Open trailer size, need suggestions
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morris County, NJ
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Question](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon5.gif)
I have a 944 S2. I thought I wanted a 16' open trailer. I put my car on one yesterday and it fit, but with room to spare. In other words it will fit on a 14'. The trailer I put it on was also 83" wide, they are also made 77" wide. With either trailer I need a removable fender to get in and out of the car. The question is should I go for the very smallest possible trailer (14' & 77" wide) or have a little extra room and go for the 16' & 83" wide.
I see the pros/cons as follows:
16' & 83" wide - I could put a larger car on the trailer if I ever needed to, I don't think a Camaro would fit on the smaller one. Easier in and out of the car.
14'&77" wide - 200 lbs. lighter and $200 dollars cheaper. Downside is ramps come out the side instead of the back. Opposite of above
Your thoughts and experience would be very welcome.
I see the pros/cons as follows:
16' & 83" wide - I could put a larger car on the trailer if I ever needed to, I don't think a Camaro would fit on the smaller one. Easier in and out of the car.
14'&77" wide - 200 lbs. lighter and $200 dollars cheaper. Downside is ramps come out the side instead of the back. Opposite of above
Your thoughts and experience would be very welcome.
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My 944 fits fine on the 14' steel trailer I have. The front 11' of the trailer are flat, with the final 3' a beavertail. A 944 fits perfectly on the flat section.
No longer use the above trailer because I now have access to a Trailex. Aluminum construction makes it easier to maneuver off hitch, but it tows the same. Would sell the steel trailer CHEAP just to get it outta the driveway
No longer use the above trailer because I now have access to a Trailex. Aluminum construction makes it easier to maneuver off hitch, but it tows the same. Would sell the steel trailer CHEAP just to get it outta the driveway
#3
Race Director
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Interesting. I'm curious about your desire for such a small trailer. Is it due to a low towing budget (weight, not dollars)? Is it for some other reason?
The reason I ask is I too am considering making as small a trailer as possible. My reason is a 4300 lb towing budget. I know the Durango actually can tow more, but that's the official factory rating and I'm trying to stay as close to that as possible.
Rear ramp storage would be nice, but if I were fighting a low towing budget I wouldn't lose much sleep about side storage. I'm not sure I'd care for a narrower trailer both for the purpose of loading and ease of getting round the car while it's on the trailer.
The reason I ask is I too am considering making as small a trailer as possible. My reason is a 4300 lb towing budget. I know the Durango actually can tow more, but that's the official factory rating and I'm trying to stay as close to that as possible.
Rear ramp storage would be nice, but if I were fighting a low towing budget I wouldn't lose much sleep about side storage. I'm not sure I'd care for a narrower trailer both for the purpose of loading and ease of getting round the car while it's on the trailer.
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I had a similar situation: a 3.0L Ranger with an official 4,000 towing capacity, but experience w. loaner trailers led me to want to stay way under that limit.
I wound up building a flyweight open trailer that might be 800#, plus a 1,500# car, and another few hundred in spares & tools. I have maybe 1" clearance on either side of the car; good thing there's no door to open to get in & out.
I figure when I get tired of the limitations of the open trailer, I'll get serious & buy a bigger truck & an enclosed trailer.
I wound up building a flyweight open trailer that might be 800#, plus a 1,500# car, and another few hundred in spares & tools. I have maybe 1" clearance on either side of the car; good thing there's no door to open to get in & out.
I figure when I get tired of the limitations of the open trailer, I'll get serious & buy a bigger truck & an enclosed trailer.
#5
Race Director
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by Robert Henriksen
I figure when I get tired of the limitations of the open trailer, I'll get serious & buy a bigger truck & an enclosed trailer.
I figure when I get tired of the limitations of the open trailer, I'll get serious & buy a bigger truck & an enclosed trailer.
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morris County, NJ
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by Geo
Interesting. I'm curious about your desire for such a small trailer. Is it due to a low towing budget (weight, not dollars)? Is it for some other reason?
The reason I ask is I too am considering making as small a trailer as possible. My reason is a 4300 lb towing budget. I know the Durango actually can tow more, but that's the official factory rating and I'm trying to stay as close to that as possible.
Rear ramp storage would be nice, but if I were fighting a low towing budget I wouldn't lose much sleep about side storage. I'm not sure I'd care for a narrower trailer both for the purpose of loading and ease of getting round the car while it's on the trailer.
Interesting. I'm curious about your desire for such a small trailer. Is it due to a low towing budget (weight, not dollars)? Is it for some other reason?
