Open trailer setup

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,

Ed Fernandez · 10-12-2010, 08:06 PM

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

Sean Marconette · 10-12-2010, 08:48 PM

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.

18'
Steel Deck
Dovetail
Pull out Steel long ramps
Electric Brakes on both axles
Recessed 2.5'X2.5'X 14" storage box
Breakaway
Good digital proportional brake controller
Sway control
Load distribution hitch
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

P Bailey · 10-12-2010, 10:57 PM

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

Rick Angles · 10-13-2010, 05:40 AM

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.

Rick Angles · 10-13-2010, 05:46 AM

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.

Robert Simpson · 10-13-2010, 07:25 AM

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

Bobby DiDomenico · 10-13-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Angles

Thanks for all the tips / advise guys.
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.

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.

10-12-2010, 01:07 PM	#1
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,296 Likes: 2,383 Liked 3,179 Times in 972 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	#3
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

10-12-2010, 08:06 PM	#4
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Open trailer setup Think about getting the trailer with 5# axles with 16" trailer tires. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

10-12-2010, 08:48 PM	#5
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 977 Likes: 796 Liked 275 Times in 76 Posts	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. 18' Steel Deck Dovetail Pull out Steel long ramps Electric Brakes on both axles Recessed 2.5'X2.5'X 14" storage box Breakaway Good digital proportional brake controller Sway control Load distribution hitch 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 __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

10-12-2010, 10:57 PM	#6
P Bailey Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: OHIO Posts: 6 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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

10-13-2010, 05:40 AM	#7
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ Rick

10-13-2010, 05:46 AM	#8
Rick Angles Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Circleville,Ohio Posts: 113 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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. __________________ Rick

10-13-2010, 07:25 AM	#9
Robert Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 808 Likes: 7 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	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