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I am looking into getting a car trailer. There is one listed close to me for a good price BUT the axles are mounted solid. I have not looked at it, only photos.
Is a trailer like this worth it or should I look for one with springs. What about brakes? Electric or surge?
I don't think I will be using it more then 1 or 2 times a month.
Chris
Check the laws in your State as far as brakes
I believe it is based on what weight you have the trailer registered as whether it is required to have brakes or not.
I haul about three to five cars a week. Once you get your trailer you will find yourself getting more cars. Here are some tips that might help. First look at true car haulers. meaning no rails, this way once the car is on trailer you can open the doors. I like the steel floors but wood is fine. Try to get on 18 or 20 foot not 16 this way you can haul longer trucks when you find them. Make sure you get one with dovetail, it makes loading easier. Check tires make sure they are good if not you will be buying tires and they cost over $100 a piece. Look at the rims and axles. If you can find one with 8 lugs get it, they are rated at 5k to 7.5k, 6lug are about 3.5k each. Good luck if you have and questions just pm me.
Sorry forgot about springs. Some trailers have what they call tortion axels. Spelled wrong. The are found on stock trailers. This means no need for springs you can run with wheels on dual axel trailer is you have a flat and you can be fully loaded. If you can post a picture will help.
I used to have a homemade trailer made out of I-Beams that they had welded the duel axles on solid. Thing was a tank and served it's purpose for hauling scaffolding but I always made sure the tires were good since they were basically the suspension. Also had to be careful on the up down angles since the wheels didn't articulate.
If they solid welded axles with no suspension I'd pass. Ever ride a hard tail Harley ? Highway speeds are impossible and unsafe, not to mention, giving enough miles, the trailer will shake its self to pieces due to lack of suspension. Keep looking I bought my first car trailer for 1000$, spent bout 300 more loving on it and had a pretty decent trailer. It was narrow, full size pickups had to drive on angle iron frame on one side, didn't have brakes or dove tail but it worked. Kinda miss it some days, the flat surface sucked for cars but was great for loading and stacking larger shred items like fridges.
the before pic
[IMG]http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/.../family002.jpg[/IMG]
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8c6295e3.jpg
Now I've got the wood off gonna sand and repaint
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ps689e9ac4.jpg
Paid 1500$ for this one, it will pay itself off pretty fast.
I'm gohttp://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ps09d13bd3.jpg
gonna turn the boards over make her look newer.
Cant wait to put her to use.
Surge brakes
http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4e831a34.jpg
Can't find one online to compare price wise
The old flip the board trick ! Love it, did that on my old angle frame trailer before I sold it and the boards looked brand new.
nice trailer i would of paid 1500 for that all day long, i would go electric for the brakes and just replace that hitch with a newer one, i put a new pintle on mine just to keep it problem free, i'm looking for a new winch, mine craped out last week, not sure what i'm going with yet....was looking at champion and super winch today...not sure
I have a lead on another one, with springs. It is not a dove tail but he is looking for a 101 inch wide snowmobile trailer for trade.It just so happens I have an aluminum one that I don't need so a trade may work out good for both of us.
Chris
Once I get her the way I want I'll look into a winch. Not sure what to get. Hard to find a used one so far.
SuperDave:
Look Into Engo Winches. I got one shipped to my door (10,000 Lb) for about $320 bucks. The guy who started the company is a former Mile Marker Employee. I've had mine and it is a beaut! Dead Pull, Flat Tires, 2 ton vans- Not a problem!
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...85656300_n.jpg
I'll check it out thanks
do you always put yours away in the toolbox? I think I would like the ones that you connct to a 2" receiver, that way I can take it off, out of the elements and THEIVES.
Dave:
I had a 2" Receiver with a plate welded down, My winch was mounted to a Winch Plate and slid into the receiver. After about 20 times of picking it all up (Winch 96 lbs, Plate 50 Lbs, and J Hooks- 20 lbs) It SUUUUUCKED. I just had this fabbed up. Basically the bottom of the box was cut out a little, The guy mounted the Winch to the Plate and Bolted it Down, He also welded the Plate. Plus the box locks. I was unsure when I designed it if it would be enough, but at this stage, They would have to:
Break into the Box
AND
Figure out how to get it all un-attached.
PLUS
The Fairlead rollers are mounted Outside the box, but bolt to the winch plate INSIDE the box.
They would also have to get all of that torn apart to get the wire that is fed.
They would be there a good long while. :-)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...17431906_n.jpg
Really like that idea as well thanks for taking the time Sledge. I've also got a toolbox mounted to the trailer, but it seems low on the deckover. I think I would have to raise the toolbox a little but verry good idea
none the less. Have no keys, owner could not find them, I'll just change the lock. Wonder what the winch in the toolbox would add to tongue weight?
This trailer of mine is heavy on the tongue, axles are at the back to allow the tilt, thinking of air bags for the truck....costs just don't end. But then I could have on-board air compressor..
Dave-
Mine was built on 3" Box Channel with 3/8" Wall, The guy had to do some working at it- but it raised the box up enough to make it so he could mount the winch in.. and have the fairleads come out between the deck and the crashbar.. He did a heck of a job. I'm posting some pics of the build for you. Also the Box is the one from Harbor Freight. On Sale, with 20% coupon I walked out the door with it for about $99 bucks including tax!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...85674837_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...19802267_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...29620496_n.jpg
This was my Old Set-Up. I cut a Receiver off a truck I scrapped and it was sturdy.. Don't get me wrong. But after you have gone, hauled the car up, strapped it down and driven home. Lugging this thing all included.. it was just a bear. I never did get a picture of it with the winch and hooks on the receiver.. but that weight at days end was brutal! The second picture is the winch on the plate with Fairleads.. it sat in a bucket in my garage when not in use!
