Car Trailers

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BoxerPitMix

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I've worked in the trailer business off and on for years. Personally I agree with above - if you have deep enough pockets get the longest trailer you can. It's better to have too much room than not enough. Keep that in mind as well when buying a dove-tail. If you buy a 20' dove, you're getting 18' of flat deck.

I think the Big Tex trailers you're looking at are great. Set-back jack keeps you from banging your tailgate, the hitch is a "bull-dog" style that I prefer, and removable fenders are badass on a car hauler. It only has brakes on one axle - which IMO is fine most of the time, but you can add them later if you want, they're cake. The wooden deck is also a good choice I think. Take care of them and they'll last forever. If you need to replace them, it's easy. Metal decks are like ice when it rains. I've busted my ass a few times on them. lol

Depending on how much you want to spend - you have a lot of options.
I hate having to lug around ramps and throw them in the back of the truck or strap them down to the trailer. Big Tex generally have "Slide-in" ramps that slide into pockets just beneath the deck on the sides or rear that are nice.
An option that hasn't really been available from a lot of manufacturers is a rear jack. I've installed them on a lot of trailers including my own to prevent the tongue from picking up on the rear of the vehicle. I've also installed toggle switches on the break-away switches for people on a few occasions to lock the trailer brakes while loading/unloading...

If you're looking for a good budget-friendly trailer, probably my top two favorites would be Lawrimore or Load Trail. Those are the two highest-volume selling trailers I've ever been around.

Lawrimore would probably be the cheapest #1 choice. Structurally, the build quality is there. You can buy them dirt cheap, but you'll have a few trade-offs depending on the dealer. Whenever a load of them came to our lot, we just planned on fixing the lights on every single one. lol The wiring was thrown together with crimp connectors and the grounds were ******. Also - the decking wasn't always the best. Most of the smaller ones we sold even came with used tires on them, but that's how we sold them dirt cheap.
 

5spd Z71

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Thanks for the opinions guys! I guess I should have mentioned my budget. I don't really want to spend more than $3k. I'm more looking into a quality trailer where I won't spend more time fixing it than using it. It'll never see a truck on it, and the heaviest car we have that we trailer is about 3700lbs. I will be looking into adding trailer brake controller on the truck, although Anytime I've towed I've always downshifted and engine braked. (One good benefit of a manual)

As far as length, I think I've been convinced into a 20'. The weight different between 18' and 20' is not very much. Although trying to manure a longer trailer is what initially got me thinking a smaller trailer.
 

BoxerPitMix

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I will be looking into adding trailer brake controller on the truck, although Anytime I've towed I've always downshifted and engine braked. (One good benefit of a manual)

There is no comparison between that and having a brake controller when it comes to having control over a heavy load... You're still braking only with the truck while the trailer is pushing you. Once you pull something heavy with trailer brakes, you won't want to to pull anything without them again. Not only will it shorten your stopping distance but it'll also save your ass in the event of trailer oscillation and it sways side to side. Tap your brakes or manually hit your brake controller to straighten it out.

You can pick up a good cheap time-delay Draw-Tite Activator for $40. For your application that would probably be fine. I always recommend a proportional controller if you can swing it for about $100. They measure the rate of deceleration and match it accordingly.
 
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5spd Z71

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There is no comparison between that and having a brake controller when it comes to having control over a heavy load... You're still braking only with the truck while the trailer is pushing you. Once you pull something heavy with trailer brakes, you won't want to to pull anything without them again. Not only will it shorten your stopping distance but it'll also save your ass in the event of trailer oscillation and it sways side to side. Tap your brakes or manually hit your brake controller to straighten it out.

You can pick up a good cheap time-delay Draw-Tite Activator for $40. For your application that would probably be fine. I always recommend a proportional controller if you can swing it for about $100. They measure the rate of deceleration and match it accordingly.

I plan on getting a quality brake controller. Now that I'll have a trailer with brakes, even though it's only on one axle, I can order or add more on the second axle.

Any recommendations on quality units? Also is there a write up on how to install them? I've never messed with them before.
 

BerHntr

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I wouldn't mind adding brakes on the other axle of mine also
 

Black_cirrus

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I've heard lots of good things on the Tekonsha Prodigy P2's and they have a P3 newer model. I know people with the P2, When I was researching I didn't really see much difference. That said someday I plan to get the P3. I've got a cheap controller already so I haven't dropped the cash.
 

BoxerPitMix

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I plan on getting a quality brake controller. Now that I'll have a trailer with brakes, even though it's only on one axle, I can order or add more on the second axle.

Any recommendations on quality units? Also is there a write up on how to install them? I've never messed with them before.

It's really easy, honestly. Send me a PM or if you can wait til Monday when I'm back in the office at a computer I can give oyu tips.

I wouldn't mind adding brakes on the other axle of mine also

It's really easy. Just buy the backing plates and wire them in with the existing.

I've heard lots of good things on the Tekonsha Prodigy P2's and they have a P3 newer model. I know people with the P2, When I was researching I didn't really see much difference. That said someday I plan to get the P3. I've got a cheap controller already so I haven't dropped the cash.

Tekonsha is #1 when it comes to brake controllers.

I may actually have a P2 and P3 in my toolbox collecting dust if anyone is interested, I'll have to look.
 

Supercharged111

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I think it's time they come out with a P4. I crave more adjustability with the P3.
 
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