TrackJunke

I am buying my first trailer and had a few questions. I am going to buy a 6x10 enclosed for my new CRG/Rotax kart (yee haw). I am towing it with a vw touareg v8 and was wondering if something like this is too big for a non-truck based tow vehicle. The VW is 79.5 inches high and most of the trailers I have been looking at are atleast 93 inches high (with the added 6 inch headroom). Is this a significant problem for gas mileage and ability to tow at speed? Should I special order one with the standar 87 inch height or go even smaller to a 5x10 with a 80 inch height. The smaller trailer will be a very tight squeeze to get the kart in. Also what brands do you recomend. I was leaning towards Haulmark Transport or Pace Journey. Any other recomendations for models or brands? Both dealers are relatively close to me.

Thanks so much.

Larry Herman

Any of them should be fine for your Touareg. I assume that total weight will be under 4,000 lbs and you have enough power to handle that. Make sure you get electric brakes, and I would recommend some sort of sway control for your hitch. You are coupling a short wheelbase vehicle to a short trailer, and the oscillations (sway) will be much faster than with a longer setup. We tow 10' utility trailers with equipment on them totalling about 4,500 lbs and it would be ugly if we didn't have 8,000 lb trucks to yank them down the road. As it is they like to wiggle around.

TrackJunke

It seems that most of the trailers in this size range that I was looking at do not have brakes or the stability. What trailers have brakes in this range and stabilizer bars?

K-bit

Most states are requiring trailer brakes on between 1500 and 3000 pounds. I would be surprised if the trailer you are looking at does not have brakes. Here is a chart of the state laws:

