gjslutz Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 If you are only looking to tow an 7, the single axle 2990 GVW Alumna has been a great trailer for me. With a light built enclosure I was still less than 1,000 LBS after I added an surge disk brake kit. I put the car in the trailer and sat the tongue weight to 90 LBS. It made the loaded trailer weight at less than 2,300 LBS. Other than passing, I could not feel it behind my little VW Jetta TDI. The Jetta has the DGS. At high speeds you can flick the steering wheel and no ill effects. If you go this way, you would need to order the 2990 LB hitch from Europe. Mid 20's MPG towing is great to me. The single axle is great for moving by hand also. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtlez28 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 If you are only looking to tow an 7, the single axle 2990 GVW Alumna has been a great trailer for me. With a light built enclosure I was still less than 1,000 LBS after I added an surge disk brake kit. I put the car in the trailer and sat the tongue weight to 90 LBS. It made the loaded trailer weight at less than 2,300 LBS. Other than passing, I could not feel it behind my little VW Jetta TDI. The Jetta has the DGS. At high speeds you can flick the steering wheel and no ill effects. If you go this way, you would need to order the 2990 LB hitch from Europe. Mid 20's MPG towing is great to me. The single axle is great for moving by hand also. Gary This is encouraging! I'll be a little heavier w a steel trailer, but I don't see why I cannot stay under 2,990 with the M-spec on it. OK Xcarguy here are some more pic's. The long door in the front is an RV access door. It allows me to tie down the front of my car without having to squeeze my fat arse inside the front of the trailer. This is right along my thinking. Have you put your trailer on a scale, empty w the top on? Any input on the possibility of hinging it at the very front so it could be even lower profile? I suppose it would be a bit flimsy. Reverse gull wings? Looking at those posted sites w canvas tops have me thinking also. Some support bars... Local canvas shop... Only downside is security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 OK Xcarguy here are some more pic's. The long door in the front is an RV access door. It allows me to tie down the front of my car without having to squeeze my fat arse inside the front of the trailer. Russ, Totally missed the front access door; I like it!!! :hurray: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Subtlez28, No I have not weighed it. My original plan was to hinge it at the front but after studying it very hard I could not justify it. It was going to hinge AND lift forward on unequal lift arms to allow access all around. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsport Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Shane, Dick Brink has this -- bolt together trailer forsale --. Tire rack already there. A bit expensive though. I now use a single axle 14'x76" utility trailer with a folding rear ramp (so it doesn't stick way up in the air. With the Stalker on it it looks like the previous posted picture of the featherlite (albeit steel). The two Corvette guys who autocross here have featherlites. I don't know about the bolt together thing though - guess it works. http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/2002-Trailex-Alloy-Trailer-CT-7031SB-Arlington-Texas-76012/4811956 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Shane, Dick Brink has this -- bolt together trailer forsale --. Tire rack already there. A bit expensive though. I now use a single axle 14'x76" utility trailer with a folding rear ramp (so it doesn't stick way up in the air. With the Stalker on it it looks like the previous posted picture of the featherlite (albeit steel). The two Corvette guys who autocross here have featherlites. I don't know about the bolt together thing though - guess it works. http://www.texasmotorworks7.com/2002-Trailex-Alloy-Trailer-CT-7031SB-Arlington-Texas-76012/4811956 carsport, If I've looked at that trailer once, I've looked at it a dozen times or so. :jester: Nice trailer, but I'm with you on price :iagree: ; Dick is a bit north on money. As for being bolt together, I'd have to give the trailer a thorough going over for peace of mind. :smash: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I really like the feather lite aluminum trailers but at $5,000+, a little rich for me. My custom built steel trailer (16X7.5) cost $2,900 and weighs 1,650 lbs empty, two axle electric brakes on 3,500 lb axles tows like a dream. However, I'm towing with a crew cab F-150. You guys using SUV's or Jetta TDI have more weight concerns so starting with a lightweight aluminum trailer may be required. The other consideration is if you ever tow something heavier & will the trailer handle it. My Miata weighs 2450 lbs, the Z06 weighs 3,125 lbs. my trailer can handle all of them, so can my tow vehicle, but I burn a lot of fuel doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 My custom built steel trailer (16X7.5) Photos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I'll send some later but it's your typical car hauler trailer but has a lower beaver tail drop