Aluminum frame enclosed trailers....
 

I've noticed more ads lately for the all aluminum enclosed single car haulers. I even looked at one at GG Nashville. Fully "decked out" ($25k) is wayyyy beyond my budget but I have seen ads for a more basic version that was more reasonable. Anybody have any experience with them? Looks like they are 1,000-1,200lbs lighter than the steel version but are they as strong? Using some basic window shopping math, losing that weight costs and extra $2500+/- over a steel framed version.
Thoughts?


Jeff-

There are lot's of great deals out there on high end USED aluminum enclosed trailers. A friend just bought an 8 year old 24 foot Featherlite V nose used car trailer for in Texas for $6,500. I am a BIG believer in purchasing high end used equipment versus low end new equipment.

I have a 23 year old Featherlite enclosed car trailer that was used for the first 12 years by a NASCAR team. Great trailer, pulls well and in fantastic condition. Featherlite built 15 of these trailers for 3 different teams. The trailer is 22 ft long and 6 foot tall inside. The trailer was built for maximum inside width. The trailer was used to transport CUP cars locally between shops and for testing. I paid $4,500 for the trailer when I bought it. That trailer would be every bit of $15K-$20K new. All 3 of my trailers are HIGH end expensive trailers when new that I purchased used. All three were built in the early to mid 1990's. All 3 trailers may be old but they function properly and look good.

Why buy new when there are so many great used HIGH end trailers available? No you generally will not spend any less money than you would buying a new cheap trailer however you will get a MUCH better quality trailer that has been used. Yes it will be more work finding that great deal on a high end used trailer rather than going to the local yocal trailer seller. Of course anything that is good or great always requires a little extra effort.

Buy a HIGH END used trailer you will not be sorry!

I will chime in to add support to two things he said.

1. Featherlite builds great trailers. I have owned a LOT of trailers, new & used, big & small, very plain to extremely fancy ... steel, aluminum & composite ... and my Featherlite was my best & favorite. Another incredibly durable, good looking trailer that lasts & holds its value on the West Coast is TPD. Renegade's after 2000 were good mid-to-high quality trailers.

2. Buying a used, but well taken care of high quality trailer is better move than buying one of the brand new super low cost "disposable" trailers.

The quality trailers do everything better & 5 years down the road the quality trailer, if well taken care of, is in the same condition. While the low cost trailer purchased new is falling apart.

I do not mean to offend anyone if they bought a new low cost trailer. But I wanted to share my experience, that matches Mike's (VintageRacer), in hopes of helping others make their dollars go further & be happier with their buying decision.

If you have the money to buy a quality trailer new ... I say do it. If you don't ... and your choices are new "lower quality" or used high quality in good condition, I suggest the used high quality route from my experience.

www.racingjunk.com should have lots of them.

Good advice guys! ..and I would definitely consider buying a used trailer but I'm not finding these deals you guys are getting?!? What I am seeing in the used market is either a tired, beat-up, bargain trailer for $3-4k or a name brand decked out one that is 10 years old and only a couple grand less than a brand new one?


Jeff-

Being budget minded I like the idea better quality getting a used item. I've been looking for the past few months for a quality used 24' trailer here in the nw and trying to keep it under 10k w/no real success. All the better deals I've seen seem to be on the other side of the country and after shipping cost the deal is no longer a deal. I must admit, I'm a little picky and will probably cave on price soon.

When buying High End Used you definitely have to be willing to travel. That's for sure as what you are looking for is never around local when you are looking!

Okay - I just have to chime in....



I don't think there's any real savings in pulling a steel trailer vs an aluminum one --- and the only way I'd think the aluminum one would be of any value is if you also had a really light load -- like a small '32 Ford.... because I've hauled my steel trailer (MotorTrack 4000) empty and full --- and there was ZERO difference in fuel milage in my one ton diesel dually.

I'd think that if you had a GAS truck --- a light duty truck (half ton?) and a light car - then the aluminum would be an advantage. To your diesel truck -- it could care less.

We just don't haul enough miles per year to have the cost difference add up.


I really like Charley's Featherlite --- it's just a nicely built trailer....


The other thing that I learned AFTER I bought my decked out fancy pants trailer ---- NOBODY CARES..... It's a trailer -- you load chit up -- you haul it somewhere -- you empty it - and close the doors. There it sits until you need it again.

Fancy floors are slick.... not as in cool -- but in slippery.

Fancy walls get marked up - require cleaning to look nice - and don't add any value whatsoever except for when you're buying them. :>)

Here's where I WOULD spend extra money -- not on the inside -- but on the OUTSIDE -- rivetless skins need to be .050 and anything but black....

Riveted skins - who cares -- they're all wrinkled up to start with - personally I hate that. It's what always kept me from buying a Featherlite.

Polished stainless steel all over the exterior ---- can you say MAINTENANCE?!?!?!

YOU DO NEED CABINETS inside -- or tool boxes and or toolboxes and a work bench/storage.... floor space is limited and a hassle with baskets of crap sliding all over or needing to be moved. Trailers are HOT inside in the summer.. it's not a place you want to spend a lot of time "working".


A WINCH IS INVALUABLE -- make sure it's also WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROLLED.... No winch -- you'll resort to damaging your car crawling in and out the window -- stepping all over the upholstery... or trying unsuccessfully to wedge out the door thereby chipping up your paint.


Winch that bad boy in and out.... It's so easy the fat chicks can do it. You'll be really happy and life is good and rosy with a good winch.

In the NW, TPD is a good pick, if you hunt & can be patient, you'll find a deal on one.

Here are two 24' TPD's on RacingJunk.com ... in your price range.

http://www.racingjunk.com/Used-Trail...e-Trailer.html

http://www.racingjunk.com/Cargo-Encl...ech-SoCal.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...268345&vxp=mtr

Something like this would be great for my needs but it's no where near the price you guys are saying they can be bought for ($5-6k) I'm not saying this guy's trailer isn't worth what he's asking but it's no fire sale.


I agree with ALL of GW's points about what's important in trailer selection. (even went back and read some of his old posts where he talked about "if I did it again...") I don't want bling, I'm not trying to have the baddest double stack with sleeper cab and living room.... oh, wait... GW???

We might do 2-3 trips a year, 6-8hr drive at the most. Hauling a big block Nova or the 54 wagon with a Yukon XL 2500 with the 6.0l. around the southeast. Just want something to keep the car out of the weather on the road.


Jeff-