Drag Racing Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Looking For Car Trailer Recommendations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 07:30 PM
  #1  
BOWTIE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX
Default Looking For Car Trailer Recommendations

OK guys/gals, the time has come for me to get a car trailer and I was wanting as much feedback as possible as far as recommendations. What I am wanting is an open trailer in either 18 or 20 feet, with a steel floor, 4ft dove, steel slide in ramps (prefer the ones that do not come out), and aluminum rock guard. So far I have looked at the Big Tex (a little too expensive), Magnum (even more too expensive), Texas Bragg ( I was leaning towards this one at one time, but it uses 4" channel on the tonque and has exposed trailer wires), and the Diamond C Trailer (this is the one I am leaning towards right now, there premium trailer with 5"channel tonque, LED lights, wiring in conduit,and a bunch of bell and whistles). I just have never talked to anyone with experience with the Diamond C Trailer. Do any of you all have any suggestions. Ideas on things to look for, things to avoid, brands you have had good or bad luck with, any help would be greatly appreciated. I would like to place the order for this trailer by the end of the week. Thanks
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2005 | 10:07 PM
  #2  
Navy David SS's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,647
Likes: 1
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Default

Me personally I went with the wood deck vice the metal - why I found out that the metal deck is slick when wet or any fluids. The dove tail is a must. Make sure you have all the lights, electric brakes, an emergency brake away set up.

If you want a wide variety of trailers try www.racingjunk.com . Go to "towing" category.. pick either "used" or "new" trailers.

Good luck. --- oh by the way, I paid $1700 for my 18' up here in South Dakota - has everything to include a "nose" guard that saved the SS from many of a stone chips. I now own a 30' enclosed also

David
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 10:35 AM
  #3  
Steve Burger's Avatar
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 0
From: Out on the farm in Central IL
Default

I have a 22' tilt back. It has no ramps as there is an 18' section of the deck that tilts and you just drive on. There is also a 4' section to put stuff on. Works well for me.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 10:44 AM
  #4  
Race Car Driver's Avatar
11 & 7 Second Clubs
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
From: Motorhome, Freeways, Truckstops, Pits
Default

What is your budget?
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 12:06 PM
  #5  
next's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 0
From: Winter Garden, Florida
Default

I have an Anderson 18' that I bought from a local dealer (Anderson's are out of GA). You might want to check with The Trailer Man over there >>>>

You may end up needing longer ramps to clear the nose when loading/unloading. I've got a dove tail and I've still got to jack up the trailer for clearance
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 02:14 PM
  #6  
1fastWS6's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
Default

I just sold my 18' H&H Speedloader. It was a tilt bed (no PITA ramps) with a lifetime warranty wood deck and single axle brakes. Paid $1800 for it new 2 years ago, but they're selling for around $2100 now. The tilt bed is an absolute necessity if your car is lowered at all. Mine would not go up a trailer with ramps, even with a 4' dovetail.

http://www.hhtrailer.com/viewtrailer.asp?id=289
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 07:20 PM
  #7  
BOWTIE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX
Default

Originally Posted by bickelfirebird
What is your budget?
$3,000.00 is the absolute max I am willing to spend and that would have to include the steel floor, the optional rock guard, 4ft dove, 5+ ft steel ramps, spare and spare rack, etc. I have considered a tilt bed, but the ones I have seen locally are the Texas Roll Back trailers and they are little out of the price range.
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 07:24 PM
  #8  
BOWTIE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX
Default

Originally Posted by next
I have an Anderson 18' that I bought from a local dealer (Anderson's are out of GA). You might want to check with The Trailer Man over there >>>>

You may end up needing longer ramps to clear the nose when loading/unloading. I've got a dove tail and I've still got to jack up the trailer for clearance
I looked at their trailers, and they would have to come down more on price to get my business. They are just not as aesthetically appealing as some of the others comparably priced.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 8, 2005 | 07:29 PM
  #9  
BOWTIE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX
Default

Here is a link to the one I am leaning towards, I just wish I could hear from someone that has one: http://www.diamondctrailers.com/trai...rger/12CHS.htm
For $3020.00 I can get that one with polished aluminum rock guard, aluminum diamond plate covered ramps (instead of the tubular), spare tire and rack.
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 06:35 AM
  #10  
BTL FED's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
From: DFW
Default

Keep your eye out for used trailers also, you can really find some good deals if you look. I have had my ear to the ground for a couple of months and ran across a 32' enclosed, with cabnets, work surface, load levelers, 2 sway bars, and an electric tougne jack for 4500.00
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2005 | 04:45 PM
  #11  
Camaroholic's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,449
Likes: 1
From: Waco, TX
Default

I have a BigTex 70DM. Picked it up for around $2200 (if memory serves me correctly). Got the built in slide-out ramps and 2-axle brakes. It's a nice trailer. Tows very well. My only real complaint was that the wheel well is a little too tall, so I had to bolt some 2x12's to the deck of the trailer for the front tires to ride on - so I could open the door to get out of my car. I also have to use the front jack to lift the tongue of the trailer so that the nose of the car doesn't hit the back of the trailer as I'm pulling the car on/off, but that's not a real big deal. Yeah, I could have done the removable fender thing, but the trailer guy I bought it from didn't recommend a removable fender.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase, and I'd do it again.

Pics here: http://www.akmcables.com/trailer.htm
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2005 | 04:06 PM
  #12  
AINT SKEERED's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 361
From: Albany La
Default

I am in the market as well, I looked at the diamond c 40ech trailer. 18 ft with steel deck and tube ramps. very nice trailer for $2200 . I tried to load on it before I bought and could not get my car on it with out hitting the front spoiler on my non lowered ta. I had to turn the deal down as I want to just drive on with out having to jack it up and put boards down in front of the ramps.

Hilltop trailers in Hattiesburg ms sells an 18 ft dove tail that my car loads on with out having to jack it up . very nice wood deck trailer for $1595.00
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2005 | 06:35 PM
  #13  
BOWTIE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX
Default

Originally Posted by AINT SKEERED
I am in the market as well, I looked at the diamond c 40ech trailer. 18 ft with steel deck and tube ramps. very nice trailer for $2200 . I tried to load on it before I bought and could not get my car on it with out hitting the front spoiler on my non lowered ta. I had to turn the deal down as I want to just drive on with out having to jack it up and put boards down in front of the ramps.

Hilltop trailers in Hattiesburg ms sells an 18 ft dove tail that my car loads on with out having to jack it up . very nice wood deck trailer for $1595.00
Does the 40ECH have a 2ft dove or 4 ft dove, I looked at the pics and it looks like a 2 ft, but it does not specify in the specs. I may have something at home with the specs on it, I will check when I get home. That would suck if I ordered my trailer and the car would not clear (I know I can jack the front up, this is what I have had to do when I use a flat 16' trailer, but when spending the extra money for a car hauler with long ramps and dove, you do not expect to have to do that). I have heard that a lot of 2 ft doves do still have that problem which is my reason for only considering 4 ft dove trailers. I also would hope to be able to load my roomates C5 if the need ever arrised without complication.

Last edited by BOWTIE; Mar 13, 2005 at 06:36 PM. Reason: typo
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2005 | 12:19 AM
  #14  
BOWTIE's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: AUSTIN TX
Default

Anyone else with some input???
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:56 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE