Been trailer shopping, Wasn't sure if I should jump on this one, now open discussion Options

[billh1963]

For prices in the mid-teens, I've thought many times about buying something like this:

And you can make a little cash on the side

Not sure I want the liability (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

That being said, you could certainly haul stuff for friends and family (and 914world members) for "gas money".

[Unobtanium-inc]

For prices in the mid-teens, I've thought many times about buying something like this:

In a lot of states you need a special class of license, and commercial insurance, which isn't cheap. Not to mention riding in those for long periods of time is not much fun. Much better off with a good pickup and a decent trailer.

I have loaded up an entire warehouse of parts on one of those, at midnight no less, and took them to Scotty B's parent's house, that was a fun night!

[Unobtanium-inc]

Of course, even a pricey trailer has it's breaking point. I had one axle break on me a few years ago, it became un-attached to the trailer. I fixed it in a snowstorm on Cape Cod in a dude's driveway, luckily he had a welder. I crawled under it again this summer and shored up my welds. Well, I was in Rhode Island last week loading up a B Coupe and heard a familiar clank, luck would have it this guy had a welder too, so I welded it up again. But today we are re-engineering the whole thing, putting bolts in addition to welds. Featherlite makes a really nice trailer, but some of their design is really lacking, like where the ramps are stored, I have yet to see one that is over a year old where the doors are broken off.
Oh, well, fix it and use it again!

[snakemain]

I want a big enclosed trailer, 28-30 ft, and a Duraburb to pull it. We move every 3-4 years, and it'd be nice to haul my entire garage, cars, motorcycle, etc.

[Mark Henry]

I built this 12' trailer about 25 years ago from plans in a hot VW's mag article.
At the time it cost me $550 in parts.

I need to rebuild it now and wondering what to use for the deck, I want a full solid deck this time but it has to be light. The crossmembers are 24" OC
It was designed for a VW bug, that's why the axle sits so far back, I might move it forward a bit.

[GaroldShaffer]

I would say whatever you get for a trailer get something that has stake pockets if getting a open trailer. I find it makes it handy for more than just hauling a car. Also get something with trailer brakes and if a tandem axle have the brakes on both axles.

If towing in hills or mountain areas you need something that can pull, but also stop that load. My old 2006 Ram 1500 was fine on small hills and flat(ish) roads, but found out on my first trip to Hershey PA I need a something that had more Umph for towing. I upgraded (some will beg to differ) to a 2014 F250 (Gas) and it does the job VERY well.

YMMV

[914forme]

I built this 12' trailer about 25 years ago from plans in a hot VW's mag article.
At the time it cost me $550 in parts.

I need to rebuild it now and wondering what to use for the deck, I want a full solid deck this time but it has to be light. The crossmembers are 24" OC
It was designed for a VW bug, that's why the axle sits so far back, I might move it forward a bit.

I still have that article, are the plans still available?

[euro911]

Depends on the rating of your truck.
Big tex sells a car hauler for 1995$ here in NC.
Tandem with wooden floor only weighs around 1500lbs.
You can pop the center sections out to lighten it even more or keep in place
to double as a utility trailer.
For 3000$ I would go with a new enclosed.

Trailer Thread- http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...&hl=trailer

7x14

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) + an enclosed trailer can outfitted to perform multiple tasks.

They're up closer to $4k now (new) + $1.50/mile delivery (that's a lot coming from the S/E to the W coast) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

In 2012, I paid $4k for a second-hand 7x16' (with a 3' V-nose), added insulation in the walls & ceiling, 4 windows and a H-F 5000 lb winch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[arsprod]

This is a great selection of trailers, who wants to sell me one?! My biggest problem is storage - where do you all keep your trailers? My wife's been clear that it will not live in our yard and the driveway is pretty full. I've been thinking about having a 12-footer built that will fit in the garage with a car on it but would really like something a bit bigger. Help!

[914forme]

If I had the money.



And this is why

I also saw this one out at SEMA, will actually in the circus Circus Parking lot, last time I let my wife book Vegas Hotel Rooms. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)





Combine the best features of both (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

[Mark Henry]

I built this 12' trailer about 25 years ago from plans in a hot VW's mag article.
At the time it cost me $550 in parts.

I need to rebuild it now and wondering what to use for the deck, I want a full solid deck this time but it has to be light. The crossmembers are 24" OC
It was designed for a VW bug, that's why the axle sits so far back, I might move it forward a bit.

I still have that article, are the plans still available?

now I remember I didn't have plans, I made my own using the scale of a bug and the fact it was a 12" trailer, to get my measurements.

I'd be happy to measure it out for you if you like..

[914forme]

That would be great, thank you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Unobtanium-inc]

My first trailer was a single axle trailer that barely fit a 356. But it was small enough that I could pull it behind my 4cyl Nissan Frontier. I did cross-country with it, but it wasn't ideal, think 3rd gear getting up the PA mountains. But if you were only going around town or to the track, it might work for someone, and a smaller trailer takes up less room.

[mepstein]

The guys are delivering a couple cars

[mepstein]

Another shop trailer
No ramps needed

[GaroldShaffer]

This is a great selection of trailers, who wants to sell me one?! My biggest problem is storage - where do you all keep your trailers? My wife's been clear that it will not live in our yard and the driveway is pretty full. I've been thinking about having a 12-footer built that will fit in the garage with a car on it but would really like something a bit bigger. Help!

