Red Tornado Posted October 15, 2006 Posted October 15, 2006 My new Trailblazer SS can tow 6,600lbs but these suv's aren't the longest wheelbases and they only weigh about 5,100lbs. With all that being said I would like to go enclosed so I can store everything together (as well as millions of other benefits). Towing a 2003 Mustang. Been looking at Trailex, etc.. my guess is 20' since car is about 15.5' long. Any help or learnings would be great. Unfortunately money is somewhat of an object and some of the ones I have seen are over $20k which is more then I wanted to spend. Thanks for any help. Quote
Holster Maker Posted October 15, 2006 Posted October 15, 2006 Silver, I have what you stated, 03 Mustang and I have a 95 M-Cobra (AI-almost done). My enclosed trlr is 20'. If I could do it over, I'll get the 24 or bigger, more space, bigger tires, bigger axles, bigger brakes. This extra space will allow diff programs, like a motorcycle crossways in front of the car, etc. Sorry, you need a larger towing veh for safety, the towing veh should weigh more for enclosed. By the way, use an EZLIFT, sloves all problems. I wouldn't even think about towing without one now. My 2 cents. PS, My Fox body race car fits fine in the 20' , but the SN95's are just wider and longer, you wouldn't think it would be much, but it is. Quote
bmrracing Posted October 15, 2006 Posted October 15, 2006 If you are new to enclosed trailers you will find out real fast that for racing or track events a 24 is about the minium size needed. The car is 16ft you need a tool box, jack, spare wheels and tires (If you plan on running AI), spare parts, oil, fuel, and the list goes on. I pull a 28 it seems about right that gives you a 25 ft box and it is really packed . You also have to consider room for you to strap down the car. If you go too small that becomes a real pain. Also most guys end up wanting a generator and a small compressor for air and some sort of cabinet and bench to work on things. There are lots of manufacters out there you can get into a decent steel trailer for 12-15 there are some cheaper ones but you kind of get what you pay for if you know what I mean. The trailblaser won't like you at all if you strap a box trailer of any size behind it. My 28 ready to go to the track is right at 8500lb. I pull it with a F350 Dually with a power stroke. At minimum a 2500 series truck with either a large Gas engine or A Diesel (its cheaper to pull with)would be needed. You will find that you will need more and more stuff to take especially when you start racing. So plan for expantion. I am looking to go to a 38ft 5th wheel for next year and probly should look at 42s but storage space is a issue. Quote
Red Tornado Posted October 16, 2006 Author Posted October 16, 2006 Well let's assume I can't get rid of the trailblazer (since I just bought it 3 days ago). Should I just go with a cheap open trailer and a tire rack with a little tool box in front. I figured with a 20' I would just have a tirerack and basic jack hodler, fuel jug holder, and that was about it. Basic tool box also obviously but nothing advanced. It soudns like the 20' fits it but just not a lot of extra room. Quote
Holster Maker Posted October 16, 2006 Posted October 16, 2006 Since you just bought the TB I would go with the open or 20 alum enclosed, Esp if you don't have hills to pull w/TB, out here I do, wouldn't work. For yrs I pulled an open metal car hauler type with center open, this had rain problems coming up from under, but I filled that section up with thin plywood. The open center section was cool, you could do maintenance under the car, while on the trlr. Tire racks are cool, they guard the front of your car. Some people have put partial side racks too! You will get a lot better mileage. That was a big diff when I went with enclosed. I didn't like that, but the enclosed has far more advantages. You can always sell the unit later, don't buy new. good luck, Mike Quote
Red Tornado Posted October 16, 2006 Author Posted October 16, 2006 Yeah the open seem to be plentiful and fully loaded will be well under $7k. The enclosed that are really light weight all get up near $15k and up. I just always worry about the basics with an open trailer (everything exposed, no windows which means always covered, theft...) Anyone selling a nice 20' aluminum trailer?? The TBSS does tow 6,600lbs and has the corvette motor so it should be no problem on the hills I would think if the total weight is still under 5,700lbs or so (aluminum 20' with car, etc.) Quote
