Open Trailer Question
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Open Trailer Question
I've been down the road with the large enclosed (5th Wheel toy hauler) trailer that could haul everything when I ran dirt bike races. I want to keep it simple this time around.
I'll be pulling a '03 996 C2 that I'm slowly converting to a track car. I've looked at a lot of used open trailers and have been focused on getting one that has removable fenders. Is this really necessary? Any other suggestions? I already have an F250 diesel to pull it with.
I'll be pulling a '03 996 C2 that I'm slowly converting to a track car. I've looked at a lot of used open trailers and have been focused on getting one that has removable fenders. Is this really necessary? Any other suggestions? I already have an F250 diesel to pull it with.
#2
Nordschleife Master
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Deep Downtown Carrier, OK
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
You've got the experience to know better.
Simple is a 26' or 28' enclosed. Room for everything, A/C and a couple goodies and you're there. If you don't do it now, you'll do it later.
But you know this already I'll bet.
Simple is a 26' or 28' enclosed. Room for everything, A/C and a couple goodies and you're there. If you don't do it now, you'll do it later.
But you know this already I'll bet.
#3
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
You'll need to remove the fenders on an open trailer in order to open your car doors.
Open aluminum trailers hold their value well.
Open aluminum trailers hold their value well.
#4
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lost, no you don't need them for the right trailer, like the Trailex that was just pulled out of my driveway 10 minutes ago. I tried to tell you!
Kai's right though. You have the right tow vehicle, so go find a 24-28 footer for less than I just sold my open aluminum one for.
Kai's right though. You have the right tow vehicle, so go find a 24-28 footer for less than I just sold my open aluminum one for.
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks MarkM. I just wasn't ready to pull the trigger a few weeks ago when you first put your's up for sale. I assumed it was already gone or I would have checked back with you. I've gone back and forth between enclosed and open and then back again. Your right I'll probably end up with a enclosed down the road, but pulling that massive trailer and getting it set up was a lot of stress. I harken back to the simple days of pulling my three-rail open dirt bike trailer with my Jeep Cherokee.
#6
The Penguin King
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The need to have removable fenders depends upon the trailer and your car. In general, you will need to have them to be able to open the car doors. However certain trailers, the Trailex in particular have been designed to avoid this. I've also seen people modify their trailers by bolting down 2X8's to the trailer floor so that the car sits high enough for the car doors to be able to clear the fenders.
You can use a winch to load and unload the car, in which case you usually won't need to open the car doors and thus won't need to remove the trailer fender. However, should the winch fail, which sooner or later everything does, you will have to either remove a fender, or climb into and out of the car via the window.
You can use a winch to load and unload the car, in which case you usually won't need to open the car doors and thus won't need to remove the trailer fender. However, should the winch fail, which sooner or later everything does, you will have to either remove a fender, or climb into and out of the car via the window.
#7
Rennlist Member
My Featherlite has removeable fenders. I absolutely need to remove them in order to open the car's doors.
Trending Topics
#9
Rennlist Member
I am about to pull the trigger on a R&R Trailer (http://www.aluminumtrailers.org/qual...-car-trailers/). The bed sits high enough you do not need to remove the fenders.
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 0
Received 38 Likes
on
30 Posts
I don't have the extensive experience that the rest of the guys have in here. Having said that, I have a C2 and an open steel trailer. Simple, rugged (yes, a bit heavy).....
My car is lowered, but I do not need to remove the fenders. drive on, tie down, and go.
In a perfect world, sure the right Trailex/Featherlight would be the preferred choice, ....I am still searching for one that fits the bill (and isn't located in Florida- too far to drive to pick-up). In the meantime, this one works just fine, even if not ideal. The rest of the track "stuff" goes in the back of the truck...done.
My car is lowered, but I do not need to remove the fenders. drive on, tie down, and go.
In a perfect world, sure the right Trailex/Featherlight would be the preferred choice, ....I am still searching for one that fits the bill (and isn't located in Florida- too far to drive to pick-up). In the meantime, this one works just fine, even if not ideal. The rest of the track "stuff" goes in the back of the truck...done.
#11
Rennlist Member
GENERALLY SPEAKING
if you do not want to remove fenders you will get longer ramps to get your car to a trailer platform that rides "on" the axles -- a la trailex
If you are willing to remove a fender, the deck of the trailer will be lower and have shorter ramps, a la featherlite (although with low ground clearance car you still need race ramps in addition to the trailer ramps that come with it)
Removing a fender on a featherlite open can be done in less than 4 seconds and is a very simple affair
I would highly reccomend shelling out for a name brand quality alum open trailer (trailex, featherlite) as when it comes time to sell (i bet less than 2 years) they go away quickly and for 80% of new pricing.
Open is easier in many ways but the loading and unloading of it each time you need to use it can be a pain... as opposed to an enclosed that you can leave everything in...
if you do not want to remove fenders you will get longer ramps to get your car to a trailer platform that rides "on" the axles -- a la trailex
If you are willing to remove a fender, the deck of the trailer will be lower and have shorter ramps, a la featherlite (although with low ground clearance car you still need race ramps in addition to the trailer ramps that come with it)
Removing a fender on a featherlite open can be done in less than 4 seconds and is a very simple affair
I would highly reccomend shelling out for a name brand quality alum open trailer (trailex, featherlite) as when it comes time to sell (i bet less than 2 years) they go away quickly and for 80% of new pricing.
Open is easier in many ways but the loading and unloading of it each time you need to use it can be a pain... as opposed to an enclosed that you can leave everything in...
#12
Race Car
I have no trouble with my trailex with the fenders. I agree with others I will probably end up with enclosed a couple of years down the road. You have obviously been there before so do what works for you. Guess my point is if you go open there are various options for the fender. good luck.
#13
Rennlist Member
F250 means no need for an expensive aluminum trailer. I have a steel open and I did as suggested, I measured the clearance I needed and shopped a round. I have one with a steel deck. If you get one with a wooden deck you can always lay down 2 x 12s till you get your desired height.
Having said that I also have a 26' enclosed now.
Having said that I also have a 26' enclosed now.
#15
Rennlist Member
I had a Featherlite open trailer. When hauling my (at the time) spec Box the fenders had to be removed. Not only that but my doors would still hit the trailer tires. My solution was to put two race ramps (trailer caddy) under the front wheels which gave me clearance to open the car doors. It also made loading the car very easy since I knew where to put the ramps before I loaded the car.