Open trailer setup
 

Finally, I am going to start building my Starfire for stock eliminator. There are many items to tend to, since I am just starting out. I have been looking at open trailers and am going to pick one up in the next few weeks. I have read all the threads on towing/trailers, so I figure I may know what to look for, :confused:

I figure my first mod to it would be an electric winch, since the car will be pushed around a lot while building. I looked at the Superwinch site and they show the winch mounted on the deck, but I thought of putting it on the tongue, right next to the front of the deck. How do you guys have yours setup? The trailer I have in mind is a 16 ft. The Starfire is just over 14 ft long. At some point I may add a mount for a pit bike and maybe a fuel jug to the front of the trailer. Everything else ( chairs,tools,etc ) I can put in the bed of my Chevrolet long bed. Will this all fit or should I think about an 18ft? I have to think about where it will be parked ( my driveway ) which is not that long, but I would rather find out now if what I have in mind will work or go to a longer trailer. Thanks

Rick

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick, Maybe this will help. As a trailer dealer here in Virginia, we do this upgrade alot for our customers who are purchasing a new trailer. Lately, we have been installing a 3500LB superwinch with a group 24 battery and battery box in a Aluminum Diamond Plate tool box designed in a wedge or vee shape to fit the tongue of the trailer. These listed parts fit perfectly in the bottom of the box with the winch slightly off center. You will have to use some 3" or 4" channel and build a platform for the box to bolt onto and this will raise the floor of the box even with the floor of the trailer. You will also have to cut out a hole in the back of the box and maybe buy a roller fairlead to mount here for your winch cable. This makes for a professional installation that is secure and water tight. Hope this helps. Call me anytime if you want my opinion on open trailer manufacturers.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick: Don't forget about JB Trailers in Elkhart, Ind. They have awesome open trailers. I owned one for about 15 years before selling it to a friend. They have several different lengths. The longer you can fit into your driveway (more storage space) the better. They even build them with a tool box on the tongue and winch mount if you like. I also mounted my pit bike in between the tool box and car. I had a 2' x 4' tall tool box on the front and the deck was 20' long, 24' total length, if I recall. Good luck.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

You will not regret getting at least an 18' . I started with a 16' and went to a 20'. Be sure to get a solid floor and not open center. I have my trailer set up with winch and in front i load a golf cart from side with about 21/2 ft between it and the car. I am now mounting a truck tool box on tounge and as Mike says you will have to space it up to be even with the deck..As far as towing i could not tell any diff in the 16' to the 20'. I bet Mike has just what you need.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

at least an 18' bed and a steel or aluminum floor....
wood sucks.....

i've got a 8500# winch on mine with a reciecer hitch mounted verticly so i can remove it...
i AM gonna mount it in a toolbox though...

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Check city codes about what length of trailer is legal to have at your residence if you live in town and get the longest one that will meet code limits( usually around 18'). If you are planning on adding things like scootters/golf cart and other items. It is easier to purchase a trailer you can grow into rather than try to make do later. GET brakes on both axles. All these things will help when time comes when you decide you need(want) an inclosed trailer. The above are a few of the things I learned the hard way. Good luck.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

We have a small open trailer as a back up. We put an atv winch mount with quick release on it with an older superwinch s2500. I use a schumacher battery pack and just clip the jump start wires on the winch and it pulls the car right up. No battery needed. Works great. We don't use the trailer a lot so it is nice to keep everything portable. I bought the winch mount on the denniskirk ebay store. It was only about 15 bucks on close out.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

As noted on city codes, long as possible but especially wanted to recommend spending a bit of extra money to get an aluminum trailer, my spare featherlite can be pushed around easily by hand on the concrete pad, resale is great, towing expense is less due to gas mileage and wear on equipment, etc.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Case in point from this past weekend for myself: towing 7,000 lb enclosed trailer to Maple Grove.....9.2-9.3 MPG which I was pretty happy with......20 foot featherlite open with dragpak coming home 15.5 MPG......with the 6 lug 15 inch tires......what it would get with the 16inch tires who knows?

Eric

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Thanks for all the tips / advise guys. I may give JB Trailers a call. I checked out their website and maybe a custom trailer is the way to go. Their custom trailer and some options look tempting. I was looking at Quality Trailers but if I can get one already set to my needs for a comparable price, then that would be better. May get with you, Mike, to talk trailers and also how you set yours up for customers. Might give me ideas.

Never thought of city codes. My brother in law lives in another part of town and his division doesn't allow trailers,boats,RV's setting around. So he has his john boat / trailer taking up space in his garage, out of sight. I have never had any trouble in my end, as I have had many cars in the past years in various states of repair. My neighbors know me and no one has said anything.

