Aluminum frame enclosed trailers....

[Ketzer]

I've noticed more ads lately for the all aluminum enclosed single car haulers. I even looked at one at GG Nashville. Fully "decked out" ($25k) is wayyyy beyond my budget but I have seen ads for a more basic version that was more reasonable. Anybody have any experience with them? Looks like they are 1,000-1,200lbs lighter than the steel version but are they as strong? Using some basic window shopping math, losing that weight costs and extra $2500+/- over a steel framed version.
Thoughts?


Jeff-

[vintageracer]

There are lot's of great deals out there on high end USED aluminum enclosed trailers. A friend just bought an 8 year old 24 foot Featherlite V nose used car trailer for in Texas for $6,500. I am a BIG believer in purchasing high end used equipment versus low end new equipment.

I have a 23 year old Featherlite enclosed car trailer that was used for the first 12 years by a NASCAR team. Great trailer, pulls well and in fantastic condition. Featherlite built 15 of these trailers for 3 different teams. The trailer is 22 ft long and 6 foot tall inside. The trailer was built for maximum inside width. The trailer was used to transport CUP cars locally between shops and for testing. I paid $4,500 for the trailer when I bought it. That trailer would be every bit of $15K-$20K new. All 3 of my trailers are HIGH end expensive trailers when new that I purchased used. All three were built in the early to mid 1990's. All 3 trailers may be old but they function properly and look good.

Why buy new when there are so many great used HIGH end trailers available? No you generally will not spend any less money than you would buying a new cheap trailer however you will get a MUCH better quality trailer that has been used. Yes it will be more work finding that great deal on a high end used trailer rather than going to the local yocal trailer seller. Of course anything that is good or great always requires a little extra effort.

Buy a HIGH END used trailer you will not be sorry!

[Ron Sutton]

There are lot's of great deals out there on high end USED aluminum enclosed trailers. A friend just bought an 8 year old 24 foot Featherlite V nose used car trailer for in Texas for $6,500. I am a BIG believer in purchasing high end used equipment versus low end new equipment.

I have a 23 year old Featherlite enclosed car trailer that was used for the first 12 years by a NASCAR team. Great trailer, pulls well and in fantastic condition. Featherlite built 15 of these trailers for 3 different teams. The trailer is 22 ft long and 6 foot tall inside. The trailer was built for maximum inside width. The trailer was used to transport CUP cars locally between shops and for testing. I paid $4,500 for the trailer when I bought it. That trailer would be every bit of $15K-$20K new. All 3 of my trailers are HIGH end expensive trailers when new that I purchased used. All three were built in the early to mid 1990's. All 3 trailers may be old but they function properly and look good.

Why buy new when there are so many great used HIGH end trailers available? No you generally will not spend any less money than you would buying a new cheap trailer however you will get a MUCH better quality trailer that has been used. Yes it will be more work finding that great deal on a high end used trailer rather than going to the local yocal trailer seller. Of course anything that is good or great always requires a little extra effort.

Buy a HIGH END used trailer you will not be sorry!

I will chime in to add support to two things he said.

1. Featherlite builds great trailers. I have owned a LOT of trailers, new & used, big & small, very plain to extremely fancy ... steel, aluminum & composite ... and my Featherlite was my best & favorite. Another incredibly durable, good looking trailer that lasts & holds its value on the West Coast is TPD. Renegade's after 2000 were good mid-to-high quality trailers.

2. Buying a used, but well taken care of high quality trailer is better move than buying one of the brand new super low cost "disposable" trailers.

The quality trailers do everything better & 5 years down the road the quality trailer, if well taken care of, is in the same condition. While the low cost trailer purchased new is falling apart.

I do not mean to offend anyone if they bought a new low cost trailer. But I wanted to share my experience, that matches Mike's (VintageRacer), in hopes of helping others make their dollars go further & be happier with their buying decision.

If you have the money to buy a quality trailer new ... I say do it. If you don't ... and your choices are new "lower quality" or used high quality in good condition, I suggest the used high quality route from my experience.

[clill]

www.racingjunk.com should have lots of them.

[Ketzer]

Good advice guys! ..and I would definitely consider buying a used trailer but I'm not finding these deals you guys are getting?!? What I am seeing in the used market is either a tired, beat-up, bargain trailer for $3-4k or a name brand decked out one that is 10 years old and only a couple grand less than a brand new one?


