Trailer suggestions?

[zippy_gg]

I am looking to buy a trailer to potentially move my 86 Carrera cab across the country.
What should I be looking for in a used trailer, both size-wise and feature-wise?
Do I need an enclosed trailer necessarily?
Once the trans continental trek is over I won't be using the trailer much.

[Jack Stands]

Probably cheaper and certainly easier to have it shipped once you add up all the expenses of towing cross country yourself.

If you do want to get a trailer, the aluminum ones are lighter and tend to hold their value better. An enclosed trailer does afford more protection and provide a place to store your car, but will be tougher to tow.

[afterburn 549]

I don't recommend a single axle. Your options list come to an immediate end with one tire blown.
A double axle will be a lot more resalable and a lot more stable / safe..
Use Mud flaps on tow vehicle , and perhaps a car cover..i say perhaps as sometimes if installed wrong they beat the crap out of your car.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

Probably cheaper and certainly easier to have it shipped once you add up all the expenses of towing cross country yourself.

I am considering moving from SOCAL to Georgia, Alabama, or Tennessee, so I will need to drive my tow car anyway.

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

If you do want to get a trailer, the aluminum ones are lighter and tend to hold their value better. An enclosed trailer does afford more protection and provide a place to store your car, but will be tougher to tow.

Since I have never done it, I don't know what makes an enclosed trailer tougher to tow. Is it because of drag or lateral winds?

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

I don't recommend a single axle. Your options list come to an immediate end with one tire blown.
A double axle will be a lot more resalable and a lot more stable / safe..
Use Mud flaps on tow vehicle , and perhaps a car cover..i say perhaps as sometimes if installed wrong they beat the crap out of your car.

All good advice, thanks!

[rattlsnak]

I dont think I've seen a single axle car trailer before? First things first, what are you towing it with? That will make a big difference on what to buy.

[Tippy]

Trailer companies should offer "car haulers", which have low slung upper horizontals allowing the doors to be opened unlike utility trailers.

[timmy2]

Rent a trailer from U-haul?

[VFR750]

A steel open trailer is pretty cheap even new. But once they take the initial hit in depreciation they flat line on price. I bought a Econo-Trailer. ET154B. Open. ~2500 new, 1500 or so used.

15' long and 8' wide version. For an older 911 including the turbo the 8' wide is much better. Our track width fits the narrower gage ideally. I've towed my 911 over 15,000 miles on it.

The only thing I didn't do is have the axels move rearward to accommodate the rear engined car. Which is fine. I had to tow a Hyundai Sonata 400 miles and drive straight on. Axles were in the "right" location for that.

I tow with the 911 loaded engine first. You may have to do the same with a shorter trailer. Getting the tongue weight right with a rear engine car is tough with the engine at the end of the trailer.

[matthewb0051]

I've trailered and used transport companies several times (the joys of military moves). The rub is whether you want to go slower and burn up more fuel by towing (and go even slower up hills). Its great to get there and the car be with you but it certainly does make the trip longer. I always seem to worry at night in hotels that someone is going to want to know why that car is so awesome that it needs to be towed and lets not talk about the extra space you need at hotels, gas stations, McDonalds, and just about everywhere for that matter. I've always rented from UHaul and never had an issue.

The last few times however, I have put the car in a closed trailer. I just send it a little early and arrange for it to be there when I arrive. This is soooooo much easier and allows you to go the speed limit or beyond. I never really broke it down but I suspect that the cost is about the same when you consider the extra fuel in addition to the rental costs.

I like your way of thinking though. Buy it for the trip then maybe sell it. You will likely recoup your outlay and at least only lose as much as renting or paying a transport company.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

I am looking to buy a trailer to potentially move my 86 Carrera cab across the country.
What should I be looking for in a used trailer, both size-wise and feature-wise?
Do I need an enclosed trailer necessarily?
Once the trans continental trek is over I won't be using the trailer much.

