Buying a trailer Friday, opinions?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Okay, I have not had good luck finding nice trailers in exactly what I want for cheap. Their either full deck, or too long or too short, or questionable bearings and tires, or questionable wiring, or they simply want too much for their stupid trailers. I *oculd* hold off and wait again for a good deal, something in the 1300-1500 range used. Or I could simply go Friday and pick up a 2010 15' open deck, already va inspected, everything good to go and new for $1949. Its local (gainesville) and would be painless.

I wanted to get some opinions from those who already had/have trailers. Tires and brakes, and bearings are relatively cheap for trailers, so in terms of cost, it may be worth it to go used 1300-1500...maybe, but the hassle as well?? Plus with a new trailer I would need to possibly get d-rings welded on and a trailer box made for it, but shit I wouldnt have to worry about the tires/brakes/hubs/rusting for 3-5 years.

[D_Eclipse9916]

From what ive learned im also told to stay away from utility trailers with wood, and I want the trailer by September 25/26 and October 2nd/3rd, as I will be tracking both weekends and I could just rent a uhaul for $109 dollars ecah weekend, but I feel that just offsets the cost of a new trailer.

[Dave]

jeebus

Why do you need D-rings? Don't the trailers you're looking at have standard metal loops on them in the center?
Why do you need a trailer box? Does your Yukon not have a storage area in the back?
What the hell is too long and too short? If your car fits on it, then its the right size...

Seriously, your entry price is probably higher than what I've put into my trailer in 4 years of ownership (including replacing the entire deck on it myself and having wiring work done on it). Am I living in some alternate universe here? Maybe my trailer isn't pretty or new, but it will haul crap just the same...

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yes it has the metal rings on every corner. Dunno, trying to make it as safe and easy as possible.

I want a trailer box for spare parts/tools/jack/jack stands. Back of the yukon is for tires, cooler, air mattress (yes ive confirmed a queen air mattress fits in the back of the yukon, ballin), and miscellaneous shit. Also, aside frmo when I have the air mattress inflated, I want to be able to have 4 complete seats available in the truck for errands, carting people around, random shit.

What is your trailer Dave? I dont care about pretty or new, but I want an open deck trailer thats decent, at least 15' to 18' (smaller is better for parking where I am). I know the 15' fits e36s with ease. I also like the slide out ramps, but im sure 99% of used trailers have that.

[HAULN-SS]

Wooden decks are probably not an issue. Every big ass trailer i ever saw with a bulldozer or tractor on the back had wooden decks. If it's some good solid hardwood you wont have to replace it for at least 10 years

[Dave]

I *personally* wouldn't be able to convince myself to add D-rings to a newish trailer. If it was 15 years old and the old loops are looking questionable, maybe then...
I won't fight you on the trailer box, b/c a SUV back is obviously different from a truck bed. I can totally appreciate the convenience of a trailer box, but it still doesn't seem like a "gottahavitnow" thing considering the possible added expense. I've considered adding it to mine, just never been able to justify it.

I have no idea how long my trailer is, only that every car I've put on it has fit fine; once I did put a Ford Exploder on it (b/c it had actually exploded) and it seemed considerably larger than what I was used to so take that however you want. That said, I've got an enormous yard and space has never been an issue. I figured you wanted it small b/c you live in the city; i certainly hoped it wasn't b/c you were being a giant (I) and just wanted it for maneuvering . It has slide-out ramps, which i actually used once to get the truck out of a ditch while the trailer was still attached (fun!).

You should bitchslap whoever told you to avoid wooden decks b/c they're just trying to make you spend more; let me guess, it was on a BMW forum . Mine was completely rotten when I bought the trailer, and for less than $200 and a half-day's labor I had installed brand new pressure treated planks and carriage bolts + hardware. It's been perfect ever since sitting out in the elements.

[Ole]

Decent used trailer w/brakes............1500
bearings and tires.............................500
parts box.........................................200


New Trailer......................................2000
parts box..........................................200
Tire Rack..........................................300

I went used, had rhe bearings serviced, have yet had to buy tires (5 years now) and had a tire rack already on it. It worked for me. I have had offers for maore than I originally paid and it creates good will if you can help someone out with it once in a while.

YMMV.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Sounds like a wash from your experience. That makes me feel better, or did it come off wrong?


Dave,

The toolbox is a convenience ill glady pay for and it sounds like the wood is not an issue. I want as small as possible for parking reasons and around the city. I also have no need to ever tow a limo or something and if it fits the e36 im happy. Arg I have no idea.

