LIGHT TRAILER

[gjslutz]

Anyone here with a www.alumline.com trailer? I have been looking for a light Wt. trailer to use with my Birkin. They have a 2 wheel tilt axle 12' Long that looks to be the ticket. Any others I should look at? Anyone interested in trying a group buy?

I did a two wheel trailer behind my motor home and it worked great. I towed a BMW, M roadster with a S/C setup. It was a heavy trailer and I sold it with the BMW and MH to the same person. The MH had 500 HP and didn't feel it back there. Once unloaded it was easy to move the trailer by hand. The MH @ 43' and wider than the trailer and long W.B. was not something I could back up.

If someone has one I would like some feed back on it.

[Al N.]

Gary-

 

A few of us have custom aluminum trailers made by Performance Trailer in Flanders NJ. The guy to speak to there is Glenn Ehrgott. Details can be found in a few threads, including this one:

 

Performance Trailer "USA7s Edition" Trailer.

 

These are based on one that Aluma made for Mike D, but since they couldn't accomodate our timing last summer (and had raised their prices significantly based on the cost of raw materials), so I sourced Performance and had them spec one out for our small, light cars.

 

I can manuever mine with Honda Pilot pretty well, and also my Polaris Ranger ATV (I use the ranger to back it into my garage). When it's on a flat surface, it's easy enough to position the neck by hand...but I don't think I could "tow" it any significant distance without a powered vehicle....then again, my drive way is gravel and slightly uphill to the garage. Maybe one of the other owners could comment on its unloaded flatland manueverability.

 

-Al

[Boxologist]

depends on what u want. I think those of us who have seen Norm Beaver's trailer are pretty blown away by it. He said it was originally an open aluminium trailer that he had some fabricator make an enclosure for. 3 large aluminium pieces that fit over his 7 and give it a low profile, the rear 2 are hinged togetherso the rear piece flips open on top of the center piece.

[Al N.]

Norm's trailer (and driving!) is the total hotness, btw. We have to find a shot of it here so Gary can see it....it's just big enough to cover the car, so it's very aero compared to a normal trailer you can stand inside.

[gjslutz]

I had thought of the snowmobile trailers that are covered as well. The tire size is too small on the road for my liking. I would like to have a open trailer. If the trailer is lite and the Birkin is also, there isn't much I couldn't pull it with. I have been trying to down size on my toys. The more you have, the more you to mess with.

I built a air dam for the front of the open trailer I had for the M roadster and was fine with it. Prior to that I had a 28' enclosed and it was hard to find a place to store it while on the road.

[jbanker]

Al,

 

I was so impressed with Norm's trailer that I took a photo of it. Wish I had taken one with the ends folded up. Neat as can be!!

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1698819032_NormBtrailer1.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/936291565_NormBtrailer2.jpg

[JBH]

If you are fairly certain you will be trailering the 7 and not much else, I would go with the recommendations above. If you think there might be larger cars in your future or if you are concerned about resale of the trailer, check out Trailex. They are all aluminum, excellent construction and sell used for close to new price. They are a favorite among the Ferrari and Porsche people. That should also be your clue that that the price is not cheap.

 

My trailer is 20' (not Trailex) and it is spacious enough I can carry nitrogen tank, chairs, tools, extra wheels and tires, fuel etc. Personally, I would not go smaller than 16'

 

BTW: enclosed is the only way to go. At a minimum, I prefer to be able to sit in the trailer when the weather goes bad.

 

http://www.trailex.com/buycat.cfm?cat_id=93

 

[xromad]

Just finished mine.

 

Action shots:

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13858&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13864&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13868&g2_serialNumber=1

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13876&g2_serialNumber=1

 

More photos at this link: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=13313

 

Brent

[BirkinBernie]

Hi Gary, I have an Aluma 641. It weighs about 550 lbs with ramps and a spare. The deck is 126x78. It came with a heavy (65 lbs) fold-down ramp that is too short. So I have removed it and purchased a set of 7 foot ramps on Ebay. The Birkin goes up with 13 inch slicks just fine. I also had to add two tie down points in the deck in the rear. It tows just great behind our '97 Outback. Full specs here: http://www.alumaklm.com/sections/products/template_new.php?product_id=15&product_category=5

 

The pic is the first test fit when the big ramp was still attached....

 

The bad news is it ain't cheap. With the ramps and spare, I've spent about $2300. But the heavy steel trailers I looked at were $1500, and would have been way over the Outback's 2000 lb tow rating. So the way I look at it, it was a lot cheaper than a heavier trailer and a new truck to pull it with. Besides, I'm just not a truck person.... :-)

 

Bernie

[/img][img]http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/108685891_trailerfront.jpg

[gjslutz]

Xnomad, I would like to stay away from enclosed as I doubt if I would use it more than a few times a year. I had a F350 dully deisel and a 28' enclosed when I had classic cars. The truck and trailer took too much room in the hanger. With the open I could find other uses for it. After 15 years I need to redo and finish some landscaping. The low trailer would take up less space in my hanger also. The Alum-line has a tilt option. I just purchased a little 03 f150 in Fl. to pull it with. I can look around while down there for a trailer also. As I'm not a truck person either, I would think the trailer and truck will be sold by the end of next year. As things change who knows, I could start an Ohio Sanford & Son operation.