what you are towing w/ makes a big difference

They all need a way to activate the trailer brakes, there are w methods
1) hydraulic activated by a m/c connected to the tongue, you still need a 4 pin electric hook up for the lights, backing up can be a PIA
2) electric activated by a 7 wire connector, these use a controller in the tow vehicle, an adjustable under dash proportional controller is desired unless the tow vehicle has a built in controller

lightest and easiest to tow are open aluminum, which will cost ~$5k+/- be sure to start w/ relatively new tires and have relatively new spares. Tires on trailers tend to go bad long before the tread is worn. w/ a 3000# car all up weight will be ~4000#+/-

open steel, will be ~500# or more heavier and be commensurately more of a load on the tow vehicle

small aluminum enclosed can be any where form another 500# more the above steel open to 3000#+ more, weight and aero contribute to load, you'd want a stout SUV or 1/4 ton pickup to tow the lighter ones and 3/4 or better for the heavier ones

steel enclosed are the heaviest and aero is as bad as it gets 1/4 ton p/u min, 3/4 ton or better desired.

I'd look into a shipping company if you have no other use for the trailer

I've seen U haul rentals, they appear to be even heavier than other steel open trailers.

If DIY, tires & tie downs & brakes are critical, being able to open the car door while on the trailer not far behind.

[Jesse16]

If you really are only wanting to use it once, rental is going to be your best value for sure. One way rental is no issue with the car trailers is my experience. The U-Haul trailers are very heavy, secure and no problem for you if a tire were to flat. Enclosed is nice if the car is a super valuable garage queen but then you're just hiring one of the carrier companies. You can tow the u-haul with a 911 on board with most any Pick-Up truck, least I did.

[zippy_gg]

My tow vehicle at this time would be my 2006 Mercedes E350 Wagon.
Anyone used such animal to tow anything? I don't have a tow hitch for that car yet...
Looking at one-way rentals for the trailer...
Keep the suggestions and feedback coming; very much appreciated for my 2,000 miles trek.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

My tow vehicle at this time would be my 2006 Mercedes E350 Wagon.

I seriously doubt if you will be able to tow a UHaul drive on trailer with that car. The tongue weight alone will put your back bumper on the ground. My experience is with moving van or Land Rover Discovery but even with the LR I had to raise the rear air suspension to level out the load.

I once tried towing with a Jeep Cherokee and the combined weight of towed car and Uhaul trailer was too much, bringing the rear of the Jeep down and compressing the springs. There will come a point where the trailer will be driving the car.

Unless you have a different tow vehicle I suggest driving both or shipping the 911.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

My tow vehicle at this time would be my 2006 Mercedes E350 Wagon.
Anyone used such animal to tow anything? I don't have a tow hitch for that car yet...
Looking at one-way rentals for the trailer...
Keep the suggestions and feedback coming; very much appreciated for my 2,000 miles trek.

Check the owners manual, there is probably a ow spec, my guess would be 3500# or less, 5000# tops.

Even a light aluminum w/ car will be a real strain for it especially in the mountains

Just being able to move something around for a short distance doesn't mean that it going to be good for a cross country move.

My favorite story here is from when I raced keel boats, there was a guy at Ft Adams in New Port RI that would move his 6000# boat and trailer around the yard w/a Diesel Rabbit, worked fine, but he would never use it to trailer to a regatta even one only a short haul away.

Pay someone else to move you car

[zippy_gg]

It seems that only class 1 tow hitches are available for my car.
Big concerns also about the height of the car.
Time for a truck? Looking at RAM 1500 with a crew cab...

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

It seems that only class 1 tow hitches are available for my car.
Big concerns also about the height of the car.
Time for a truck? Looking at RAM 1500 with a crew cab...

w/ either the Ecoboost diesel or 5.7 hemi that would tow most anything, be sure to get one w/ the trailer tow package which includes a built in proportional electric brake controller, 3.92 axle raise the tow capacity too.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

w/ either the Ecoboost diesel or 5.7 hemi that would tow most anything, be sure to get one w/ the trailer tow package which includes a built in proportional electric brake controller, 3.92 axle raise the tow capacity too.

Thanks Bill!
Does it need to be lifted or is the stock height adequate?

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Thanks Bill!
Does it need to be lifted or is the stock height adequate?

Heck no, you will need to use a drop hitch as it is

Some guys like the self leveling from the optional air suspension on those things but it's not necessary.

[jass]

If you decide on a trailer, get one with the back portion of the trailer sloped down so that loading the porsche does not take out the front valance. +1 on the tandem axle.