Stacker Trailer

Topic: Stacker Trailer (Read 1579 times) previous topic - next topic

Stacker Trailer

June 25, 2014, 09:45:25 am

Hey all,

I was pondering making some changes to my equipment. Right now I have a 1999 Foretravel U320 4200. It has a 10K hitch as you all know. I rent an enclosed trailer when I want to tow my race car to the track and I flat tow a Lexus GX470 otherwise. I was looking towards the future and I was contemplating a 24' stacker with the race car on top (3K pounds for now), BMW X3 on the bottom (3800 pounds), some tools and tires (1000 pounds?) and a sport bike (500 pounds max). Considering a stacker weighs usually 6K minimum that means I am at about 14,300.

So my two questions. Has anyone towed something so heavy. Does the rig die under the load up the mountains or does the ISM handle it well.

The other question is what about the hitch. How do I gain the additional needed capacity. Just a Reese 15K hitch custom installed?

Mostly curious to hear opinions from anyone else that has done it. An enclosed trailer and the GX separately works well and saves money but I like to always think of a future where money flows like water.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #1 – June 25, 2014, 10:34:36 am

Piku, I'm just being a smart ass... but if you tow a Lexus and have a X3 I would think that saving money is far down the line of priorities for you.

Sorry had to say it...
Gary B

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #2 – June 25, 2014, 10:43:23 am

I have no idea what the Gross Combined Weight Rating is on your Foretravel but I would guess that you would be considerably over it.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #3 – June 25, 2014, 12:40:04 pm

Just to piggyback off my last post..

The stickers/plates next to the drivers seat will have the listings of the allowable weights you can use. I have a small 34' FT so my weights will be significantly less than yours but here they are anyway.

UVW- Unloaded Vehicle Weight- 24130 (This is significantly lower than the weight I actually travel with.)
GVWR- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating- 31000 with a 19000 lb. rear axle and a 12000 lb. front axle
GCWR- Gross Combined Weight Rating- 36000 lb. which is the combination of towing and carried weight

My travel weight is in the 28000 lb. range so even though I have a 10000 lb. hitch, I cannot tow that much legally. This could be a big deal if you were pulled over and weighed or got in an accident being over the manufacturers weights.

Also, states have a maximum length restriction for tow vehicle and trailer which is as little as 55' in Washington, DC but is usually between 60-75' in most states. You would be looking at needing probably about 70' which would rule out passing through many states.

State Towing Laws for RVs

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #4 – June 25, 2014, 09:45:09 pm

I have never overloaded the m/h, however having been a fleet manager for a large construction for 30 plus years I have learned the evils of overloading. Also our coaches are uni-body construction to much over loading my cause undue stress on the body. I would also imagine the ISM will be unhappy in the hills with a GVW going north of 40-45k lbs

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #5 – June 25, 2014, 10:49:33 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – June 25, 2014, 10:34:36 am

Piku, I'm just being a smart ass... but if you tow a Lexus and have a X3 I would think that saving money is far down the line of priorities for you.
Sorry had to say it...
Gary B

Gary I would be selling the Lexus to purchase the X3 which would fit in a trailer better

Actually my dream car would be a BMW 540i station wagon with offroad capabilities but that's not happening. In my defense, it's a well used GX470 and would be a well used X3. Both vehicles would pale in comparison to the cost of the stacker trailer. I don't think it's happening but do bear in mind guys that I have the tag axle and so my GCWR is 52,000 pounds.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #6 – June 25, 2014, 10:53:27 pm

Also I am told that most states do not care about GCWR but instead about exceeding the GVWR of each component in the chain. I do need to weigh the rig to be sure but given that I see 1000 pound Goldwings on the back of heavy hydraulic lifts on motorhome, something tells me it can deal with the 1500 pounds of tounge weight.

With regards to the length, that is a rule I am prepared to break as I have seen MAAAAAANY other people break it.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #7 – June 25, 2014, 11:24:54 pm

A friend of mine a few years ago tried to cross into cal with a 45 ft sob and a stacker trailer. They made him drop the trailer, he came back later with a duly pick to complete the trip to Indio, good luck!

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #8 – June 26, 2014, 07:39:01 am

In NC they take a tape measure to you since they have so many race trailers heading to Charlotte. Nobody has weighed anyone though or checked for tow brakes either.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #9 – June 26, 2014, 08:04:06 am

Your biggest concern with your CGVW would be if you got in a crash and someone was hurt. Speaking from my previous job in Motor Carrier Enforement I have seen criminal charges brought and insurance companies failing to pay due to negligence of the driver/owner.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #10 – June 26, 2014, 08:40:36 am

I would strongly recommend getting your actual coach weights first to see where you are there. Granted each coach is different, and we have 2 slides, but we are 40' tag axle and at 36,075 lbs with typical loading and average tank levels (RVSEF weighing). A 42' coach could be pushing higher and running you up against the GCWR with a 14,300 lb trailer.

