Opinions on new trailer

Eyeballing this and think it is enough for my needs. Once in a blue moon I buy scrap cars, process, etc. I think this is big enough for most cars and maybe some trucks...what y'all think? I like the fact of the rails, so it is versatile and I can move scrap as well. I do believe it has twin screws. Plus I got a 12lb winch on my truck. So it is a simple matter of dropping trailer, spin the truck around so the nose faces the trailer, and winch the car up. Your thoughts?

Wide World RV Center, Inc. | Trailers | 2013 SURETRAC ST8212TA-B

I'd be leery of putting much of a car on that. The GVWR will likely be 3500#- meaning that the axle can haul 3500#, including the weight of the trailer. The trailer will weigh close to 1000#, leaving about 2500# of payload. Most cars will weigh more than that.

Below is a picture of our trailer. It's a 1992 Lamar, and is rated for 5000# GVW. I wouldn't want to go any smaller. We've towed that trailer over 100k miles (Yes, one hundred thousand miles). We've hauled hay, straw, farm equipment, and made six trips from Illinois to Wyoming with it. It's been the best trailer that we've owned. Dual axles (Twin screw) tow nicer, can carry more weight, and will be on all car haulers. Even though I'd like a larger trailer, I know that our Lamar will haul a Chrysler New Yorker (Full size car). We've also had some pretty large farm equipment on it. The rails can be nice, but I'd rather have side pockets. I can make my own sides with some 2x4s, but I can't remove the metal sides. They always get in the way for me.

Check the GVWR of the trailer- I wouldn't go any less than 5000#. Don't be afraid on a used trailer- as long as the frame and axles are good, they can be re-decked if need be. I'll be redoing the deck on ours in a little while.

http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/...ps02d05a83.jpg

For serious car hauling, I'd go with this one: Wide World RV Center, Inc. | Trailers | 2015 SURETRAC ST8216TAT-B-070 If you shop around, I bet you can find a cheaper option. Out here, a used 16' car hauler is worth about $1500-2000.

Looks HOT! Yeeah!

dual axle

Have to agree with Matador. The trailer you identified would not be hooked up behind any vehicle I have to haul another vehicle. A utility trailer categorized as a land scraping trailer would not be a good choice to haul vehicles. Removable sides is also a bonus. I have two trailers very similar to the one in the ad that are rated for 2,500 pds. per axle that could not handle a loaded vehicle. Not only is there a concern about weight on the axles, bearings, and springs but the movement behind my one ton loaded would also be a concern.

As far as dropping the trailer and turning the truck around to winch a vehicle onto a trailer, this would be a concern. I admit I may not understand your strategy, but based on what I perceive as your plan, what keeps the trailer from smashing into the winch as soon as you start moving the vehicle? Blocking this tires would not solve the problem. My winch is attached to a tow hitch that can be transferred between the trailer, front of two trucks, or the receiver hitch on all of my trucks.

My recommendations would exceed Matador's only because you will always need a stronger trailer before a weaker one. Two axles rated at 7,000 pds. each with 16 inch 10 ply tires would be the minimum I would look for to haul vehicles. The other variables to consider are the limitations of the towing vehicle, distance to be hauled, and how big a risk taker you are. The trailer used to haul vehicles here is a triple 7,000 pd. per axle each goose neck trailer with 16 inch 12 ply tires.

This advice is based on building trailers for personal needs and a desire not to explain to anyone why I under estimated the load. I am not an expert on trailers, but only once did I over load a trailer. Based on this experience I have no desire to repeat the mistake. Good luck with your choice.

cannot go wrong with a bigger GVW on any trailer then you never have to worry within reason about your loads .

You are looking at a landscapers trailer,its made to carry bulky commercial lawn mowers and landscape equipment. If you are going to load scrap cars i would buy a older trailer that carries the weight and has a military hitch for added protection. There is a reason the trailer is so cheap and brand new.

Wrong trailer for cars.

My logic is im trying to keep weight down. I only have a 1988 f150..she pulls anything, but weight is a concern. Last time I rented the uhaul trailer dualie and pulled a venture i was tipping at 10.5k between truck, trailer, and van. That was a empty shell. I just could imagine when it was complete before I stripped it. I wanted something lightweight that can haul both. Scrap cars is something I want to do when I need a inventory. Most of the time I will be hauling loose scrap or the trailer will be acting as a dumpster. I am more into resale and dont need to run to the yard everyday, more than enough cash to keep me agloat. Im not getting rich, but self sustaining.

As far as using the front winch, it is securely mounted to a custom built push bumper. Uf you read my other recent post, I picked the truck straight off the ground 3 feet trying to rip crap from the rafters. So um ya, the winch and bumper not going anywhere. Plus it is low enough it will hold the tongue of the trailer right in place when it is pulling a car.

Eventually will have a flat bed installed and a secondary winch on the back for pulling large items on the bed and pulling cars up. Just got to make do with what is around to work with.

Either way found out the one I posted is single and not available LOL! So idea is shot, move along LOL!

See how the push bumper is built. wedge tongue of trailer up against it and pull the car up.,

http://i62.tinypic.com/jttn47.jpg

I'd probably have a receiver tube welded to the bumper. Put a ball there, and hook the trailer up. It'll be safer, plus it'll make maneuvering the trailer a breeze!

I'd look for a used 16' car hauler as a minimum. A larger trailer will let you do more, but trust me- we've worked that Lamar of ours a ton! Over 50k miles of it's life was spent hauling loads of hay (Not light!). A dual axle is what you'll need. If you can spring for it, heavier axles will always be nicer.

Keep in mind that photo was taken with a 1987 Chevrolet R10- with only the 305 and 2.76 gears (Not what you want for towing). Our "new" 2000 K3500 is a beast compared to that truck, but the old girl got the job done. I've towed 5000# with the 1987 multiple times. If you have an automatic, you'll probably be fine. Of course, you'll never win races, but you'll get the job done.

If weight is crucial, though, look into an aluminum trailer.