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04-03-2013, 04:39 PM | #101 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:2015 Subaru STI 17Forester / 18Crosstrek |
Most skid plates leave the front tie down loops exposed. If yours aren't I would cut access holes. My splitter hid the loops but I removed the bumper and splitter to load the car onto the trailer anyway so I just left it off.
Please please please do not use the lateral links in the rear. Throw an axle strap around the cast portion of the knuckle that the trailing arm mounts to. Or use the rear tie down loops in the chassis. In a pinch you can strap through the wheels. This is a quick way to tweak the alignment of the car though, especially if the straps are angled, which they should always be (in order to control fore-aft movement and side-side movement). Over the tire straps work well, however using them on cars with low clearance sucks and you need etrack set at the track width of the car.
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04-04-2013, 08:26 AM | #102 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 336953
Join Date: Nov 2012
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Maryland
Vehicle:2005 Impreza 2.5RS Regal Blue Pearl |
Bought the axle straps, just not sure exactly where in the front you are talking about. front tie downs seem OK but I will check again at the next event if this makes more sense. Also I have a rally armor plate so that may interfere. Good advice though - I will check.
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04-04-2013, 08:29 AM | #103 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 336953
Join Date: Nov 2012
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Maryland
Vehicle:2005 Impreza 2.5RS Regal Blue Pearl |
Quote:
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04-04-2013, 08:31 AM | #104 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:2015 Subaru STI 17Forester / 18Crosstrek |
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07-18-2013, 08:26 PM | #105 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 122980
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2010 F150, 2013 CX-5 92 Miata 15 TTF/PTF/E3 |
Figured Id throw in my two cents that I havent seen discussed:
A serious pro to the wood deck is that its low maintenance. Meaning when the wood warps, it gets stained etc, toss it and put new PT lumber down. Easy. I had a 16' open before I went to an enclosed, but Ive towed my car with an 18' open as well. You dont think those 2' make a huge difference, but they do. A few other things I think you should pay attention to is how the beavertail is constructed in the rear. On my 16', I constantly drug mine because of the way the frame rail hung. Look at the different pictures vision.dynamix posted of the trailers. The one with the rally car is pretty clean underneath, whereas the open has a support for the beavertail that hangs down another 2-3". Tongue length is important too. Most trailers are 4'. The 18' open I borrowed was 5 feet. It was a major point in why that trailer towed better. Also consider, I couldnt open the tailgate of my truck with the 16', but I could with the 18'. Another plus for the extra tongue length. Those Appalachian trailers with the extra 2" on the tongue? Nooooooooooooooooooope. For those with really short strap lengths, consider some of these: http://www.gforce.com/products/towing/D1058.php My straps in the rear are really short in my enclosed because of the D-Ring placement. The reducers got the ratchet out from under the car. 100% easier hookup. Of course, all of this is moot once you decide you want an enclosed. I will also submit, any time you stop anywhere, check your stuff. And I really mean check, not just a casual glance over. I had someone loosen my straps in Semora after leaving VIR. If any of you know how 57 is over Hyco Lake, there is no doubt the car would have separated from the trailer had I not caught this. |
08-04-2013, 09:15 PM | #106 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 122980
Join Date: Aug 2006
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Raleigh, NC
Vehicle:2010 F150, 2013 CX-5 92 Miata 15 TTF/PTF/E3 |
Heh, some irony: I put my enclosed trailer up for sale so I can go back to an open trailer.
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08-04-2013, 09:58 PM | #107 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:2015 Subaru STI 17Forester / 18Crosstrek |
I'm currently trying to decide if I want a 38' bumper pull open trailer or a 25' enclosed
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10-05-2013, 11:47 AM | #108 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175837
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Philly Burbs
Vehicle:#61 9.5% FP |
I'm looking to pick up a single car trailer this winter and have been cruising craigslist one and off looking for something decent. Only issue is people seem to want insane money for trailers that need a decent amount of work, or are in bad shape in general. So I'm thinking my best bet would to just buy new for piece of mind. Any recommendations on where to shop in the northeast? I'm outside philly, but willing to drive if the price is good.
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10-05-2013, 09:53 PM | #109 | |
Add Lightness
Moderator Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Vehicle:2021 Building It Better |
Quote:
With an aluminum trailer, when you go to sell, you will lose very little. They hold their value really well. |
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10-10-2013, 12:16 PM | #110 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 34935
Join Date: Apr 2003
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Vehicle:Dad- Core OG |
Quote:
http://www.econotrailer.com/ |
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10-10-2013, 12:23 PM | #111 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:2015 Subaru STI 17Forester / 18Crosstrek |
Quote:
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10-10-2013, 01:07 PM | #112 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175837
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Philly Burbs
Vehicle:#61 9.5% FP |
Quote:
http://www.appalachiantrailers.com/c...r-trailers.php $2400 for a 18' wood deck. Pro's/Con's of wooden deck vs. steel? I'm guessing just regular upkeep of the wooden decking? |
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10-10-2013, 01:27 PM | #113 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:2015 Subaru STI 17Forester / 18Crosstrek |
Appalachian is good. Theyre one of my considerations if I go with the 38' Bumper Pull.
Wood vs Steel deck was discussed in this thread. |
10-11-2013, 09:57 AM | #114 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175837
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Philly Burbs
Vehicle:#61 9.5% FP |
I'm an idiot. Wood deck it is then.
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10-17-2013, 12:39 PM | #115 |
Hoodbridge!
