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What size car trailer for a 2nd Gen??

Started by AKcharger, December 01, 2009, 10:24:55 PM

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AKcharger

Quick question, what is the best size enclosed trailer to haul your car around in? To be honest I don't even know standard sizes. Anthing special to look for or "must have" when purchasing?

I'm little over a year out from retirement (I'm really going to do it this time) and plan on buying a Ram 2500  Diesel and enclosed trailer to haul my '70 back up here to Alaska...want to get smart on trailers

Charger-Bodie

Quote from: AKcharger on December 01, 2009, 10:24:55 PM
Quick question, what is the best size enclosed trailer to haul your car around in? To be honest I don't even know standard sizes. Anthing special to look for or "must have" when purchasing?

I'm little over a year out from retirement (I'm really going to do it this time) and plan on buying a Ram 2500  Diesel and enclosed trailer to haul my '70 back up here to Alaska...want to get smart on trailers


I dont own one,but Ive used one to haul my 68. It was a 28 foot,and had the side door so you can open the drivers door. That is what I will go for when I buy one.
68 Charger R/t white with black v/t and red tailstripe. 440 4 speed ,black interior
68 383 auto with a/c and power windows. Now 440 4 speed jj1 gold black interior .
My Charger is a hybrid car, it burns gas and rubber............

AKcharger

28 foot huh? Sounds kind of big but considering I plan on dragging back a bunch of parts, it may be just right.

69bronzeT5

Which way you plan on going when you head back with the Charger? :scratchchin: :popcrn:
Feature Editor for Mopar Connection Magazine
http://moparconnectionmagazine.com/



1969 Charger: T5 Copper 383 Automatic
1970 Challenger R/T: FC7 Plum Crazy 440 Automatic
1970 GTO: Black 400 Ram Air III 4-Speed
1971 Charger Super Bee: GY3 Citron Yella 440 4-Speed
1972 Charger: FE5 Red 360 Automatic
1973 Charger Rallye: FY1 Top Banana 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Road Runner: FE5 Red 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Duster: FC7 Plum Crazy 318 Automatic

suntech

What ever you do, do NOT get one that you will find to small in a year :Twocents:

Dont worry about a few feet extra.........it is all behind you! :D
Since we only live once, and all this is not just a dressed rehearsal, but the real thing............ Well, enjoy it!!!!

AKcharger

Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on December 01, 2009, 10:54:59 PM
Which way you plan on going when you head back with the Charger? :scratchchin: :popcrn:

Carlise PA-Wichita KS-Calgery-Edmenton-then up the ALCAN. I expect trip in Mar 2011

..Thanks for thetrip Suntech...I'm with ya' I plan for the trailer to also be my "storage garage" in the winter so want the car to be comfy!


69bronzeT5

Quote from: AKcharger on December 02, 2009, 12:05:12 AM
Carlise PA-Wichita KS-Calgery-Edmenton-then up the ALCAN. I expect trip in Mar 2011


Damn, you should come through B.C! :cheers:
Feature Editor for Mopar Connection Magazine
http://moparconnectionmagazine.com/



1969 Charger: T5 Copper 383 Automatic
1970 Challenger R/T: FC7 Plum Crazy 440 Automatic
1970 GTO: Black 400 Ram Air III 4-Speed
1971 Charger Super Bee: GY3 Citron Yella 440 4-Speed
1972 Charger: FE5 Red 360 Automatic
1973 Charger Rallye: FY1 Top Banana 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Road Runner: FE5 Red 440 Automatic
1973 Plymouth Duster: FC7 Plum Crazy 318 Automatic

Troy

Considering the car is nearly 18' long, a 20' trailer is really almost too short - no room to adjust the position for weight or to easily get to the tie downs. I had a 22' once and it was still tight. A 24' seems about right for many people. If you want to install cabinets in front or haul a 4 wheeler or golf cart to shows then add another 4'-6'. Make sure you get the axles upgraded to 5,000 pounds (each) since the trailer will weigh 3,500 or more and a big block Charger is close to 4,000. Once you add some parts and tools you're pushing close to the 10,000 pound limit and have blown right past the 7,000 pound limit for most standard setups (3,500 pound axles). Make sure you have trailer brakes on both axles (required in some states but not others so you have to check the manufacturer) and a break away kit. I'd also invest in a weight distributing/anti-sway hitch. Mine was expensive but there's a world of difference towing with it. I never used one on the dually but it has a long wheelbase and outweighs the trailer.

A new tip I just learned... make sure it has good radials with a high load rating. Many trailers come stock with cheap bias ply tires which tend to fall apart.

Troy
Sarcasm detector, that's a real good invention.

AKcharger

....Didn't think about axles! See that's why I like this site!

moparstuart

Quote from: AKcharger on December 02, 2009, 12:05:12 AM
Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on December 01, 2009, 10:54:59 PM
Which way you plan on going when you head back with the Charger? :scratchchin: :popcrn:

Carlise PA-Wichita KS-Calgery-Edmenton-then up the ALCAN. I expect trip in Mar 2011

..Thanks for thetrip Suntech...I'm with ya' I plan for the trailer to also be my "storage garage" in the winter so want the car to be comfy!
stop and say HI in kansas city  on the way to wichita   :D   24 footer fits my birdible perfect .
GO SELL CRAZY SOMEWHERE ELSE WE ARE ALL STOCKED UP HERE

Aero426

I have a 24 footer with a Superbird in it.  I have no cabinets and there is plenty of room in the front.  Even with cabinets, I'd still be OK.   I'd recommend a side door and get 6000 ib axles and a good trailer brake package.   Some cheaper trailers have 3500 lb axles which with a heavy car will max out the trailer.   The longer trailer you get, the more room you need to jockey it around too.   

