What Length Trailer?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 611
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From: Girard Ill
What Length Trailer?
What is the minimum length enclosed trailer to carry a C5? Suggestions regarding brand, length, optional equipment,etc would be appreciated! I am getting ready to retire next year and would pull my vette behind a suburban when we go South for a month or two.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 2
From: Wesley Chapel Fl
I am not sure mininum but I use a 24ft. I think you can get away with a 20ft but I like the extra room to store items securely and be able to get under the car easily. Also you will want to check into a trailer with an escape door. This is a door on the driver's side of the trailer that allows you to open your car door all the way. Otherwise you have to climb out the top or window.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 502
From: Jacksonville Florida
I have a 24 foot Pace Shadow enclosed car trailer that I have owned for six years. I have been using it to haul my street rod to shows but now that I am using it to haul my Z06, I may upgrade to a bigger one. I don't have the escape door on the left and I am too fat to crawl out the window. The one I have is a bumper pull and I am planning on trading it for a 44 or 48 foot fifth wheel to carry both my cars at the same time. I really like having the extra length of the 24 over a 20 and it will be much easier to sell than a smaller one. By the way, I tow with a 2004 Dodge dually diesel one ton. Don't scrimp on the tow vehicle. There is nothing worse than being under powered or not being legal on your gross vehicle weight.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 611
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From: Girard Ill
Originally Posted by peter pan
Not to steal this post, but who makes a trailer with a door on the drivers side? Wether fat or not if we put in a roll bar it will be hard to exit without the door openig 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 502
From: Jacksonville Florida
Hi Eat Rice. Does your car door clear the wheel box inside the trailer, or did you have to install some sort of ramp in the trailer to raise the car? Also did a local trailer place do the conversion? I talked to my local Pace dealer and they suggested I take my trailer to Fitzgerald, Ga, to the plant and have them do the conversion.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 68
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by EatRice
I am not sure mininum but I use a 24ft. I think you can get away with a 20ft but I like the extra room to store items securely and be able to get under the car easily. Also you will want to check into a trailer with an escape door. This is a door on the driver's side of the trailer that allows you to open your car door all the way. Otherwise you have to climb out the top or window.
I use a 20' enclosed trailer with a driver's side escape door. Mine was made by Trailerworld in Bowling Green. The trailer has a low profile wheel box so the door will open. I have (and would advise) you to get a "slope nose" trailer, to cut down on wind resistance. I can pull my trailer with my GMC half ton Yukon. Also, I bought my trailer used, it had been used by the NCM to move cars around.Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Wow! I have been thinking along these same lines regarding the issue of proper length for a trailer. Thanks everyone for the heads up regarding the other important features like an escape door, and, the "slope nose" design to wind reduce resistance. This forum is great. 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 68
From: Bowling Green KY
Originally Posted by edensknight
Wow! I have been thinking along these same lines regarding the issue of proper length for a trailer. Thanks everyone for the heads up regarding the other important features like an escape door, and, the "slope nose" design to wind reduce resistance. This forum is great.
That's what this place is for! There are many other features to deal with also:1. Using the factory tie down points, you need T hooks to secure the car.
2. Heavy duty straps, crossed at front and rear.
3. Tie down points in the front that prevent the straps from rubbing on the front underside of the nose.
4. Ramp extension may be necessary to load your car, especially if your car is lowered or has a front spoiler (like mine).
5. Spare tire and "trailer buddy", which is a small chock which you can pull the trailer up on, in case of a flat.
6. Electric brakes on trailer, which also requires a small control unit installed in the tow vehicle.
I could probably think of a few more, but these should get you started in the right direction.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From: Girard Ill
Originally Posted by NVR2L8
That's what this place is for! There are many other features to deal with also:1. Using the factory tie down points, you need T hooks to secure the car.
2. Heavy duty straps, crossed at front and rear.
3. Tie down points in the front that prevent the straps from rubbing on the front underside of the nose.
4. Ramp extension may be necessary to load your car, especially if your car is lowered or has a front spoiler (like mine).
5. Spare tire and "trailer buddy", which is a small chock which you can pull the trailer up on, in case of a flat.
6. Electric brakes on trailer, which also requires a small control unit installed in the tow vehicle.
I could probably think of a few more, but these should get you started in the right direction.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: Some where in Ontario Canada
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
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From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
Originally Posted by EatRice
I am not sure mininum but I use a 24ft. I think you can get away with a 20ft but I like the extra room to store items securely and be able to get under the car easily. Also you will want to check into a trailer with an escape door. This is a door on the driver's side of the trailer that allows you to open your car door all the way. Otherwise you have to climb out the top or window.
I have a Haulmark elite.Local guy has them here for $5700.00 new.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
From: Stanwood Michigan
Originally Posted by yankees1
What is the minimum length enclosed trailer to carry a C5? Suggestions regarding brand, length, optional equipment,etc would be appreciated! I am getting ready to retire next year and would pull my vette behind a suburban when we go South for a month or two.
You can get away with a 18' but would not recommend anything smaller than 20'. The recommendation of 24' is a good one in that it gives you more room which you will end up needing for one thing or another. Since you are from Il I would suggest you run over to Elkhard and visit some of the major trailer manufacturers. Just about every manufacturer can put an escape door in any of their trailers. Hope this helps.