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...51063518_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...04500614_n.jpg
Dave:
I know the $ Never ends on these trailers (BELIEVE ME I know) But if you want to make your life easier.. once you get set with your winch.. Be sure to invest in a set of these J Hooks, BA Products makes them, hook one on each side of the axle and it makes pulling like Butta..
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...20023871_n.jpg
I like those a lot, ive had them in the cart more times than I can count and just never hit the checkout button, we have used our axle straps to pull with since we have gotten them, straps around the axle on both sides, ratchetstrap in between, and another axle strap going around the strap and hook the winch up, it sounds complicated but its really simple and the same as above, yours is better for sure though and after your pic they will be my next order, thanks sledge
Cory:
In a pinch I've used my axle strap hooked onto my winch hook, I was 2 hours a way and realized I forgot to hook the J Hooks onto the winch (This was when it was removable) These suckers are rated for 5400 Lbs.. I love em. Make the car pull nice and straight too :-)
sweet deal with the winch in the box
Thanks Liberty. I have really enjoyed it thus far!
Yeah really like the ideas you gave me Sledge, going to steal your idea for shure with the toolbox and hooks, marvelous!!
I've been stockpiling some shred, should help pay for a new winch...Yep like the sound of that!
I'll post some more pics soon. Really do appreciate those ideas!!
I can imagime having a problem though because mine is a tilt. Won't be able to winch in the tilt position.
SuperDave: Swipe away buddy. I have no worries about someone in Ontario having the same set-up.. now if you lived down the street.. ehhhh I might have to give you some bull :-)
Mine doesn't tilt, so I'm not sure if you would have issues. I think Cory has a tilt trailer.. you may want to ask him if he thinks it would be an issue?
Aaron
mine is mounted right on top with the battery right beside it, it was suppose to be enclosed by now but you know how that goes. I googled a lot and even the trailer manufacturers don't have a system for the winch to go on the A-frame on a tilt trailer, mine is hydraulic so if I forgot to release the freespin I could tear something up, im assuming a gravity tilt might work if you put a fairlead at the front of the trailer
http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...F51FC89E7A.jpg
sledge I want to tell you thanks, we ran into john henry this morning at lowes and asked him if he had any j hooks extra and he said no, but there was a place in town called jrigging where we could get some, my first thought was an overpriced local store selling a specialized item. I was wrong, I got the same set as yours except on the jhook end it also had the clusters with the t and the j for 72.50. loaded two cars with them today and it is the best purchase ive made in a while, well since the straps and oh yeah the blades :) thanks again sledge
[QUOTE]Thanks for the input Cory. Still brainstorming my winch setup on this trailer. Mine is a gravity down, I think I would have to mount the winch to the deck, still don't know how that would work (cables, battery, winching in the up position...I guess I'll have to try to see. I agree with you googling and not finding any info on my predicament. Thanks Sledge and Cory still any info appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by corycouch
NICE!!!! Hey ya know.. I love this forum.. You helped me make a few extra bucks on something right in front of my face before taking it in, you have always answered my questions in responding to threads, your advice being much more seasoned than me.. has REALLY been helpful and I APPRECIATE it!! Glad to know you got the hooks, I Love them, the one time I had to winch without them.. I felt like I was "winchin naked!"Quote:
Originally Posted by corycouch
your welcome, but I learn from everyone one here, ive not even been doing this for 2 years yet and I try to learn something everyday just as you do, I don't know how seasoned I am because im still not where I want to be. you helped me just as much even more, ive loaded a few cars now with the new hooks and already couldn't imagine loading a car without them. the main thing I try to take from everyones threads is this. first you have to realize there really is no right or wrong way to scrap a car as long as you pertain to the rules of your yard. I read posts on what the other guys do(most of them aren't on here anymore, mdg, bigblue, focker and others) at the end of the day we each have to make the decision on what to do on each car because we all do it different and even after that each car is different. I to love this forum, I couldn't have made it without it.
Sorry Mom, guys on the forum said I need to get some hooks so it looks like your just getting a card this year.
You are Absolutely Correct. We all have different set-ups, Rigs, Space, Amounts of Time etc. and those variables tend to sway what and how you do things. For me, I can't pull engines, tranny's and Radiators, I just live in a place where storage and mess are not acceptable. Time wise.. with that van.. I really wanted to try a "part out ad" but once I found that all the yards had dropped $20 a ton AGAIN, I literally crossed my fingers and held my breath that the one yard would hold its price for just one more day and not follow suit. I couldn't risk parting it out.. getting nothing sold and then losing $20 or $40 a ton on it.. So I stayed up late and busted the thing down until about 11:00 PM so when I made the call about tonnage the next day, it was ready to roll at a moments notice. With it strapped down and ready to fly- I sledged out those two more pieces (Core and blower motor) and sent it on its final voyage. That yards price held and it went in at $230/ton instead of $200 ($428 vs $372 on a 3720 Scale roll across!)Quote:
Originally Posted by corycouch
NICE!!!! I've started a Trend :-) You'll Love em!!!Quote:
Sorry Mom, guys on the forum said I need to get some hooks so it looks like your just getting a card this year.