to accommodate the very low Z06 front splitter, and has extra long ramps again for the same reason. I had it built by Indian River Trailers in Ft. Pierce, Fl. Left fender is remove able & all lights are LED. Front nose was extra long to accommodate a winch & tool box. Tongue is a bit heavy, too heavy for a small SUV but OK for my F150. Tracking is excellent & very stable, fuel mpg is around 13.5 @ 72 mph towing the 7, 12.5 mpg towing either the Porsche or Z06. Again a great trailer for the money but given a choice, money not being a consideration, I'd take an aluminum trailer to save 600 to 800 lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The Iron Horse is going for around 8k if I remember correctly. It was out off my price range for a trailer. Id rather spend the money on a sequential trans for my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 (edited) K-69: I am (very) impressed w/your tow mileage. My diesel Touareg mpg drops from mid-30's at 70 mph, to 11-12 mpg when towing a similar sized V-nose trailer w/my Caterham at 70 mph. My all time worst was 9 mpg for an extended 80+ mph trip (time saved speeding was offset by frequent stops for fuel(. Best towing was abt 13-15 mpg at 60-65 mph. Best unloaded was 38 mpg. BTW, I paid $4.5K for my 16' enclosed steel trailer which weighs abt 2200lbs, empty, maybe 3700 lbs loaded w/Caterham and race junk. Edited February 18, 2014 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgb240 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I was in the trailer market last year, and, after careful consideration (and some luck) I ended up with a used trailex. It's 845 empty, electric brakes on both axles and pulls like nothing is back there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 This is encouraging! I'll be a little heavier w a steel trailer, but I don't see why I cannot stay under 2,990 with the M-spec on it. This is right along my thinking. Have you put your trailer on a scale, empty w the top on? Any input on the possibility of hinging it at the very front so it could be even lower profile? I suppose it would be a bit flimsy. Reverse gull wings? Looking at those posted sites w canvas tops have me thinking also. Some support bars... Local canvas shop... Only downside is security. 985 lbs empty with top on. I had a high Roll bar and wanted it to clear the top if it was on the car. I also wanted it to be solid, I had seen some that were hinged on the front, for bikes and snowmobiles, that were not too solid feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Just as an additional data point...my home built enclosed tilt-bed trailer is about 1,500 pounds. It is based on an open trailer with a 3,500 lbs torsion axle intended for 2 motorcycles. Obviously that was a somewhat bigger project that took me 2 months of evening work to finish. Since I am a woodworker, the shell is all DF studs and 1/2" plywood. With my old 2.7l V6 Hyundai Santa Fe I (180hp) could actually get 19 mpg towing. With the new Santa Fe with 3.8l engine (280 hp) that dropped to 16mpg. Still not too bad. Some more pics of the build here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Just as an additional data point...my home built enclosed tilt-bed trailer is about 1,500 pounds. It is based on an open trailer with a 3,500 lbs torsion axle intended for 2 motorcycles. Obviously that was a somewhat bigger project that took me 2 months of evening work to finish. Since I am a woodworker, the shell is all DF studs and 1/2" plywood. slomove, Great trailer! Still undecided on which way to go--open or enclosed. If I end up going with an open trailer, I will build an enclosure. Either way, I want protection from the elements, safety and security. :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 slomove, All I can say is impressive! :drool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Dodge is supposed to release a 1500 series diesel pickup this year. It going to use the same engine as the the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee gets 30-32 mpg. I'm curious what one will get pulling a small enclosed trailer. My 05 dodge 2500 only gets 11-13 pulling a 20' x 8 trailer. It gets the same mileage pulling my very light 6x12 v nose. It will get 18 mpg with my 7 x 14 single axle open trailer with a 7 on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Narrowing my search. Anybody familiar with Becker? http://www.beckercustomtrailers.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Narrowing my search. Anybody familiar with Becker? http://www.beckercustomtrailers.com/ Those look beautiful, maybe the overall winner in the trailer sweepstakes. Any idea how their prices compare to more ordinary trailers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Those look beautiful, maybe the overall winner in the trailer sweepstakes. Any idea how their prices compare to more ordinary trailers? I stumbled across these guys on eBay. This add will give you an idea on price. Sans the wood floor and walls, the trailer is all aluminum. I'm thinking sweepstakes winner as well; long term, one time purchase: http://www.ebay.com/itm/390779550792?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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