Enclosed Vette Trailer
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: Kankakee Illinois
Originally Posted by shoribs
If you think the trailer is nice, you should see the car, go to the Chicago Chevy Vette Fest and see the car and his display first hand, it is gorgeous.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
While buying, check the GVWR on that trailer and the axle rating. You will find a lot of the cheaper enclosed trailers use 3500 lb axles rather than the better 6000 lb axles.
They always tell you that since all you are hauling is a 3200 lb car, you have LOTS of leeway.
Now the math. 24 ft trailer will be 2800-3500 lb empty.
Say the average is 3200 lb empty + 3200 Vette = 6400 lb, with 600 lbs to spare.
Add the spare 65-75 lb.
Add the awning. 75-100 lb.
Add the tool box 75-100 for small, 400-500 typical roll-around.
Cooler full of stuff - 75
jack 50
chairs 50
See how it all adds up? And with this big empty box behind you, the tendency to fill it is greater than you can imagine.
You will like your trailer much more if it is a 10,000 GVWR with 6000 lb axles (12,000 cap) than one that essentially is an aluminum box built on the typical open trailer.
They always tell you that since all you are hauling is a 3200 lb car, you have LOTS of leeway.
Now the math. 24 ft trailer will be 2800-3500 lb empty.
Say the average is 3200 lb empty + 3200 Vette = 6400 lb, with 600 lbs to spare.
Add the spare 65-75 lb.
Add the awning. 75-100 lb.
Add the tool box 75-100 for small, 400-500 typical roll-around.
Cooler full of stuff - 75
jack 50
chairs 50
See how it all adds up? And with this big empty box behind you, the tendency to fill it is greater than you can imagine.
You will like your trailer much more if it is a 10,000 GVWR with 6000 lb axles (12,000 cap) than one that essentially is an aluminum box built on the typical open trailer.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 565
Likes: 13
From: Morris New Jersey
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
24 foot is the minimum. You might get by with a 22 foot. but a 20 foot is too small as you need room for tie downs as they stick beyond the car.
Front tie downs, 3 feet infront of the vette, and rear tie downs 2 feet behind the vette.
the other reason for a 24 foot is you can ballance the car over the axles vs a 20 foot the car is too far forward of the axles and you have way too much tounge weight on your tow vehical.
Shorter trailers also may not have the load capsity for a 3200 lbs vette
the trailer tires also may not have the load capasity of the trailer plus the vette. need at least 7500 lbs minimum more like 9000 lbs.
The other questions is what is your tow vehical??
Front tie downs, 3 feet infront of the vette, and rear tie downs 2 feet behind the vette.
the other reason for a 24 foot is you can ballance the car over the axles vs a 20 foot the car is too far forward of the axles and you have way too much tounge weight on your tow vehical.
Shorter trailers also may not have the load capsity for a 3200 lbs vette
the trailer tires also may not have the load capasity of the trailer plus the vette. need at least 7500 lbs minimum more like 9000 lbs.
The other questions is what is your tow vehical??
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 565
Likes: 13
From: Morris New Jersey
Originally Posted by iceburgh
That is an easy fix. I used 2x12x20 on both sides that will get the doors up high enough even with a lowered car to get over the wheel wells. Get a trailer with a side door and this will not be a problem.
As far as length and weight Hallmark has a 20' 22' and a 24' that can take 12K weigh more than you will ever need. I think 20' is a little small but 22' is fine as is 24'
As far as length and weight Hallmark has a 20' 22' and a 24' that can take 12K weigh more than you will ever need. I think 20' is a little small but 22' is fine as is 24'
Beautiful truck!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Warren MI
How do you guys tie the car down. What is the best way? Do tire cradles work. If I have chrome under the car, Suspension, can it get damaged. And do the tie downstraps touch the bumpers if tire cradles are not used. Alot of dumb question, I know, but this is keeping me from getting a trailer and traveling to indoor shows. Is it easier than I am making it out to be. Please provide picks of car tied down..Thanks!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by The Shooter
How do you guys tie the car down. What is the best way? Do tire cradles work. If I have chrome under the car, Suspension, can it get damaged. And do the tie downstraps touch the bumpers if tire cradles are not used. Alot of dumb question, I know, but this is keeping me from getting a trailer and traveling to indoor shows. Is it easier than I am making it out to be. Please provide picks of car tied down..Thanks!!