[Scott]

This what I have, bought 3 years ago. I have had no issues with it so far (go w/ the 4 wheel brakes). Good deal for the money, light weight. It is nice having a trailer you can use to help out others once in a while (or bringing back random parts cars...) I built my tire rack for cheap and it's down low as to not have an "aero" issue while pulling it.

http://www.econotrailer.com/CAR.html

[D_Eclipse9916]

Actually thats the exact one I probably will be buying.

[Dave]

Scott's seems like a pretty good deal to me considering what it offers and your time considerations which will limit the opportunity to get a fixerupper.

Now that I'm home I can actually pull up all of my expenses on mine. Over the entire course of ownership (since 6/07) I've spent <$1400 including replacing the deck, a battery and some wiring stuff, a mount for my spare tire, a new jack, and three tires, but I have to admit that I got a damn good deal on it when I bought it (brakes and bearings have not yet needed servicing).

Looking at my expenses over time, the one thing I would absolutely recommend is getting a permanent tag. It will pay for itself in 2 years...

[D_Eclipse9916]

yeah ill be doing a permanent tag, wow you definitely have less than I will have in it.

[Scott]

Actually thats the exact one I probably will be buying.

Don't worry about the d-rings then. I have towed Miata's, E36's, and a '68 Dodge Dart (and others) on it w/ the stock rings w/o any issue.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Do you use straps around the wheels or what? BMW transports their cars using these things called t-hooks that go into dedicated slots in the car and im not sure which route I want to take.

[Dave]

Do you use straps around the wheels or what? BMW transports their cars using these things called t-hooks that go into dedicated slots in the car and im not sure which route I want to take.

It might be worth it to invest in a couple of the T-hooks, or get some tire straps (which could be used on other things than stoopid german turds).

I had to wrap my straps through the wheels on my E36, which is definitely not my preferred method...

[Scott]

Do you use straps around the wheels or what? BMW transports their cars using these things called t-hooks that go into dedicated slots in the car and im not sure which route I want to take.

I think we went around the lower control arms with axle straps (owner of the car tied it down). I have also done the through the wheel on it on the return trip. I think the t-hook with ratchets would probably work well (almost as nice as the factory Miata tow hooks)

[D_Eclipse9916]

Ohh on an e36 never do those lower control arms btw, those will bend pretty easily, common tow driver thing to people that have e36s. But I think your right, ill get the t-hooks for the bmw, and then just have some extra straps for wheels for when I need to help out friends, or just wait till they break down and force them to buy it

[PDenbigh]

DJ,

I got my current trailer for $900. I had to redo the wiring and put new tires on it, so I was around $1300 total. It's a 16' full deck bull nose electric brake.

It all depends on how much your time is worth. When I got my trailer, I decided that I could invest some time and save the total out-of-pocket expense. Now days, being pulled 15 different directions, I'd just pay for the complete package.

I have a wooden deck and it's not an issue at all. I pressure wash it and treat once every season or two and it is in fine shape.

MY SUGGESTION would be to get the trailer that is the best structurally. The first trailer I got was an 18' el-cheapo with cool wheels, and it flexed like crazy even with a 2600 pound XR on it. My current trailer is a 16' dovetail that sucks cosmetically, but is MUCH better built, and it tows great and doesn't flinch with the XR on it. I've towed a Yukon on it before and it did pretty well too.

Spend money on a good platform (structure) and you can handle the rest (tires, brakes, etc). Put a small, 2000# ATV winch on the front and upgrade the silly trailer battery to a full size car battery (for the winch). Put an Optima in the Yukon and use the old Yukon batt on the trailer.

Also, ramps make a huge difference. Mine are too short, heavy as hell, stored sideways, and it's a PITA. Someday when I get the time and energy I'm going to retrofit some long aluminum ones. The longer they are, the lower your car can be. Right now, I have to unstrap the car, then jack up the tongue (with truck attached), AND add wooden "helper ramps" just to load/unload the XR.

Don't get obsessed on open/full deck - the weight savings isn't substantial and your Yukon won't notice the difference too much. Plus, a full deck can also haul other stuff. You'd be surprised how handy that can become.

Hope that helps.

Peter

[PDenbigh]

PS - get LED lights. Totally worth it. Trust me.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Thanks, yeah I figured I could save some good money by buying used, but doesnt make sense to wait around for one if I have to rent at a cost of 200 bucks for the 2 weekends ill be tracking in the next month.

How will I know if a trtailer is "solidy" built.