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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:59 PM
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Default New Trailer - What to add??

I'm going to look at an enclosed trailer this Saturday (yay)

Going to get a basic stripped down model, and then use the money I saved to add things I want.

I want a winch, but how strong of one do I need? full weight '02 TA, 3600+

I figure run lights, outlets, microwave, air compressor

What else am I forgetting?


Also, what do you guys recommend for ultimate trailer security, besides my .45?

Chain the wheels? what else? GPS overkill?

Probably just getting a 24'
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:27 PM
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shelves.... lots of floor tie-downs
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:29 PM
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I would make sure it has at least 6 lug axles. those flexi flyer 5 lug axles bend over time.

I would go 24 minimum. youll enjoy the room of a 26 more though. If it has 2 ft of cabinents up front, remember thats floor space your losing.

What kind of truck do you have and how much are you looking to spend?
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 06:32 AM
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Yup, 6 lug axles, and 16 inch rims/tires, and radials, so you don't have blowout problems. Front shelves are nice, a 24 footer I wouldnt' put the D shaped cabinets in, then you won't have the room for a small pit bike/atv. Get a load leveling/anti sway hitch, that is critical to being able to tow without white knuckles from every time you go by a trailer truck. I have a 4000 lb winch in my trailer, plenty to drag the car in with. Get the extra ceiling height too, doesn't seem nessassary, but if you're 6 feet tall or more, you'll be glad you did, no bending over worrying about hitting your head. Haev it wored and braced for an a/c unit, even if you never plan to get one. Generator, I would leave in the garage and just put in the trailer, since the strait shelves won't have the room for it. Get a tookbox or toolcart if you aren't going with any shelves. The tie downs in the floor, good idea for sure, and mount a marine battery in it with a battery tender that you can hook up too, that way you can charge the battery when it's sitting at the house, and if you can, put some 12 volt lights in it too so when you don't have it hooked up to the generator you still have lights if you need to go in it at night or whatever. Insulate the ceiling too, that helps alot to keep the heat out of it in the summer time.

As for locking, what I do is upt a big padlock thru the front lock, so that way noone can put a ball in the trailer, my trailer has a padlock on every door, 2 on the back. Make sure the trailer is on your insurance too, so if it does get stolen it's covered for theft, and do like I did, tell them it's worth what you paid for it plus what you put in it, so that way if it were to get stolen at least you're not out other then having to find another.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 09:54 AM
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We have a 28 footer that works great. We can put the golf cart in the front and still have room for the car.

For sure get the extra height that JL ws-6 talked about. Hitting your head everytime you go in the trailer SUCKS!

I would also make sure you get a good lighting package.

Good luck,
Coach
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 03:28 PM
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Honestly.... try and buy it with all the stuff from the get go. I did the basic route and it costs more to add it after the fact and some of the stuff is tough to find.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 03:31 PM
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Only thing I didn't have in the one I bought was the generator, but I found a 8000 watt one that's 14 hp for 600 bucks so I'm gonna snag that big boy. Little overkill, but if I ever lose power at the house I KNOW it will get the job done there. Hell I can bring a welder to the track and run it off this if I had to.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 06:50 PM
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I'm 5'8", so I'm not sure that the height issue will be a problem for me lol

I'll check it out. I have a lot of the supplies already for the lighting/adding outlets etc already in the garage. I just need to mount a winch and shelves for sure.

BTW, where are you guys hooking your winch to on your slamed cars? K member? I would think that the wire would rub the underside of the nose?
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 08:50 PM
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The proper registration for the weight so you don't get a big ticket.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 08:57 PM
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Here in Ohio, any trailer under 4,000 pounds doesn't require/get a title. So I'll just have regular trailer registration and plates. It always lists the weight I believe.

I'm curious about the A/C idea. What type of AC unit do you/would you use? I've thought about one of those big large round barn fans

I don't have a generator, not sure that I need one. Our track has electric all over for trailers to plug into for free. I figured if for some reason there isn't power, I'll have a couple 12V lights just incase.

It looks like the 110V winches are cheaper than the 12V, I could get a 12V to 110V convertor, just for the winch?
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 09:21 PM
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I bought the $75 2000 lb Masterlock 12v winch from Walmart. Drags my full weight Camaro up the ramp fine in my 30' enclosed. It makes noise doing it and doesn't set any land speed records, but it serves the purpose well and was CHEAP. I just shackle it to the tie down pt for the car, hook it up to my battery and winch 'er in. When finished, I put it in the cabinet.

I only use it when the car can't pull itself, so didn't see the need for a $400 winch.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 09:51 PM
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I was told to go "overkill" with the winch, but even for a "decent" one, your talking $300 min, usually over $400. I'd probably use mine everytime for loading the car though.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 04:33 AM
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I had a hook built into the k member when I bought it. Winch is right on the ground, so it isn't a big deal.

I also, have a remte winch operation setup, with a simple key FOB, so I can get in the car and drag it up without having to have anyone help. Nice for when you're loading it alone.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 04:33 AM
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Originally Posted by STOCK1090
The proper registration for the weight so you don't get a big ticket.
Explain what you did/had happen... you have sparked my interest.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 07:45 AM
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I'd be very surprised if a dressed out 24' enslosed didn't weigh more than 4000#. I scaled my full hauler(truck, 30' Vintage Outlaw, and car) and was just under 17k.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 07:52 AM
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I think my 24 footer was just under 4000 lbs, with no tools, car etc. I don't have the weight in front of me but I know it was around there.

There's a damn good chance that when I put 3200 lbs of car in there, along with the tools, generator, pit bike, it's gonna be a solid 8500 I figure.

Trusk will pull it, but if you take the weight of the truck plus the trailer it will eb well over 10K. I don't personally know anyone that's had a problem though, and I know alot of racers.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 09:29 AM
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Register it in Maine. Problem solved. And its cheap.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 09:36 AM
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I was considering doing that but haven't been able to get any info how that gets pulled off... I was actualyl considering it with the car too at one time, but again, couldn't get any solid info.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 09:41 AM
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Jason, call these people. its very easy. they handle everything.

www.mbi-trailers.com
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 09:47 AM
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Cool, I'm gnona send that to my home, I have my trailer registered (just renewed it) for a while, but when I'm ready to renew it, I'm gonna do it. No sense in paying property tax on something that I don't have to
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