Depending on where you're licensed, in Texas you'll be required to have a Class A (but non-CDL version if you don't do it for pay) driver's license if you pull a trailer over 10,000 lbs.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #11 – June 28, 2014, 11:23:40 pm

We have recently sold our motorcycle lift and bought a Brown Motorsports 18' stacker for the bike, Mini and gear for the bike and cowboy action events. The stacker has air over hydraulic brakes, torsion axles and three 5200# axles with 16" tires. While it can handle more weight, ours fully loaded weighs just under 9400# so is legal with my Class B Texas license, and our overall length is half a foot under 65'

While the M-11 can still handle the mountains just fine, I do notice the difference in acceleration, and our fuel mileage has gone down from 8.75mpg to 7. It's a pleasure to be able to back up, especially with the camera on the rear of the stacker, with microphone. I use a portable wireless camera mounted with a suction RAM mount below the coach license plate to aid hitching up. There is no margin for error with that much hitch weight.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #12 – June 29, 2014, 10:36:32 am

Thanks for that. I knew someone here had to be doing it. You're right that I need to get my weights before I consider much of anything but I feel like I'm in one of the best suited rigs to do it (larger engine, tag axle, no slides). Do you ever wish you had a bit more length on the stacker? Nice paint job

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #13 – June 29, 2014, 10:39:57 am

Quote from: danieljeff545 – June 26, 2014, 08:04:06 am

Your biggest concern with your CGVW would be if you got in a crash and someone was hurt. Speaking from my previous job in Motor Carrier Enforement I have seen criminal charges brought and insurance companies failing to pay due to negligence of the driver/owner.

But what situations were those? Recreational or commercial. I have seen it with grossly overloaded tractor trailers myself but I've never heard of personal insurance denying someone for overloading their rig inadvertently or otherwise by 10-20%. Fact is there are a ton of people overloading out there. I'd rather not be one of those myself and that's why I'm trying to figure all this out

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #14 – June 29, 2014, 12:09:44 pm

Very nice looking stacker trailer. I also tow a Brown Motorsports enclosed trailer (not a stacker but has a 8' ceiling). I have really enjoyed it. Everything stays clean and dry. I hope to upgraded to a stacker one day. I have been weighed at Escapees and am well within specs. I also recomend a Trailer Tug Pro motorized dolly. Gas Powered Trailer Mover - Trailer Tugs & Accessories - by Trailertug Pro I have one and never have to worry about parking. I usually park the trailer, hitch first, into the parking spot. That way If bad weather arrives I can just put the car into the garage. Also if you drive into a tight spot and have to turn around just unhook the trailer from your motorhome, use the trailertug to turn it around, and hook it back up to the coach.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #15 – June 29, 2014, 12:35:14 pm

"But what situations were those? Recreational or commercial. I have seen it with grossly overloaded tractor trailers myself but I've never heard of personal insurance denying someone for overloading their rig inadvertently or otherwise by 10-20%. Fact is there are a ton of people overloading out there. I'd rather not be one of those myself and that's why I'm trying to figure all this out "

In my situation it was one serious injury crash and one fatal. Your right being overloaded is an everyday occurrence it's most only when someone is hurt that those issues are put in the spotlight. Good luck. I hope to have a stacker someday for all my "toys" when I retire and have a new FT to pull it!

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #16 – July 09, 2014, 01:00:09 pm

Now I am confused

94 u280 from placard drivers side
GVWR Front, 10K Rear 19K
GAWR 28K

What is GCWR?
What is UVW? Looked at beamalarm.com

I think I understand the acronyms.. Just don't know where I find the last info.

So if I am stopped, where is this info?

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #17 – July 09, 2014, 02:51:15 pm

Piku,

Traveled out west through the mountains, and up to Nova Scotia through the mountains.

Never had a problem finding a campsite or campground to fit.

Passed trucks on the uphills.

Carried a 2006 Highlander in the trailer with a sailboat in the slings above the car with the mast on the roof.

Before you go on the road though, weigh and distribute the loads. Don't overgross.

Enjoy!!

Mike B.

Purple Haze
98 U320 40' M-11 450

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #18 – July 09, 2014, 03:36:53 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – July 09, 2014, 01:00:09 pm

Now I am confused

94 u280 from placard drivers side
GVWR Front, 10K Rear 19K
GVWR 28K

What is GCWR?
What is UVW? Looked at beamalarm.com

So if I am stopped, where is this info?

GCWR is the gross combined weight rating. Coach plus what you are towing. UVW is the unloaded weight of the coach, the way it came off the factory floor. You can find the weight info on the placard to the left of the driver's seat.

Roland

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #19 – July 09, 2014, 04:19:54 pm

Roland,

Nope not on my placard. Maybe too old, only what I listed

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #20 – July 09, 2014, 09:33:10 pm

Piku,

That's graphics, not paint. Sure I'd like more length, except when I'm making a sharp turn!

Atom6,

I looked into tugs, but learned they are marginal with tri-axle trailers, especially on unpaved surfaces, and any grade.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #21 – July 23, 2014, 11:27:33 am

Thanks for all the advice on this subject from everyone! I think for right now I am going to rent an enclosed trailer every time I take the car to the track. Later on if I will target a stacker and skip buying a normal enclosed altogheter. I do want to buy a hitch hauler and bring a bike with us in addition to our SUV toad so that should be fun

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #22 – September 04, 2014, 08:32:59 pm

Picking up on a little bit of an older thread but our "tentative" plan is to tow a stacker to carry our toad in it and a variety of recumbent bikes, tools, keg smoker, etc. I have read on other forums (Escapees in particular) where people didn't worry too much about being too long. I don't have quite that same of a carefree attitude so will probably try to not exceed 65' ft. We shall see what combination we end up with.

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #23 – September 04, 2014, 10:15:10 pm

I want a stacker in the worst way no doubt , but---- 45 ft and this leaves room for a 16 footer to be legal . So you say why not , well what can you do with 16 ft ?. One small car and two small toys . I will be stuck with pulling my 3/4 ton pick up and hauling my toy . This works very well as my total pulled weight is 9850 pounds . My coach hitch is rated at 24,000 pounds (special fabricated thing before me) , even has air brake lines ready for glad hands . Seems like all trailers have four foot tongues as they need to be able to turn . Still wish I could do it, but see no way . Brad Metzger

Re: Stacker Trailer

Reply #24 – September 04, 2014, 10:39:52 pm

What motorhome are going to tow a stacker with?

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