Purchasing a trailer... looking for advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 3
From: Christiana TN
Purchasing a trailer... looking for advice
Considering purchasing a trailer and looking for some advice. Should I purchase an enclosed or open trailer. I'll be trailering my 1973 convertible. What brands do you suggest. Pros and cons of open versus enclosed trailers Post any pictures you have of your trailers. Surge brakes or electric? Anything you can share is appreciated. 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Valley Springs SD
I had my trailer custom made in Omaha NE by Durand Equipment. It is an open trailer with a 5' steelplate dovetail and 5' ramps. that is really important as Corvettes typically have a hard time loading on the trailers as they tend to bottom out. You can take some lumber and build some step-ups to extend your ramps and that will help so the vette does not bottom out when loading or unloading.
Something else to consider with open trailers is the fender height. Once the car is loaded it can be difficult to open and close the doors if the fenders are too high. You should consider getting removable fenders or make sure they are not too high that the prevent you from opening the doors so you can get in and out of the car without dinging the paint.
Here are some pics of my trailer:
Something else to consider with open trailers is the fender height. Once the car is loaded it can be difficult to open and close the doors if the fenders are too high. You should consider getting removable fenders or make sure they are not too high that the prevent you from opening the doors so you can get in and out of the car without dinging the paint.
Here are some pics of my trailer:
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you start with an open because it is cheap,
then you wish you had bought the Enclosed !
without a doubt buy the enclosed drawing.
your car and all the other stuff, will be secure and enclosed.
Not to mention rain / Hail.
But, be sure you have a place, to store the trailer when not in use,
lots of Sub-division have restrictions on big / (Enclosed) trailers.
ps. get an electric tongue-Jack, your back will thank me !
69VETT
then you wish you had bought the Enclosed !
without a doubt buy the enclosed drawing.
your car and all the other stuff, will be secure and enclosed.
Not to mention rain / Hail.
But, be sure you have a place, to store the trailer when not in use,
lots of Sub-division have restrictions on big / (Enclosed) trailers.
ps. get an electric tongue-Jack, your back will thank me !
69VETT
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 4,466
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From: Paducah KY
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St. Jude Donor '03
I went with an 8'-6" wide by 18' enclosed trailer. It has the soft torsion type suspension, electric brakes and a drop down spring assist door / loading ramp. I also installed an electric winch to help load disabled Vettes. When not in use it doubles as a storage garage for my motorcycles. Oh yeah, it's also a nice way to get 4 Harley's from Kentucky to Daytona Beach. 
Last edited by Rolling Thunder; Jul 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM. Reason: added picture
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
I have a 24' Interstate and so far am happy with it.It seemed to be put together better than some of the other brands and nothing has fallen off of it yet,unlike my friend's of another brand and lower mileage.
Buy the biggest you can afford to buy and most importantly be able to safely pull with your truck ,that will determine the size more than anything.Also be sure you have room to park it and room to maneuver it into position.If you can get a driver's side escape hatch it will make getting in and out of the car a bit easier.A good place to look for trailers is www.racingjunk.com there is a lot of broke racers out there trying to unload their stuff.
Buy the biggest you can afford to buy and most importantly be able to safely pull with your truck ,that will determine the size more than anything.Also be sure you have room to park it and room to maneuver it into position.If you can get a driver's side escape hatch it will make getting in and out of the car a bit easier.A good place to look for trailers is www.racingjunk.com there is a lot of broke racers out there trying to unload their stuff.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
Good info from everyone. Something else to consider with enclosed vs. flatbed. An enclosed trailer will have significantly more aerodynamic drag resulting in lower gas mileage for your tow rig. If you are making short day trips in predictable weather, there may be no advantage to an enclosed. If security while on trips is a concern, the enclosed will definitely be an advantage. As for the brake question, the electric brakes are more tuneable and possibly more predictable for that reason but you have to have a brake controller in the tow vehicle otherwise they are useless. The surge brakes will work on anything if you tow with multiple rigs or need to pull the trailer with something else in an emergency. I have open and enclosed trailers, and the flatbeds get used more.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: North Alabama
...Buy the biggest you can afford to buy and most importantly be able to safely pull with your truck ,that will determine the size more than anything.Also be sure you have room to park it and room to maneuver it into position.If you can get a driver's side escape hatch it will make getting in and out of the car a bit easier.
This is good advice. You also want the trailer to be tandem axle. I prefer surge brakes and an all metal bottom rather than wood.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
Yes! These are two things that should be a higher priority than enclosed vs. open. Tandem axel (make sure you know the weight rating) and a steel bed (this will far outlast any wood floor).
