What size enclosed trailer?

[Blitzboy54]

I am looking into renting an enclosed trailer for picking up my car and may have found some options. What I need to know from the experts here is what size trailer will get it done? Will a 7x14 or 7x16 do it or is it too narrow. There is an 8.5x22 but I don't have the vehicle to pull it.

I appreciate the feedback


Thanks

Jesse

[Jeff Kleiner]

14’ is really not long enough—-it’ll allow about 5” on each end. 7’ wide will give you exactly 6” on each side. How’s your aim?
If the trailer doesn’t have a side door you’ll have to climb across the trunk lid to get in and out of the car.
Jeff

[JohnK]

I borrowed a friend's trailer to tow my car up to Ken Pike. It's a 20' enclosed (25' OA length) similar to this one (https://www.trailersplus.com/California/Gilroy/Enclosed-Car-Haulers/trailer/4RAVS2029NK085068/). Besides overall length and width, you need to watch for any interior obstructions. This trailer is 8'6" width but has two fender wells on the inside that somewhat reduce the available width. In this photo you can see that, even with side pipes off I only had a few inches available on either side. (the magnetic sticks with tennis balls on them indicate the corners of the fender wells.)

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165315&d=1649644157

We have a midsize SUV that has a towing capacity of 7,000# and it towed the trailer + car comfortably. The trailer weighs ~3,200# empty, plus another ~2,300# for the roadster puts it well under the limit. However, the other thing to watch for is tongue weight. Even with a 7,000# towing capacity, our car can only handle 560# of tongue weight so I had to load the roadster pretty far back in the trailer to keep the tongue weight down. When loaded up, I measured tongue weight at 550#, so pretty much at the limit of what our car can handle without a weight distributing hitch. It ended up towing it the 170 miles each way just fine.

I'll assume you don't tow regularly, so I'll also put in a little plug for this little gem.

https://www.curtmfg.com/dm/echo-mobile-brake-controller

It's a bluetooth wireless trailer brake controller. If you're towing a big trailer that has trailer brakes, being able to use those brakes is a tremendous safety feature. I don't tow enough to justify installing a permanently wired trailer brake controller, so this little device was awesome for me. It literally took 5 minutes to install and pair, and another few minutes to dial in the settings, and it worked perfectly for me and made the trip a lot safer and more comfortable.

[Blitzboy54]

14’ is really not long enough—-it’ll allow about 5” on each end. 7’ wide will give you exactly 6” on each side. How’s your aim?
If the trailer doesn’t have a side door you’ll have to climb across the trunk lid to get in and out of the car.
Jeff

Thanks Jeff,

As always just what I needed to hear.

[Blitzboy54]

I borrowed a friend's trailer to tow my car up to Ken Pike. It's a 20' enclosed (25' OA length) similar to this one (https://www.trailersplus.com/California/Gilroy/Enclosed-Car-Haulers/trailer/4RAVS2029NK085068/). Besides overall length and width, you need to watch for any interior obstructions. This trailer is 8'6" width but has two fender wells on the inside that somewhat reduce the available width. In this photo you can see that, even with side pipes off I only had a few inches available on either side. (the magnetic sticks with tennis balls on them indicate the corners of the fender wells.)

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=165315&d=1649644157

We have a midsize SUV that has a towing capacity of 7,000# and it towed the trailer + car comfortably. The trailer weighs ~3,200# empty, plus another ~2,300# for the roadster puts it well under the limit. However, the other thing to watch for is tongue weight. Even with a 7,000# towing capacity, our car can only handle 560# of tongue weight so I had to load the roadster pretty far back in the trailer to keep the tongue weight down. When loaded up, I measured tongue weight at 550#, so pretty much at the limit of what our car can handle without a weight distributing hitch. It ended up towing it the 170 miles each way just fine.

I'll assume you don't tow regularly, so I'll also put in a little plug for this little gem.

https://www.curtmfg.com/dm/echo-mobile-brake-controller

It's a bluetooth wireless trailer brake controller. If you're towing a big trailer that has trailer brakes, being able to use those brakes is a tremendous safety feature. I don't tow enough to justify installing a permanently wired trailer brake controller, so this little device was awesome for me. It literally took 5 minutes to install and pair, and another few minutes to dial in the settings, and it worked perfectly for me and made the trip a lot safer and more comfortable.

Thanks John,

That's helpful. I think at the end of the day it's probably going to have to be on an open trailer. I'll just drive fairly slow

[ADI]

I had the same question, after asking FF5 about it, they said a 16' minimum would fit. (Uhaul does not have one).
If I would do this again today, I`ll rent a regular large auto trailer from Uhaul + the pickup bed and go pick it up. (It fits)
BUT

I would build my chassis trolley first and have it placed on before rolling onto the trailer (and secured)

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=166241&d=1651770264

[CaptB]

I am looking into renting an enclosed trailer for picking up my car and may have found some options. What I need to know from the experts here is what size trailer will get it done? Will a 7x14 or 7x16 do it or is it too narrow. There is an 8.5x22 but I don't have the vehicle to pull it.