Moderator Member#: 560
Join Date: Nov 1999
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Vehicle:2006 STi, 16 Outback Crystal Gray, Silver |
I decided to hold off on the expense of an enclosed trailer and did a major overhaul of my current 18' Anderson closed deck steel trailer. Basically replaced all the running gear. New springs, hubs+bearings, brakes, and all connection hardware. Cost a little less than $500 from etrailer (free shipping too!) for everything. Once I got under there and started taking things apart, it was scary to find that 3 of the 4 leaf springs had broken the center pin and one had actually lost the bottom 2 springs (leaves?). That would explain the thing sitting a little lower on that side, a bit of extra sway, and a LOT of noise. The adjusters on the brakes were completely rusted solid, so they weren't adjusting (supposed to auto-adjust when backing up) and the less than stellar braking. On the plus side everything else looked surprising good. A lot less rust than I expected, and all the hardware loosened up without the use of a grinder, cutter, hammer, or giant pry bar. Next step will be to give it a good coating of new paint. Thinking of doing something like a bed liner for the surface, and just rattle can the rest.
Anyway, the thing is now so smooth, quiet, and brakes incredibly well. Using the brake controller it can easily lock the wheels when unloaded and does will slow down the whole vehicles when loaded. So for about $550 it's basically a new trailer. Should be good for a few more years of good service. |
03-07-2014, 01:15 PM | #116 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175837
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Philly Burbs
Vehicle:#61 9.5% FP |
Bumping this, because I'm still on the quest for a reasonably priced trailer. Does anyone have experience with "home built" trailers? They seem to be the only ones that fall into a price range where I don't want to just spend another $2-300 to get something brand new. For example:
http://www.racingjunk.com/Used-Trail...iler-auto.html Would I have issues with tags, etc.? |
03-07-2014, 01:23 PM | #117 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 139955
Join Date: Feb 2007
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Boston
Vehicle:2015 Subaru STI 17Forester / 18Crosstrek |
Depends on your state. Some states are very easy with Homebuilt trailers, some are more difficult.
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10-26-2014, 09:48 PM | #118 |
Add Lightness
Moderator Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Vehicle:2021 Building It Better |
I had a home built trailer as my very first. The guy built it using huge I beams to transport 2 skid steers from somewhere down south to Plymouth, MA. It's long gone, but it's still in my insurance company's files, so if I happen to buy some random trailer, it's a 1980 home built, so cheap on everything.
In Mass, I think at 4000 pounds, cap, you have to get a title. You can register a trailer for whatever you want. My present snowmobile trailer is under the limit for that reason. |
01-30-2015, 10:51 AM | #119 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 295494
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Ma
Vehicle:1996 4runner miata |
I've started looking for a trailer to haul my miata around, and this thread came up in a search. Considering the open deck from EconoTrailers. http://www.econotrailer.com/Open.html
The only issue is that they are in PA, so it's a 6hr drive for me one way. I know they deliver up to 300 miles but I think I could save some money picking it up. My question is are there any trailer manufacturers around MA selling a similarly spec'd and priced trailer? I'm looking for something under 1600lbs, steel. Haven't found anything on CL that's that light that isn't aluminum. Thanks. |
02-26-2015, 01:53 PM | #120 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 87081
Join Date: May 2005
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: South Easton, MA
Vehicle:05 PSM STi 05 AW XTi |
Quote:
I was looking at both (really the 70CH and PJ 5C) and decided to buy something that I can use for more than ~5000lbs of load and bought a sure-trac 20ft 10k gvw (its about 2500lbs empty) |
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08-03-2015, 11:35 AM | #121 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175837
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Philly Burbs
Vehicle:#61 9.5% FP |
I think I'll finally be pulling the trigger on the Econo 18' open deck this fall (so tired of renting trailers, the boss finally gave me permission!). Only thing I wanted to run past the guru's is the E-Z lube wheel bearings.
Do you guys consider these a "must have"? The Econo trailer doesn't come with them and the sales guy told me they typically don't sell them with their standard trailers. Only asking since most Car-Mate's, Bri-Mar's, etc. seem to have them. |
08-15-2015, 03:49 PM | #122 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 23553
Join Date: Aug 2002
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Grove City, PA
Vehicle:2005 STI - Insanity! 2014 WRX - Daily |
I have an Econo Trailer with the E-Z Lube Wheel bearings and it makes it much easier to maintain so I highly suggest you get them. I use my trailer to pull my 2005 STi to track events, tunes and an occasional rescue/retrieve of a dead Subaru for friends.
Like anything with wheels at my house, my trailer is extensively modified (yes, I know i have a problem). Here are a few picts of me testing out my recent modifications using my 2014 WRX Wagon as a test load: The fenders clear the doors nicely: In addition to the two large storage boxes (used for the rigging) that were added years ago, I recently added the remote controlled 3000lb winch and associated electrical modifications: Here's the battery box for the winch which is also shared with the trailer emergency brake system: The standard ramps are way to tall to get my very low 2005 STI on the deck so I had custom extensions made: I was tired of tossing the spare tire in the bed of the truck so I added this spare holder to the passenger side. Also, if you look closely you will see the front passenger wheel of my 2014 WRX resting against a newly installed, permanent wheel chock so that the winch wont get hit. Last edited by dexterous; 08-15-2015 at 03:57 PM. |
08-17-2015, 05:52 AM | #123 |
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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08-17-2015, 05:53 AM | #124 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 428253
Join Date: Aug 2015
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Get A second Chance In Life
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08-17-2015, 07:46 AM | #125 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 175837
Join Date: Mar 2008
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Philly Burbs
Vehicle:#61 9.5% FP |
Thanks Dex, some good mods! I have some of the same in mind as well, particularly the winch and wheel stops.
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