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Topic: Cargo Trailers (Read 1068 times) previous topic - next topic

Cargo Trailers

I am feeling the need for a cargo trailer, about 18', to haul a small car, and other stuff.  Plus I would rather have the trailer rear ended than my Foretravel.  I have looked at Wells Cargo, Halmark, and Becker.  I would  appreciate any feed back and advice on brands,  anything else you think I need to know, and your experiences.
Thank you,
Bob
Bob Raab
2006 Phenix 42'

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #1 –
Seems the Featherlite name is a biggie in those trailers.  Surely others work too, but due to durability, resaleability and towability,  the Featherlite seems top notch.
My opinion FWIW

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #2 –
Our plans include a small trailer too. We have an old VW Diesel Rabbit we would probably rebuild and use but may end up with a Prius or something. What type of car do you plan to carry in the trailer? We see more of these combinations on the freeways every year but I wonder how they affect performance and mileage. I like the idea of the trailer getting rear-ended instead of the coach!

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #3 –
Quote
[I have looked at Wells Cargo, Haulmark, and Becker.]

Just an opinion, and thou I'm not real familiar with Becker, I don't think you can find much better quality than Wells-Cargo. I have had a smaller version of what you're looking at for about 8-years and like everything about it.
Chad & Judy
'98 U320 - Build #5315
Motorcade 16317
Wickenburg, AZ

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #4 –
Bob,

Jon Twork is the moderator for a trailer site.  He has a huge amount of information and he is more than happy to help anyone with questions.  WeRV2.com (I think). PM him and he will get back to you.

Let us know how it works out for you.  We are thinking along the same lines.  As soon as I can talk DW into letting me get a 4 door Jeep Rubicon.  :P :P
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #5 –
Hi Bob,
  I really like the ATC Trailer Co trailers. A little on the expensive side, but real nice. All aluminum construction.
Raymond
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #6 –
Wells Cargo makes a good trailer.  However, they are sold at premium price tag.  I have towed a cargo trailer over 150,000 in the last seven years.  I did not tow it with a motorhome but a Chevy one ton van.  I did not haul a car but it was loaded with displays and merchandise.  I have a H&H trailer.  Cargo trailers are just like motorhomes, weight can be an issue.  Just make sure the axles and tires are rated for the weight  you are going to carry inside the trailer.  I have nothing to do with H&H trailer other than I have been happy with the one I have towed around the country.  I like the led lights, I like the large side doors plus many other details they have as standard on their trailers.  They do have a car hauler.  I have posted their website below.  Just my two cents.
H&H CA Series Car Hauler

Joe
     

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bob Raab –
I am feeling the need for a cargo trailer, about 18', to haul a small car, and other stuff.  Plus I would rather have the trailer rear ended than my Foretravel.  I have looked at Wells Cargo, Halmark, and Becker.  I would  appreciate any feed back and advice on brands,  anything else you think I need to know, and your experiences.
Thank you,
Bob
Bob,
As you may suspect, trailers are like motorhomes;
I have seen a whole lot of heartache in other people's trailering experiences, over the years and it is very easy to get stung.
If they are well designed and built well and then cared for well, trailers can be very enjoyable and relatively troublefree.
If the design is lacking, or the build quality is lacking or the trailer is not properly cared for, it can be a very frustrating (and even dangerous) experience.
I've done a lot of trailering over 50+ years and would be happy to share my thoughts.  Give me a PM and I'll give you a phone # back.
Basically, I feel that a few of the more important factors to consider are:
    • Avoid steel and iron (look closely at the trailer weight vs. the gross carrying capacity of the trailer vs. your desired cargo vs. the trailering capacity of your coach...........all before buying).  When you add it all up, you quickly see that you can easily make a costly mistake.
       
    • Avoid anything less than .063" gauge panels (too flimsy to add structural strength and the panels ripple) and avoid trailers with "finished" interiors, unless you have an absolute need (decreases net carrying capacity and resale value).
       
    • An all aluminum frame trumps any steel in frame
       
    • Marine grade PLY floor and ramp trumps Aluminum (Lighter and less cost)
       
    • Just like the coach, carefully weigh tire by tire and then the tongue.  Leave good margins to overload.
       
    • Aluminum "I" beams trump "C", "L" or  "T" beams
       
    • 12" centered beams trump 16" centers
       
    • Obviously, four wheel electric brakes trump any kind of surge brakes
       
    • Obviously, ALL LEDs trump incandescent filament bulbs (anywhere)
       
    • 12 Ply, 90 psig rated ST Radials (Special Trailer) tires and 5200# axles are the minimum for troublefree experience when you are up around 9000 lbs (there is also a maximum of a four year life expectancy on trailer tires.............they don't put the exotic aging compounds into trailer tires that Michelin does into coach tires).
       
    • LT (Light Truck) tires on a trailer are accidents waiting to happen.  Unscrupulous (or ignorant) tire dealers will tell you otherwise, but don't fall into the trap.
       
    • More poor trailering experiences are caused by overloading, and/or over-aged and/or under-rated tires than any other factors.
       
    • Trailers with good quality, built-in, door/ramp locks trump trailers with padlocks.
       
    • Look at resale values.  Good trailers last and look great after tens of years.  Poor quality trailers don't.
       
    • I chose Featherlite because NASCAR teams and exotic car transporters use them for all the above reasons (and many more).
       
We just finished a trouble free trip from NH to SD to WY to NM to TX to FL.  I'll try to find some time to summarize our mileage and stats.
FWIW,
Neal
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten
 

Re: Cargo Trailers

Reply #8 –
Watch out for low hitch weight.  You have to position the car in the trailer to balance tire load and assure 12% of total loaded weight is on the hitch and that tiedowns are positioned properly.  Also make sure that you can open a door over the fenders and side access is in the right place.  I suspect you'll end up with a much longer and heavier trailer than you anticipate.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R