Car trailer question

[Fast92RS]

Ok guys I am buying a open car trailer with a full deck. I am mainly just going to use it to trailer my camaro and occasionaly use it as a utility trailer. My question is I have the option of a 15' full deck or a 18' full deck,which one I should go with? My Camaro will fit on the 15' one with no room to spare.

[FBODS4EVER]

id go 18' never anything wrong with a little extra room. also on a 15 your car may move or something and rub the rear or front.

[Fast92RS]

Yeah I leaning toward the 18 but just thought it would be easier to tow with the 15 beacuse of the shorter lenght. Here is a pic of the trailer.
http://www.econotrailer.com/_images//web3.jpg

[chrisfrom nj]

pick this up http://www.towneautosales.com/detail-2000-ford-f~350_super_duty-xlt-3756877.html

[Fast92RS]

pick this up http://www.towneautosales.com/detail-2000-ford-f~350_super_duty-xlt-3756877.html

haha no thanks. My wife would kill me. I barley got her to say yes to the trailer.

[deadtrend1]

I would go with the 18'. Thats what I used to have.

[baddest434]

definately go with the 18 ft. you will be glad you did. why a full deck is that what you want? just asking because an open deck trailer is cheaper. i know a full deck was like 300 bucks more then the open deck one i bought. mines made by bri-mar what brand is that one?

[deadtrend1]

Bri-Mar's are expensive as hell

[ben arena]

Go with the 18' trailer you want to have some room so you can tie the car down. You don't want the straps to be short or straight up and down, when the car is hooked up. Remember to cross the rear straps when you tie the car down so it does not jump when you are going down the road. Ben

[baddest434]

Bri-Mar's are expensive as hell

why is that?

. Remember to cross the rear straps when you tie the car down so it does not jump when you are going down the road. Ben

i never cross the rear straps. i do cross the front ones though.

[ben arena]

The rear of the car is more likely to jump around than the front-as the back of trailer has more bounce to it. I tried it both ways, several times and have found that the rear of the car will jump sideays when you don't cross the straps.

I have had both a open trailer and now have a 26' foot enclosed trailer and it happens with either one. Ben

[79CamaroDiva]

yeah, i always cross the rear straps when i tow on an open trailer, or any bodied car for that matter.

and actually, the 18' trailer will be easier to tow than the 15'.. especially with backing up, the longer the trailer the more control you have.

[Mike]

i have a bri-mar 16 foot full deck and absolutely love it.....that said, i wouldnt get anything shorter and i wouldnt complain one bit if it was 18 feet...

if the 2 trailers are the same brand/quality/similar price, i would go with the longer one

[Mike]

yeah, i always cross the rear straps when i tow on an open trailer, or any bodied car for that matter.

i cross all 4 usually, axle straps on the rear, and hooks under the control arms in the front...

[chrisfrom nj]

haha no thanks. My wife would kill me. I barley got her to say yes to the trailer.show your wife a pic its easier to back up then a trailer

[79CamaroDiva]

show your wife a pic its easier to back up then a trailer

probably not. need a lot more room with that. once you know how to back a trailer up, you don't need as much room as a ramp truck.

[1QWIKBIRD]

why is that?



i never cross the rear straps. i do cross the front ones though.

Bri-Mars are more expensive because they are a better built trailer than a lot of what is out there. If you look closely at the construction and the details you'll see why. Some of it is name, but they do build a nice trailer. Get the 18' trailer, the extra room will come in handy.

[baddest434]

^ thank you. i knew i bought a bri-mar for a reason :lol:

[Mike]

recessed led lights ftw, bri-mar ftw

[Fast92RS]

Im goin with a full deck because Im going to use it as a utility trailer as well. It comes with side pockets to add a fence around the trailer. Im going with a econo-trailer. Ive read good reviews on it and Ive seen it up close a few times and since this is not going to be a every day thing, thats why i chose and aslo the price is right for my budget.

[1QWIKBIRD]

^ thank you. i knew i bought a bri-mar for a reason :lol:

I have an 18' full deck Bri-Mar. I considered building one myself and even bought the diamond plate and a set of plans to do so, but after more homework and pricing the steel, axles etc. it was less attractive. Then I came across a screaming deal on a 1-year old Bri-Mar with an alumimun box out front and it was simply easier to buy than build.

Go with what fits your budget, but definitely consider an 18' trailer, if only for resale alone. The 15' will have limited audience whereas the 18' trailer will be a much easier sell.

[baddest434]

best luck with it. i had fun when i was first learning how to it back up :lol:

after a few times it was an old hat. i have a pick up and i put the tailgate down so i can see alot better then using my mirrors.

[Fast92RS]

Thanks. It will be a learning experience. Ive towed trailers before but they were little ones. Ive towed a jetski trailer and a generator/ light trailer. They were a pain to back up but I was able to get it. Ive notice that when there longer they are a little easier to back up than real short ones.

