Trailer

[piper_chuck]

It's becoming painfully clear that I may need to fork up some $ for a trailer. I currently abscond with the wife's minivan for races and I could tow something with it, but ideally, I'd like to find something small that I can pull behind my Chrysler Sebring. The car gets better mileage and my wife wouldn't have to haul two kids in my two door convertible while I'm off playing for the weekend.

I typically bring 4 to 5 boats to a race (RTRs, .21 tunnels, 36" Sprintcat, Sport 40, 60.80 Roadrunner, and soon a 1/8 scale and a gas Whiplash), along with a bunch of support stuff such as tables, E-ZUP, tools, spare parts, etc. I've found a few second hand 4x6 trailers locally that look like they would hold all my stuff. Their low height would be less drag on the Sebring than something taller, but I wonder if the low inside height, typically four feet or less, would make them awkward to use?

I'm not looking for something I can walk inside, just something to haul my boats to the races. Does anyone have experience using smaller trailers? Is it realistic to consider one, or does the low height make them more trouble than they're worth?

 

[moparbarn]

i've considered the same thing, chuck. the weimer's use a trailer similar to what you're considering. seems to work well for them. the only thing i'd like is a side door on the front end, for access. to carry all my stuff, i lose the back seat in my van. this means 2 vehicles, if the family wants to come.

 

[HTV Boats]

Only draw back for me when I used to pull a light 4X6 trailer years ago was bouncing down the road I used to have a lot of things come loose on my boats. Height will be a big factor in mileage. I use a 7X12 now that is a walk in (6'6" ceiling) and it really catches wind. Pulls my Pathfinder down to 11mpg and even my sons Dodge diesel goes down to 12 or 13. Not good as it weighs less than the ski-boat that we get 15 mpg pulling. At the end of the day for a few bucks more in fuel it's nice to have all my tools and work area enclosed. You can always buy bigger but once your there it is hard to downsize.

 

[moparbarn]

good thoughts mic, but with a smaller car & engine combo, the taller trailer could be a transmission killer...........cars & minivans aren't really designed for towing & it doesn't take much to hurt them. i work at a honda/suzuki/vw/izusu dealership - we see it all the time. a trans cooler & frequent trans service would be mandatory, imho.

 

[piper_chuck]

good thoughts mic, but with a smaller car & engine combo, the taller trailer could be a transmission killer...........cars & minivans aren't really designed for towing & it doesn't take much to hurt them. i work at a honda/suzuki/vw/izusu dealership - we see it all the time. a trans cooler & frequent trans service would be mandatory, imho.

That's definitely a concern. The minivan would be up to the task of a bigger trailer. If I add a cooler, the towing capacity goes up to something like 5,000 pounds. I've already added a class III hitch to it. OTOH, the Sebring will always be limited to 1,500 pounds. If I'm going to tow with it, I think it has to be fairly short, height wise, and not very heavy.

 

[piper_chuck]

Only draw back for me when I used to pull a light 4X6 trailer years ago was bouncing down the road I used to have a lot of things come loose on my boats. Height will be a big factor in mileage. I use a 7X12 now that is a walk in (6'6" ceiling) and it really catches wind. Pulls my Pathfinder down to 11mpg and even my sons Dodge diesel goes down to 12 or 13. Not good as it weighs less than the ski-boat that we get 15 mpg pulling. At the end of the day for a few bucks more in fuel it's nice to have all my tools and work area enclosed. You can always buy bigger but once your there it is hard to downsize.

So, bouncing is an issue? I wonder if any of the fairly new ones have decent suspension systems? I hear you on being able to setup shop inside. I'd like to be able to do that, but I think anything tall enough to walk in is going to be too heavy and too much drag for the Sebring. At least initially, I'd like to try to find something that can be towed with it.

 

[piper_chuck]

i've considered the same thing, chuck. the weimer's use a trailer similar to what you're considering. seems to work well for them. the only thing i'd like is a side door on the front end, for access. to carry all my stuff, i lose the back seat in my van. this means 2 vehicles, if the family wants to come.

Seat space is the problem I have too. You saw what happened at Delmarva, I ended up having to leave boats home because there was too little space.

 

[Don Ferrette]

Only draw back for me when I used to pull a light 4X6 trailer years ago was bouncing down the road I used to have a lot of things come loose on my boats. Height will be a big factor in mileage. I use a 7X12 now that is a walk in (6'6" ceiling) and it really catches wind. Pulls my Pathfinder down to 11mpg and even my sons Dodge diesel goes down to 12 or 13. Not good as it weighs less than the ski-boat that we get 15 mpg pulling. At the end of the day for a few bucks more in fuel it's nice to have all my tools and work area enclosed. You can always buy bigger but once your there it is hard to downsize.