The reason I ask is I too am considering making as small a trailer as possible. My reason is a 4300 lb towing budget. I know the Durango actually can tow more, but that's the official factory rating and I'm trying to stay as close to that as possible.
Rear ramp storage would be nice, but if I were fighting a low towing budget I wouldn't lose much sleep about side storage. I'm not sure I'd care for a narrower trailer both for the purpose of loading and ease of getting round the car while it's on the trailer.
Trending Topics
#9
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by s2steve
I have a 944 S2. <> With either trailer I need a removable fender to get in and out of the car.
I have a 944 S2. <> With either trailer I need a removable fender to get in and out of the car.
#10
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The rule for space is...
You'll find ways of filling it! Get the bigger trailer, especially since you have the truck to pull it.
HIJACK -
You can take the advertised tow ratings for most vehicles and cut them by 30-50% right off the bat. What a joke.
I have a friend that towed a 930 on an open Trailex with a big Mazda (Ranger) with the V6. He blew the trans 3 times, cracked both the heads, just destroyed the thing. Course... he was tryin to keep up with the Big Boys!
I've pulled 6500lbs with a K1500 Chevy and that truck would have exploded before long! It was the worst tow vehicle I've ever driven, mostly because of the transmission. The Navigator I used before that was almost as bad.
The only vehicle that has surprised me as a tow vehicle was - ready Geo - the Durango. Granted, it was a Trailex enclosed with a Cup car (say 4500), but I was VERY pleasantly surprised by the truck's manners. The transmission was the best part. Seamless. Good power, fairly stable, quiet. Of course it is too light and short to be a "real" tow truck, but it was quite more than I expected.
The Chevy 2500HD falls into the Cut by 30% Class. I've towed 6500 with it (6.0 V8) and it works very well. Dynamically it is solid as a rock and the trans is excellent, but twice that weight? No way! Not nearly enough power for that... unless we're talking Duramax.
You'll find ways of filling it! Get the bigger trailer, especially since you have the truck to pull it.
HIJACK -
You can take the advertised tow ratings for most vehicles and cut them by 30-50% right off the bat. What a joke.
I have a friend that towed a 930 on an open Trailex with a big Mazda (Ranger) with the V6. He blew the trans 3 times, cracked both the heads, just destroyed the thing. Course... he was tryin to keep up with the Big Boys!
I've pulled 6500lbs with a K1500 Chevy and that truck would have exploded before long! It was the worst tow vehicle I've ever driven, mostly because of the transmission. The Navigator I used before that was almost as bad.
The only vehicle that has surprised me as a tow vehicle was - ready Geo - the Durango. Granted, it was a Trailex enclosed with a Cup car (say 4500), but I was VERY pleasantly surprised by the truck's manners. The transmission was the best part. Seamless. Good power, fairly stable, quiet. Of course it is too light and short to be a "real" tow truck, but it was quite more than I expected.
The Chevy 2500HD falls into the Cut by 30% Class. I've towed 6500 with it (6.0 V8) and it works very well. Dynamically it is solid as a rock and the trans is excellent, but twice that weight? No way! Not nearly enough power for that... unless we're talking Duramax.
#11
Addict
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
![Question](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon5.gif)
I can't recall one that does not allow the door to clear without articulated fender fuss.
![Cheers](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif)
#12
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally posted by Alan Herod
Datony, I know that American English is not your first language, but what did you just say?
Datony, I know that American English is not your first language, but what did you just say?
![Cheers](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/beerchug.gif)
Translation: There are lots of low cost steel trailers with fenders low enough to open the doors of a 944/951. Many of the 944Cup runners have them, and I can't recall one that requires a drop fender setup. Phew!
#14
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Go with the biggest one you safely tow.
#15
Unaffiliated
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I tow an 18" steel, 1800 LBS with my 3100 LB 951 on it, and my 94 Toyota Land Cruiser was solid as a tank. Yea, slow up the hills, but really well planted and solid. The truck is rated at 5k and feels ready for more. I probably would have been fine with the 16" but I liked the option of bigger cars and room to throw spare rims on up front. Maneuverability is not a factor. I used to tow with a 360 Durango, ..no real complaints until the ball joints all needed replaced at 50K and then (NOT towing) a leaf spring snapped.. The service guy asked me where it broke. I told him (I love this part) "It broke right thru the 'O' in 'Made in Mexico'" It will be a while before I look at new Dodges again.