Enclosed trailers

We've been doing some enclosed trailer shopping. Long term goal is to haul my 16.5' Fairlane along with a junior dragster and a golf cart. 32' is obviously more roomy but heavier. Most have 3 axles. A 28' will fit with a lift for the dragster. I'll be towing with a gas powered F250 6.2l. Any thoughts on triple vs tandem axles, dragster lifts, etc? We've been looking at Vintage, Haulmark, and Bravo. Any advice?

Unless it is a very heavy trailer, I wouldn't see the need to go to triples. My 48' has triple 7k axles, but it weighs 13k empty. I would get the larger trailer, because no matter how big it is, it won't be big enough after you pile it full of stuff. I used to take a 53' trailer behind the Peterbilt, and there was never enough room in it too. I don't think that 6.2 will have any more trouble pulling a 32' trailer vs. a 28'.

i like my 36'goose 28' on the floor with room for my 69 and 70"wheelie bars i could get a jr in too but DONT tell the kids! i realy like my featherlite trailer,it cost more but its worth every dime and it'll hold its value better than any other brand.

32' for sure, not that much diff in LBS, or $$$$
You might check Continental cargo as well.

I would buy a triple axle just for the fact that will all the junky chinese trailer tires out there that blow off almost every time you use it. At least with 3 on each side you can limp to a tire store and buy more chinese tires to get home. Seriously, don't buy any trailer with 15" tires. And don't think because you are buying an expensive trailer you are buying a good trailer. Some say that triple axles are harder on tires but I have never had a set on there long enough to actually wear out.


I have a Haulmark Edge 32' and pretty much every time I have used it I have had to replace at least 1 tire. It's pretty but when I crawled under it the wires were not protected with grommets where they go through the frame. I would have taken it back but there is no Haulmark places close to where I live.

-Consider service when buying a new trailer.
-Also look at the power. For some reason when you get into a larger trailer they put a 50 amp RV plug on the thing. I have 4 fluorescent lights and 1 A/C unit. 50 amp adapters and cords are very expensive and way over kill IMO.
-I've never pulled a 28' but 32' is a beast. With a 5' hitch they are 37' long. You will be stuck to truck stops and walmart parking lots.
-Another curse to the 32' trailer is they usually make them all loaded up so they are expensive. You can order a plain jain 32' but I had a hard time trying to find one on the lot. Typically when you step up to the big trailers most people buy them loaded so that is what is in stock. Your time frame will determine this.
-Tandem vs triple axle cost. When I looked it seemed like going from a tandem to triple axle the cost jumped $5000+. Partly because of the axle but a lot because of the previous comment about plain vs loaded up. Not to mention 2 extra tires when they are blowing apart.
-Make sure account for cabinets when you are figuring out how many cars you can carry. I have to remove one of my cabinets to get two cars in there.

I don't know your finances but if you buy a big beasty 5th wheel (35'+) they depreciate like crazy and can be had in $10k range all the time. Considerably less than what you will pay for a new 32'.

Good luck and of course these are just my experiences.

If you buying new you can get a 32 with 2 axles but the get tongue heavy in a hurry if you thinking about a tag unit if I was buying a 32 I would opt for 3 axles they want sway as bad as a 2 axles but are harder to maneuver around backing into tight spots. Bravo trailers should be a great trailer original owner of Pace American Trailers started the Bravo trailer after he sold Pace. I work at Pace for Mitch for 17 years until he sold us out to the dogs that bought Pace and closed it down after 2 years. Pace American Trailers are still being built but by another trailer company Look Trailer bought the Pace American Trailer name and trailer line not sure how they are built now.

I just picked up a new Cargo mate a few months back 28' with 2 axles, tow it with a 6.2 F250 no sweat.

If your going with a 32' on, I'd definetly get the 3 Axle's, its easy to get the weight up real fast when you have space.

Thanks for the input. I found a 32' that is only 1 yr old that I can get cheaper than any of the 28' foot trailers but I'm not that excited about towing that much length especially at gas stations, etc. It has triple 5200 lb axles which seems pretty STD. Unless you special order.

I have a 34' bumper pull and like Schmitty said,you can never get enough room. I took my Dragster lift out a few weeks ago and it gave me some room on the sides. And the lift IS ForSale if anyone is interested.

The very first thing. Do not buy a trailer that doesn't have 16" load range "E" tires. You'll thank me later.

I you plan on keeping it, go for a outside skin that is greater than .030. It will improve the looks 10 fold.

I have a 30' bumper pull that is set up to haul a door car, a dragster, 2 Jrs, and a 4 wheeler. A little planning goes a long way.

Of all the metal trailer builders out there, Vintage is the tried and true brand. They have been thru all of the lows and are still in business. They also build trailers for a lot of other companies.

If you ever plan on towing with a motorhome, make sure you get an extended tongue.

I would have the front vent braced and wired for an AC unit. You never know. Mine has a .030 interior wall skin with insulation.

Make sure you have a generator door that will fit a generator.

Ask for backing plates on all of the D rings, or just install them all yourself.

Get a good quality awning.



Don't fall into the "this one is available now". You're fixing to lay down a lot of $$$$. Get what works for you.

Adding to what Curt has said..... Spend the money on the smooth skin, the screwed stuff is a PITA.

I also got mine complete with AC, Wired in and Out and an Awning.

With what you intend to do ... get a gooseneck or a fifth wheel. SOooo much easier to hook-up, tow, drop, park and back-up; especially when you are by yourself.

A "gold Rush" or "Featherlite" would be best but, most people don't want to pay the extra cash for lightweight. Ford Motor Company didn't mind,

Be careful of the trailer GVW too, if the GVW of the trailer and tow vehicle add up to more than 26,001# you will need a CDL and will have to follow all of the rules that go with it, like log books outside of a 100 mile radius and a DOT#.

Here's a couple shots of mine.

Here is a picture of mine. You'll notice with the .050 exterior that you can't see any ripples. Mine is 18" taller.

Obviously, a 5th wheel or Gooseneck is not always the best option.

Curt wrote:Here is a picture of mine. You'll notice with the .050 exterior that you can't see any ripples. Mine is 18" taller.

Obviously, a 5th wheel or Gooseneck is not always the best option.

Drive them both all around the country and see for yourself; obviously a "gooseneck" or "5th wheel" needs a tow vehicle with rear bed so, when you have a motorhome for a tow vehicle, there is no choice.

I am sorry if anyone's feelings got hurt ... that sure wasn't the intention.

In the end,pick a trailer that fits your budget, and fits your needs.

One other thing I forgot to mention was height. Some people buy short trailers to reduce wind drag. I wanted an 8' walls for as much head room as possible but 7'6" seems standard. I put a bed lift in mine and with the bed all the way up there is a little over 6' of clearance to walk under.





There is nothing like sleeping on a nice comfy full size bed when you are at the track.

^^^^ damn thats a nice trailer

Had my 32' Cargo Mate Eliminator since 2009. Still love it. 0 issues.
put new 10 plys on last year is all.
Foot of extra height is nice.
The new 2012 F350 will walk the dog with it too!

get a gooseneck. you'll love it. you will have to get a 40ft to get 32 on the floor

ace

Thanks for all the input. I bought this one yesterday. 28' Haulmark with 6000 lb axies and 16" wheels. https://www.racingjunk.com/New-Trailers/2520639/2012-28-Haulmark-Edge.html?imageIndex=1&showSuperSize=true

Decided 32' was a little longer than I needed. This one is loaded up. If we get a Jr. some day I'll build a lift.