Jeff-

[Lenie]

Being budget minded I like the idea better quality getting a used item. I've been looking for the past few months for a quality used 24' trailer here in the nw and trying to keep it under 10k w/no real success. All the better deals I've seen seem to be on the other side of the country and after shipping cost the deal is no longer a deal. I must admit, I'm a little picky and will probably cave on price soon.

[vintageracer]

When buying High End Used you definitely have to be willing to travel. That's for sure as what you are looking for is never around local when you are looking!

[GregWeld]

Good advice guys! ..and I would definitely consider buying a used trailer but I'm not finding these deals you guys are getting?!? What I am seeing in the used market is either a tired, beat-up, bargain trailer for $3-4k or a name brand decked out one that is 10 years old and only a couple grand less than a brand new one?


Jeff-




Okay - I just have to chime in....



I don't think there's any real savings in pulling a steel trailer vs an aluminum one --- and the only way I'd think the aluminum one would be of any value is if you also had a really light load -- like a small '32 Ford.... because I've hauled my steel trailer (MotorTrack 4000) empty and full --- and there was ZERO difference in fuel milage in my one ton diesel dually.

I'd think that if you had a GAS truck --- a light duty truck (half ton?) and a light car - then the aluminum would be an advantage. To your diesel truck -- it could care less.

We just don't haul enough miles per year to have the cost difference add up.


I really like Charley's Featherlite --- it's just a nicely built trailer....


The other thing that I learned AFTER I bought my decked out fancy pants trailer ---- NOBODY CARES..... It's a trailer -- you load chit up -- you haul it somewhere -- you empty it - and close the doors. There it sits until you need it again.

Fancy floors are slick.... not as in cool -- but in slippery.

Fancy walls get marked up - require cleaning to look nice - and don't add any value whatsoever except for when you're buying them. :>)

Here's where I WOULD spend extra money -- not on the inside -- but on the OUTSIDE -- rivetless skins need to be .050 and anything but black....

Riveted skins - who cares -- they're all wrinkled up to start with - personally I hate that. It's what always kept me from buying a Featherlite.

Polished stainless steel all over the exterior ---- can you say MAINTENANCE?!?!?!

YOU DO NEED CABINETS inside -- or tool boxes and or toolboxes and a work bench/storage.... floor space is limited and a hassle with baskets of crap sliding all over or needing to be moved. Trailers are HOT inside in the summer.. it's not a place you want to spend a lot of time "working".


A WINCH IS INVALUABLE -- make sure it's also WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROLLED.... No winch -- you'll resort to damaging your car crawling in and out the window -- stepping all over the upholstery... or trying unsuccessfully to wedge out the door thereby chipping up your paint.


Winch that bad boy in and out.... It's so easy the fat chicks can do it. You'll be really happy and life is good and rosy with a good winch.

[Ron Sutton]

Being budget minded I like the idea better quality getting a used item. I've been looking for the past few months for a quality used 24' trailer here in the nw and trying to keep it under 10k w/no real success. All the better deals I've seen seem to be on the other side of the country and after shipping cost the deal is no longer a deal. I must admit, I'm a little picky and will probably cave on price soon.

In the NW, TPD is a good pick, if you hunt & can be patient, you'll find a deal on one.

Here are two 24' TPD's on RacingJunk.com ... in your price range.

http://www.racingjunk.com/Used-Trailers/181794187/24-TPD-Three-Axle-Composite-Trailer.html

http://www.racingjunk.com/Cargo-Enclosed/181799470/24-TPD-Vortech-SoCal.html

[Ketzer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-22-foot-FEATHERLITE-CAR-CARGO-TRAILER-FLORIDA-TRAILER-LIKE-NEW-WOW-DEAL-/321135215429?pt=Motors_Trailers&hash=item4ac5268345&vxp=mtr

Something like this would be great for my needs but it's no where near the price you guys are saying they can be bought for ($5-6k) I'm not saying this guy's trailer isn't worth what he's asking but it's no fire sale.


I agree with ALL of GW's points about what's important in trailer selection. (even went back and read some of his old posts where he talked about "if I did it again...") I don't want bling, I'm not trying to have the baddest double stack with sleeper cab and living room.... oh, wait... GW???

