car trailer what do you think?

[rfuerst911sc]

I've been thinking about getting a car trailer, main purpose would be to trailer either the 911 or 914 to AX/DE and general purpose hauling. I just looked at one local to me. All steel construction with the main platform being aprox. 13.5 feet long. Width between wheelwell is 74 inches. This trailer also tilts which is a nice feature. The platform has some rust thru that has to be repaired and all the lights are shot/missing. All four wheels have brakes but not hooked up. Wheels are 13 inch. Comes with two short ramps. Structurally it seems sound but the deck needs work. Springs looked O.K. with the spring mounts looking a little crooked. The trailer has potential. I loosely talked price with the guy and $500.00 was thrown on the table by the seller, I told him I'd get back with him. I like the idea of a shorter trailer for storage but I can see where a 16-18 foot trailer deck could be an advantage. So what do you guys think?

[Rick V]

For $500 I would go for it. Trailers are easy to fix. I am looking at one right now for twice the price, without a tilt. After spending the last 2 weekends hauling cars around with a tow dolly I have decided I need a trailer.

[kaisen]

Sounds like $500 could quickly add up to $1000 (plus labor). 13" wheels are odd for a trailer that can carry a car. It sounds home-made to me. I'd put your money toward a 18-20 ft trailer that isn't a fixer-upper. $1000 buys a decent used one, $1800 buys a simple brand new one.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Sounds like $500 could quickly add up to $1000 (plus labor). 13" wheels are odd for a trailer that can carry a car. It sounds home-made to me. I'd put your money toward a 18-20 ft trailer that isn't a fixer-upper. $1000 buys a decent used one, $1800 buys a simple brand new one.

I'm pretty sure it is factory built as it has a sticker on the tongue with weight capacities and other info on it. I agree 13 inch tires are odd size but this trailer is built like a tank. One thing I like about it the deck height is low so should be easy to drive a Porsche onto it. And I also agree there are better trailers available for aprox. $1000.00 but my limited storage space is also a factor.

[Racerbvd]

This one was designed and built for a smaller car(Lotus/914) at a cost of $3,200.

Very light too. You should check into something like this, I think the whole thing weighs in at 500lbs.

[FastDave]

I bought my 18' tandem axle 102" wide dove-tail new with used tires for $950 (ramps included) in Paducah, KY. The dove-tail makes loading simple. The extra width allows any truck to be loaded even with wide tires. The fender wells are double-wall which means I can stand on them or latch a tie down to them without distortion. I've had the trailer since '05 and the fenders are still straight. The tail lights are also enclosed so I've never had to replace one from backing into something. A winch would be nice but I've managed to do without one so far...

[porsche4life]

You definitely want something in the 16-18 range. 18 with a dovetail would be supreme. I know you can pick a nice one of those up for under 1500.

[ja78911sc]

Will the seller allow you to make a test run? Sounds like it is too short for a 911. I had a 16' trailer and could not get enough weight on the tongue. This creates a "wag" at highway speeds--caused by too much weight at the rear of the trailer. This forced me to back the car on the trailer which is a pain in the a$$.

[kaisen]

You absolutely need to back the 911 on. The 914 should be fine

[porsche4life]

Just buy one that is long enough. Trust me you will regret it if you dont.

[rfuerst911sc]

Looks like you guys are talking me out of this trailer. Sounds like a 18 foot is the way to go to be able to adjust the 911 for proper weight distribution. Do you guys have front mounted tire racks? Does this help put weight on the tongue? What are you guys towing with? Thanks

[kaisen]

What vehicle will you be towing with?

[Racerbvd]

A 16" will also work, I use to use a friends with a tire rack on the nose, towed great, now I have a few trailers for different uses. I sold my Isuzu Trooper with a V6 after I got an enclosed trailer, but a mid size SUV will work for you with a small trailer & 911. Are you coming to the Darkside DE in May??
This is the trailer.

[ja78911sc]

[QUOTE=Racerbvd;4575446]A 16" will also work, I use to use a friends with a tire rack on the nose, towed great, now I have a few trailers for different uses. I sold my Isuzu Trooper with a V6 after I got an enclosed trailer, but a mid size SUV will work for you with a small trailer & 911. Are you coming to the Darkside DE in May??
This is the trailer.

A 16' will work. It all depends on how far back the trailer axles are located. Notice on Byron's trailer the axles are located toward the rear of the trailer.

Ask the owner for a test run before you make an offer.

I considered a tire rack to add additional weight to the tongue but decided to sell the trailer and purchase a 20'.

2005 Chevy Tahoe--tow rig & kid hauler.

[kaisen]

Byron's had 13" wheels too. Please be careful.... passenger car tires in typical 13" sizes have ~1000lb load range. You have to have C-load trailer tires to have the reserve capacity (~1300-1400lbs) for safety.

Hey, at $500 how wrong can you be? If you actually like the midget size, go for it!

[porsche4life]

My only about that short is that it is probably single axle. So rated around 3k. So the trailer better be damn light or your car better be in the sub 2k range. Just sayin

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Byron's had 13" wheels too. Please be careful.... passenger car tires in typical 13" sizes have ~1000lb load range. You have to have C-load trailer tires to have the reserve capacity (~1300-1400lbs) for safety.

Hey, at $500 how wrong can you be? If you actually like the midget size, go for it!

Yes, but those are trailer tires, my buddy built this one to tow rear engine cars, tire rack is also removable. Damn nice for a home hade trailer. It has been repainted BTW.

[kaisen]

Byron, I was warning the OP to check the trailer he was considering. If it has passenger car tires, there's another $300 he has to spend.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Byron, I was warning the OP to check the trailer he was considering. If it has passenger car tires, there's another $300 he has to spend.

Very true, trailer tires are a must, not a place to cut cost!!

[rfuerst911sc]

On to the next victim I'm going to go look at a 16 footer local to me. Supposedly a car trailer dual axle,15 inch wheels etc. I'll let you guys know.