Carmate Trailers?

JohnJL · 05-01-2010, 03:17 PM

Anyone own a Car*Mate trailer? I looked at one today, 8.5 x 20 for towing the track car and it looked nice. Even before discussing budget he poo-poo'ed all aluminum models as unnecessary even though he sells them.

He steered me torwards the steel framed/steel horseshoed and wood 16" studded 8.5x20' model. With 6' extensions on the full-length beavertail it will get the race car on withour scraping. Also spec'd a winchplate, 4' tire rack 30 amp panel, 3 x 8' floro lights, 2 110 outlets and a shoreline for the generator. $8,500 canadian.

Appreciate any reviews, experience with Car*Mate or other advise.
This is towing the 1000kgm/2200lb race car behind our new 2010 Land Rover LR4.

Oh it has torsion bar suspension so now the post has both technical and porsche content

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I just bought a brand new Haulmark 22' x 8.5 for $6500 or so from a dealer here in the Los Angeles area. The trailer weighs about 3300 lbs, and has the extended neck for towing with an RV. Furthermore, I've been told that the Haulmarks are the widest inside between the wheel wells, at 83" (I measured it). I didn't buy any extras or anything like that because I'm trying to keep the total weight of the trailer down as low as possible.

-Wayne

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJL

Anyone own a Car*Mate trailer? I looked at one today, 8.5 x 20 for towing the track car and it looked nice. Even before discussing budget he poo-poo'ed all aluminum models as unnecessary even though he sells them.

He steered me torwards the steel framed/steel horseshoed and wood 16" studded 8.5x20' model. With 6' extensions on the full-length beavertail it will get the race car on withour scraping. Also spec'd a winchplate, 4' tire rack 30 amp panel, 3 x 8' floro lights, 2 110 outlets and a shoreline for the generator. $8,500 canadian.

Appreciate any reviews, experience with Car*Mate or other advise.
This is towing the 1000kgm/2200lb race car behind our new 2010 Land Rover LR4.

Oh it has torsion bar suspension so now the post has both technical and porsche content

aluminum is lighter, lighter is easier to tow and rust won't be an issue

If you tow w/ a big truck it probably doesn't make that much of a difference but w/ the smaller tow vehicles weight is important.

you need to consider the all up weight that your Land rover s rated for and the tongue weight, don't forget all the extras that get thrown in like tools, coolers full of beverages, spares etc.

Just me but I like to have a good surplus of tow capacity, my tow vehicle is rated for 7k # but w/ an al. trailer the all up weight w/ all the extras above is under 5k#

CMDR Perry · CMDR Perry's Garage

John like Bill says I would be concerned about the towing capacity of the Land Rover. It also depends on the distances you plan to travel and types of terrain.
Check out the Boating magazine top picks for tow vehicles, used to always be a Suburban or large crew cab pickup truck. In my experience a long wheelbase and plenty of torque combined with a good trailer makes for a safe trip. DP

175K911 · 05-02-2010, 05:31 AM

I don't think I'd even attempt to pull an enclosed trailer with the Land Rover. I've got a BMW X5 with the 4.4L V8 and 6600 lb towing capacity, and there's no way I could get away with an enclosed trailer behind me without the SUV struggling on every hill.

That CarMate trailer, all steel with the extras you've spec'd out will weigh at least 3500-3800 lbs empty. Add in all the stuff you want to throw in there and you've probably added 500 lbs worth of tools, spares, extra wheels and tires (remember a wheel/tire is 45-50lbs each!) and you're at 4000-4300 empty. Put your car in there and you're probably close to 6500 lbs. In the case of my X5, I would still technically be within the 6600 spec and therefore legal, but there's no way I could pull the trailer especially in the mountains. Your LR4 is heavier than my X5 with about the same HP, and I suspect a similar tow rating.

The other problem you'd have is the wind resistance. Our SUV's are just too small to punch a hole in the air. I pulled an empty Featherlight 8.5x24 trailer with my X5. Sure it pulled it just fine empty, until I hit a head wind on the highway. There was so much exposed frontal area on the front of the trailer that I might as well have had a parachute behind me. There were times I was down to 4th gear (6 speed auto) spinning 3500 rpm to maintain my mph on flat level ground when I hit a 25 mph head wind. So I gave up the idea of an enclosed trailer until I move to a Tahoe or Expedition. Now if only those manufacturers would put a turbo diesel in their SUV's like BMW, Audi. VW are all doing...... but that's a different conversation

dad911 · 05-02-2010, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 175K911

.......
That CarMate trailer, all steel with the extras you've spec'd out will weigh at least 3500-3800 lbs empty. Add in all the stuff you want to throw in there and you've probably added 500 lbs worth of tools, spares, extra wheels and tires (remember a wheel/tire is 45-50lbs each!) and you're at 4000-4300 empty. Put your car in there and you're probably close to 6500 lbs. ........

And add cargo and passengers in the tow vehicle!
The maximum weight of a loaded trailer that the vehicle, as equipped, is rated to tow. This assumes that only the driver (68 kg / 150 lbs) and no extra cargo is in the tow vehicle.

(read the fine print for the definition of towing capacity!)

rfuerst911sc · 05-02-2010, 11:39 AM

A good rule to follow is have a 20% safety margin with your tow vehicle. So if the max the vehicle is rated for is 5000 lbs. you should safely tow 4000. Just a general guide. I have a 18 x 7 aluminum trailer with dual axles. Trailer weighs aprox. 1100 lbs. and I tow with a 1997 GMC 1/2 ton extended cab pickup. Engine is a 5.7 with auto transmission with tow package and 3.42 gear ratio. With my 2100 lb. 914 the truck doesn't even know I'm towing anything. I'm sure if I put the SC on the trailer it would be the same. Plenty of safety margin for pulling power,brakes and sway. A long wheel base is your friend when it comes to sway. Side winds can really move you around with a short wheelbase vehicle. As others have said you have to figure in everything including fuel,passengers and extra gear. Always think safety. Good luck.

JohnJL · 05:02 PM

Guys, I think I'm fine with the weight. The LR4 is rated for 7,500 lbs and has the heavy duty towing package and electronic brake controller fitted. When choosing the LR4 it was really only down to it, the Cayanne and Touareg. It sthe wife's primary car and being German no pickups or GM/Ford was going to make the her cut.

Its a 5.0L 375 hp, 375 ft-lbs v8. She hauls.

The race car weighs 2200 lbs wet. The trailer weighs 3500lbs according to the dealer, plate and brochure.

As long as I keep the car, trailer, accessories, spares and tools below 6,000 (20% below 7,500) that seems good. So keeping the spares, etc below 300lbs...

I am hoping to get some specific feedback on the CarMate brand. Point taken on corrosion, it would be undercoated and realistically wont see any wintertime towing...I dont think I'll be taking the 911 ice racing (...hmmm...ice racing...)

Anyone own a Car Mate? Made in Western PA.