Trailer buying time

[jackb1]

I'm looking to replace a car trailer I sold last year. It was a 16'. I'm trying to decide between 18' and 20'.

The 16 was longer than I really needed for most things, but not quite long enough a few times. Another 2' would have been great. I don't want to buy an 18' and feel the same way wishing I'd bought a 20'.

For the most part, I'll have a CJ5 or maybe a samurai that is 13' long on it as the biggest vehicles. I'm not a hard-core guy that is going to be headed all over the country with it for weekends of wheeling. I'll be lucky if I get to use it twice this summer. It will also by my Rhino transport, so I don't want to get a 20' just for kicks. A 14' would fit the bill most of the time... but a 20' would fit both (I'm not sure I'd ever use both together anyway).

I'm also trying to figure tongue weight on the 20'. The tires sure look far back on teh 20's I've seen.


Question 2: I'm pretty sure I'm not getting a beavertail for clearance reasons. I used to hit my old 16' on the ground, I couldn't imagine anything longer much less with a beavertail. Is it the problem I'm making it out to be? I'd rather have the beavertail for clearance of loading cars, but can get away without it.


I'm trying to buy a nice trailer this time, maybe only do it once, so it would be great to get the right one.


discuss....

thanks

[joshs1ofakindxj]

I've been hauling my xj on a 18foot and I'm happy as a clam.

It's a tilt deck trailer so loading cars isnt a problem. Removable fenders, all LED lights, weight distribution hitch, all for about $4k from morchesky trailer sales over by ebensburg

[jackb1]

I hadn't considered a tilt trailer. Assumed it was more cost, weight and things to wear. Plus, I wasn't sure it would help the loading clearance much for cars compared to ramps. Does it?

I'm considering buying a cheap SCCA car or I wouldn't worry much about clearance as I otherwise wouldn't load a car often if ever.

[Super Scout]

I haul my scout on a 16' trailer. Why do you need something so long ? The thing is balanced really well, the Scout sits pretty much all the way to the front of the trailer for me to get enough tongue weight.
I highly recommend Econo Trailers, cheap as hell but well buiilt. Anyone who has ever used mine can testify to how well it pulls, empty, or loaded. Can't beat it for the price.

[highlandercj-7]

IMHO this can't be beat for the $$, most jack wagons want this for used junk. I sent Scuba Steve that way and I think he confirmed they are brakes on all 4 wheels too.

http://morgantown.craigslist.org/grd/3676424917.html

New 6'10" by 18' 7k car/ equipment trailer - $1995 (Exchange WV 26619)http://images.craigslist.org/thumb/3E53K43kc5E95F15Hcd3ceffca030d499172d.jpg (http://images.craigslist.org/3E53K43kc5E95F15Hcd3ceffca030d499172d.jpg)http://images.craigslist.org/thumb/3E53Nf3H35N15Ld5M9d3c562d0a6b104a1194.jpg (http://images.craigslist.org/3E53Nf3H35N15Ld5M9d3c562d0a6b104a1194.jpg)
http://images.craigslist.org/3E53K43kc5E95F15Hcd3ceffca030d499172d.jpg
New 2012 6'10" by 18' car / equipment trailer 7k gvw, 5 inch channel frame, 5 inch channel wrap tongue, 2" treated wood floor 4' slide in ramps w/ 2' dovetail is $1995 while supplies last *304*765*7822* 9-5 Mon through Sat Singleton Trailer Sales located in Exchange WV 26619

[JeepGeneral]

I buy all my trailers from New Alexandria Tractor Supply on Route 22. Denny designs and builds all his deck trailers right there so you can watch the process. Ask him for a tour of the facililty, you'll be impressed. The last one I got was a 19' extra-wide with a hydraulic tilt. It's awesome, I won't buy anything with ramps or a manual tilt ever again. I think I paid around $4000 but that was 5-6 years ago.

Their only downfall is they use direct-metal paint so after a few years it starts to rust and flake off. I stripped mine and rhino-lined it when I bought it and it still looks the same as if I left it as I bought it.

Just came across his ad in the Horse Trader this morning:

223

If you drop my name he may cut you a little break, he is one of my best customers. If nothing else, they're definitely worth checking out.

[JeepGeneral]

Definitely go 10K over 7K, there is a night and day difference. Don't forget you'll have it for the rest of your life, you never know what you may need to haul 20 years from now.

[2002wranglerX]

You're going to get a million and one answers to this. I can't really help on the size or tongue weight. But what nick and I both have (and have both been very pleased with) are these http://www.bennetttrailer.com/Car_Haulers.html in 18'. whatever you get try and get torsion axles. mine tows nice and quiet. it levels nicely. I pulled it with a grand Cherokee with no problems.

[joshs1ofakindxj]

The tilt I got is a bottle jack style. Easy to use and doesn't take very long, so I'm not regretting spending a bunch more money for a hydraulic lift, but they are nice.

[2002wranglerX]

the downside to the corn pro is I think they're 3600 brandy new. I paid 2400 with a winch and a widened front end. it was 1 year old. From Bennett's. the good thing about Bennett's (in addition to them being good to work with) is they have an AWESOME inventory.

[2002wranglerX]

a pic of mine with the extensions https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46766_494567032785_3034238_n.jpg

[tjblair]

I bought a 10k 22 ft appalachian trailer last year and couldnt be happier with it. Tows great and is very stout. If you only plan on hauling a cj5 or a sammi a 7k trailer will probably be plenty for you. http://www.appalachiantrailers.com/utility-trailers/ld-wood-floor-car-trailers-7000.php

[tjblair]

Here is mine loaded up for the first time. I had the jeep about a foot too far forward. as you can see the ass end of the excursion diving
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu284/tlr3238/photobucket-37694-1347492611869.jpg

[The_War_Wagon]

http://morgantown.craigslist.org/grd/3676424917.html

New 6'10" by 18' 7k car/ equipment trailer - $1995 (Exchange WV 26619)

http://images.craigslist.org/thumb/3E53K43kc5E95F15Hcd3ceffca030d499172d.jpg (http://images.craigslist.org/3E53K43kc5E95F15Hcd3ceffca030d499172d.jpg)http://images.craigslist.org/thumb/3E53Nf3H35N15Ld5M9d3c562d0a6b104a1194.jpg (http://images.craigslist.org/3E53Nf3H35N15Ld5M9d3c562d0a6b104a1194.jpg)
http://images.craigslist.org/3E53K43kc5E95F15Hcd3ceffca030d499172d.jpg


Dang... that's about what I'm looking for, to use as a base for a church float! I reckon I could haul stuff with it, when I wasn't pulling church kids on it through a parade! :p:

[jackb1]

Thanks

I'd basically already decided on corn pro, 9990# with the 5200# torsion axles. (Corn pro mostly because I want the torsion axles and they seem to be hard to find with other manufacturers)

I don't need anything longer than 14' most of the time but I'm thinking a 20' would fit a rig and rhino if I ever did that. Or just a few more atvs in case I take some friends,etc. I don't want to buy too short, but I really don't want to deal with length I never use either.

[mxg342]

I have an 18' quality flat deck 9000#. I like it but it isn't that quality of a trailer. From what I've seen, you can't go wrong with a corn pro. Very nice trailers.