Busskipper
Arnold,Md
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Joined: 11/25/2002
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Dipsiney,
While I have never made the mistake of buying a trailer I have been questioned by almost everyone I have ever met, who had one, as to what I use to hook up my toad – in the less than 3 minutes it takes to hook and un hook and to easily head down the road in either the coach and toad or just the toad.
My conclusions were made from many years of using trailers in the construction industry. Having been In the construction business for 30 years what I found was that every time we used a trailer we opened up a can of worms – they are not safer – they are not easy to hook -- up they are easily stolen -- they need their own space -- they are never where you need them – I could go on but I think you get my point. What we did then and I do now is the old KISS method and 25 years ago we parked every trailer we could and would use a truck specific for the job. In the last 10 years I have put over 250,000 combined miles on my two toads with no problem – unless you count the time I was rear ended by a truck and bent the tow bar and still was able to drive the toad away – while one would show the milage while being towed the other does not and other than a few paint chips from road gravel none the worse for wear and tear.
Not having read the rest of you replies it would be hard to imagine some one recommending using a trailer with the exception of having multiple vehicles you needed to travel with. Most of the people who have trailers, are envious of the ease of towing four down and while they may need to tow a boat/kayak or motorcycles or different cars they are still a PIA.
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful/positive but this is JMHO,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
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States traveled in this Coach
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bob b
Grants Pass, Or
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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We do both, we flat tow a MR2 on most trips but many times we take the show car in an enclosed trailer.
http://www.ntahc.org/modifiedhealeys/Photos/146Berry/146Berry1.htm
This of course protects the car from rock chips and provides a locked "garage" at night.
An open trailer would allow you to take a car that can't be flat towed so only you can make a decision as to what you most need.
Bob
bob b
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JFG
TN
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Joined: 07/01/2007
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i pull a 16 ft car trailer. Backing up is a plus. Good brakes are a big plus. Loading and unloading is a PAIN... count on at least 30 minutes each. What are you towing? If around 4500-5000 look at the tires.... you need a set of 15" load range E radials. Most trailers come with load range C bias tires and wear out very quickly. I had to replace my "C" tires after 4,000 miles. The "E"s are holding up fine. I have never been asked to unhook at CG... in fact most managers have gone out of their way to give me a spot where I could pull thru without un-hooking. Given this, I plan to buy a toad and go 4 down. Need a trailer with new tires?
Fred
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dontay
Mims, Florida
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Joined: 03/22/2003
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We tow 4-down if possible but use the trailer for Alaska. After returning from both Alaska trips I was glad the Jeep was on the trailer and didn't take the abuse the trailer did from the gravel. I had to wire brush, prime, and paint each time. On the last trip I had a tread separation and it messed up one of the fenders but I just straightened it with heavy pliers and repainted it at home. Similar repair on the Jeep would have been $1000. I prefer the trailer but don't see the need to carry 2000 extra lbs. if all the roads are paved. If I had a large DP that didn't know the extra weight was back there I would always use the trailer. It takes me about 10 min to load or unload. The chains are cut to length and I count links to know where to place the hook after I wrap them around the Jeep's rear axle. Pull forward until the rear chains are tight and the Jeep is in the proper location where I set the tongue weight. Put on the front chain binders (again counting links to place the hook) and it's done. I would be a lot faster but I place bottle jacks under the rear of the trailer to keep pressure off the hitch while on the ramps. New flip-up jacks will make that go a lot quicker.
We used the trailer with our truck campers. So far I haven't used it with the MH because the hitch is borderline on capacity. I am looking for a Class 5 hitch that will fit. That is what I used on the TC's. The MH is 6 feet longer than the previous rig so there shouldn't be any problem with having it hitched at parks. Never was a problem before. Big rig friendly parks usually have plenty of room for the rig, trailer, and the Jeep on the ground.
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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Joined: 11/22/2004
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I use a 20' enclosed car trailer to haul my 63 Pontiac Grand Prix show car that weighs 4100#. It does take longer to load and tie down a car in a trailer then 4 down, but not all cars can be towed 4 down w/o some modifications if they are available. Yes there are some disadvantages such as parking them, etc. But there are advantages for the vehicles inside, as this can become a portable garage and if your vehicle is special, like a custom or classic car, you don't want to expose it to damage while traveling.The campgrounds I have used had pullthrough sites that worked fine for me. My MH has a 10K towing capacity so this it not a problem for me.
If you buy a trailer be sure to get an extended tongue on the trailer, as this will provide better turning radius and reduce the chance of hitting the MH when making a sharp corner or there is a dip that would cause the top corner of the trailer to make contact w/MH.
