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Offline James Buchan

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« on: October 21, 2006, 09:16:51 AM »
Thinking of picking up a trailer in the next couple months and am looking for some insight. Has anyone ever owned or used an aluminum trailer? I am looking at one of these:

SPECIFICATIONS
7,000 LB GVW
100% Aluminum construction
Marine Grade Aluminum
4-Wheel Electric Brakes
Battery Breakaway System
5' Slide-out Ramps
Goodyear Marathon Tires
White or Galvanized Wheels
2x6 Fir decking
2-5/16\" Ball Coupler
Weighs only 990 lbs
Seal Beam Lighting
Government Certified
Stake Pockets and Rub-Rail
2 Year Warranty



OR:
3000LBS GVW weighs about 1/2 of the above

« Last Edit: October 21, 2006, 09:17:22 AM by James Buchan »
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Offline Darren Dilley

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« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2006, 09:33:43 AM »
How much are they?  
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Offline Darren

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« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2006, 09:40:45 AM »
James if it's for your bug I would go with a single axle, with the axle moved back about an extra foot, they tow real nice and with 1/2 the tires and brakes to deal with, Also less weight.
Also the bigger trailer you get the more popular they are for people wanting to borrow, and the quicker they seem to get ripped off.
( I have lost 2 of them over the years)

Those look damm nice!
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Offline James Buchan

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« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2006, 10:26:19 AM »
They are relativly inexpensive - plus they are a customer of Cindy's so I may be able to work a discount...

http://www.expresstrailer.com/a-car.htm
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Offline Tom H.

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« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2006, 10:29:00 AM »
the bigger the trailer the bigger the truck to pull it.......... and the more fuel.

The single axle I had built with the adjustable wheel base has been a great trailer for more than 10 years. Total all up weight with car is under 3,000#s. Get at least a 13' deck, 14' works nicely. An extra long tongue also adds wheel base for better towing at speed and gives more room for a box. Get electric brakes, not surge brakes.
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Billyisgr8

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« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2006, 11:55:29 AM »
Quote
They are relativly inexpensive - plus they are a customer of Cindy's so I may be able to work a discount...

http://www.expresstrailer.com/a-car.htm

My old neighbor next door here ( Mara Mountain Welding )  was going to build me a 14' deck aluminum  trailer with 1 axle for $2000.00 with electric brakes.

Just so you know for a comparison.

Kevin
« Last Edit: October 21, 2006, 11:56:18 AM by Billyisgr8 »
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Matt

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« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2006, 12:06:54 PM »
I drove by this place a handfull of times while working on the Island and wondered how much they were. If I ever bought a trailer, I'd get a small single axle because that is all my V6 truck could handle. I tried a 20' flatdeck with it and thought I was going to blow it up. What's your new Escape rated for tow capacity?  
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Offline James Buchan

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« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2006, 12:13:06 PM »
3500lbs on the Escape - My car weighs in at 1480lbs so I was looking for a trailer 1000lbs or less. My other thought was to buy an old horse trailer and convert it, they are around the perfect size
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Billyisgr8

Car Trailers
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2006, 12:20:34 PM »
Quote
3500lbs on the Escape - My car weighs in at 1480lbs so I was looking for a trailer 1000lbs or less. My other thought was to buy an old horse trailer and convert it, they are around the perfect size
Don't forget about old travel trailers.  There is one in the interior buy and sell. 7 x 16 for $200.00 perfect trailer once stripped.  Abit on the heavy side though.    250-770-0948 penticton #

Should be lots like that in the lower mainland just ready to be hauled away look around at the farms that are delapetated..

Kevin
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Offline Shane

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« Reply #9 on: October 21, 2006, 02:37:11 PM »
That second trailer is killer, That is the one I would buy. Buy the time you convert an old Horsetrailer that needs new everything and smells like shit..... why bother,,, You have the coin James...
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Offline Mowser

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« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2006, 03:38:46 PM »
I'm with Shane on this one.  That second trailer would be perfect.  I looked at their site and didn't see a single axle trailer that would fit the bill.  Besides that I've always been a fan of tandem trailers.  You blow a tire on a single axle and you are parked.  With a tandem at least you could limp it to a better place to replace a blown tire or bearing or what have you.  I'd be willing to bet that one axle is more than capable of taking the weight of you beetle.  Having the second just makes for less tongue weight and a nicer pull.
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Offline Bruce

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« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2006, 09:19:12 PM »
Quote
. My other thought was to buy an old horse trailer and convert it, they are around the perfect size
Forget the horse trailer.  Ask Duane how corrosive horse piss is.  The whole base will be rotten.  About the only good thing you would get is the axle.  On the bright side, it will be narrower than the ones used on regular car trailers.  It would allow you to build a lighter trailer.  A light and narrow trailer will be less attractive to thieves who might want to one day put a big V8 car on it.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2006, 09:23:40 PM by Bruce »
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Offline BUSDADDY

