7 sized car trailers?

[DeanG]

Check with the local rental company before assuming you can rent a trailer. I tried to rent an open trailer from U-Haul to tow with my Ford Ranger (5,000+ lbs tow rating). I wasn't eligible. Their manual would not let them rent an open trailer to someone who was going to use a Ranger.

[Klasik-69]

You are absolutely correct. To tow their trailers, you must have the correct vehicle. But when you get right down to it, does it not make sense ? Do you want to two a car trailer with a Ford Focus ? No, but where do they draw the line ? Truth of the matter is the lawyers are doing all the talking, and like DeanG pointed out, a Ford Ranger doesn't qualify. I may argue that point.

[Kitcat]

When I tried to rent a U-haul open car trailer, I was denied because they said it wasnt designed to haul a se7en:).

[bigdog]

When I tried to rent a U-haul open car trailer, I was denied because they said it wasnt designed to haul a se7en:).

 

America is so rife with stupid any more it would be easier to avoid sand on a beach than stupidity in our once great nation. And one wonders why America is fast becoming a third or fourth rate country.

[coffee break]

Next to hydrogen, stupid is the most common element in the universe.

[Taber10]

Big Dog,

 

I agree completely with your observation on where we are headed, but years ago (1990: just back from Germany, brand new Miata...) when I had to tow a Miata on the standard U-Haul open trailer, designed for much larger "American-sized" cars, I had trouble fitting it on the trailer, getting it up the ramp, etc. I would hate to load my Caterham on that trailer, and I'm guessing U-Haul would hate to potentially share in any liability or lawsuit that could arise if I had damaged the Miata.

 

Taber

[bigdog]

Fair point Tabor

One would think that a check of the track width would either verify or deny that an issue exists. It's the lack of initiative and the blind following of suspect guidelines that galls me. It's the same (to a point) in Germany. If a German rule book says that one must fart then jump off a cliff a German would do it without question.

[Kitcat]

I ckd the measuements and the Cat wld fit. So I called back a week later and said I needed to rent a trailer to tow a Ford Focus with:). They were good with that. Then the se7en sale fell thru and it was all moot.

[coffee break]

I used the U-Haul car trailer to pick up my Caterham. I don't recall exactly what I inputted in the on-line reservation. I may have listed something like a MGB. We were using a F150 as the tow.

[a.moore]

I used a U-Haul trailer and one of their trucks* to tow the Locost to its initial inspection to get it titled. The first time I tried to drive it on the metal lips that keep your tire from falling into the center put gashes in the sheet metal. Technically speaking the car did not fit since it was so low and narrow. After I devised a set of wooden ramp blocks everything fit but the damage was already done.

 

*Interestingly enough I was told that I had to rent a 14' box truck since the F150 would not do. A few years later I saw U-Haul F150s towing U-Haul car transporters.

Edited December 2, 2013 by a.moore

[MojoLuthier]

I traded my Boxster + $ for my pre-lit Westfield, and since I live in the SF Bay area and the 7 was in LA I had to tow each one way. I called Uhaul (Texas, I think) and after 20 minutes of working out the details they rejected my F150 w/tow package. Two more local outlets (there are about fifteen within 25 miles) and one competitor also said no.Finally I simply went to a Uhaul place who advertise themselves as 5 star customer service and they fixed me right up. My take in retrospect is that the Boxster was indeed a heavy load, though I made it, but the 7 was fine despite the trailer weight around 3000 lbs!

 

A couple of pages back someone asks about a super light tilting trailer. No one seems to have addressed this, which I wish they would because that rig looks quite doable to me. Unless you have to tow a Boxster on it, which wouldn't work out, I suspect.

[bigdog]

I traded my Boxster + $ for my pre-lit Westfield, and since I live in the SF Bay area and the 7 was in LA I had to tow each one way. I called Uhaul (Texas, I think) and after 20 minutes of working out the details they rejected my F150 w/tow package. Two more local outlets (there are about fifteen within 25 miles) and one competitor also said no.Finally I simply went to a Uhaul place who advertise themselves as 5 star customer service and they fixed me right up. My take in retrospect is that the Boxster was indeed a heavy load, though I made it, but the 7 was fine despite the trailer weight around 3000 lbs!

