SCCAForums.com

Hi, my needs are this:

Enclosed, bumper hitch pulled, aluminum. Must be enclosed because race car is not.

SMALL and LIGHT as possible. I intend on towing  it with a Ridgeline which has a max 5000 pounds. The vehicle is under 1500 pounds.

The vehicle is a Seven clone size, but it makes sense the trailer should be able to haul vehicles a bit larger.

I know longer and higher is more convenient, but I have limited storage areas, so something just long enough for a car and to be able to carry some tools and tires is all I need. I am thinking 18' long or maybe 20' foot long. Something 6' high inside is tall enough for me, other people can duck, though I understand 6' 6" is a standard.  Lower is better for gas mileage.

Ramp rear door. Side access door.

Winch would be nice. Lighting would be nice. 

 Pointy nose and/or beveled top front edge (cut at an angle) would be a plus.

Smooth sides (probably white) so I can add some company logos.

I guess dual axles and some sort of assisted brakes.

 

And before you type it... sure I should probably get a 24' trailer and a large Cummins truck to pull it.  But the Ridgeline is my street car and I want something reasonable in size to park in my driveway. 

 

So... help me out.  What do I need to know. What manufacturer should I consider?  Is there a website for used car trailers?
 

 

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2006 Noble M400 (E-Mod?)
CHASECAM the global leader in motorsport video acqusition. We innovate, not copy or import. Official supplier to SCCA Pro Racing. Sponsor for SCCA ProSolo. Supplier to MazdaSpeed, V8Supercars, etc.

While your Ridgeline may be rated to tow 5000 lbs. You won't like it when you are towing that much weight with any frontal area. From what I have heard and seen written, the pointy nose does not seem to really help much as far as the trailer aero goes. I've pulled 2 types of 24 footers one with a totally flat front and now one with a flat front but rounded upper edge and have seen zero difference. I would say that 18 ft. would be the minimum you would want to use unless the trailer is to to be merely a car cover. In that case, I've seen some clones being pulled by custom trailers that are barely big enough for the car in length width and height. You may want to look at snowmobile trailers as they fit the pointy nose and aluminum construction requirements and they seem to for some reason bring less money used that a car trailer. I race with a guy who uses an 18 ft trailer to pull his Ralt Atlantic and it is basically wall to wall car in there. It is pulled with a Trailblazer which is about the size of a Ridgeline.

Are you set on aluminum? That limits your choices some and increases your price quite a bit. In aluminum, Featherlight is the most popular. A steel framed trailer in the 18 ft. range without fancy cabinets should come in at about 3000 lbs. or slightly less. Add the 1500 for the car and maybe 200 for extra tires and some tools and you are under 5K. You also need to check the GVWR and make sure what and who you put in the Honda along with the trailer tongue weight does not exceed that number. In steel framed check out Haulmark, Pace, Cargo Mate, etc.

As for buying used, steel framed trailers are notorious for rust. Carefully check the frames and the side and roof supports. For any trailer, carefully check the roofs for leaks around the seams. Leaks could lead to rotted plywood floors. Also don't hesitate to pull the wheels and check the electric brakes and the bearings. Lighting, cabinets, tie downs, and winches etc. are best added in my opinion after you get it so you can set it up to your particular needs. Most car haulers have the ramp door and the side door. If your Lotus clone is low, you should look for a design with a ramped rear floor called a beaver tail. I could not get my sports racer into my trailer without the beaver tail and some extra aluminum ramps attached to my ramp door. As far as company logos, custom vinyl logos can be put on just about any surface.
 

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Joe Gonzalez
1979 Legrand DSR- B Mod
Gilbertsville, NY

Trailex enclosed.  They have exactly what you are looking for.

Randy, get ahold of Mark Sipe, what you described is what he has, right down to the same tow vehicle.  He carries an RX8 inside his trailer.  I think his user name on here is teamrx8.

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F125 #17
AS #197

Randy,

You need to check out ATC aluminum trailer.  Hard to find a used trailer especially in aluminum.  I can custom build one for you.  Email me at wally@trailerworld.com

 Wally Ruanto

FSP 49

Thanks all.  Great replies.

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2006 Noble M400 (E-Mod?)
CHASECAM the global leader in motorsport video acqusition. We innovate, not copy or import. Official supplier to SCCA Pro Racing. Sponsor for SCCA ProSolo. Supplier to MazdaSpeed, V8Supercars, etc.

Pics of Mark Sipe's trailer.  http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/228825.aspx

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2002 Mercedes C230k, retired, 2005 Nationals STU DFL

1969 Beach Solo Vee and 1985 Lynx B Solo Vee

jwilliams:

Randy, get ahold of Mark Sipe, what you described is what he has, right down to the same tow vehicle.  He carries an RX8 inside his trailer.  I think his user name on here is teamrx8.

Another +1 for Mark's trailer. I paddocked next to him at the Pro, and was surprised at how roomy and useful his trailer was especially for it's size. 

I found myself in a very similar situation about 6 months ago.

I have a Stalker V6, which is also a Lotus 7 clone.  Mine weighs about 1500 lbs. also.

I tow with a new Chevy Trailblazer, rated for 5800 lbs. towing weight.

I had been using an open trailer and wanted the security and convenience of an enclosed trailer, but also had to contend with my Home Owner's Association (the neighborhood jerks) about having a trailer that would show over the top of my side yard fence.

I found that low roof motorcycle trailers fit my bill, and I ended up finding a used Haulmark Low Hauler.  The empty trailer weighs in at 2200 lbs. The trailer is 7' wide and just under 14' long inside, so the Stalker fits very well.  The inside height is about 5'6" so ducking is mandatory. The exterior height is 6'5", so by positioning it towards the back of the yard it's invisible from the street.  Plus at that height it only extends above the roof line of the tow vehicle by about 18".  A full sized cargo or car hauler is normally about a foot and a half higher.

I've used the trailer 3 times so far and it's lived up to my expectations.  It tows beautifully, affords a level of protection and security and it even matches the color of the car.

The one I found is a used 2006 and the later ones do offer a V-nose front end to help with cutting the wind/drag.  Mine cost me $4000.00, mainly because it was being sold by a real estate agent who had fallen on hard times.  I have little doubt that I could keep it for a couple of years and break about even on the cost.

Next major trip is to Missouri in June '09, but I'm sure I will use it several more times for more local events.

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If I had all the money back that I've spent on cars.... I'd spend it on cars.