I store mine next to the shed in the backyard. It is blocked from the view of the house by the shed. IMHO a 12' trailer would not be big enough. I wouldn't go with anything less than a 16'

[arsprod]

This is a great selection of trailers, who wants to sell me one?! My biggest problem is storage - where do you all keep your trailers? My wife's been clear that it will not live in our yard and the driveway is pretty full. I've been thinking about having a 12-footer built that will fit in the garage with a car on it but would really like something a bit bigger. Help!

I store mine next to the shed in the backyard. It is blocked from the view of the house by the shed. IMHO a 12' trailer would not be big enough. I wouldn't go with anything less than a 16'

Why's that? Here's what I'm thinking of having built - 12' bed with 4' tongue. This a friend of mine's - he's been using it for 3 years with no issues. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1240.photobucket.com-18519-1446493341.1.jpg)

[GaroldShaffer]

This is a great selection of trailers, who wants to sell me one?! My biggest problem is storage - where do you all keep your trailers? My wife's been clear that it will not live in our yard and the driveway is pretty full. I've been thinking about having a 12-footer built that will fit in the garage with a car on it but would really like something a bit bigger. Help!

I store mine next to the shed in the backyard. It is blocked from the view of the house by the shed. IMHO a 12' trailer would not be big enough. I wouldn't go with anything less than a 16'

Why's that? Here's what I'm thinking of having built - 12' bed with 4' tongue. This a friend of mine's - he's been using it for 3 years with no issues. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1240.photobucket.com-18519-1446493341.1.jpg)

For me I prefer to have a little extra room for loading and unloading. If you ever want to haul something a little longer / bigger than your 914 it gives you room to do so. Also not a fan of a single axle trailers. In my experience I found them to be a bit bouncy. I like dual axles better.

I use my trailer for more than just hauling my racecar to the track. Having the stake pockets makes it easy to "modify" for whatever I need to haul. This past week I dropped in some side rails I made and hauled home a big load of firewood. Done the same for hauling rock, mulch, and more.

I had a trailer for years (14ft) that was just big enough to haul my car and it worked ok. Once we got the new home (15yrs ago) it made more sense for me to have something a little bigger that I am able to change around to do more than just haul my car.

[arsprod]

This is a great selection of trailers, who wants to sell me one?! My biggest problem is storage - where do you all keep your trailers? My wife's been clear that it will not live in our yard and the driveway is pretty full. I've been thinking about having a 12-footer built that will fit in the garage with a car on it but would really like something a bit bigger. Help!

I store mine next to the shed in the backyard. It is blocked from the view of the house by the shed. IMHO a 12' trailer would not be big enough. I wouldn't go with anything less than a 16'

Why's that? Here's what I'm thinking of having built - 12' bed with 4' tongue. This a friend of mine's - he's been using it for 3 years with no issues.

For me I prefer to have a little extra room for loading and unloading. If you ever want to haul something a little longer / bigger than your 914 it gives you room to do so. Also not a fan of a single axle trailers. In my experience I found them to be a bit bouncy. I like dual axles better.

I use my trailer for more than just hauling my racecar to the track. Having the stake pockets makes it easy to "modify" for whatever I need to haul. This past week I dropped in some side rails I made and hauled home a big load of firewood. Done the same for hauling rock, mulch, and more.

I had a trailer for years (14ft) that was just big enough to haul my car and it worked ok. Once we got the new home (15yrs ago) it made more sense for me to have something a little bigger that I am able to change around to do more than just haul my car.

Yeah, all makes sense but storage is a serious problem for me. Unless I discover a reasonable alternative (i.e. cheap) I need to keep it in my garage. At 16' total this will fit fine, still enough room for another car (the 914!). I'm actually seeing if they can make this with dual axles... probably little bitty wheels!

[GaroldShaffer]

This is a great selection of trailers, who wants to sell me one?! My biggest problem is storage - where do you all keep your trailers? My wife's been clear that it will not live in our yard and the driveway is pretty full. I've been thinking about having a 12-footer built that will fit in the garage with a car on it but would really like something a bit bigger. Help!

I store mine next to the shed in the backyard. It is blocked from the view of the house by the shed. IMHO a 12' trailer would not be big enough. I wouldn't go with anything less than a 16'

Why's that? Here's what I'm thinking of having built - 12' bed with 4' tongue. This a friend of mine's - he's been using it for 3 years with no issues.

For me I prefer to have a little extra room for loading and unloading. If you ever want to haul something a little longer / bigger than your 914 it gives you room to do so. Also not a fan of a single axle trailers. In my experience I found them to be a bit bouncy. I like dual axles better.

I use my trailer for more than just hauling my racecar to the track. Having the stake pockets makes it easy to "modify" for whatever I need to haul. This past week I dropped in some side rails I made and hauled home a big load of firewood. Done the same for hauling rock, mulch, and more.

I had a trailer for years (14ft) that was just big enough to haul my car and it worked ok. Once we got the new home (15yrs ago) it made more sense for me to have something a little bigger that I am able to change around to do more than just haul my car.

Yeah, all makes sense but storage is a serious problem for me. Unless I discover a reasonable alternative (i.e. cheap) I need to keep it in my garage. At 16' total this will fit fine, still enough room for another car (the 914!). I'm actually seeing if they can make this with dual axles... probably little bitty wheels!

My old 14ft had dual axles with stock tires. Make sure you get removable fenders it makes it easier to open the doors of the car if needed while on the trailer. If you are having it built I would get the stake pockets added. I know I keep saying that, but sure is nice to be able to haul other things when needed.