bmrracing Posted October 16, 2006 Posted October 16, 2006 I think the best thing would be a good steel open trailer, you can find them with 20ft of length and a beaver tail rear (makes loading a lot easier). Have a tire rack mounted on the front with a tool/equipment box below and put a decent electric winch in the box and you would have a sweet setup that would be economical to pull and your TB wouldn't run to the gas station everytime you turn around. The good thing is that down the road you can eventually upgrade tow viecles/trailer and you can recoupe a good amount from the open trailer, they hold they're value fairly well. Also a good steel trailer full steel deck is cheap in comparison to any enclosed. Quote
Rustic Posted October 16, 2006 Posted October 16, 2006 Bill's right... I'd go with the cheaper open trailer. You won't lose much when it's time to sell it.. and they are eaiser to sell that a 20ft enclosed would be. You'll need a load leveling hitch with that TB for sure. You'll want to be very carefull about tounge weight. I had a friend hook his 2500 Avalanche to my trailer... and it bent his frame!!!! When it comes to cars I'm a chevy guy.... but you may have to shoot me before I'd give up my 7.3L F250 Power Stroke truck. Quote
bmrracing Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 Hey Chris, Even if you are a dyed in the wool CHEVY guy you still know a good Truck when you see 1. See you at Road America? Call me 217 498 6945 or 622 9080 I have extra rooms til tomorrow. Quote
D Algozine Posted October 18, 2006 Posted October 18, 2006 A possible compromise is a 20' enclosed aluminum "V" nose trialer. The "V" gives you some extra room for storage. I have used mine for two years and it's work pretty good. If I had my choice, I'd spent a couple dollars more, and get the 24' "V", which is only 125lb more than the 20'. The 20' sells for around $8,000 new. Here's a link with some specifications: http://funktrailersales.com/html/car_haulers_21.htm Quote
Red Tornado Posted October 18, 2006 Author Posted October 18, 2006 It might be open trailer based on what everyone says. Also I have no place to store so a cheap trailer in a storage unit may be the way to go. Of course car has no windows so a cover will have to be an add. Quote
nape Posted October 19, 2006 Posted October 19, 2006 Of course car has no windows so a cover will have to be an add. While towing, just get a big plastic bag and put it over the seat if the cover doesn't come off. If the cover comes off (Kirkey, Ultrashield, etc), no problem. I cover mine if we stop at a hotel before the track, but that's more so no one looks in or tries to steal something. You'll probably have to get a weight distributing hitch no matter what trailer you go with. This year, I towed with a borrowed Featherlite 18' open using my E-150 van and it was still finicky with too much tongue/rear weight. We found the best way to load it was with the back of the car (with jack, stands, ramps, and spare tires inside) even with the back of the trailer and the heaviest stuff (toolbox, cooler, crew members ) at the front of the van with spares/fluids in the back. If/when I buy my own trailer (mainly dictated by prce), it's going to be an open center steel trailer with room on the front for a box & tire rack. I'm sure the weight dist. hitch will be a requirement at that point unless I load the car backwards. Just throwing out my experiences so you've got some fodder for thought. Quote
white_2kgt Posted October 19, 2006 Posted October 19, 2006 Of course car has no windows so a cover will have to be an add. Make some removable lexan side windows, a friend of mine has some in his merkur if you would like an example. Also, there's no way you'd get me to tow a 20' Enclosed with a Trailblazer, they are Explorer size right? Quote
D Algozine Posted October 19, 2006 Posted October 19, 2006 It might be open trailer based on what everyone says. Also I have no place to store so a cheap trailer in a storage unit may be the way to go. Of course car has no windows so a cover will have to be an add. Some thing to consider, an enclosed trailer becomes a rolling storage unit for your car away from the track, both during the season and in the off season. Plus it keeps everything together, dry and safe. Quote
Red Tornado Posted October 20, 2006 Author Posted October 20, 2006 That's the only reason I debate about a light weight enclosed trailer. Tons of benefits. The good hitch I planned on also. It can tow 6,600lbs but it is the wheelbase issue. The TB is the same size as a explorer. Quote
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