Need Enclosed Hauler Advice.

[jwolf]

You will probably need longer ramps or race ramps or something, but it looks like a nice trailer. Since on an open trailer the car can hang over the back and you can get to both front and back to tie it down length is not as important.

[ViperSmith]

Personally I'd go with an open until you can trade and get an better enclosed.

[FLATOUT]

You will probably need longer ramps or race ramps or something, but it looks like a nice trailer. Since on an open trailer the car can hang over the back and you can get to both front and back to tie it down length is not as important.

I will get a set of race ramps to use with it. Nineball lives close and uses some for his so I will see if he will let me borrow them and test fit before ordering a set. I can get a 20' version as well for not much more. Just trying to keep the weight down.

Personally I'd go with an open until you can trade and get an better enclosed.

Agree I think it will fit my tow vehicle much better as well. I can get it new also so I won't have to deal with fixing an older trailer.

[jwolf]

You will be able to adjust tongue weight better with the 20 footer. You need to have at least 10% Figure 2200 lb for the trailer 3200 for the car of a total of about 5500 lbs so you be wanting 550 LBS on the tongue check you hitch and rear suspension. You will need at least a class 3 hitch and legally brakes on all wheel in contact with the ground.

[FLATOUT]

You will be able to adjust tongue weight better with the 20 footer. You need to have at least 10% Figure 2200 lb for the trailer 3200 for the car of a total of about 5500 lbs so you be wanting 550 LBS on the tongue check you hitch and rear suspension. You will need at least a class 3 hitch and legally brakes on all wheel in contact with the ground.

Ok I spoke with the manufacturer here today in Texas and they said the electric brakes weren't necessary. I wonder if that is different in other states. I'll try to pick up the 20 footer then. The Tahoe I have is an LTZ and I know it has a tow button that stiffens the rear suspension as well when towing if that actually helps.

Andy

[Bill Pemberton]

Check out www.sltrailers.com ( Stateline Trailers ) , 712-303-1390. Ask for Craig Hull and he can talk you through an open trailer at a reasonable price. His brother had a Viper years ago, and they do alot of trailers for Hot Rods and others low slung vehicles. Great prices for brand new and they know their business . Hope this is helpful?

[FLATOUT]

Yes it is Bill, thank you very much. I'll give him a ring.

Check out www.sltrailers.com ( Stateline Trailers ) , 712-303-1390. Ask for Craig Hull and he can talk you through an open trailer at a reasonable price. His brother had a Viper years ago, and they do alot of trailers for Hot Rods and others low slung vehicles. Great prices for brand new and they know their business . Hope this is helpful?

[jwolf]

Indiana only require brakes on one axle but Federal DOT requires brakes on all wheels that touch the ground with few exceptions if the trailer is over 3000 LBS or weighs more than 40% of the weight of the tow vehicle. But for your own safety have brakes or you will be rear-ending someone.
Most in most states electric or surge are fine, Indiana requires you to be able to put trailer brake on independent of the vehicles brakes so that kind of eliminates surge. Check your state laws

[Dusty1]

Andy:

Here it starts, Beth and I got our 22 footer and the next thing you know you own a 53 footer and an F350 dually. One word of advice, we ended up adding air bags to our Suburban and it helped the ride and stability a ton.

Richard

[FLATOUT]

HAHA yes you two know all to well. Man I'm excited about spending more time on track. Looking forward to not having to worry about breaking and still getting home.

Thanks for the advice Richard.

Andy:

Here it starts, Beth and I got our 22 footer and the next thing you know you own a 53 footer and an F350 dually. One word of advice, we ended up adding air bags to our Suburban and it helped the ride and stability a ton.

Richard

[Shooter]

HAHA yes you two know all to well. Man I'm excited about spending more time on track. Looking forward to not having to worry about breaking and still getting home.

Thanks for the advice Richard.

Hurry up so I can borrow it.

[FLATOUT]

Hurry up so I can borrow it.

Hey if I can store it in your garage for a couple months you can use it whenever you want . Seriously though if you're racing locally and I'm not out there its yours to borrow anytime.

[Herrsss]

Word of warning on an open trailer. Cracked windshield. We successfully hauled a car on our open trailer for several years. My black car's first trip back from TWS ended up with a rock chip turning into a top to bottom cracked windshield by the time I got home. Keep in mind the trailer has a 6' diamond plate front plate with tire racks - mystery how a rock got past all that to hit the windshield. Best news of all . . . Lexan replacement

[FLATOUT]

Hmmmmmmmm I was hoping adding a rock shield to the front of whatever open hauler I would buy would keep that from happening. I guess it's just a risk you take.

Thanks for the warning Beth.

Word of warning on an open trailer. Cracked windshield. We successfully hauled a car on our open trailer for several years. My black car's first trip back from TWS ended up with a rock chip turning into a top to bottom cracked windshield by the time I got home. Keep in mind the trailer has a 6' diamond plate front plate with tire racks - mystery how a rock got past all that to hit the windshield. Best news of all . . . Lexan replacement

[Voice of Reason]

Subscribing. Eventually I want to get a trailer and think an open one will fit my needs best so I'm glad to hear others have had success with an open trailer.

