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A few thoughts since over a 30-year period, I have probably bought close to 2,500 trailers for my own company, albeit commercial trailers.
I used to like Featherlite until the '08 recession when they were PE purchased and IMHO make low-cost trailers now and living off their old reputation.
I would seriously look at ATC, Intech, or Sundowner and that's it. So many of the other brands are owned by one company that pumps out multiple brands out of the same IN facililty.
I may also be OK with a small/private manufacturer that makes custom/high quality trailer to your specifications, but remember that when you go to re-sell, you will take a hit with a no-brand trailer.
Personally, I own 2 Sundowners, 100% aluminum, a 3-4 horse trailer, and a 26 or 28 (?) enclosed car trailer. Both aluminum, both super high-quality construction. I visited their facility in OK and they are still privately owned, and hands-on, and for sure over design compared to some of the other manufacturers.
If you are buying a 28' trailer, decide how much stuff you are going to install in the front as in "weight" of your cabinets with tools, winch, generators, etc. And design the axle position based on your truck so that you don't overload the hitch like most people do. Order spread axles for better ride and load distribution.
Often there is a trailer weight mismatch to the truck and you end up adding air bags to your truck, WDH, etc.
IE) Spec/Design your trailer loaded in mind with the truck that you will be using. You will come ahead later.
A few thoughts since over a 30-year period, I have probably bought close to 2,500 trailers for my own company, albeit commercial trailers.
I used to like Featherlite until the '08 recession when they were PE purchased and IMHO make low-cost trailers now and living off their old reputation.
I would seriously look at ATC, Intech, or Sundowner and that's it. So many of the other brands are owned by one company that pumps out multiple brands out of the same IN facililty.
I may also be OK with a small/private manufacturer that makes custom/high quality trailer to your specifications, but remember that when you go to re-sell, you will take a hit with a no-brand trailer.
Personally, I own 2 Sundowners, 100% aluminum, a 3-4 horse trailer, and a 26 or 28 (?) enclosed car trailer. Both aluminum, both super high-quality construction. I visited their facility in OK and they are still privately owned, and hands-on, and for sure over design compared to some of the other manufacturers.
If you are buying a 28' trailer, decide how much stuff you are going to install in the front as in "weight" of your cabinets with tools, winch, generators, etc. And design the axle position based on your truck so that you don't overload the hitch like most people do. Order spread axles for better ride and load distribution.
Often there is a trailer weight mismatch to the truck and you end up adding air bags to your truck, WDH, etc.
IE) Spec/Design your trailer loaded in mind with the truck that you will be using. You will come ahead later.
In NH ==?> buy Aluminum.
Good luck.
Super helpful - will add sundowner.
And yes agree re weight stuff - my last 24 ft i towed with a cayenne and had perfectly balanced the trailer - this time will get a 1ton dually so less concerned but want a smooth (and safe) ride
i just got a 8.5x24 from https://www.crazytrailerworld.com/20...75119-i3795191 and had it delivered via uship bid for $1400 from texas to colorado. Did the entire transaction via email, then a single phone call, wired the funds. Uship was great experience. Trailer delivered right to my door step
Alcom Stealth trailers IMO are somewhere between Hallmark and ATC in terms of overall build quality.
Audi...as you are doing your research, you may also want to consider a trailer with a reliable trailer TPMS. This is one thing that I really wish I had.
Audi...as you are doing your research, you may also want to consider a trailer with a reliable trailer TPMS. This is one thing that I really wish I had.
Thanks - yeah that reduces stress of side view mirror checks on the wheels a bunch I bet
I'll definitely cosign on the spread axle idea. I went from an open featherlite to 24' enclosed ATC, and the spread axle makes a huge difference, they are so much more forgiving on weight distribution. I can load the car to the way back of the trailer and pack everything else up front. Otherwise, you are so much less efficient with the space if you have to place your car in a specific ideal spot then limit where you load your tire rack, tool boxes and other heavy stuff around it. I know that most of the Intech, ATC, etc come standard with the spread axles, so if you end up going another route, definitely opt for the spread axles.
I'll definitely cosign on the spread axle idea. I went from an open featherlite to 24' enclosed ATC, and the spread axle makes a huge difference, they are so much more forgiving on weight distribution. I can load the car to the way back of the trailer and pack everything else up front. Otherwise, you are so much less efficient with the space if you have to place your car in a specific ideal spot then limit where you load your tire rack, tool boxes and other heavy stuff around it. I know that most of the Intech, ATC, etc come standard with the spread axles, so if you end up going another route, definitely opt for the spread axles.
The other nice thing about a spread axle is the available space below the floor for storage between the axles.
My inTech has a ~(60"x 36"x 12") well between the axles. I use it to store heavy/ infrequently used track spares.
ahhh started looking at Futura, ended up putting a deposit today on custom built 24ft Intech. Didn't expect to spend that much on a trailer, but it is what it is. Hope it will be worth it.
update: woke up today, thought about it, looked at pictures of similar trailers again, decided to change the order to 26ft.
Last edited by markmark26; 02-07-2024 at 09:25 PM.
ahhh started looking at Futura, ended up putting a deposit today on custom built 24ft Intech. Didn't expect to spend that much on a trailer, but it is what it is. Hope it will be worth it.
update: woke up today, thought about it, looked at pictures of similar trailers again, decided to change the order to 26ft.
24 ft vs 26 ft will tow pretty much the same but you will appreciate the extra space. Its amazing how quickly you can fill a trailer with stuff.
for sure. I got the airline track full length of the trailer, but it also comes with D-rings and on 24ft D-rings were very close to the cabinets. Didn't want to upsize to 28 because I was afraid with my 8ft bed 1 ton, it would be too long for my driveway ( fully setup to unload the car, went with 5 foot ramps for extra clearance ). Was hoping 24 would be enough and probably is, but this is one time purchase for me, so I hope 26 will be a sweet spot between 24 and 28. Will post pictures in a few months once it gets built.
Originally Posted by RossP
24 ft vs 26 ft will tow pretty much the same but you will appreciate the extra space. Its amazing how quickly you can fill a trailer with stuff.
Last edited by markmark26; 02-09-2024 at 05:14 PM.
01-03-2024, 10:56 AM