 

A couple of pages back someone asks about a super light tilting trailer. No one seems to have addressed this, which I wish they would because that rig looks quite doable to me. Unless you have to tow a Boxster on it, which wouldn't work out, I suspect.

 

A few pages back someone posted up a video of a trailer made by Brunton. 650 Lbs empty weight. Much better than the neutron star like mass of a uhaul tank transport.

 

This is a British made all aluminum trailer. 160Kgs(352Lbs) empty.

[/url]http://www.allytrailer.co.uk/home/storage-applications

 

The one thing that bothers me about all the American & Canadian stuff. Is the preoccupation with trying to put so much mass forward of the axle. It's as if they have forgotten that a modern trailer coupler has a locking device that prevents the trailer from "jumping" off the ball and modern tie downs prevent the load from shifting. The Europeans operate with a tongue weight of 50Kgs. So their trailers are made to have a much more balanced load. But I imagine the DOT would make bring a euro trailer here a PITA.

 

This link to a Canadian trailer company looks very nice. But again. The axles look to be next to the loading ramps. As they are a custom builder I'm sure they could move the axles forward and shorten the whole thing to fit a 7.

http://expresscustom.com/nav_group_5.php?gazpart=view&gazimage=4926

[Kitcat]

When I load my 2 axle, 4 wheel trailer to a slightly forward/neutral balance, it wants to push my tow vehicle around. It also rattles the tow ball/receiver like crazy. When I load it toward the front (maybe 350-500lbs forward), it tows much easier, straighter, quieter.

[gjslutz]

I have a very light enclosed trailer, no interior lights needed. I also remove the enclosed top to haul other things. The empty weight with the enclosure on weighs 985# this is after the added disk brakes. Loaded with the 7 it weighs less than 2300Lbs and is set to give 90#

hitch weight. At highway speeds and above the MPG drops from mid 30's to mid 20's. The little VW TDI wagon tows it like it is empty. I will be selling the 7 and trailer to make room for another airplane. I have photos listed here.

[bigdog]

When I load my 2 axle, 4 wheel trailer to a slightly forward/neutral balance, it wants to push my tow vehicle around. It also rattles the tow ball/receiver like crazy. When I load it toward the front (maybe 350-500lbs forward), it tows much easier, straighter, quieter.

 

Is one of the trailer axles a bit wonky perhaps. But I suppose every set up is a bit different. But it would be nice to have an option other than huge tongue weight.

 

As an aside. I was at our local VW dealer here in Germany. The salesman called the tech dept at HQ to ask about the tow rating between EU & NA and are the two VW cars made differently and about the double clutch gear box. He laughed and said it was fine to tow. Seems to confirm it's NA MARKETING.

[bigdog]

I have a very light enclosed trailer, no interior lights needed. I also remove the enclosed top to haul other things. The empty weight with the enclosure on weighs 985# this is after the added disk brakes. Loaded with the 7 it weighs less than 2300Lbs and is set to give 90#

hitch weight. At highway speeds and above the MPG drops from mid 30's to mid 20's. The little VW TDI wagon tows it like it is empty. I will be selling the 7 and trailer to make room for another airplane. I have photos listed here.

 

I've looked at that trailer online.

 

I couldn't help but see the tail of your flying machine. The V-stab leading edge looks too swoopy for a van's. May I ask what it is? Is it even home built?

 

Both my cousins in the Vancouver Wa. area have built Van's RV's ones a 6 the other is a 7a. My cousin Mike Seager with the 6 is lucky enough to be the guy the flies around the country to major fly-in's and provides training for Van's to new RV owners http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/training.htm I was lucky as well to have gotten a ride in the RV7 right after finishing up a flight in a B-17. (the aluminum overcast) I must say it was interesting being inverted over Mt. St. Helens

Edited December 6, 2013 by bigdog

[lgb240]

I have a trailex CT-7541, all aluminum, 845lbs empty. Holds the 7 (and other vehicles) easily and pulls like a dream empty or loaded.

[a.moore]

The one thing that bothers me about all the American & Canadian stuff. Is the preoccupation with trying to put so much mass forward of the axle. It's as if they have forgotten that a modern trailer coupler has a locking device that prevents the trailer from "jumping" off the ball and modern tie downs prevent the load from shifting. The Europeans operate with a tongue weight of 50Kgs. So their trailers are made to have a much more balanced load.

