Thoughts on enclosed trailers

[pitbull113]

I'm in the market for a used 24-28ft. enclosed trailer. Most of the 24 footers i've looked at have 3500lb axles. With the trailer weighing an average of 3500lbs and the car weighing 2800lbs that doesn't leave alot of room for extra gear. So I would like your thoughts on overloading these trailers and how well they'll tow.

[JoshS]

Keep looking, they are out there with 5K-lb axles. In my opinion, don't settle for less than 10K capacity. My TPD has 3 lightweight axles instead of 2 heavy ones. I don't necessary think this is better, but it's another approach.

[mlytle]

don't for get the 1000lbs or so on the trailer hitch that should be added to axle capacity to get total trailer capacity.

3500 is too low for a 24 though. that is normal for a landscape trailer. hold out for 5k axles. although if you find a great deal on one with 3500's it is pretty easy and not that expensive to get newer heavier duty axles.

[pitbull113]

Thanks guys. I thought it wasn't a good idea but wanted a second opinion. Too bad, 24 footers are dirt cheap in my area right now, $3500-4000, but I will hold out for one with 5200lb axles.

[Greg Amy]

Finding a 24' enclosed car trailer with 5200-pound axles is rare. The 3500-pounders are the most commonly-delivered one (just about every one you see will be 3500). If/when you find one with 5200-pounders, it will be significantly more expensive.

28-footers, on the other hand, typically come with 5200#. But, as you've no doubt seen, they're noticeably more expensive.

An alternative is to buy a 24-footer in good shape and swap out the axles. 5200# torsion axles assemblies can be found for ~$500 each, and you'll need new brakes and wheels/tires. Yup, it'll require some work, but it may be faster than waiting for one already equipped to show up.

On the other hand, what are you planning on towing? Judicious use of a 24-footer with 7000# gross can be done easily, unless you're planning on towing a 4-wheeler or something like that also. Ask yourself if you're actually planning on adding in over 700 pounds of tools, equipment, parts, gear...if so, you'll probably want the space of a 28-footer anyway. - GA

[mowog]

One disadvantage of the 10K+ trailers is you could potentially get pulled over quicker if you pass up weigh stations (search for several threads in many different car forums about people being pulled over, and in a number of cases, having major problems for not having CDLs). There is a DOT required reflective strip around the bottom of the heavier trailers. I'm not sure of the exact laws regarding this, but it's along the lines of any trailer over 10K rating must have it. In a way, it can be a calling card to the police if/when they're looking to pull over people who pass up the weigh stations.

In addition to being careful about what you load, I would strongly suggest upgrading the tires and wheels if you think you might be at all close to the rated weight. Many people have had tire issues - belts and general blowout. The tires supplied on most all 7000# trailers are just barely adequate. Both the Pace Shadow and Pursuit trailers will easily handle the better load rated tires/wheels (225 instead of the standard 205 size), suspect all other major brand trailers will as well.

If having a trailer custom made, most major brands will build to the 7000# spec, but you can pay for an upgrade to the 5000/5200# axles (doesn't change the trailer rating). Some will custom build to a spec just under 10K (9999?) - this is of course a much more expensive option.

[JoshS]

BIG EDIT: I previously had written: Actually, the statute is the same even if the TOWING VEHICLE has a GCWR over 10K lbs.

But I went back to try to find the actual laws that say that, and I can't find them. I can only find the law that says that anything with a GCWR over 26K lbs is a commercial vehicle. Maybe if I could find the old discussion threads it would lead to the right link, or maybe I'm just going crazy (my wife would pick option B).

In the meantime, maybe I'm wrong.

[pitbull113]

I have a CDL-A license so that's not a problem. I have an open trailer so i'm not in a rush, just lazy and tired of loading and unloading my van for every race and would like to keep the racecar in the trailer so I have more room in the garage. I'll wait until I find a nice deal on a 28 footer or 24 with the heavier axles. Thanks again for all the input.:happy204:

[benspeed]

Go for the 10K trailer - I had a 7500 and blew tires, ruined bearings. And I couldn't pack all my stuff. Worth the extra $$ by a long shot.

Look for a 26 footer - that's what I bought - great compromise on price and size, but they are more rare.

[dickita15]

Just for a counter point, I am in my tenth season with my 24’ haulmark with 3500 axels. I have had very good luck. Repacked the bearings last year before the 11 tow to Mid Ohio and blew my first tire ever last month. I have the trailer crammed full of stuff and I know I am right around the weight limit.