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« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2006, 09:49:49 PM »
You're right Bruce, every old horse trailer we've had has been rotten in places you wouldn't expect. I've been hauling Hondas and dubs on former 18-20' travel trailers. The tandems are usually good for 3500 lbs.  and most of them are fairly light. Sell the fridge and stuff out of it and tow the rest to the dump, wrap a chain around it a few inches above the deck attached to something heavy and drive away. They aren't as wide between the wheels but who cares, just an excuse to say no when someone want's you to haul a wide ride.
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Offline flat4

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« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2006, 05:28:11 PM »
Do those prices include brakes?  From the photos, it doesn't appear to have any.  Aluminum is certainly the way to go.  The second trailer is pretty darn nice.  I'm with Shane.
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Offline James Buchan

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« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2006, 06:11:08 PM »
I sent an email asking for more clarification and if I can have some options added (like a winch mount)

I'll post up what I hear back
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Offline Shane

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« Reply #15 on: October 22, 2006, 06:46:09 PM »
Quote
3500lbs on the Escape - My car weighs in at 1480lbs so I was looking for a trailer 1000lbs or less. My other thought was to buy an old horse trailer and convert it, they are around the perfect size
That triangle checker on the front is a winch mount, That is all you need...
 
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Offline jim martin

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« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2006, 07:50:54 PM »
i talked to those guys about that trailer picture and it was custom buildt as is almost all of there product for a customer that was towing something real small and low thats why it needed the low profile tires,if i remember when i was looking at trailers from them there was not a huge cost savings just more the ability to get what you want.

my 2 cents when looking for a trailer is
if you are planning on doing any overnight road trips etc and your car is worth a pretty penny buy a enclosed trailer.
if you just need it for the odd trip to mission only ,and you have a pickup to load your extra stuff in buy a open deck .
and if you own a trailer don't tell anyone :D  
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Offline Tom H.

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« Reply #17 on: October 22, 2006, 09:15:15 PM »
There is one HUGE advantage to the low pro tyres and fenders on the #3000er that is a real pain in the a$$ on a tandem......































































The car doors will open over the fender instead of into the fender!
« Last Edit: October 22, 2006, 09:15:47 PM by Tom H. »
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Offline Alp

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« Reply #18 on: October 22, 2006, 10:03:17 PM »
I had a full size 26 foot fully enclosed all aluminum trailer to haul my Harley dragbike stuff.  It was nice because it was light but they will crack when the miles add up.  I use to pack a lot of stuff and over the 4-5 years it was in need of a far number of rewelds.  The guys who built it were very capable.  They are located in Maple Ridge.  If you want I can pass on the number to them.  You show them what you want and see if they can beat the price.  Maybe able to save some dough??
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Offline Island bugs

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« Reply #19 on: October 22, 2006, 11:09:18 PM »
James Listen to Jim you should buy my trailer so you can lock up the bug & tools. Wayne
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Offline James Buchan

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« Reply #20 on: October 23, 2006, 06:37:34 AM »
Thanks wayne but I think your trailer would kill my Escape!

Hey Alp - shoot me the number!
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Offline red snapper

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« Reply #21 on: October 23, 2006, 07:14:20 AM »
James, keep me posted on that as well. I would like to get a little something a wee bit lighter.
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Offline James Buchan

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« Reply #22 on: October 23, 2006, 11:19:45 AM »
Quote
I would like to get a little something a wee bit lighter.


You getting rid of that heavy ass ghia of yours????

 :lol:  
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Offline red snapper

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« Reply #23 on: October 23, 2006, 11:43:54 AM »
Quote
Quote
I would like to get a little something a wee bit lighter.


You getting rid of that heavy ass ghia of yours????

 :lol:
Smartass! I was talking about a lighter car trailer. For the record, I have a lighter car already. If I remember correctly you were against car trailers. Is your car going to be a trailer queen now????? :P  
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Offline flat4

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« Reply #24 on: October 23, 2006, 01:00:48 PM »
Quote
Thanks wayne but I think your trailer would kill my Escape!

Daily driving should take care of killing your Escape just fine.

What is that acronym agian?  FORD-Fix Or Repair Daily or was it Found On Road Dead?

For around town, you might be ok towing with an Escape.  Don't try the mountains though.  Those V6s just don't have the torque to pull uphill.
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Offline James Buchan

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« Reply #25 on: October 23, 2006, 01:56:42 PM »
Who cares - that's what warrenties and giving the keys back after the lease are for! I'm done with used daily cars.
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Offline steveo_32

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« Reply #26 on: October 23, 2006, 05:12:51 PM »
One downfall on a aluminum trailer is there are lots of stress cracks down the road. Weather plays a wear factor on those type's of trailers where as steel it does not to the same effect. I was looking into aluminum a while ago and found i few things that i did not like, but i was also looking for a trailer for towing bugs and buses from all over B.C. in and i went with a steel one. If you are using it just for your car to the track and shows it will be fine. but more serious hauling talk to the trailer shops around and you'll find out why i choose steel.
 My 2 cents.

They do look damb nice thou!
Cheers
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« Reply #27 on: October 23, 2006, 05:51:26 PM »
James have you thought about a tow dolly?

Kevin
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