 

Are you suggesting that the ~10% tongue weight rule of thumb is too high? 50kg should be acceptable for trailer/cargo weighing 500kg but too little for anything more. Assuming the trailer is light you will probably get away with a lower percentage but I wouldn't want to try it with a heavy trailer and a light tow vehicle.

 

Maybe I'm a little sensitive/paranoid - back in 2005 (my first year at an FSAE competition) several members of another FSAE team were killed when their van and enclosed trailer were tossed across a highway median and into a pair of on coming tractor trailers. I believe an improperly loaded trailer was determined to be a factor along with a good cross wind.

 

My current tow set up is total overkill for a 7 but it sure is nice when it rains and I can tow plenty of other stuff with it.

 

I think you are right on your point that Americans buy tow vehicles that are too large but I also think Europeans tend to go too far in the other direction and the tow vehicle is probably too light for the trailer. Somewhere in between is a happy and safe median.

Edited December 7, 2013 by a.moore

[locost7018]

My enclosed 7x14 trailer maybe weights 2500lbs max with the Se7en in it and everyone I have talked to pooh poohs my idea of trading in my gas guzzleing 2003 Silverado 1500HD "Queen Mary" for a Toyota Tacoma pickup (the small one). They say it won't pull it safely. I wish I could get the straight story!!! Russ

[bigdog]

Are you suggesting that the ~10% tongue weight rule of thumb is too high? 50kg should be acceptable for trailer/cargo weighing 500kg but too little for anything more. Assuming the trailer is light you will probably get away with a lower percentage but I wouldn't want to try it with a heavy trailer and a light tow vehicle.

 

Maybe I'm a little sensitive/paranoid - back in 2005 (my first year at an FSAE competition) several members of another FSAE team were killed when their van and enclosed trailer were tossed across a highway median and into a pair of on coming tractor trailers. I believe an improperly loaded trailer was determined to be a factor along with a good cross wind.

 

My current tow set up is total overkill for a 7 but it sure is nice when it rains and I can tow plenty of other stuff with it.

 

I think you are right on your point that Americans buy tow vehicles that are too large but I also think Europeans tend to go too far in the other direction and the tow vehicle is probably too light for the trailer. Somewhere in between is a happy and safe median.

 

What I'm suggesting is simply that maybe we Americans take a look at the old adage that one either go big or go home might need to be analyzed. I guarantee that if a person were paying nearly $9 per gallon of fuel. ($10 in the UK) they might be looking for a different solution other than hooking up a titanic truck and 20Ft. trailer to haul one of the lightest, smallest road cars ever made. Are those irony bells I hear?

 

I submit that the marketing department of manufactures in the NA market have been rather successful in convincing the easily convinced, And Flush NA consumer that if you don't have a huge truck/trailer combo you are endangering your life. Yet those very same car makers in the European market have far different tow ratings on the very same car. I find it a bit odd that manufacturers somehow manage to lose %75 of a cars tow capacity simply because it enters the "size matters USA"

 

As per your example of those who died (may they rest in peace) I bet that they were ignoring the dangers of a crosswind and were pressing on at the speed limit. Here in Europe one is limited to 100KPH. Even if one is only pulling a small utility trailer all the way to a tractor/trailer combo.

 

I posted a video of a British road test of a Golf TDI pulling an 1100 Kg camper through a slalom course at a good rate of speed. It had a 50Kg-75Kg tongue weight and the Golf was very composed. That same Golf after having crossed the US border is listed as having 0 tow capacity by the same company that lists it as 1300Kg before it crosses that border. Again I find that odd. Yes there should be a safe median. I think that at this point in time the tow ratings in the USA have more to do with pushing one into an SUV than it has to do with safety.

 

Look at the chevy traverse. A car based SUV with unibody construction, front wheel drive, weighs 4600Lbs empty. It's rated to pull 5200Lbs. Chevy impala 3.6 V6, unibody construction, More HP, Same torque, same transmission, FWD, 3500 Lbs empty. Tow rating? 1000Lbs Why? Maybe preconceptions on our part based on chevy's marketing?

Edited December 7, 2013 by bigdog