[Greg Amy]

I had a 7500 and blew tires, ruined bearings. And I couldn't pack all my stuff.
Yeah, but Ben let's be honest: you SERIOUSLY overloaded that thing. I drove it for over a year afterwards, and DiMinno's had it for two now, and we've had no blown tires and only one blown bearing (solely due to lack of proper servicing).

It's all in "the mission" you plan to do. Pick the mission THEN pick the trailer. T'ain't the udder way around...

[benspeed]

Yeah - overloaded, but by 3-400 pounds which is very easy to do. Go for the extra I now say.

[NORRIS]

I've had five enclosed trailers (all TPD's) trust me enclosed is the only way to go. But I say go as beefy as you can, as long as you have enough truck to pull it (Go beefy there too) Stuff just seems to last longer. I'm about as lazy as they get and the beefy takes a lot less maintanence. I like working on my racecar. I hate working on my trailer.
My two cents

[handfulz28]

Most of the failures are tires. There's plenty of fudge factor in the axles and bearings, but the tires are at their limit. Upgrade a 7k trailer with 6-ply 225s (2100-2500lb capacity each) and you buy yourself a decent cushion. Going to a 5k axle means 6 bolt wheels which are harder to find if you're in a pinch.

[Dano77]

Send me some info, I have a 28 foot 10000 pound haulmark elite for sale,lites 110 cabinets tire rack etc. also selling the SPO chassis if you know anyone interested $4000 each. Pictures available this time. Dan

[pitbull113]

Send me some info, I have a 28 foot 10000 pound haulmark elite for sale,lites 110 cabinets tire rack etc. also selling the SPO chassis if you know anyone interested $4000 each. Pictures available this time. Dan I'm very interested. Please send pics to [email protected] Where are you located?

[Tom Donnelly]

Please send pics and info to [email protected].

Thanks.

Pitbull113,

Where are you finding 24' for $3500? And what kind?

[Dano77]

Tom,
I tried to send you pictures and it got rejected. Maybe my files are too large. If you're local, you can swing by and take a look. We're located in Raymond, NH.

[Tom Donnelly]

I'm in Georgia. Kind of a long haul.

Thanks.

[pitbull113]

Pitbull113,

Where are you finding 24' for $3500? And what kind?Craigslist

[Bryan88]

I have a 28 foot Pace BracketMaster with the 3500# axles and the 205 tires.....

I've never had one problem out of it.....I've had it since 2003...
no flats......no bearing problems......no axle problems.......

I've pulled it all the way from Dallas TX to Charlotte NC with it
over loaded to the hilt ....... no problems......

people can say what they want.......but my opinion and experience says.......
save your money and get the 3500 pounders........

[chewy8000]

I'm trying to make the same decision. There are tons of 3500# axles at great deals and zero 5000# for anything decent. I did the math and the one I'm looking at should work. I should be around 5500# with the car and I certainly don't have enough crap to come up to 1500 lbs. I know it defeats the purpose but if it's that close I'll just chuck whatever I need to in the bed of the F-250. I also only need to go about 45 minutes to the track.

[JoshS]

I'm trying to make the same decision. There are tons of 3500# axles at great deals and zero 5000# for anything decent. I did the math and the one I'm looking at should work. I should be around 5500# with the car and I certainly don't have enough crap to come up to 1500 lbs. I know it defeats the purpose but if it's that close I'll just chuck whatever I need to in the bed of the F-250. I also only need to go about 45 minutes to the track.
The original poster was looking for a 24'-28' ... surely a trailer that big, loaded, can easily get to the 7000 lb. limit.

I'm guessing that if you'll be at only 5500 lbs you're looking at a smaller trailer.

[chewy8000]

I'm looking at a 24' car-mate trailer. I can't imagine it weighs more than 3500 pounds empty. I could be wrong though, thats what the owner told me was on the title? I can't find any documentation on their site.

[JoshS]

I'm looking at a 24' car-mate trailer. I can't imagine it weighs more than 3500 pounds empty. I could be wrong though, thats what the owner told me was on the title? I can't find any documentation on their site.
3500 is believable, but I wouldn't believe it just because the title says it. That probably doesn't include cabinets or anything else that might be built-in, BTW.

But hey, you're starting with a much lighter car than me, and maybe you really won't use that additional 9' of space in front of and above the car. I just like knowing I've got the capacity when I need it. Everyone ends up using all of their available space eventually. I know I do.

[chewy8000]

This looks like a good deal.

http://www.racingjunk.com/post/1308308/2008-28ft-OUTLAW-LOADED-Race-Ready.html