Open trailer setup

Rick Angles · 10-12-2010, 07:42 AM

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,

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

Mike Gardner · 10-12-2010, 08:01 AM

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.

Jim Kaekel · 10-12-2010, 08:31 AM

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.

danny waters sr · 10-12-2010, 08:36 AM

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.

Tom keedle · 10-12-2010, 08:55 AM

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...

Bimbo Jones · 10-12-2010, 10:14 AM

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.

james schaechter · 10-12-2010, 10:23 AM

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.

jmcarter · 10-12-2010, 01:07 PM

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.

Eric Merryfield · 10-12-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcarter

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.

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

Rick Angles · 10-12-2010, 07:16 PM

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,

10-12-2010, 07:42 AM	#1
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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, 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

10-12-2010, 08:01 AM	#2
Mike Gardner Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 136 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

10-12-2010, 08:31 AM	#3
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,227 Likes: 133 Liked 531 Times in 108 Posts	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. __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

10-12-2010, 08:36 AM	#4
danny waters sr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: lagrange,nc Posts: 2,224 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ Danny Waters, Sr / 73 Duster "340"

10-12-2010, 08:55 AM	#5
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	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... Last edited by Tom keedle; 10-12-2010 at 08:57 AM.

10-12-2010, 10:14 AM	#6
Bimbo Jones Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

10-12-2010, 10:23 AM	#7
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,988 Likes: 1,288 Liked 1,428 Times in 296 Posts	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. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

10-12-2010, 01:07 PM	#8
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,295 Likes: 2,381 Liked 3,174 Times in 971 Posts	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. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

10-12-2010, 07:16 PM	#10
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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, __________________ Rick