Selecting the right trailer for your needs

[:)bestgen4runner]

So my next Offroad purchase is going to be a trailer.
Any advice?
If I was to do it over I would get?
Used vs new?
Trailer length recommendations?
Capacity?
Brands you like or think are garbage?
Good people to buy from?
Features you would want or wish you had gotten?
Deck surface you prefer?
Ramps? Tilt? Dove tail?

[ryantowry_81]

I have owned many trailers over the years and I would suggest at least a 10k trAiler instead of the standard 7k. Not only for the extra capacity but for the build quality of the axles. A trailer parts supply house once told me that manufacturers build 3500 lb axle cheap for people who might use their trailer but customers that step up to 5200 or larger axles are planning on loading their trailers heavy so they build in extra safety factor. Probably just a story but I used to eat wheel bearings in my 7k trailer but I have had my 10k tilt for 4 years and done nothing but grease the zerk fitting and check tire pressure.

Also I would never own a ramped trailer again after having my tilt deck. Mine is a little work being a manual pump til it but it has done many things a ramp trailer could never have done as easily.

[Mudder]

Goose neck or fifth wheel is what I'd use. I haven't towed a car trailer but I have towed a lot with farming and those always did the best I thought. Also you'd want to make the fifth wheel removable in order to actually keep the bed usable.

[:)bestgen4runner]

I have owned many trailers over the years and I would suggest at least a 10k trAiler instead of the standard 7k. Not only for the extra capacity but for the build quality of the axles. A trailer parts supply house once told me that manufacturers build 3500 lb axle cheap for people who might use their trailer but customers that step up to 5200 or larger axles are planning on loading their trailers heavy so they build in extra safety factor. Probably just a story but I used to eat wheel bearings in my 7k trailer but I have had my 10k tilt for 4 years and done nothing but grease the zerk fitting and check tire pressure.

Also I would never own a ramped trailer again after having my tilt deck. Mine is a little work being a manual pump til it but it has done many things a ramp trailer could never have done as easily.

this is the valuable information I am looking for.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Goose neck or fifth wheel is what I'd use. I haven't towed a car trailer but I have towed a lot with farming and those always did the best I thought. Also you'd want to make the fifth wheel removable in order to actually keep the bed usable.

For my plans a bumper pull will be required, I have plans for a camper to be placed in the bed.

[mudmaster]

Mine is a 7K and I have repacked the wheel bearings once in 10 years. The grease still looked good though. I would suggest getting one with a breakaway feature and a solar charger for the breakaway battery.

[ryantowry_81]

here is the trailer i have in the 10k flavor:
http://www.pjtrailers.com/trailers/tm-83-inch-manual-tilt

i wish i had the money to get this one but the manual is still reliable:
http://www.pjtrailers.com/trailers/th-83-inch-hydraulic-quick-tilt

some day i want to add a winch and a hydraulic pump setup to make mine like the quick tilt.

i like this tilt better than gravity tilt because i can tilit it back with dead weight on it.helps in unloading firewood, topsoil, gravel etc. along with non running vehicles.

[ryantowry_81]

oh and i have built covers for my tires so when it is parked they do not see UV's. i cant stand the idea of tires that dry rot before worn out.

[bub]

I've got a 22ft (overall) bumper pull Pipe Top trailer from Texas Bragg. It's rated for 7200lbs and I would say it usually sees close to that when heading out for a long weekend. The bearings have worn pretty nicely and have been repacked a couple times over the last ten years. The thing I don't like about it the most is that it has side railing and flimsy tongue jack (upgrading to a heavy duty square jack is on my list of to-do's). When I'm ready to buy another car hauler I will be getting a flat deck trailer, preferably 8ft wide with drive over fenders. There have been quite a few times where I needed to move something that was too wide (or too low and the side rails prohibited opening the vehicle doors once loaded) and a flat deck would have worked perfectly. Ramp trailers are okay, especially since you don't need to use them for the crawler  Here's a link to what I have, it's the 18P model: http://www.texasbraggtrailers.com/product/pipe-top/

[:)bestgen4runner]

This is great, I appreciate all the do's and don't.
Calling all you trailer queen owners!
Keep the helpful information and advice coming.

[Willard]

I have pulled/towed with a lot of different trailers. Just a standard 7k 18'x8 wide was perfect for what I needed. Also depending on your width you may consider drive over fenders as stated  above or even bolted fenders for ease of removal for wider loads.


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[emsvitil]

I just use a 16' utility trailer.....





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[Willard]

I just use a 16' utility trailer.....





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Wish I could, but my outer tire width is 84" so they don't fit very well lol. Unless you build a custom deck.....


