Race Trailer Recommendations

I feel as though the most common size is 6x10 enclosed trailer, so if it works for most people, best bet is that's a pretty usable size, cost benefits, balance. Been struggling with it myself as for the past 3 years I've been using an enclosed 5x8 and hauling 2 bikes. Super cramped, super pain in the butt, the benefits is I can pull it with a medium size car! Since it is small, it doesn't affect the MPG in my 03 Olds Bravada all that much. With that said, since my 5x8 works for now, I'm not actively looking, when it dies or some great deal on a 6x10 comes along, I'll be up for upgrading and taking full advantage of having the extra space!

If I could do it again, the jeep and trailer would be gone with a sprinter van in that place. It's kinda a pain to hook up a trailer and find parking for it sometimes. It's also wicked overkill to go dirty riding 15 miles from the house.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maxim_X

It's also wicked overkill to go dirty riding 15 miles from the house.

---

That's why I got a hitch carrier. If your hitch is rated for it, that's a good way to go w/ a dirt bike.

I had a 7x16 Vnose. Fits 4 bikes easy with tools and other shit. I was glad I grabbed the extra couple feet and especially the extra foot width.

Overall, get the extra width... cramping around in a 6 foot wide trailer isn't fun.

If you can find a 7x12 aluminum or something and pay a little more for that (less weight) you'd be pretty golden for two bikes and gear and reasonable gas mileage.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OreoGaborio

That's why I got a hitch carrier. If your hitch is rated for it, that's a good way to go w/ a dirt bike.

---

Yeah actually just got one this winter. It's more than handy, but I still want a sprinter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maxim_X

If I could do it again, the jeep and trailer would be gone with a sprinter van in that place. It's kinda a pain to hook up a trailer and find parking for it sometimes. It's also wicked overkill to go dirty riding 15 miles from the house.

---

I wouldn't trade my Jeep for anything, it rocks!

If I had a place to park one, I'd do a van.

That's why I got the truck, for the dirt bike or short trips.

I think I've centered on the 7 x 12-16' range, and the Al ones are fairly pricey (8 grand!!!) so I'm looking at used. Anything I should look out for? Or must have options that you wouldn't buy a trailer that didn't have?

A bit high priced IMO. I think mid $4's is more like it.
http://worcester.craigslist.org/sno/4414584069.html

Agree about the width of trailer - 7.5 or 8.5 wide is definitely a big difference vs 6.5

I have an 8.5x12 and can fit three bikes, a pit bike, fridge and a rolling tool box in it with room for other crap. The 8.5' width pulls like a parachute though and I wouldn't recommend it without tow mirrors unless you don't plan on seeing behind you or backing up.

I have tow mirrors, but I couldn't park the 8.5' wide trailer effectively where I live, it wouldn't fit in the driveway spot I have and if I put it on my street (1 way boston street with cars on both sides) it would get hit by some dummy in no time :(
I'd love the extra space, but the parking situation is a limiter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maxim_X

If I could do it again, the jeep and trailer would be gone with a sprinter van in that place.

---

I think that's where I'm headed, long term. Once I finish running my current DD into the ground, I'll probably replace it with a Sprinter and maybe a fun summer toy on the side. It'd be a little weird commuting to work in the winter in a Sprinter. But plenty of people do it in 1-ton, extended wheelbase pickups. So why not.

Always get bigger then you think you need. Aluminum is much better on gas. Vnose helps as well & has that extra space

How much trailer does 7000 lbs towing capacity get you?

Pretty good sized. 14' I would say. For reference my hauler is rated at 7750 fully freighted. I would not pull it with less than a half ton truck just because of wind loading.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkMarine

That's a lot of trailer for a V6 SUV.

---

I've been reading up on Nissan's new NV commercial van. Drivetrain options are their 4.0L V6 and 5.6L V8. I think this is basically the same V6 Oreo uses. Their base 1500 model is only available with the 6. The mid grade 2500 is available with both. You can even get a 2500 high-roof with the 6.

V6 models are rated to tow 7000 lbs! Payloads range from 2600-3200 lbs.
V8 models are rated to tow 9500 lbs.

Point is they get a lot out of that V6. Most opinions I've read are that the V6 is fine for most uses. Their V8 is only called for if you really need the extra tow and payload capacities on a regular basis.

Edit: Also, Ford has no V8 or V10 offering for their new Transit commercial vans. A 3.7L V6 is the base offering. Specs are on par with the outgoing 4.6L V8 offered in the E-series vans.

Seems it's a brave new, V8-less world out there.

Sorry for the tangent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkMarine

So V nose is worth it then? 3-4 MPG is real $ on 400 mile trips

---

I went from flat to V nose and didn't see these kind of gains. I believe the main drag is from the turbulence off the flat back of the trailer which is more a result of trailer height and width.

As said earlier , the extra space inside with the v nose is nice to have.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nhbubba

Seems it's a brave new, V8-less world out there.

Sorry for the tangent.

---

Diesel options are replacing the V8s. I can't argue with it. My I5 diesel only makes 150 HP, but tows like a boss and gets 25mpgs!

I dunno, my hemi v8 gets 18mpg average and 22-23 on the highway. Plus 400hp and it sounds meaty. And I don't pay the 60-80 cent premium for diesel.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkMarine

I dunno, my hemi v8 gets 18mpg average and 22-23 on the highway. Plus 400hp and it sounds meaty. And I don't pay the 60-80 cent premium for diesel.

---

With a small trailer. My Jeep, with the same 5.7 Hemi gets a max of 13mpg while towing my aluminum horse trailer and a single bike.

Towing my little bike trailer doesn't affect my mileage at all.