[jwolf]

I have also had damage in enclosed trailer, since you can't see what happening if you forget to tie down a jack or tires or something before you head out it can fall/roll and damage your car.
The only cars I haul in my enclosed trailer are open wheel and easy to tie down, but i would think a Viper could be a real pain to tie down in front. I would think may be tie down doors would be in order. I have a right side tie down door on my enclosed but I never use it except to check the load quickly

[Nine Ball]

I've had at least 4 open trailers, and a loaded out Haulmark 28' with A/C. I found myself using the open trailer more than the enclosed, as it was quicker to load and easier to pull. Kept the enclosed 2 yrs and finally got rid of it. I don't miss it at all, other than having a shady cool place to hang at long weekend events. The beauty of the Viper doors is that they open higher than most cars, and can swing right over the top of an open trailer fender. Easy to get in/out.

definitely get the electric brakes and a controller, if towing with a 1/2 ton. HD trucks have better brakes.

[FLATOUT]

Found a nice Texas Roll Back that might be just a touch above my price range, but I'll stretch to get it I think. Electric winch, brakes, removable fenders, rock shield, spare, and two racks for tires.

If I can't snag this one I'll go back to Kearny and pick up one of those.

I've had at least 4 open trailers, and a loaded out Haulmark 28' with A/C. I found myself using the open trailer more than the enclosed, as it was quicker to load and easier to pull. Kept the enclosed 2 yrs and finally got rid of it. I don't miss it at all, other than having a shady cool place to hang at long weekend events. The beauty of the Viper doors is that they open higher than most cars, and can swing right over the top of an open trailer fender. Easy to get in/out.

definitely get the electric brakes and a controller, if towing with a 1/2 ton. HD trucks have better brakes.

[Sam Goldfarb]

I have used an 18' enclosed US Cargo for many years. It has two 3500 lb axles and weighs right at 3000 lbs empty. I winch the car in backwards and it takes me 5-10 minutes to load or unload the car by myself. (It's always smoother and easier if nobody is watching or trying to help!) I make sure that I have D or better rated tires and carry two spares. When one blows the other almost always blows before you can shut it down. I have a power jack on the front of the trailer and use it when I tow with my V10 Ram Dually or my jacks on my motor home to lift the nose of the trailer. This lowers the rear of the trailer and flattens out the approach angle. Also, by having the front of the car hanging over the beaver tail it allows easy access to attach the tie down straps. I use metal t hooks and connect them to the oval holes in the frame. They are crisscrossed and I rarely have to adjust them at all. I use the winch to tighten them up and then place two more ratchet straps on the rear, close the doors and I'm down the road. When I unload I power winch out and 9 out of 10 times the front straps turn and fall out of the frame as the vehicle rolls out, I don't have to even get under the car!

The side door on most trailers doesn't help with a Viper as the sill is usually too high, unless you lift the Viper up with a couple ramps inside the trailer. There is plenty of room inside an 18' trailer unless you haul a ton of other stuff! My car typically has about 3' at the front of the trailer and about 1' at the rear. I have a scale that allows me to measure tongue weight and make a couple marks on the floor about 6" apart. I use 550 lbs. on the motor home and 800 lbs on the Ram.
I don't use any equalizers or sway bars, motor home has 6 tires on the rear and the dually has 4, never had any issues with stability or stopping except one time when the trailer plug came unplugged and was dragging down the road! I almost always place tape or a tie wrap on the plug now as the springs in the plug covers don't seem to be safe!

If you give some thought and practice a little loading and unloading it is much better to use the enclosed trailer. Weather, theft, road damage etc etc are vastly improved over an open trailer. The few extra minutes someone is going to tell me they save loading an open trailer are used up cleaning your car even if you don't run through rain, snow or dust! If you want to show off your car cut out the sides and replace them with clear plexiglass. There was a company a few years back that actually made a trailer that was enclosed with clear sides, I think out of Sweden?

I actually hauled a 97 Ram 1500 with a Viper engine in the 18' trailer back to Ohio from Tennessee and it was a tight fit. I ran 65 all the way back in my V10 Ram dually with no problems!

I vote enclosed! I also have a 21' open tilt bed low boy rated at 12,000 lbs, but I would never haul the Viper on it!

[Husker]

I've been following this post. I also am considering an enclosed trailer vs an open trailer. For those who have an enclosed trailer, how do you get out of the car after you have driven into the trailer? Do you just crawl out the window or can you open the door far enough without bumping the sides?

[Nine Ball]

The door will open 3-4 inches, then you crawl out the window. Usually opens just enough to be able to step on the side sill plate. Not fun.

I will never buy another enclosed without the driver side escape door on that wall, period.

[Husker]

Does anyone know anything about www.kaufmantrailers.com. I'm considering a 20 ft tilt bed with a steel deck at 10,000 lbs capacity.

[BlknBlu]

Does anyone know anything about www.kaufmantrailers.com. I'm considering a 20 ft tilt bed with a steel deck at 10,000 lbs capacity.

Hurry up so I can borrow it.

Bruce

[Shooter]

Hurry up so I can borrow it.

Bruce

lol

[Redx]

Does anyone know anything about www.kaufmantrailers.com. I'm considering a 20 ft tilt bed with a steel deck at 10,000 lbs capacity.

stick with something with a lighter capacity. Thing will tow like a tank and would be very bouncy with the stiff springs(you straps will loosen up, etc). I had a 20ft open deck and i hated it, it was a skid steer trailer from the start(10k capacity aswell) and unless you were towing a bobcat, the ride was terrible.