We might do 2-3 trips a year, 6-8hr drive at the most. Hauling a big block Nova or the 54 wagon with a Yukon XL 2500 with the 6.0l. around the southeast. Just want something to keep the car out of the weather on the road.


Jeff-

[Ron Sutton]

When buying High End Used you definitely have to be willing to travel. That's for sure as what you are looking for is never around local when you are looking!

With few exceptions, I find the same thing. Rarely is a great trailer, in great condition, at a great price ... right next door. You need to be prepared to go see it & go get it.

The other tips I offer are ...

1. Get clear on what you want, what you need & what does & does not work for you, before you go shopping.

2. Get ready to buy. When you find a good trailer at a good price they go quick. You snooze ... you lose. When you find what you want and it's "a deal" ... be prepared to buy it, not futz around.

One time when I found an RV that exactly fit our needs ... at a great price ... from another racer I could "ask around about" ... after we talked & I saw photos, I got a cashier's check & plane tickets that day. Flew there the next day, inspected it & bought it. My daughter & I drove it home from Arizona. But there weren't deals like that everyday. We'd been looking far & wide daily for 6-7 weeks.

3. But don't buy something that doesn't fit your needs. Get clear & be sure, so you can act quick. Knowing when to pass is just as important.

Another time, I sold my semi rig & 53' trailer .... for my full asking price ... with one caveat from the buyer. I had to turn it over to him in 2 weeks. So I had to buy another trailer ... a better one ... and have it in the shop in 2 weeks. :confused59:

The one I liked from photos ... turned out to have a lot of rust when I got there. :disgusted:
Time limit or not, it doesn't make sense to buy something that doesn't work for you. So I had to "re-shop" all the trailers out there, and fortunately ended up with an awesome trailer at a great deal. It wasn't easy. :gitrdun:

[GregWeld]

I agree with ALL of GW's points about what's important in trailer selection. (even went back and read some of his old posts where he talked about "if I did it again...") I don't want bling, I'm not trying to have the baddest double stack with sleeper cab and living room.... oh, wait... GW???



Gwen wanted it......

[Ketzer]

In the NW, TPD is a good pick, if you hunt & can be patient, you'll find a deal on one.

Here are two 24' TPD's on RacingJunk.com ... in your price range.

http://www.racingjunk.com/Used-Trailers/181794187/24-TPD-Three-Axle-Composite-Trailer.html

http://www.racingjunk.com/Cargo-Enclosed/181799470/24-TPD-Vortech-SoCal.html

I haven't seen one of those before Ron. They look like really nice trailers. I bet those triple axles pull sweet as long as you weren't doing a bunch of backing or tight turning.


Jeff-

[Ron Sutton]

I haven't seen one of those before Ron. They look like really nice trailers. I bet those triple axles pull sweet as long as you weren't doing a bunch of backing or tight turning.


Jeff-

TPD's are awesome for a 16-32' trailer. I have had 3 of them. A 14' dual axle (for 3 Karts), a 24' triple (Karts & Midget) & a special 22' stacker dual axle(2 Midgets). I prefer the triple axle setup on trailers 24'+. Instead of getting two 7000# axles, you get three 5200# axles (torsion) ... and brakes on all 6 wheels & that baby will stop. :excited:

You do get a little tire squeal backing & turning hard, but frankly it's not that common or that big of a deal.

TPD's are an FRP trailer. (Fiberglass Reinforced Panel) Extremely well built. Durable, look great, durable, easy to clean, durable, no wavy thin aluminum skins ... oh ... and durable. The resale on TPD's is the best I've found. Part of that is because if you take care of it, it's hard to tell a 2000 from a 2010. You can't say that about .030" aluminum skin trailers.

But you pay for it. About double. I could have bought a 24' Pace, Haulmark or Interstate for $6500. I paid $12,500 for my new 24' triple axle TPD. Had it 5 years & sold it for $10,500. :dance:

40035

My friends that bought it 8 years ago, race Quarter Midgets out of if 25 times a year & still love it. Looks just like when I had it.

