how to pick a trailer....

titantitan · 10-22-2004, 08:37 AM

I was wondering, if anybody here hauls a car around in a trailer either enclosed or open? If so, anybody have any suggestions on how and what to look for before purchase? Thanks in advance.

btw 4x2 cc with bigtow.

DStewart · 10-22-2004, 01:07 PM

You need to find out what is going to suit you best before you can narrow anything down.

Drew · 10-22-2004, 01:15 PM

Your question is pretty vague. What are you going to tow, and how far?

Here a few thoughts:
1. Brakes. I would go with electric brakes, which means you'll also need to install a brake controller in your titan (no big deal).
2. Open trailers are lighter than enclosed trailers, but you can put more stuff in an enclosed trailer like tools, extra wheels, etc.
3. For an enclosed trailer, aluminum walls are much lighter than wood, although obviously more expensive.

titantitan · 10-22-2004, 03:49 PM

Thank you guys, I am planning to be towing a 2500lb nissan 240sx for autocrossing on weekends. and 2 extra sets of tires and misc tools. I was told about types of leveling trailers, that will distribute weight evenly to prevent strain on the tow hitch. and keep the rear from being weighed down...

Titan Power · 10-22-2004, 07:48 PM

I don't think you will have much trouble hauling around your 240. I've towed heavier cars through the mountains, and the Titan pulled like there was nothing there.

Jason K.

DStewart · 10-22-2004, 11:51 PM

What price range are you lookin to be in?I think you can get a 20' enclosed for around 5k or so. Aluminum would be a lot more expensive.

roadtoad · 10-23-2004, 09:06 AM

a 9500 lb rating is not the whole story - this is still a 1/2 ton, so tongue weight is very important - check where the rear axle or axles are, and if they are further aft than the middle of the trailer's carrying length look for another ..

BlackSnake2001 · 10-23-2004, 10:27 AM

I tow a 20' Enclosed Trailer with my Armada.. Trailer weighs around 3000-3300 lbs, car weighs around 3000 lbs and misc parts. It's got electric brakes and I have a weight distributing hitch on it.

Towing is pretty much no problem unless you are in a head wind. I'm trying to research my options for what to install on the front of the trailer to split the wind. I don't know if it can be done but it would be nice.

Even though it sucks the gas down, having an enclosed trailer is soo much less hassel since you can throw the car and other crap in there and keep it out of the elements.

However, if you can pick up an open trailer for cheap, do it!

Here are some pics of my setup...Keep in mind that I didn't allow the Armada to air-up the suspension in these pics. I simply had it hooked up so I can load and unload the car off the trailer.

With this hitch and the air suspension on the Armada, the SUV is perfectly level after it is allowed to air up. I was amazed! You typically have to tow in 4th gear with occasional 3rd gear pulls when in the mountains..

Shawn

TypeSH · 10-23-2004, 11:05 AM

I pull a 1900 pound 18' Big Tex open trailer carrying a 2700 pound Honda Prelude and the Armada handles it very well. My trailer is a Big Tex with electric brakes and I use a Prodigy brake controller. I have a couple of complaints with the trailer, the first being the wheel wells are the about level with the bottom of my car doors. With me sitting in the car I usually can not open the door and I have to crawl out the window. If the wells were just an inch lower it would be perfect. My other complaint is that the ramps are too short so I have to use wood to raise the ramps enough so the front of my car doesn't scrape.

I attached some pictures of it.