I’m looking to buy an open aluminum trailer to haul my 911 or Z4M coupe to HPDEs. I’d also use this down the road for hauling dirt bikes or 4 wheelers once my sons get a few years older. My wants include integrated tire rack, tool box, and winch. I initially thought I was sold on Aluma 18’ tilt trailer, but upon test fit realized the Z4M couldn’t get on without scraping front splitter unless we put down boards. I do Like the idea of not dealing with ramps, so I’m considering the Futura Tandem, but I have concerns about durability and what you do if you have a failure or if the battery dies. The Futura is also significantly more expensive than the Aluma or Featherlite I looked at. Not only did the Featherlite have pull out ramps, but they still had a steep angle requiring race ramps.

Further investigation has led me to Aluma’s Executive Series and Sundowner’s Ultra Series, both of which have ramps but also have sizable enclosed spaces in the nose that I’m wondering if they could be used for spare tires/wheels for the cars. Finally is the only one I havent heard of, the Futura dealer near me also has all aluminum trailers called “Adam”. They seem basic like the Featherlite, but have longer ramps for better load angle. My first guess is I’d have better resale on a brand name, but this is my first car trailer so I appreciate Any advice.

my two tow rigs are a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a BMW X6, so I’m not looking to test capacity with an enclosed unit. Ideally I’d keep the cost under $10k.

 

I went through this evaluation about a year ago and ended up buying the Futura. Yes, more money, but I believe it was worth it. When you start adding tire racks, tool boxes, winch, etc to the less expensive ones the gap closes on the price and you still have the ramps to deal with. I have about 4,000 miles on mine at this point and not a single problem. Love it!

I don't know the guy...so no affiliation...but there is a good deal on a used one in the marketplace right now - https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1...ghlight=futura

 

I have purchased wheels from Jack and know him from the track. You can buy from him with confidence.

Peter

 

Thanks, both. I dropped him a PM.

 

I really liked my Featherlite 3110. With the ramps it came with and a set of race ramps I could get anything up onto it. Towed like a dream behind my 2006 Cayenne Turbo.

 

Featherlites are terrific. Yes they need race ramps, but those are a great product too. Didn't some folks have issues with tongue weight on the Futura trailers?

 

Buy a featherlight or a trailex. When it comes time to sell, you’ll recoup most all of your cost.

You don’t need raceramps—though they are nice looking. I built 2x12 ramps years ago and still use them.

Jack’s closed trailer looks pretty nice, too!

 

+3
Lower floor makes it great. Bought used and can sell it 10 years later for about the same price. Tow two different types of cars in it without any problem and move it by hand to the side of the house with a dolly

 

Duplicate

 

If you want a Trailex 8045 mine will be for sale soon. 2018 model loaded with all the goodies and some custom stuff too Trailex did for me on the build. I have a new enclosed trailer on the way.

 

I've seen Nick's trailer and it's really nice! I bought my featherlite used and basically sold it for what I paid for it.

 

So you wouldn’t put Aluma and Sundowner in the same category as Featherlite and Trailex?

I’m in NC, so getting a trailer from Colorado isn’t the easiest.

 

I started out with an open Aluma and it was a great trailer. You can easily get a Trailex tire rack installed and put an aluminum storage box in the front. There are various ways to deal with a low approach angle. You can always raise your tow vehicle by driving the rears onto blocks if you want to avoid race ramps.

 

I wouldn’t as I feel the frame and tongue are better on the Featherlite. I had a Trailex and it was fine and light weight. Can’t go wrong either way. I just use the tongue jack to raise my Featherlite up to reduce the ramp angle along with a short piece of 2 x 8 loads my TT Croc just fine.

Peter

 

you should be able to find a used Featherlite, sundowner, aluma with all your needs

the futura is awesome but not worth 2x in my book. from the looks of it - not as heavy-duty as a Featherlite

plus you'll need to save $$$ for the eventual move to a 2500 and enclosed