I appreciate the feedback


Thanks

Jesse

Marine, we must have some psychic connection going on, you discussing procurement of an enclosed and I just closed the deal on one. Our builds have also been very similar in fact we have the same wheels and I'm thinking green too (but your color is a bit more Marine green than what I would want).

Anyway, I just ordered a trailer from https://makemytrailer.com/ which is a 22' x 8.5. They custom build after order but you save the dealer middle man. I've been advised mine is on the production line and will be completed in a few weeks.

If I was closer I would let you borrow it but alas, Memphis is a little far away.

Anyway, good luck with getting set up with a decent trailer and Semper Fi.

[Blitzboy54]

Marine, we must have some psychic connection going on, you discussing procurement of an enclosed and I just closed the deal on one. Our builds have also been very similar in fact we have the same wheels and I'm thinking green too (but your color is a bit more Marine green than what I would want).

Anyway, I just ordered a trailer from https://makemytrailer.com/ which is a 22' x 8.5. They custom build after order but you save the dealer middle man. I've been advised mine is on the production line and will be completed in a few weeks.

If I was closer I would let you borrow it but alas, Memphis is a little far away.

Anyway, good luck with getting set up with a decent trailer and Semper Fi.



Thanks man, I appreciate it.


CaptB always fired up!!! Oorah

[Fman]

Jesse, can you find a 20'? That is what I have and it is about perfect for the Cobra, plenty of room in front and rear. I also went 102" wide which allows you to exit the car after you pull in. Too bad you don't live near me because you could take mine and use it, have lent it out a couple times now for Cobra pick ups and drop offs.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=144757&d=1616215834

[mrmustang]

I am looking into renting an enclosed trailer for picking up my car and may have found some options. What I need to know from the experts here is what size trailer will get it done? Will a 7x14 or 7x16 do it or is it too narrow. There is an 8.5x22 but I don't have the vehicle to pull it.

I appreciate the feedback


Thanks

Jesse

20 foot enclosed is highly recommended.
18 footer enclosed you can do, but I prefer the extra room

The real question is, what are you planning to tow it with?


Bill S.

[dstelter]

I'm using a 8.5x18 for my coupe. its a V nose which helps with the storage of the battery and winch. Remote or corded winch is a must unless you have a trailer with a side or escape door for a coupe. Doug

166270

[Blitzboy54]

Jesse, can you find a 20'? That is what I have and it is about perfect for the Cobra, plenty of room in front and rear. I also went 102" wide which allows you to exit the car after you pull in. Too bad you don't live near me because you could take mine and use it, have lent it out a couple times now for Cobra pick ups and drop offs.





Incredibly generous offer. I really appreciate it Travis, obviously a little too far away but very cool none the less

[Blitzboy54]

20 foot enclosed is highly recommended.
18 footer enclosed you can do, but I prefer the extra room

The real question is, what are you planning to tow it with?


Bill S.


That's the deal breaker for this one. It will be towed outside. I had a Tahoe with a tow package and brake module but do not have access to it next weekend. So it should be fine. I had considered wrapping the nose in packing plastic but Ron said don't do it. It's only about 2.5 hours home.

[mrmustang]

That's the deal breaker for this one. It will be towed outside. I had a Tahoe with a tow package and brake module but do not have access to it next weekend. So it should be fine. I had considered wrapping the nose in packing plastic but Ron said don't do it. It's only about 2.5 hours home.

No need to wrap the nose, you would not want to anyway, as I always highly recommended no car cover, no wax for 90 days above 55 degrees. This allows the paint to continue to outgas and cure properly.


Bill S.

[GTBradley]

I towed from Denver to KC for paint and back on the uhaul car hauler with a V6. No nicks or any trouble at all (other than having my son spit sunflower shells out the window and having them collect in the roadster’s passenger seat). It’s a heavy trailer, but the total comes in just under 5000 pounds. You might look for a tool rental place that has an aluminum trailer, as they save at least 1000 pounds.

[JohnK]

If towing a painted car back home on an open trailer, I definitely would not wrap it in anything that can flap around in the wind. You might want to consider using temporary car transport wrap - the stuff you see on new cars when being transported to the dealership. If it's only on for as long as it takes to tow the car home, there shouldn't be any real concern with off gassing from the paint. You just don't want to do a permanent PPF on a fresh paint job.

[Jeff Kleiner]

DO NOT WRAP IT OR PUT A COVER ON IT! That nose cutting through the wind at 60mph on a trailer is no different than if it was rolling along at 60mph under it’s own power. You do plan to drive the car when it’s done, right? ;)

Jeff

[BadAsp427]

FWIW, my trailer (the part where I transport the cars and kits is 20' long and a bit over 8' wide inside.
A completed cobra
166371

A Hot Rod Truck KIT from FFR, Note Pallet of parts boxes are up in front of the chassis.
166372

I've also had the Hot Rod kit in there basically the same way.