CT03911

Does anyone on here use a 20' V-nose enclosed for the 996 GT3?
I was thinking of primarily looking at 22'-24' and the V-nose was a benefit for room and aero.
I have a possibility of a nice 20' footer though and really need to get more info on it.
Talk to me about the realities of strapping it down and carrying tires etc.
Can I make it work guys?
It's a V-nose remember....

LVDell

It's what I use. Perfect amount of space. Would I like more? Hell yeah, but 20' is the minimum for any level of comfort and to get the car weight distributed properly.

NaroEscape

I used to have a 20' non-V nose and it was just fine - I even built a bench in the front with cabinets. True, i was trailering a 914, but i used it to haul all kinds of cars around for my old business.

Recently bought a 24' because it was available, and a deal I couldn't pass up, but was really looking for 20 V-nose.

CT03911

Thanks for the info. The 20' has #3500 axles so I will pass on it. Good to know for the future. Can't see buying any enclosed steel trailer with those axles, not for hauling a car anyways.

LVDell

I have dual 3500# axles (7K) which is PLENTY so I'm not sure where you are getting your info.

NaroEscape

That's what mine had too...

good hands

20 will work. I have a 22 v nose and the extra 2 ft really make a difference. That being said if you position the tire rack smartly and have E track and some storage it will be fine. Trailers are kind of like boats.The bigger the better.

Maybe I listened to the salesman too much but 3k car 4k trailer you are at 7k before you put anything in it screams 5200lb axles. Torsion suspension is nice too and it was only a $300 option.

LVDell

I have an 8-wheel tire rack mounted on the left wall up front and a 3 jug fuel rack in the front. Still plenty of room for the car, all my crap, and the little one's Lightning McQueen 12V car.

CT03911

What Good Hands said.
#3500 on an aluminum trailer would be ok.
Steel 20' trailer? Gotta weigh 3500lb's itself plus the load. Too close to the max when an upgrade is mere hundreds of $.

LVDell

Has nothing to do with construction of the trailer. It has to do with the weight of the trailer and the load. The trailer is rated at a specific GVWR which is what you want to follow. This should be clearly stated on the trailer. You have a rough idea what your car weighs (maybe 3200# with fuel) and another 200 per extra sets of wheels/tires and a few misc tools and you are at 3500#. Add that to the weight of the trailer and if you are within the GVWR then you are fine.

I have a plate on my trailer that clearly indicates the empty weight of the trailer as well as the GVWR. Of course mine is 7K# since I have the 3.5K# dual ITS axles. IIRC, my payload capacity is roughly 3700# which I am close but well within.

CT03911

My point was if you had an aluminum trailer in the 20-24' range it would weigh 1000-1500lbs less than a steel one. With your example of a #3500 load and a trailer weighing maybe #2500lbs if it is made of aluminum vs a $4000lb steel unit, I would feel fine with that.

Dexter advises against running overloaded, which should be obvious.
http://www.dexteraxle.com/running_gear_tips
Tip 7 and others.

I'd rather not run right up near the max, not tow with a vehicle near it's limit.
I think a steel trailer between 20' and 24' on #3500lb axles will either be at gross or so close it may not be the best idea long term.
That's what I meant Dell.
dmc

Ps many smaller trailer come with 205x15 tires and four of those are only rated near 7200lbs, so one could be close to maxing those out too. Some 215 tires are only a little above that. Good to pay attention to the rubber load limits too.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....arathon+Radial

LVDell

Then your definition of overloaded and mine are different. Trailer says I run run at 7K#, then I run up to 7K# with not a worry in the world. Not a chance they rate them (much like lifts) where even running 15% over the rating is unsafe......not that I would, just sayin'

Just get what you are comfortable with.

CT03911

Actually, I'd say we have the same definition of overloaded. 7k is 7k. Don't exceed it. Clear.
If you are advocating running right at the max being as smart as backing off of it, then in that area we differ.

LVDell

I think my point is clear so nothing further to add. I'd run 7k with just as much confidence as 6k bit I won't overload. My total load is generally in the 6800 range so I feel good

enthusiast

A 20 foot enclosed box steel trailer with 3500 lb capacity axles will work if one does not exceed the capacities. The more common setup I have seen with car people is to buy a 22 - 24 foot version with the same axles and then they overload it. They like the lower price on that setup and don't understand the load factors. They end up with tire and brake trouble. In a few cases where they didn't balance the cargo I have seen broken welded joints on the frame.