Open trailer setup

[Sean Marconette]

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

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Rick Angles

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?

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.

[Doug Domm]

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.

[james schaechter]

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.

[Rick Angles]

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, .

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

[Philip Saran]

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.

[Rick Angles]

Originally Posted by Robert Simpson

By the way what class will you be running with your starfire?

Robert

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,

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Rick Angles

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

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.

[Rick Angles]

Originally Posted by Bobby DiDomenico

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.

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!