I was thinking 18 ft, even though I have looked at and priced 16 ft. But I think now I will be looking at an 18 ft, but need to measure drive first. I think it will fit.

I have towed a few trailers, mostly 16 ft and a U-Haul or 2. My friend has a Featherlite 17 ft open that he used to move my Starfire when I bought it. Would love to have one of those, but the price is double. Most of my towing will be mostly around Ohio. I figure I can use the extra money to put in my car, :D

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Think about getting the trailer with 5# axles with 16" trailer tires.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Whatever you do mount the winch so as it will not grow legs! I mounted mine under the trailer, and cut a hole where the rollers for the cable is above the steel floor. I have a recessed storage box in the front in between the D-rings. The recessed storage box is where the battery is located. I welded a structure across the underside and that is what the winch is mounted to. Someone would have to work hard to get it.

1. 18'
2. Steel Deck
3. Dovetail
4. Pull out Steel long ramps
5. Electric Brakes on both axles
6. Recessed 2.5'X2.5'X 14" storage box
7. Breakaway
8. Good digital proportional brake controller
9. Sway control
10. Load distribution hitch
11. SPARE TIRE

These are not in order, but are what I feel are needed. The more storage that you have in the trailer, means less time loading and unloading the truck to go to and from the races. And also a good place to store the load leveling bars and sway when not used.

Good Luck

Sean

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick You might give Rock's trailers a call. I have dealt with Jim the owner and is a very nice fellow. His parts manager is a racer also.He is in the Columbus area. Good luck. Phil

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Phil, I was at Rock's Sat morning looking at the trailers. Those are what I was thinking about. Nice place and the salesman that helped me, Jimmy, was nice to work with. Answered all my questions and took his time with me.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Sean, everything on your list I had in mind with the exception of the sway control and spare. I have thought about the LD bars, as I have found some used at times. A few people have told me how nice it is towing with them, even if you don't really need them. Also the box is a good idea. I thought with this thread on winches, I would get a few ideas on boxes at the same time.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Everything that was said above is the way to go. I have had to modify some things over the years on mine. Like make the ramps pull out vs loading them under the trailer (next to impossible to get out in tight quarters). I also would recomend wheel chocks so that you put the car in the same spot each time. Also once you get the car set on the trailer, paint a line down the deck of the trailer next to the tires, this will speed up loading the car by yourself (you will have a reference). I also installed straps that go over the rear tires, this keeps me from having to climb under the car to tie it down (especially when it is raining). I use regular straps on the front. I have some other things that I have to do when time allows but everything that has been said by others is the right thing to do. Have fun. By the way what class will you be running with your starfire?

Robert

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick,
Here you can have a 25' single axle boat trailer with boat on your drive, you can also place a 50' enclosed trailer in your side or back yard. (I cannot say that your neighbors will speak with you anymore...) But an empty 16' car trailer on your drive is illegal because it has two axles and is an eyesore.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Mine is an open deck "Econo Trailer", which I make good use of. It's my "lift"... great for changing oil, headers, etc. I do have blocks on the front which makes it a snap to know that you're pulled forward to exactly the right place, and with the pull-out ramps, I drive right up, just looking out the door to see about 4 rows of diamond plate to know I'm good left to right. I've gotten busted first round at Pageland and been on the trailer and out the gate before the bye run went down! LOL (Had to be at MIR the next morning)

Made for a great observation deck at Atco the other week, too!

Re: Open trailer setup
 

For what it's worth.

When we started racing in 2000 and were looking for a trailer, my dad had some ideas about what he wanted, but talked to a lot of other people about stuff, too. In hindsight, it was a big mistake. Everyone told him "Oh, 16' is plenty of trailer". Well, those people, most of them, have their rear tires come to the back of the trailer, so the whole trunk hangs off the back. One racer even had the racecar tailights wired to work with the trailer lights. Also, "A 3' tongue is plenty". Well, yeah...if you're not planning on putting anything big (toolbox, bike rack, generator, etc) on it. If you do, you're not making any tight turns with that setup. We ended up getting an 18', and a co-worker gave dad a toolbox to mount on the trailer. Not huge...about 5' wide, 2' deep and 2' tall, give or take. But, it was free and worked well. We were able to put our bicycle between the front of the racecar and the toolbox. The car(s) we raced, 1985 Sunbird FWD Stocker, barely fit on the trailer. Had we had a bigger car, it too would have hung off the back. My dad said instead of listening to others, he has a definate idea on a trailer for the next time if he buys another. 20' deck, minimum and 5' tongue, minimum. That way, you can mount a toolbox on either the deck or tongue, and still have room for other stuff (generator, winch (we didn't have one), scooter, bicycles, etc.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Thanks for all the ideas and comments so far. I will list the setup I have taken from your comments later.