State By State Braking Laws
From the Digest of Motor Laws / AAA / Edition 71
State State DOT or DMV Phone Number State DOT or DMV Web Address Width Height Max Total Length Max Trailer Length Trailer Braking System Requirements
Alabama 344-242-6358 www.dot.state.al.us 102" 13' 6" N/A 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Alaska 907-465-3900 www.dot.state.ak.us 102" 14' 75' 40' Required over 5000 lbs. GVW
Arizona 602-712-7227 www.dot.state.az.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Arkansas 501-569-2612 www.ahtd.state.ar.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 53.5' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW / all trailers weighing 1500 lbs or more shall have brakes on all wheels
California 916-654-5266 www.dot.ca.gov 102" 14' 65' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW / on at least 2 wheels
Colorado 800-999-4997 www.dot.state.co.us 102" 14' 6" 70' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Connecticut 860-594-3000 www.dot.state.ct.us 102" 13' 6" 60' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels.
Delaware 302-760-2080 www.deldot.net 102" 13' 6" 65' 40' Required over 4000 lbs. GVW On all wheels
Dist. Columbia 202-673-6813 www.ddot.dc.gov/main.shtm N/A 13' 6" 85' 60' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels
Florida 850-414-4100 www.dot.state.fl.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels.
Georgia 404-656-5267 www.dot.state.ga.us 102" 13' 6" 60' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels.
Hawaii 808-587-2150 www.state.hi.us/dot/ 108" 14' 65' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Idaho 208-334-8000 www.itd.idaho.gov 102" 14' 75' 48' Trailers with a unladen weight of 1500 lbs. Must have independent braking system
Illinois 217-782-7820 www.dot.state.il.us/ 102" 13' 6" 65' 60' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Indiana 317-232-5533 www.in.gov/dot/ 102" 13' 6" 65' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Iowa 515-239-1101 www.dot.state.ia.us 102" 14' 70' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Kansas 785-296-3566 www.ksdot.org 102" 14' 65' N/A Every combination of vehicles shall have a service breaking system, which will stop such combination within 40 feet from an initial speed of 20 mph.
Kentucky 502-564-4890 www.kytc.state.ky.us 96" 13' 6" 63' N/A Kentucky law does not specifically require brakes on trailers, however, vehicles singular or in combination must be able to stop within distance specified by statute.
Louisiana 225-379-1100 www.dotd.state.la.us 96" 13' 6" 70' 40' Required over 3000 lbs., GVW On all wheels.
Maine 207-624-3000 www.state.me.us/mdot 102" 13' 6" 65' 48' Required over 3000 lbs., GVW On all wheels.
Maryland 410-865-1142 www.mdot.state.md.us/ 96" 13' 6" 55' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW. Not required on all wheels if trailer does not exceed 40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle. Over 10,000 lbs required on all wheels
Massachusetts 617-973-7800 www.state.ma.us/mhd/ 102" 13' 6" 65' 40' Every trailer having an unladed weight of more than 10,000 lbs shall be equipped with air or electric brakes.
Michigan 517-373-2090 www.michigan.gov/mdot 102" 12' 6" 65' 45' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Minnesota 651-296-3000 www.dot.state.mn.us/ 102" 13' 6" 60' 45' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Mississippi 601-359-7001 www.mdot.state.ms.us 102" 13' 6" 53' 40' Required over 2000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels.
Missouri 888-275-6636 www.modot.state.mo.us/ 102" 13' 6" 55' / 65' N/A Independent breaking system not required except on trailers coupled by a 5th wheel & kingpin.
Montana 406-444-6200 www.mdt.state.mt.us 102" 14' 65' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels. Less than 3000 lbs GVW not required if the total weight of the trailer does not exceed 40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle.
Nebraska 402-471-2281 www.dmv.state.ne.us 102" 14' 6" 65' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW Over 6500 lbs require brakes on all wheels.
Nevada 775-888-7000 www.nevadadot.com 96" 14' 70' N/A Required over 1500 lbs. GVW, On all wheels.
New Hampshire 603-271-3734 www.state.nh.us/dot 102" 13' 6" N/A 48' Every trailer shall at a speed of 20 mph be capable of stopping within a distance of 30 feet.
New Jersey 609-530-3536 www.state.nj.us/transportation/ 102" 13' 6" 50' 40' Every trailer must be equipped with brakes and be synchronized with towed vehicle.
New Mexico 505-827-5100 www.nmshtd.state.nm.us 102" 14' 75' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
New York 518-457-6195 www.dot.state.ny.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 48' Required on trailers that weigh over 1000 lbs. / adequate brakes requires over 3000 lb GVW
North Carolina 919-733-2522 www.ncdot.org 96" 13' 6" 60' 35' Required over 4000 lbs. GVW
North Dakota 701-328-2500 www.state.nd.us/dot 102" 14' 75' 53' Every trailer must be equipped with adequate brakes.
Ohio 614-466-2335 www.dot.state.oh.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 40' Brakes required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 2000 lbs
Oklahoma 405-522-8000 www.okladot.state.ok.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Oregon 888-ASK-ODOT www.odot.state.or.us/home 102" 14' 65' 45' Independent braking system not required but combination of vehicles must stop within legal limits.
Pennsylvania 717-787-2838 www.dot.state.pa.us/ 102" 13' 6" 60' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Rhode Island 401-222-2481 www.dot.state.ri.us 102" 13' 6" 60' N/A Required over 4000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels.
South Carolina 803-737-2314 www.dot.state.sc.us/ 102" 13' 6" N/A 48' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, On all wheels. Under 3001 lbs brakes not required unless trailer exceeds 40% of the towing vehicle gross weight.
South Dakota 605-773-3265 www.sddot.com N/A 14' N/A N/A Required on all trailers.
Tennessee 615-741-2848 www.tdot.state.tn.us/ 102" 13' 6" N/A N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Texas 512-463-8588 www.dot.state.tx.us/txdot.htm 102" 13' 6" 65' N/A Required over 4500 lbs. GVW
Utah 801-965-4559 www.dot.state.ut.us 102" 14' 65' 40' Every combination of vehicle shall at a speed of 20 mph be capable of stopping within a distance of 40 feet.
Vermont 802-828-2657 www.dot.state.vt.us 102" 13' 6" 65' 45' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW, Under 3000 lbs brakes not required unless trailer exceeds 40% of the towing vehicle gross weight.
Virginia 804-786-2801 http://virginiadot.org/ 102" 13' 6" 65' 45' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Washington 360-705-7000 www.wsdot.wa.gov 102" 14' 60' N/A Required on all trailers on all wheels. Under 3000 lbs not required unless trailer exceeds 40% of the towing vehicle gross weight.
West Virginia 800-642-9066 www.wvdot.com 102" 13' 6" 75' 40' Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Wisconsin 608-266-1466 www.dot.wisconsin.gov/ 102" 13' 6" 60' N/A Required over 3000 lbs. GVW
Wyoming 307-777-4714 http://wydotweb.state.wy.us 102" 14' 65' 45' Every combination of vehicle shall at a speed of 20 mph be capable of stopping within a distance of 40 feet.