Chatt69chgr

I hauled my 69 home on a 16 ft flatbed trailer and the rear of the car stuck out over the back.  The rear wheels sat right on the point of the ducktail with the front of the car a foot or so away from the front of the trailer.  At a minimum, a 18 ft would be preferred.  Need dual axles and trailer brakes.  I like the recommendations for load equalizing hitch and radial tires on the trailer.  An aluminum trailer can reduce the weight considerably but at twice the cost of the trailer.  They make deflectors that fit on the front of the trailer to keep rocks from flying up and hitting your car.  And built-in tie down points on the bed of the trailer make chaining down the car much easier.

694spdRT

A 24' enclosed trailer is what we use. We added a side door on the driver side a couple years ago. Your cummins won't even know it is there power wise. I get about 14mpg loaded with my Dodge 2500.

Like Troy mentioned, if you want a golf cart or ATV, then you will need more room in front than a 24' offers. With our luggage, tools, tents, blah, blah....there is not much room left in front of the car. You could probably fit a scooter in there. Most motel parking lots can be a pain with 24' so I doubt the longer ones make it any easier. Plan ahead in that regard.

If I were getting another one it would be a 5th wheel setup and not a bumper hitch.

BTW: Again like Troy mentioned, we blew an original tire off coming back from Monster Mopar 2 years in a row...so check those tires out.
1968 Charger 383 auto
1969 Charger R/T 440 4 speed
1970 Charger 500 440 auto
1972 Challenger 318
1976 W200 Club Cab 4x4 400 auto 
1978 Ramcharger 360 auto
2001 Durango SLT 4.7L (daily driver)
2005 Ram 2500 4x4 Big Horn Cummins Diesel 6 speed
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7 Hemi

69rtse4spd

Got a 5th. wheel trailer, 32-33 foot if I remember right. Just put 2 new 7000 axles with brakes on both of them & 10-ply tires.   Do not use the factory tires that come on most of the trailers, one good size pot hole & it will be flat. Have thought about upgrading to an enclosed trailer, but do not want to spend the money right know. Can not stress enough what others have said about heaver axles & brakes on one or both axles. Good tires heavy axles & one or more spears. Also try to pick a trailer rim bolt pattern the same as the truck your pulling it with.

Troy

If you're springing for accessories and you use the trailer often - it's helpful to have lights in the floor so you can see what you're doing when securing the car. Make sure you have good locks (and hinges) too. A good brake controller inside the truck (I use a Tekonsha Prodigy) really does make a difference. A door in the side is helpful so you can actually get out of the car after driving it in - otherwise a winch so you don't even have to deal with it. If you get a door make sure your inner fender wells aren't so high that the block the car door or the whole thing is pointless. I've seen guys put block of wood on the floor to get the car up high enough to clear so don't rule it out if you find a nice used trailer.

If money is an issue then spend it on the safety items mentioned above instead of "neat" but mostly useless doodads.

Troy
Sarcasm detector, that's a real good invention.

R2

24' should be fine,,,,,i have this size,,,with front cabinets,,,,workbench,,etc,,,,
Put a winch in it,,,,,you wont regret it....
Unless you need to have a ATV,,,etc,,in front of the car,,,,the 24' should be ok....re-sale value is also good for this size trailer.

alcusswhen

I use a 30' 5th wheel and I'll never go back to a bumper trailer. And if you get the chance to pull and "back" both kinds you'll understand why.
Bone 7

73 Charger SE/ 318/391 stroker, 2500 Boss Hogg converter/ 391 sure grip.
07 Charger R/T

AKcharger

A 5th wheel sounds neat...but I suspect the price goes up considerably?

whitehatspecial

20' will work fine. 22 or 24' will give you more room for other stuff, like parts, luggage or a porto-potty.
Cars owned:
1968 Dodge Charger, 48k orig. miles, family owned since new.
Not a Hemi, a mini-hemi 340.

69 OUR/TEA

Back in Sept I was in the market for an enclosed trailor,did alot of research,talking to people who had them,etc.First things I was told was do not get a 20' ,and the 3,500lb axles!A 20 footer  puts the car almost right up to the front wall with little room left over,and with the 3500lb axles the trailer could be weighing in at 3500-3900lbs therefore the car you can put in can only be 3,100-3,500lbs.
I ended up buying an American Hauler,24' V-nose(perfect extra little room for the winch),5,000lb axles,and has the side escape door.When going from the 3500lb to 5000lb axles,it goes from 10'' 5 lug rims to 12'' 6 lug rims.As for my side door,I heard the same things about the fender well being high enough where your door is going to hit it.Well,with this brand I bought the fender well is only 9 1/2'' off the floor which is plenty of room for your charger door,and alot of other models, to open(they measure around 12-13'' and up depending on your car).I then added a Superwinch S5000 and made a hitch plate mounted to the floor so it is removable.
Lastly,this is for your preference,was advised not to get white as the staining from the aluminum bleeding down the sides is very hard to get off,and black absorbs alot of heat and makes the inside get quite hotter than white or other colors.By luck,the place I got mine had them in a pewter color which matches my truck very well.The dry weight of mine is 3350lbs,GVW is 9900,payload cap is 6640.
Another perk of an enclosed is you gain another garage space!!!Good luck with your purchase.

AKcharger

Good tips sir...how much should I expect to pay for somthing like that?

resq302

I fit my 69 charger nicely into our 24' enclosed trailer
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto

DodgeChargerNeeded

A friend of mine hauled one of my Chargers in a 24' Enclosed Trailer and it worked good.
Jeff

69 OUR/TEA

The one I described that I bought goes for around $7,500.00,but a good friend of mine does alot of business with the dealer and got it for me for $6,800.00.Thought that was a real good price for a brand new trailor so went with it.