[mc73nova]

Did you get it yet? Only asking because my brother works at NY/NJ trailer on Rt23 in Butler, he might be able to get you a deal on one. If you want PM him (camaroAL) or just call them direct and ask for Allen.

[Pampered-Z]

As already stated, go 18'. The car will be better balanced on the 18' and it will drive much straighter. The shorter trailers tend to sway a bit on ruff roads and such.

Also see about the ramp lenght if there is an option to get longer ramps, they are nice with lowered cars. On one of the trailers I have the ramps are about 4' I need to use wood blocks so I don't drag the nose getting onto the ramps. The other trailer has long, maybe 6-7' ramps and are no problem.

Also when you look at the break controller get the one that auto levels, don't go cheap, for a few more dollars the quality of the brake controllers is worth it. I have the Prodigy, works very well and is mid priced about $120. A friend does allot more towing them me just got a hayes G2 and said it's the nicest unit he ever used.

http://www.brakecontroller.com/g2.htm

[Fast92RS]

Ok cool thannks guys. I sent in my deposit for the trailer so it will be a few weeks before I get it. All the trailers are build to order. i did by a brake controller a while ago, but i forgot what brand it is. I will take a look at it later.
The trailer comes with 5' ramps.

specs
Standard Features:

7000 lb. G.V.W
3500 lb. Axles
8'6" Overall Width
6'11" Clearance Between Fenders
Diamond Plate Fenders with Full Inner Panels
8" Fender Height above Runways
*Will Clear Most Car Doors*
Diamond Plate Runways 19.5" wide
4" Channel Steel Frame
5' Slide Out Diamond Plate Ramps
5' Beaver Tail Dropped 3"
14" 6 Ply Rated Tires
10" Electric Brakes
16" Loading Height
Dropped Rear Crossmember for Clearance
Safety Chains
2000 lb. Post Jack
*Set back to Clear Tailgate*
4 D-Rings
2 5/16 Ball Coupler
7 Way Bargman RV Plug
Break-A-Way Kit
LED Lighting
Anti-Rust Sealer & Black Enamel




Options:


*Side Pockets* Additional $5
*D-Rings* Additional $10
*2 Extra Ramps* Additional $125

[Fast92RS]

Does anyone have pictures on how to properly secure a vehicle to the trailer? I just want to make I do it properly.

[Mike]

what kind of straps did you buy?

if none, i can recommend what i bought, but they are a little pricey (incredible quality though)

[Fast92RS]

I did not buy straps yet. I was thinking of buying a kit of straps from summit. Someting like these.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MTD%2D511208&N=700+4294922915+115&autoview=sku
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mtd-511208_w.jpg

[Pampered-Z]

Not sure how soon you need them, buy there normally a vendor at The E-town swap meet that sells all kinds of straps and trailering accessories. He has pretty good prices and I've bought a bunch of stuff from him. I have a dark truck, black trailer and black car, so I bought extra lights for the fenders and reflective tape so other drivers can see it better at night.

[Mike]

that macs kit is what i was going to recommend, but i got the one with the hook directly on the ratchet, and i love them

[Fast92RS]

Ok thanks guys. I will wait till the swap meet to see what the vendors have. But in the meantime how about those pics on strapping a car to the trailer.

[Mike]

i got the ones from the swap meet (snapping turtle brand) and they started to fray, its why i bought the mac ones. ill work on digging up some pics

[heavy_chevy29]

i picked my straps up from northern. i think there prices were pretty good. as far as strapping the car down. i usually just cross the straps. i tighten them with the car in neutral then when everything is all tight i put it in park.

[Fast92RS]

i picked my straps up from northern. i think there prices were pretty good. as far as strapping the car down. i usually just cross the straps. i tighten them with the car in neutral then when everything is all tight i put it in park.

Do you cross them in front and back? In the front of my Camaro I see there are tow points by the radiator support but in the rear I dont see a spot for the hooks. Do you just use axle straps in the rear?

[Mike]

yeah i always use the axle straps in the rear. i dont mess with the tow points in the front, i use a hole in the lower a-arms and i cross the fronts as well. you could use axle straps on the a-arms in the front, but you cant cross them if you do...thats how i ruined the first set of straps i had.

i have the car sitting with no straps at the moment, but tomorrow if its decent out ill put them on and take some pictures for you if you want.

[Fast92RS]

yeah i always use the axle straps in the rear. i dont mess with the tow points in the front, i use a hole in the lower a-arms and i cross the fronts as well. you could use axle straps on the a-arms in the front, but you cant cross them if you do...thats how i ruined the first set of straps i had.

i have the car sitting with no straps at the moment, but tomorrow if its decent out ill put them on and take some pictures for you if you want.

ok cool that would be great. My front a-arms are tubular so I would have to use the straps on them.