Back to my original quest about winches, I see a lot of you use a battery to run the winch. Couldn't you run the wires to the tow vehicle battery? Maybe use the 7 way plug or add a second plug for the winch?

Re: Open trailer setup
 

My SuperWinch has leads that are about the same size as jumper cables. Keep in mind that the current draw from the winch will require addequate size wire, so the winch can do the rated work. Unless you have a long set of jumper cables to use the truck battery, I would get a deep cycle battery for the winch. I think Jim S. said something about a jump pack that they use for their winch. That would be another idea.

Sean

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick,
Not sure those wires could handle the amp load. Also remember some winches cannot be used to unload the car, only pull it on the trailer. You'll need to check with the manufacturer. Electric jack is also nice extra.

Even if your car doesn't hang off the back, get an old harness, install it and those bulbs when towing with a harness plugged into the trailer to use the race car tailights as additional running, stop, and turn signals. They are up high and very bright. Works great to catch their attention, adds some extra safety.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

My first trailer was short and the rear of my racecar overhung the trailer about 8 inches. I was driving on a main thoroughfare in Calgary 5:00 o'clock traffic while traveling to a division race (now that was a long time ago) when someone almost hit the rear of my car on the trailer. Her front end was just low enough to miss my car but touched the trailer. She said she was admiring the car and didn't see the brake lights on the trailer. Perhaps if the cars tailights had been wired in she may have noticed. I have seen other racecars wired to the trailer and always thought that was pretty slick.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Speaking of lights, make sure to get LED's. They are awesome!

Especially when the visability is poor. I am sure most trailers built new have them, but when I redid mine, I just ordered them on ebay and they were not too expensive.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Thanks for all the ideas coming. I am gathering all the info from those that have been there.

The LED lights are a good idea. I see it in the new cars here at the dealer. Also wiring the car lights to the trailer is something I never thought about. I have both ends of a 4 wire flat trailer plug that I know would be perfect for this situation.

I have narrowed my choice of trailer down;

18 ft open trailer with full deck
4 wheel brakes
Dove tail
Pull out 5 ft ramps
Breakaway

Here is the website to what I am looking at;

http://www.qualitytrailersinc.com/

See the 7K General duty car trailer. I found a tongue box at Harbor Freight, but looking at the specs it maybe to small for winch, battery and tiedowns to fit.I still need to set up my truck, which has no hitch right now. Should be ready by next week. I have a few friends that are helping me out with this. One has a receiver off his previous truck ( towed a 11k camper ) which will fit mine and digital brake controller. He is also letting me use his WD setup, as he only moves his trailer to the camp grounds in April, then back home in October. The rest of the time the WD setup is just taking space in his garage. Another has given me a new 7 way plug. Anybody want to give me a winch and trailer, :D.

I will keep an eye here and let you know how things go with my new venture.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick,

I have a 18 ft full steel diamond plate deck open car trailer mfg by
Quality Trailers in Ohio.

7000 lb w/3500 lb axles and 15" tires (I would upgrade from that)
but I bought slightly used.

I have a Harbor Freight electric winch mounted on a removable
steel plate that slips onto the front of the trailer deck (works OK)
and the power wire is run to a seperate 7 pin plug that plugs into
the truck when I use the winch.

Since the rear trailer lights are mounted on the rear of the trailer
outside of each ramp opening, I mounted a set of Harbor Freight
trailer lights to the rear of each rear fender and wired together with
the stock lights.

At Vegas last year for Mopars at the Strip I saw a trailer where the
guy had built a angle iron frame to mount a truck tool box on top
with storage for his fuel jugs under it with a rod and lock through the
jugs for security. This had the tool box about 3 feet up above the
deck of the trailer.

I am looking at building something similar so that I can have lockable
storage for my aluminum floor jack, my Honda 200i generator and a
fuel jug or two.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

It is an original GT with a 305/auto. I think if I remember, it falls about R/SA? But I am starting out with a 231 V-6 Buick/auto, which will fall in V/SA. Nobody has to worry about me. It's all about the fun factor, right, :D

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Rick,

If you can, I go with another harness (from your local automobile recycler) for the tail lights just to plug into the trailer harness. Otherwise you will be back feeding the car electrically thru the running light circuit.

Let us know what you get, we can always use some good ideas & suggestions here.

Re: Open trailer setup
 

Well, there is now a shiny new open trailer in my drive. Today it is off to Jeg's at lunch to pick up winch, then a stop after work to check on a box. I will post a pic later when I have the trailer set up to show all how I configured mine. Let the building begin!