So, bouncing is an issue? I wonder if any of the fairly new ones have decent suspension systems? I hear you on being able to setup shop inside. I'd like to be able to do that, but I think anything tall enough to walk in is going to be too heavy and too much drag for the Sebring. At least initially, I'd like to try to find something that can be towed with it.

Torsion axle suspension helps here big time vs. leaf spring. Also inflate trailer tires based on the load. If you are carrying say 1/2 of the rated capacity, you don't need to run the tires at the max. pressure rating.

Terry Keeley needs to chime in here, he's got a neat little trailer. B)

 

[Terry Keeley]

I like my little 4x6 Fruehauf made in the early 80's, got mine from Ron VanWagnen, they come up on e-Bay once and a while:

I carry 3 boats and all my gear, packed pretty tight though as you can see...

 

[Ron Zaker Jr]

I like my little 4x6 Fruehauf made in the early 80's, got mine from Ron VanWagnen, they come up on e-Bay once and a while:

I carry 3 boats and all my gear, packed pretty tight though as you can see...

Hey Keeley,

I see the trailer rims match the car. hahahahahahaahah

Ron Jr

 

[piper_chuck]

Thanks Don and Terry. I like that one, it looks taller than the ones I've seen so far. Hadn't thought of eBay, I've been shopping Craigslist so far. I'm not opposed to an older on that might need a bit of freshening up.

Keep the ideas coming, I'm heading home and then I'm off for my first group ride in about 12 years (Don will understand) and will check in later.

 

[Terry Keeley]

I like my little 4x6 Fruehauf made in the early 80's, got mine from Ron VanWagnen, they come up on e-Bay once and a while:I carry 3 boats and all my gear, packed pretty tight though as you can see...

Hey Keeley,

I see the trailer rims match the car. hahahahahahaahah

Ron Jr

LOL! You know it man!

 

[waltr]

Terry,

Did the aero bubble on front of your trailer come on it or did you add it. I need to get something for mine to improve the towing, but have not found anything yet. Just curious if you purchased it later and where. I've been looking with no luck. If I don't find one, I'll have to V the front. My van struggles a bit towing it and want to keep the van if possible.

Thanks!!

 

[Mark Anderson]

One option that I have seen used alot by airplane guys but not boaters is to find an old tent trailer and strip the interior and canvas. Run the top up to access the interior and drop it down to tow.

Mark

 

[bzubee]

Something you might consider is modifing a pop up tent trailer they are light and can hold pretty much stuff. I know some racers in Texas use one for the Internats.

OOPPS jsut saw Marks post he beat me to it.

 

[Don Ferrette]

Terry,Did the aero bubble on front of your trailer come on it or did you add it. I need to get something for mine to improve the towing, but have not found anything yet. Just curious if you purchased it later and where. I've been looking with no luck. If I don't find one, I'll have to V the front. My van struggles a bit towing it and want to keep the van if possible.

Thanks!!

http://www.nosecone.com/appull.htm

 

[Terry Keeley]

Terry,Did the aero bubble on front of your trailer come on it or did you add it. I need to get something for mine to improve the towing, but have not found anything yet. Just curious if you purchased it later and where. I've been looking with no luck. If I don't find one, I'll have to V the front. My van struggles a bit towing it and want to keep the van if possible.

Thanks!!

Came with it Walt, I can tell you my little VR6 hardly knows it's there.

Ask anybody, I don't waste a lot of time getting to the races. :lol:

 

[moparbarn]

don's right on the torsion axle suspension being a smoother ride, plus it keeps the trailer lower. less wind resistance & less swaying. i've got 2 horse trailers, 1 with leaf springs, & 1 with torsion axles. the torsion axle pulls like a dream compared with the leaf spring trailer. a big plus when you have 2,700 lbs of live animals shifting their weight around. pedal pushin' in this heat, chuck? kinda hard core for me........

walt, an air deflector for the roof of the van might be another option. i've seen some that attach to the roof rack, if you have one. or suction cups & straps, if you don't.

 

[waltr]

Terry,Did the aero bubble on front of your trailer come on it or did you add it. I need to get something for mine to improve the towing, but have not found anything yet. Just curious if you purchased it later and where. I've been looking with no luck. If I don't find one, I'll have to V the front. My van struggles a bit towing it and want to keep the van if possible.

Thanks!!

<a href="http://www.nosecone.com/appull.htm" target="_blank">http://www.nosecone.com/appull.htm</a>

Thanks!!!

I just ordered one and it'll be here in 2 weeks Yahoo!!!!

No ABS It's a nice rigid fiberglass part with gel coat

Chuck,

sorry for the stolen thread.

 

[ww29]

chuck i have been checking with u-haul for used ones that they get rid.they have small ones