometimes get a "whale of a deal" for one of the show car trailers. They usually have tag and 5th wheel trailers available. They are darn near ALWAYS Featherlite trailers as Featherlite is a series sponsor.

By the way, that Trailex trailer is a nice compact rig for a show car and it's easy to pull with darn near anything.

Mike Strinich
#11202

[Chuck L.]

Re: Trailer Recommendations

You may want to look into Hillsboro Industries in Hillsboro Kansas if money is not an object. They make the best car haulers out there, bar none, and it will last forever. It will cost you at least $17,000 with all you would need for a 20' trailer, but they are the best!

[Tracy C.]

#14 just uses cases of beer..no tiedowns *NM*