Larry Herman

Brakes are a function of the axle selection, and Haulmark or Pace should offer that option. You will appreciate having them on a wet road. The sway control is a function of the hitch, and both Reese and Draw-tite have a new weight-distributing/sway control system called strait-line that works great. It may appear to be over-kill, but with the short-wheelbase combo that you have, you will notice a huge difference, especially if you tow at 65+

DaMan-993TT

In case you haven't seen this, the T-Reg is a monster tower, it also has great manueverability at slow speed, and the ride height is adjustable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05zRyoBbcfI

RICHVIZZ951

Yet another Toureg towing thread

TrackJunke

I live in SC. The GVWR of the trailer I am looking at is 2900 lb so they do not require brakes.

Larry Herman

I think that you might be missing the point a little. "Have to" and "should" are 2 different things. Here's an important point; how fast do you intend to tow this trailer? Ever try to panic stop from 70 in your Touareg? Now imagine another 2500 lbs pushing that thing down the road. How do you think that will panic stop from 70? Just food for thought.

bbh03

So you are never leaving SC with the trailer?

TrackJunke

Larry, I am not saying I should not have them, I want to be safe but am ignorant when it comes to trailers. I was just answering K-bit by saying I lived in SC and what the laws are. Perhaps that explains why none of the dealers offer any of the trailers in this size with brakes. I appreciate the advice as I did not even know it was an option on these smaller trailers.

bbh03, I would imagine that the state the trailer is registered in would be the laws I have to abide by. Is this not the case?

Larry Herman

I understand. Here's the deal in a nutshell. Many vehicles have the power to tow trailers, and towing them around town at 30 or 40 mph is no problem. It is when you get them moving fast that things get interesting. I always set out to tow at 65~70, but you would be amazed at how the speed creeps up to 80, especially on long tows with lightly travelled highways. And wind, little sways, bumps and firm braking take on a whole new dynamic at those speeds.

If you are just bopping around town and keep the speeds down, you are probably fine as is. If you are going to do any serious long distance towing, you better have the right stuff.

Crazy Canuck

Laws of the licensing jurisdiction are what matters.

My company sells Pace. Here is a COMPARISON . It does come from Pace but it gives you an idea of what to look for for differences.

The Journey is a good entry level trailer. Consider the "Plus" pkg. It gives you a torsion axle instead of leaf springs. This is good. The trailer rides better, one wheel isn't affected by the other, and there is less long term maintenance (shackles, links, bushings etc.). Tires are still bias ply though.

For me, I'd buy a CargoSport. It's much more robust, comes with torsion axle and radial tires standard as well as a whole slew of frame related strengthening. It does cost a bit more though.

Brakes are nice but we sell about 1 out of 100 single axle cargo trailers with brakes. I can't remember when we put a weight distribution system or sway control on one.

Your Toureg is a great tow vehicle. A couple inches of height here or there won't matter much in the overall scheme of things. If you're doing a lot of highway driving consider the v-nose.

If you have any questions send me a PM.

ltc

A few comments:
1. Please check the max braking capacity of your Touareg (for a trailer with no surge nor electric brakes). I'm guessing it's somewhere around 1500# or so.

2. If you have PASM (air suspension), IIRC you should not use a load leveling hitch, as it interferes with PASM self leveling.

3. You might also consider an enclosed aluminum, as this would be MUCH lighter and esaier to tow.

4. A V8 Touareg/Cayenne can tow this weight with ease. There are several rennlist members who tow 20' enclosed aluminum car haulers with these vehicles with few problems/issues......although, as noted, there is really no substitute for a proper HD pickup tow vehicle.

5. There are very few options for towing mirror extentions for the Touareg/Cayenne (same unibody).

A good primer on towing:
http://www.sherline.com/lmbook.htm

Be sure to find a good open area to practice towing/parking....you don't want to be learning/practicing in a paddock at your first kart event.