[vintageracer]

In 1992 I purchased a Stainless Steel 18 ft "Super Duty" trailer built new by Richard Feldman at Trailerworld in Bowling Green Ky. At that time the trailer was 3 years old with the original owner being Vette Vues Magazine who used the trailer to haul and show their 1963 Corvette Grand Sport.

The trailer was aluminum construction with Stainless Steel side panels and a 1 1/2 inch hardwood oak floor. A killer little enclosed car trailer that was VERY expensive new.

I owned this trailer for 21 years and the trailer never sat a day inside in its life. Last summer at a show someone backed into the front panel area damaging the trailer (hit & run). Almost $2K damage to the trailer to replace 2 stainless steel panels and 1 support spar.

Now here is where a HIGH END HIGH QUALITY trailer pays dividends. Last January I sold the trailer BACK to Richard (Trailerworld) DAMAGED for the same price I paid for the trailer 21 years ago!

High End High Quality used trailers in good condition always bring good money!

I understand Richard has replaced the 2 damaged panels on the front of the trailer and resold the trailer to a new owner.

Here is a picture of the Stainless Steel trailer during the Great Nashville Flood of 2010!



Another good reason for buying High End Used trailers!

[GregWeld]

I totally agree that a high end brand will hold it's resale value and in the long run "cost less" than a cheaply built trailer.


I also think there is a price to be paid for "pride of ownership". I always liked it when I was on the road and some trucker would tell me how nice my rig looked . I just don't think that if you're on a budget... and don't really use the trailer for many events or many miles per event... that it needs to be fancy or aluminum. It just needs to be well maintained (think brakes - bearings - tires/wheels) = and doesn't leak. And frankly -- if you're only doing 3 or 4 events per year -- and maybe 1000 mile round trips... it could be a pretty lightweight (as in build) trailer.

Tires on a lot of used stuff may need to be replaced -- they might have plenty of tread -- but be sun rotted --- or just flat OLD.... and the first thing I'd do on any used trailer is all the wheel bearings... which is something most people NEVER service... and they should be serviced annually.

The brakes on these are generally electric.... and are activated by an electro magnet. This is something else that needs to be serviced because of a LACK of use.... they get rusted up and stuck etc.

So by the time you put 4 new tires on -- service the bearings and brakes... you've just spent another $500.


You can buy a BRAND NEW 24' enclosed car hauler -- for less than $5K. For the amount you stated you would use it... how could you go wrong?



http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-5X24-ENCLOSED-CARGO-TRAILER-CAR-HAULER-Racing-RACE-MOTORCYCLE-8-x-24-8ft-24ft-/200933624191?pt=Trailers&hash=item2ec893c97f

[GregWeld]

At the bottom of this FleaBay Ad is Trailer shopping 101... I just quickly read through it --- and while it's also some of this dealers sales points ---- it does have some interesting THOUGHTS that a guy should keep in mind... points such as looking UNDER a trailer to see the frame and how much RUST is under it.... and the plywood used etc. So linking here just because.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-5x24-Enclosed-Trailer-Cargo-Auto-Car-Transport-Racing-8-x-24-ft-Motorcycle-26-/171057245942?pt=Trailers&hash=item27d3ce6ef6

[Ketzer]

Also things I have considered GW.
An economy (cheap) trailer with upgraded 5200lb torsion axles, proper radial trailer tires, smooth sides, and a few more lights from a reputable cheap trailer builder. I can afford to spend $10k on used but do I need to when a fresh $6k trailer fits the intended limited use?

One thing I am forced to admit, the cheaper trailers that don't have rounded front upper corners, that bugs the crap outta me. I don't know why, of all the important details I should focus on, that sticks out and drives me nuts...:underchair:

Jeff-

[Lenie]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :clap:
Gwen wanted it......

[GregWeld]

Also things I have considered GW.
An economy (cheap) trailer with upgraded 5200lb torsion axles, proper radial trailer tires, smooth sides, and a few more lights from a reputable cheap trailer builder. I can afford to spend $10k on used but do I need to when a fresh $6k trailer fits the intended limited use?

One thing I am forced to admit, the cheaper trailers that don't have rounded front upper corners, that bugs the crap outta me. I don't know why, of all the important details I should focus on, that sticks out and drives me nuts...:underchair:

Jeff-



Thus my pride of ownership statement.