Everyone has to decide their particular needs and what works best for them, not all people have the same needs for towing.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
Car Dolly w/1996 Toyota RAV4 2WD
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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stouffer wrote:I'm curious about sum1's comment about corners. Do you mean that it's easier to go around a corner with a trailer than a towed vehicle, or that you can make a tighter turn with the trailer?
When I make a turn towing my Wrangler its wheels stay outside of the radius of the MH's. In other words, if the rear tires on the MH don't hit the curb neither will the wheels on the Wrangler.
I do agree that the trailer sure comes in handy when some jerk blocks me at Flying J.
As I read it, the comment referred to backing, "even around corners". you sure can't back a 4 down or dollyed toad around a corner.
I have towed with a (rented) dolly.
I have towed four down (Jeep Wrangler, see sig.)
I have towed on a (borrowed) trailer.
I am going to get a trailer, someday, some way.
In this State, trailer registration is permanent, I only have to buy registration for it once. Trailer tires are a LOT less expensive than those 31X10.50s on the Jeep. If I break the Jeep on a trail, I can load it up and bring it home instead of having to fix it immediately so I can tow it. There is no argument or discussion about brakes, YES they are required! I can back a trailer anytime, anywhere, even around corners, limited only by my ability. I can use the trailer to haul hay, firewood, etc. when needed. I can use the trailer to "rescue" one of the kids when his/her vehicle breaks (yes, did that once, saved a 50 mile towing bill).
As a matter of fact, I am presently trying to trade a tractor for just such a trailer! There ARE advantages!
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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Joined: 05/05/2005
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Having a trailer doesn't 'save' wear and tear on a toad, it merely transfers that wear and tear to yet another vehicle.
Better braking with a trailer? Not hardly. My toad has 4-wheel disc brakes that can develop much more braking power, do it much more linearly than the drum brakes on a trailer. Besides, the trailer adds 2-3000# to the tow which further reduces braking capacity/ton.
While backing up is an advantage, the trailer is also wider & longer and therefore somewhat more difficult to drive going forwards all the time. I can maneuver my DP & toad thru situations going forwards that I could not do without backing up if it was on a trailer. In other words, that advantage might easily defeat itself in many other situations.
A trailer is another vehicle that needs to be purchased & maintained. The savings in wear & tear on the toad will never exceed the cost of owning a trailer.
More carrying capacity. This is a definite advantage of a trailer. Of course, it also negatively affects some of the other trade-offs like braking capacity, maneuverability & cost as the trailer grows to accommodate a vehicle & stuff.
Steve & C. J.
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SemperFiCop
USA
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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More info would be helpful in evaluating your situation:
Do you still have a 36 ft Georgetown class A?
What is your load carrying capacity for your hitch? (5,000lbs)?
How much does your toad weigh?
How much will the trailer weigh?
Before evaluating if a trailer is better for you, one must determine if your rig is capable of hauling the added weight (toad & trailer)...
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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SteveRankin wrote:Having a trailer doesn't 'save' wear and tear on a toad, it merely transfers that wear and tear to yet another vehicle.
Better braking with a trailer? Not hardly. My toad has 4-wheel disc brakes that can develop much more braking power, do it much more linearly than the drum brakes on a trailer. Besides, the trailer adds 2-3000# to the tow which further reduces braking capacity/ton.
While backing up is an advantage, the trailer is also wider & longer and therefore somewhat more difficult to drive going forwards all the time. I can maneuver my DP & toad thru situations going forwards that I could not do without backing up if it was on a trailer. In other words, that advantage might easily defeat itself in many other situations.
A trailer is another vehicle that needs to be purchased & maintained. The savings in wear & tear on the toad will never exceed the cost of owning a trailer.
More carrying capacity. This is a definite advantage of a trailer. Of course, it also negatively affects some of the other trade-offs like braking capacity, maneuverability & cost as the trailer grows to accommodate a vehicle & stuff.
I was going to comment further, but why? His mind is made up, and nothing I or anyone can say will change it, just like none of his comments will change my mind.
I been there, did that, want a trailer for the reasons I stated. Period.
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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Joined: 11/22/2004
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SteveRankin wrote:Having a trailer doesn't 'save' wear and tear on a toad, it merely transfers that wear and tear to yet another vehicle.
Better braking with a trailer? Not hardly. My toad has 4-wheel disc brakes that can develop much more braking power, do it much more linearly than the drum brakes on a trailer.
If you have an expensive Classic car or show caras I do, an enclosed trailer does save wear and tear and protects my car in a hail storm, theft, vandalism, stone chips, etc. Some cars are not capable of being towed 4 down, again older or classic cars, etc.
Re: braking some of the new trailers offer disc brakes vs. drum and having towed TT's with electric brakes for years, they can stop very well, and not all dingy's have 4-wheel disc brakes. Everyone has to make a determination on their specific circumstances and what they wish to tow, not everything fits all situations. What works for you Steve does not work for me.
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