sushisean

heading out to the Willow Springs tomorrow and I'm considering picking up a trailer. It may rain this weekend and I don't want to get stuck driving home in smoked cup tires.

For those that tow, any suggestions? I'm leaning towards an 8.5x20 enclosed trailer At Norco Trailers. They run about $8k. Is dovetail a necessity? If so, they probably won't have something in stock and I'll have to go custom. Your experience and advice is appreciated!

Tow vehicle will be a 2014 Range Rover Sport Supercharged with a 7,700 lb capacity

lawdogg149

I would suggest 2x10x10's to extend to ramp. These dang things sit low on the front spoiler. I use the boards and my race ramps. Barely make it on

Snorman

My experience is that you get what you pay for with trailers. Go cheap and you'll likely end up with shoddy quality and poor construction. One piece aluminum roofs, fully boxed and well constructed steel frames (4"x6" tube vs. I-beam), seamless aluminum exterior, plywood reinforced walls, cast corner caps, slide out steps, etc., etc. add cost.
You definitely want as much of a beavertail as you can get in a 20'. Get at least a 16" loading flap and a set of Race Ramps.
My own personal opinion is to stick with a reputable manufacturer. Haulmark and United make a pretty solid enclosed steel trailer for a decent price, the former being more costly. Once you got to ATC and InTech, price goes up but since they are aluminum weight goes down. Quality of both is very good.
IMO you are pushing it with using a RR to tow. An unfinished, bare, steel 8.5'x20' (no AC, cabinets, winch, etc.) in steel is going to be ~3300-3500#. Add your 3500# Z06 and you are basically maxing out the towing capacity of the truck. It'll have plenty of power, but short wheelbase, standard brakes, etc. won't make for a great tow. It's probably got load leveling suspension so at least it won't pull all the weight off the nose, but a SWB tow vehicle is sensitive to tongue weight.

My setup...

S.

JimZRyd

Snorman, which trailer is that? Haulmark? Model? I'm in the market for one myself and your set up is sweet! Any info would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Jim

Snorman

Jim,
It's a Haulmark Pro Edge, 24'.
Feel free to shoot me a PM with any questions. I got great pricing and service from a dealer north of Daytona, so might work for you since you are in SC.
S.

sushisean

I am a bit concerned about pushing the tow capacity. 510 hp will do well but shorter wheelbase isn't ideal. I was considering an open for that reason but you lose so much utility.

Lawdogg are you using a dovetail AND 10 foot long Ramps?

Snorman

If you are going open, give serious consideration to an aluminum tilt-bed.
Aluma and H&H both make nice trailers. A bare 18' tilt bed with no tire rack, tongue box, etc will be around 1500#. Add a tire rack or nose shield, tongue box and winch and they are around 2000#.
They don't rust or rot and hold good value. However loading one on a hot sunny day is like working in a frying pan.
S.

2015zo7

IF you go with a open trailer watch out for the fenders as the door will hit them. Best to use a winch OR put boards under the tires so it lifts the car up enough so it doesn't hit the fenders. I had to figure out the ramps as my trailer is set up for my offroad truck not my cars(I only have room to store 1 trailer so the trailer I have is over kill for a little corvette).

Snorman

Aluma and H&H both have removable fenders standard.
S.

dooboy

Dovetail & ramp extension are a must for a corvette.

VinnieA

Snorman that's a really nice trailer!!
OP I have a 24' Wells cargo dove tail and I use 6' race ramps. No issues at all. When it's time for a new trailer I'll be looking in to the one Snorman has.

jbondfl

sushisean,,, I'd rent a U-haul for this trip and take your time choosing a purchase.. JMHO

AS others have said you're really pushing your towing limit and an enclosed trailer will be effected more by wind movement than an open one. Taking off will be easy,,,, stopping not as much,,, cross winds with that wheelbase will be a thrill ride.

Take your time.

GL at Willow Springs

sushisean

If only a U-Haul trailer were wide enough.


How does everyone feel about open vs enclosed? I talked to a guy at the track last time that said he greatly preferred open due to ease of use. Most others seem to prefer enclosed.

I looked it up, my wheelbase is 115" which is only 7" shorter than the shortest F150 wheelbase so not as short as I feared.

rsalco

Late model U-Hauls are wider; the Z will fit. Do a search here on the forum; there was a thread some time ago talking about using a U-Haul successfully.

sushisean

Are you sure? It's listed as 79.25" wide, the car is listed as 77.4" wide. I don't think I'm good enough to park on a trailer with 1/2" clearance on both sides.

thebishman

Not that it's a direct comparison, but I used to tow our 22.5 ft. Regal on a double wheel trailer behind our 2003 FFRR, and then our 2006 RRS S/C. Never had one issue. Granted the trailer weighed a lot less than an enclosed car hauler, but the boat when full of fuel and water was a pretty hefty lump.
Bish

Bill Dearborn

Why not talk to a trailer dealer about a rental? There are a lot more options than U Haul.
A rental also gives you some experience with how your vehicle will react to the extra weight. I suspect you are restricted to an open trailer due to the vehicles towing capacity. A well built open trailer with your car on it will run over 5K lbs.

Bill

sushisean

Success with the uhaul. I have the 2 piece race ramps. Flipped the lower piece over and used it to extend the ramps and she fits fine. No need to remove the front stops by loading it in reverse, and shouldn't have a problem with it backwards since it's nearly 50/50 weight.

Snorman

Nice job! And you shouldn't have an issue with the tow rating of your truck as the car/trailer should only be in the ~5500# range. Those U-Haul open trailers are tanks. They clearly build them to take lots of abuse.
Good luck at the track.
S.

Toilets

I have a 24ft ATC all aluminum. Your gonna pay but at 3k pounds, towing is rather smooth and easy.