mikew968

I am looking to purchase a new trailer. I have been using a Hallmark that I "borrow" from one of my crews at my company. I would like to set-up a trailer and not have to "return" it. I am looking at a 20' Featherlite that would meet my needs. Should I consider other brands? Should I have the inside walls lined? I can buy a basic unlined trailer for about $10,800 and a lined trailer will be about $13,000 and will weigh at least a couple of hundred pounds more. I am towing with a Touareg soi want to stay around 3000# to 3200#.

Thanks, MIke

ltc

I tow my 964 Euro Cup car (along with the other cars when they're off to be detailed in bad weather and my son's kart 2-3 times/week during the season) with a Cayenne S with PASM.
My trailer is a Cargopro (now owned by Thule) 20' enclosed aluminum V nose, fully dressed. About 2400# empty.
http://www.cargoprotrailers.com/car_...?ProductID=112
(bought it from Atlantic Coast Trailers in MA (good guys, they are all racers and know car haulers).

https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...chmentid=18142
https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...chmentid=18140
https://rennlist.com/forums/attachme...chmentid=18139

I would suggest a driver side escape door, as it makes getting in and out of the vehicle a LOT easier. I also like the carpet 3' up on the wall, as it helps prevent dents and footprints (everyone always leans up against a wall on one foot with the other behind them on a wall...no idea why) I've added a lot more wall mounted stuff from RB Components:
http://www.rbcomponents.com/
(same as Pit Pal, but a bit better quality/finish and bit cheaper)

Rennlist user 'skl' has a 18' ATC aluminum enclosed V nose trailer that he uses to tow his Spec Miata and GT3, also with a Cayenne S with PASM.

Lots of towing/trailer threads over in the Cayenne (same as a Touareg) forum.

wbrownie

Trailex only way to go...

http://www.trailex.com/viewprod.cfm?...t=93&cat_id=93

Dan in Florida

I've been using a Taureg [Audi V-8] for the past two years to tow my Trailex 7541 and 911. The Taureg has been terrific and easily able to handle the load. But the 7541 weighs only 851 lbs. Regardless of the rated towing capacity, which is north of 7,000 lbs with the V-8, I don't think it would be wise to use a closed trailer weighing as much as 3000 lbs. In addition to the issue of overall weight, you also have to think about wind effects [read cross winds] on a closed trailer.
Dan

mikew968

Dan:

I have driven trailers all my life including 45' semi trailers and as long as you don't push and are extra careful the Touareg is fine with a 20' enclosed trailer and my 968. If I buy a trailer dedicated for track use then buying all aluminum makes sense to keep the weight down. The thrust of my question was other trailers to consider and should I line the inside with white alum.siding to give a more finished look or save on the weight and be more "raw".

Thanks, Mike

agio

Mike,
I agree with the Trailex. Light and nearly rust proof. I once had a Featherlite and it was an excellent trailer, but the Trailex is easier to deal with. As I remember, my Featherlite was much heavier compared to the Trailex. This may be an important feature in that the light trailer can be easily moved or re-positioned in a garage or tight space.
Also, the Featherlite requires that the driver's side fender had to be removed to get into/out of the car--another small, but somewhat annoying feature.
The Trailex is modular in that you can put a tire rack, etc...a bolt on procedure.
In any case, good luck and keep us posted.

agio

Mike, two more important things to check out...the actual width of the trailer to determine whether or not your car will go on the trailer with a bit of spare space. My Trailex has extra width beams to accomodate the car, but not much spare...so you'll want to be mindful of this.
The brakes also...surge or electric...I have electric and am very happy with them.

DrJupeman

It sounds like you want enclosed. Try ATC: www.aluminutrailer.com. I love mine.

RJay

I upgraded from a Cargo Pro open to a Trailex enclosed this year. Expensive? Yes. Small for the $$$? Yes. Worth it? Yes!

First it is extremely well made. Almost a work of art. Tows very well and is very light. Perfect for an SUV although I have an F250 Diesel. The big thing in my decision to go smaller is that while tow vehicles come and go, an aluminum trailer is forever. I figured it allowed me to go with a smaller tow vehicle at some point. Very well thought out design with one exception (see complaint). The flip up side door makes it easier to get out of the car than it was with my open trailer wither the fenders were always in the way. Complaints. Really only one. The pull out ramps are a PITA. Wish it had a door ramps. Other than that its great!

KOAN

I bought a used enclosed Trailex. It pulls my 993 and 8 wheels/tires VERY easily with my F150. I also bought it to allow me to pull with an SUV, and I am quite sure I could with little problem. It has enough room to get everything I need to the track. It was an upgrade from my open Trailex, which was trouble free for 4-5 years. Carl at Trailex is a great guy to work with. They are more expensive, but keep their value, and are a pleasure to pull.

Edward

I remember doing all the research as my tow vehicle was limited. My findings were that if you are at all concerned about tow weight (which you should be if your rig is a Toureg), you should defintietely go with a Trailex. While I was looking only at open-car trailers, everytime I compared weights, Trailex was ALWAYS lighter by a significant margin, even when compared to the major brands like Featherlight and Haulmark. I'd be willing to bet that Trailex's enclosed trailers have an even larger weight advantage. They are pricey, but IMHO worth every penny unless you have an F250-class or stronger rig where tow weight is less of an issue.

Edward

Rick

I did the same as Charlie - I bought an ATC (22' plus a 4' wedge). I've now had it a bit more than a year and am every bit as happy today as I was the day I picked it up.
At the time, I was going to pull it with my Cayenne but have since bought a Ford F-250 as I think the day may come when I move to a larger trailer.
I won't say anything negative about any trailer - I just found that when I went through this I felt that the ATC offered the best quality trailer, a wide choice of options, the best value/pricing and very good servcie from both ATC and the dealer (Rezner trailers). If I were buying today, I'd buy the same trailer from the same guys. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to talk further - I'd gladly exchange phone numbers if I can be of any help.
Here's some pictures of my trailer:

Gary R.

Wonder if I could get a set of those cabinets for the nose of my 24' Thule?
Nice!

mitch236

I notice there is no winch. These are very useful and since installing one in my trailer, I would never go back.

Rick

Mitch - I agree; mine is being placed in the center cabinet out of view but easy to setup when needed.