Get some t-hooks fro a tow truck supply place and 5000 lbs straps
use the X patttern
X
X
left front d ring on trailer deck to right front jacking puck hole with t hook in
Right front to left front jacking puck hole and
the same for the rear
and an older pic of the rear straps
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by Mark_Milner
While buying, check the GVWR on that trailer and the axle rating. You will find a lot of the cheaper enclosed trailers use 3500 lb axles rather than the better 6000 lb axles.
They always tell you that since all you are hauling is a 3200 lb car, you have LOTS of leeway.
Now the math. 24 ft trailer will be 2800-3500 lb empty.
Say the average is 3200 lb empty + 3200 Vette = 6400 lb, with 600 lbs to spare.
Add the spare 65-75 lb.
Add the awning. 75-100 lb.
Add the tool box 75-100 for small, 400-500 typical roll-around.
Cooler full of stuff - 75
jack 50
chairs 50
See how it all adds up? And with this big empty box behind you, the tendency to fill it is greater than you can imagine.
You will like your trailer much more if it is a 10,000 GVWR with 6000 lb axles (12,000 cap) than one that essentially is an aluminum box built on the typical open trailer.
They always tell you that since all you are hauling is a 3200 lb car, you have LOTS of leeway.
Now the math. 24 ft trailer will be 2800-3500 lb empty.
Say the average is 3200 lb empty + 3200 Vette = 6400 lb, with 600 lbs to spare.
Add the spare 65-75 lb.
Add the awning. 75-100 lb.
Add the tool box 75-100 for small, 400-500 typical roll-around.
Cooler full of stuff - 75
jack 50
chairs 50
See how it all adds up? And with this big empty box behind you, the tendency to fill it is greater than you can imagine.
You will like your trailer much more if it is a 10,000 GVWR with 6000 lb axles (12,000 cap) than one that essentially is an aluminum box built on the typical open trailer.
Mark has a great point here. A few other thing to consider are the trailes tires your tow vehical.
Trailer tires on 20 to 22 footers and most 24 footers are not load rated for 7500 lbs or more.
No matter what the Gross Vehical towing capacity is, take 80% of that amount and that is really the safe max towing load.
So with Marks example above of a 10,000 GVWR trailer that means one needs a 12,500 GVWR towing capcity or a 3/4 ton truck minimum.
I have a 24 foot enclosed with 6000lbs axles but use a 1500HD for towing. It is OK, just OK, for short hauls of 100 miles on back roads but not major 4 lane roads. When am 18 wheeler passes me the suction is not good
my truck and trailer start the wiggle dance, I have learned to left brake in my truck, left foot on the brake to slow the trailer and right foot on the gas to accelarate to stop the dance and straighten the rig out. Needless to say I am looking at 1 ton doolies now.
Last edited by AU N EGL; Feb 22, 2006 at 07:14 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Warren MI
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
Tire cradles are not really a good idea as the car can still move around. Load shift is not a good idea in a trailer.
Get some t-hooks fro a tow truck supply place and 5000 lbs straps
use the X patttern
X
X
left front d ring on trailer deck to right front jacking puck hole with t hook in
Right front to left front jacking puck hole and
the same for the rear
and an older pic of the rear straps
Get some t-hooks fro a tow truck supply place and 5000 lbs straps
use the X patttern
X
X
left front d ring on trailer deck to right front jacking puck hole with t hook in
Right front to left front jacking puck hole and
the same for the rear
and an older pic of the rear straps
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Too hung up on tow vehicles
Sometimes people forget, you don't need a 10,000 GVWR vehicle to tow a Corvette.
And this talk of half ton trucks can't tow, hah!
Remember when people used to tow with CARS????? Do you think this picture has a
Class IV equalizer hitch, anti-sway stabilizer, electric brakes, and so on?
Now, yes, if you are going to tow a 3500 lb Corvette in a 3500 lb enclosed trailer
and carry 2000 lbs of stuff (easier than you think), then yes you need a vehicle that
can tow 10,000 lbs. But many can tow on an open trailer and be fine.
To bad they don't build cars that are worth a darn anymore that can carry or tow
something bigger than a suitcase.
And this talk of half ton trucks can't tow, hah!
Remember when people used to tow with CARS????? Do you think this picture has a
Class IV equalizer hitch, anti-sway stabilizer, electric brakes, and so on?
Now, yes, if you are going to tow a 3500 lb Corvette in a 3500 lb enclosed trailer
and carry 2000 lbs of stuff (easier than you think), then yes you need a vehicle that
can tow 10,000 lbs. But many can tow on an open trailer and be fine.
To bad they don't build cars that are worth a darn anymore that can carry or tow
something bigger than a suitcase.