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[redneckcustoms13]

I have quite a few trailers. All have their own place. If I'm just pulling a trail rig, I use my 16' open center all steel car hauler. Nothing special, just a little 2" ball bulldog hitch on it and a 8k winch. I absolutely love this little trailer because it is very light (OPEN CENTER) if for any reason the deck needs to be complete I have 2 sheets of plywood I lay in the center. It had the normal 3500 rated pair of axles. I tossed them and put a set of dexter 5200 rated axles under it from a mobile home, then put the 6 lug hubs on I from dexter. The axles combines have a rating of 10,400 lbs. This trailer hauls everything from a couple 4 wheelers to crew cab long bed duallys. By far my favorite little trailer. You can't go wrong with an all steel trailer. Not knocking the wood deck trailers. I just don't like replacing the wood every 10 or so years.

[:)bestgen4runner]

I would love some information or experiences with enclosed trailers.
I like the idea of a secure place to keep the truck and a mini garage.
Limitations?
Bad idea?
If I'm going to get a trailer why not ?

[mudmaster]

Get a toy hauler then you don't need a camper..........

[redneckcustoms13]

My pops in law used a 16' enclosed for his rzr. It was cool because he had a place to sleep. Pain in the ass to keep clean, no room around it to work on it.

I know quite a few guys in the mud racing game that use enclosed trailers for there rigs. Basically for transportation only. The inside walls are never over about 98-100" so you just simply dont have room to get around the truck. It is a good place to store your tools though.

[redneckcustoms13]

I just sold my 38' toy hauler. BIGGEST PILE OF WASTED SPACE EVER! It was very hard to keep the back of it clean. Also I've never seen a toy hauler that could support the weight of a truck. Unless it's the tiny camper or pop up on the front and open on the back

[redneckcustoms13]

I saw in another place you tow with a tacoma? Is that correct?

[mudmaster]

I saw in another place you tow with a tacoma? Is that correct?

No, he has 15 F350 diesel.

[mudmaster]

Also I've never seen a toy hauler that could support the weight of a truck. Unless it's the tiny camper or pop up on the front and open on the back

They do make them $$

[ryantowry_81]

I would love some information or experiences with enclosed trailers.
I like the idea of a secure place to keep the truck and a mini garage.
Limitations?
Bad idea?
If I'm going to get a trailer why not ?

here is the enclosed trailer i had when i moved to California from Alaska:


i used it to haul my old first gen on 37's. i had to keep the tire pressure below 5 psi and ratchet strap down the suspension to get it through the door and keep it from hitting the roof on a large bump. it was great for securing stuff but way more of a pain to strap down and load unload.

also i could not put her in with doors on and still get in.

[redneckcustoms13]

That's my theory. I have a 25 deck over thst does 2 swb toyotas a 32 deck over that does 2 lwb toyotas. A 40 flat deck that will do 3 toyotas if loaded correctly.

Just seems like alot of people claim to help with fuel but never do.

[:)bestgen4runner]

That's my theory. I have a 25 deck over thst does 2 swb toyotas a 32 deck over that does 2 lwb toyotas. A 40 flat deck that will do 3 toyotas if loaded correctly.

Just seems like alot of people claim to help with fuel but never do.

I have looked into the multiple vehicle trailers now. To much money for my budget and it would make single car or truck trailering more difficult than necessary.

[redneckcustoms13]

I haul tractors and other various objects for other people so the larger trailers kind of paid for themselves over time. You are certainly correct on overkill for 1 rig. A 16-20' bumper pull with a good heavy set of axles would be just fine for what your doing. 

[:)bestgen4runner]

So I am getting closer and closer to a final selection. How do I decide how long of a trailer
16' 18' 20' +
What do I need to consider?

What are you Guys using for a length ?
What fits what length? examples.......

[Willard]

18 would be perfect for your rig.


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[emsvitil]

How much room do you have for storage?

[joeyf]

I have found when looking for new, local small company's put in more of a quality effort. Also 10k would be the best bet. 7k will work but after 15 years my deck is starting to bow and the 5 lug wheels flex hard when backing up around tight corners.

You could probably get away with a 14. This is my 14', the long bodied 4runner and long wheel base wheeler fit on it nice.

[:)bestgen4runner]

How much room do you have for storage?

I can fit a 20+ at the house.

I have found when looking for new, local small company's put in more of a quality effort. Also 10k would be the best bet. 7k will work but after 15 years my deck is starting to bow and the 5 lug wheels flex hard when backing up around tight corners.

You could probably get away with a 14. This is my 14', the long bodied 4runner and long wheel base wheeler fit on it nice.

Very nice setup you got there