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I have a '71 442 and am looking at an enclosed trailer. Nothing fancy, just something to keep it covered when doing a long interstate haul. Anyway, this trailer is advertised as 18 feet. Not sure if that is an inside or outside dimension, but will confirm. Anyway, the Olds is pretty much right at 17 feet long. I see most people have 20 foot trailers. Will I be happy with 18 feet? It would be real tight inside. I like the idea of the shorter trailer for maneuvering through cities, tight gas stations, etc. Your thoughts? Thank you.
24' is what i want. That is what I've used in the past. Anything less would be difficult. You need space to tie down and walk around the car. I'm a skinny fella too
Good point. This trailer has the escape door on the left side, but even then I think tying down the left front wheel would be nearly impossible. The walk out door on the right front makes that tire easy and the rears should not be horrible. Hmm.
I also found a 24' box, 28' total length to be about right to have room for supplies and to tie it down. An escape door is very important, but it must be low enough that you can open the driver's door through it, and positioned where needed so the car gives the trailer proper tongue weight.
I've got a 20 foot enclosed trailer. Two words of advice on this length: stay thin. I ordered this one new, and the only thing I regret not getting is the escape door. It's one heck of a challenging time getting in and out of the car. And I run with the 78-80 Cutlass body style, you'd have even less room than me. Do-able, but tight. If you are buying this new, if you can, opt for the torsion axles. I like the lower ride. I ordered this trailer which was made in Douglas, Ga, when it was done I went and picked it up from our SC home. We lived in CT at the time, it would have cost 2x as much buying one there.
We have use a 24' x 8.5' for 11 years now. Here what I (would/or look at) to do different.
1. Buy a aluminum trailer for the weight savings.
2. Definitely get the escape door.
3. Consider a 20' trailer depending on where the (tie downs) are located.
4. Get the 5,000 lbs axles package at least, no matter what.
While our current trailer works great for us, things that I noticed.
1. The rear tie downs are located so that we have about 1' around the rear of the W-30 when the car is inside and tied down.
2. There is about 6.5' in front that is loadable space for other things. Load 1st or used the side door, hopefully you loaded the heavy stuff 1st.
3. Did you remember to leave the tie downs accessible at the front? Lol
4. The older I get the bigger the trailer becomes. Fortunately I only have 2 more trips (1 with this trailer) to Commiefornia and then I will decide on the next trailer.
My experience with trailers is it's nice to be young when putting a car into one. My partner in a venture was very skinny. At the time we were transporting a LOT of F-Bodies. Others have mentioned the need to be able to exit the car and the trailer after the load. This is no easy feat even if you're 20. My guy also left the T-Tops unlatched (as this was how he exited the car on loading) resulting in at least 6 T-Tops being taken by the wind on the next drive. Shattered to smithereens.
Something to keep in mind. Don't forget to secure whatever is loose. Get the bigger trailer. You won't regret it. Same goes for garages. Go bigger than you think you should. 60% of the time, it works every time - Brian Fantana
Thank you everyone. I keep getting older and less flexible. My 6' 5" frame isn't as limber as it use to be. You have all given me great information. I really appreciate it. I'm so excited to finally get an enclosed trailer after all the years of an open hauler and the downsides that come with it, but I'm hoping whatever I go with is a good fit for my needs.