 

[Al N.]

Brent- Did you build that off of Norm's pattern or simply inspired by it? Very cool either way.-Al

[scannon]

Gary,

 

I have an 18' H&H aluminum speedloader. I wanted something big enough to haul larger cars as well as the Se7en. The version I got is 8.5' wide with an 18' bed and weighs 1,400 lb. It is a hydraulic tilt bed with dual axles and brakes. Cost was $3,750 with a winch, led lighting, E track, spare wheel and tire, break away package and removable fenders.

 

I have towed my Seven (1,340 lb.) on it behind my Legacy GT with no problems although I now have use of a GMC pickup with a small V8. I was concerned about burning out the clutch in the Subie if I got stopped on a steep grade.

 

Here's a picture of it with two Sevens aboard.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1465943812_DSC02863.JPG

[WestTexasS2K]

Brent I really like your trailer I might have to steal some of your ideas on that one. :blueangel:

[gjslutz]

I like the graphics on Xromad's enclosed, and had a speed loader before. I love the weight and looks of Bernie’s trailer. I have looked at them before. My goal is to stay light, like the car.

[xromad]

Brent- Did you build that off of Norm's pattern or simply inspired by it? Very cool either way.-Al

 

An amalgum of many things seen over the years - good and bad.

 

I built the bottom about two years ago from a set of plans I got from a very good friend.

 

I was frustrated by the first attempt at a top:

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=4971&g2_serialNumber=2

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10458&g2_serialNumber=2

 

I was vaguely inspired by Norm's fine example

 

I was somewhat inspired by how Justin Sims put a top on his trailer

 

Mostly I wanted to make sure of the following:

1. removable so I can use it as a regular trailer

2. better aerodynamics than the tarp

3. easy access to the front tie-down straps

4. easy access to the cockpit.

5. hard cover so it doesn't flap in the wind

6. not too heavy

 

I still have some work to do though.

[shotgunslade]

Has anyone weighed their Performance USA7's edition trailer. I am just about to pull the trigger on a trailer and I have 3 candidates:

 

1. Performance Trailers USA7's edition ??lbs., 1 axle ???GVWR, 78" bed width

2. Aluma Model 7812 900 lbs. 2 axles 7000 GVWR, 78" bed width

3. R&R Model Model UT614-H 800 lbs. 2 axles, 5000 GVWR, 72" bed width

 

What I like about options 2 and 3 is that they maintain the low weight, have 2 axles and have the capability of hauling something weightier than a 7. The Aluma might be jsut a little wide for my garage. Have an email in requesting total width. The R&R looks perfect, only 92" wide.

[shotgunslade]

Bump.

 

Has anyone weighed their Performance Trailer yet? Still trying to decide what to order.

[11Budlite]

Hi Daniel,

 

Here are some of the specs I had measured previously for the Performance trailer:

 

Overall Length: 213"

Bed Length: 168" (Beavertail is 24" long)

Overall Width: 94"

Bed Width: 72" ( not 78" )

Ramp L x W: 69" x 16"

Weight: Sorry, I still don't know yet...

GVWR: #3500

 

I just went outside and took an unofficial weight by taking a bathroom scale and two blocks of wood and alternating between the two main wheels and the tongue wheel. Not sure how accurate it's going to be but I came up with 167# for the tongue and 325-330 for the main wheels for a total of #822. That's a little more than I thought it would be, but it is 14' long instead of the 12' trailers that some people are using. That leaves a towing capacity of appr #2678 if I'm calculating it properly. I would have no problem towing my '64 MGB, and could probably tow my '89 911 short distances once it goes on a weight loss program! I've been very happy with my trailer so far. It's easy to maneuver by hand on a relatively flat paved driveway, and I've been towing it with my minivan without problem until I can get a more dedicated tow vehicle.

 

Hope this helps, Bruce

 

PS: I have the aluminum deck on my trailer.

[shotgunslade]

Bruce:

 

Thanks much. That is very helpful. I'm thinking I will go with the Performance Trailer, but I might get twin axles.

 

Dan

[jwduncan]

Has anyone weighed their Performance USA7's edition trailer. I am just about to pull the trigger on a trailer and I have 3 candidates:

 

1. Performance Trailers USA7's edition ??lbs., 1 axle ???GVWR, 78" bed width

2. Aluma Model 7812 900 lbs. 2 axles 7000 GVWR, 78" bed width

3. R&R Model Model UT614-H 800 lbs. 2 axles, 5000 GVWR, 72" bed width

 

What I like about options 2 and 3 is that they maintain the low weight, have 2 axles and have the capability of hauling something weightier than a 7. The Aluma might be jsut a little wide for my garage. Have an email in requesting total width. The R&R looks perfect, only 92" wide.

 

Dan, I also have a Performance trailer like Bruce and Al except the fenders/wheels where narrowed so that it fits inside my garage. It came out to just under 92" and I was able to keep the 6' deck width. Very happy with the result.