Cargo Trailer

[JoeM 7,924]

Kicking this idea around. 7x16 cargo trailer. Prices have eased a little. 

I need a bigger trailer, could use some more storage too. Keep the nicer ones in there. Permitting here for building is now a nightmare.

Anyone got any brand advice?

This is a US Cargo at a local dealer. Asking $8400 (after stopping at Wendy's, on the way home from the show, and getting 3 hamburgs a fri and two cokes for $27...... not filling it is too bad a price)

[ebinmaine 70,719]

22 minutes ago, JoeM said:

7x16 ******* trailer

 

Really can't comment on the brand as I am unfamiliar with them.

Having been looking on and off for a trailer for a couple years or more I will say this:

Actual measurements very in comparison to published measurements.

 

CHECK YOUR ACTUAL MEASUREMENT BEFORE PURCHASE. 

 

I also add to very carefully consider going 8 ft wide if the price difference is not too bad.

 

[Ed Kennell 40,468]

36 minutes ago, JoeM said:

3 hamburgs a fri and two cokes for $27

And the cokes are even free for us old people.    

[Handy Don 13,340]

Assuming you already have (or have budgeted for) a suitable tow vehicle, I think of trailer buying as a “backward” exercise.

What will I carry? How far? What does it weigh? Does the cargo need protection? Where will I store the trailer (some places ban long-term parking of utility vehicles; some neighbors might complain)? What will be the effect on operating costs like licensing, inspections, maintenance, insurance, and fuel usage?

Edited June 29, 2023 by Handy Don

[ri702bill 8,967]

28 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

insurance, and fuel usage?

Here in RI, liability for the trailer, not the contents, is covered by the tow vehicle.

That trailer seems to have a flat as a barn door front - others have a Vee shape - cuts the wind better and provides a tad more internal storage.

Trailer brakes?? Surge of electric?? Pros and cons to both... mentioned in @ebinmaine's recent acquisition thread...

Here, a 3000+ (or close to that) trailer requires annual inspection...

[Achto 28,777]

One thing that I have noticed in our area with enclosed trailers. A used enclosed is only about $1000 cheaper than a new enclosed, age does not seem to matter. 

 

18 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Trailer brakes?? Surge of electric?? Pros and cons to both

 

 Never pulled anything with surge brakes, so can't comment on pro's or con's

[ebinmaine 70,719]

2 minutes ago, Achto said:

One thing that I have noticed in our area with enclosed trailers. A used enclosed is only about $1000 cheaper than a new enclosed, age does not seem to matter. 

 

 

 

Same here weather enclosed or not.

I had pretty much made up my mind to stop looking for a pre-owned trailer and just by a new one when the time was right.

Only reason I found the one we just picked up is because I drive by where it was for sale everyday.

 

 

New trailer will offer a warranty that a used one just can't.

New trailer is likely to have tires that are less than a year old.

 

For a little extra money I would go new every time.

[ri702bill 8,967]

Surge brakes are a different animal - a self contained hydraulic system, most likely drum brakes. A device in the trailer tongue activates them - as the tow car slows, force is applied to the gizmo aft of the ball. The slower the car goes during it's braking, the more force the trailer applies to the gizmo, the more the trailer applies its brakes. Simple, sweet?? NO An out of control trailer swerving decreases th brake pressure, goes to nothing when the trailer spins you around and passes you.... not good. Now you are trying to control the vehicle and a trailer attached with NO brakes...

Edited June 29, 2023 by ri702bill

[JoeM 7,924]

Yep

all great points

i got to make sure the interior will fit two WH’s side by side comfortably! 

Yearly inspection here too. 
my truck can pull 11000 I’m good on the GVW size 

electric brakes for sure. surge brakes seem more popular on boat trailers ?? 

I have a 6x12 utility now towed three machines to the show 17mpg not bad for gas. Figure the wind on a cargo trailer will knock that down a bit. 
same here on used vs new not much savings on used and if they are cheaper they are usually beat up 

 

 

[ri702bill 8,967]

30 minutes ago, JoeM said:

not much savings on used and if they are cheaper they are usually beat up 

Kind of along the same line as the tractors we buy!! 

[lynnmor 7,559]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

Here in RI, liability for the trailer, not the contents, is covered by the tow vehicle.

That trailer seems to have a flat as a barn door front - others have a Vee shape - cuts the wind better and provides a tad more internal storage.

Trailer brakes?? Surge of electric?? Pros and cons to both... mentioned in @ebinmaine's recent acquisition thread...

Here, a 3000+ (or close to that) trailer requires annual inspection...

 

The V nose theory is just that, a theory.  Here is just one source debunking that myth.  If you want a more aerodynamic shape you want the rear of the trailer to come to a point, just look at sub-sonic aircraft.

 

My personal experience was a trip to Maine pulling a V nose snowmobile trailer with a F250 diesel, my traveling partner had an almost identical setup, same snowmobiles, truck and weight except his trailer was flat nose and a bit higher.  He got better mileage.

[Racinbob 11,726]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

Surge brakes are a different animal - a self contained hydraulic system, most likely drum brakes. A device in the trailer tongue activates them - as the tow car slows, force is applied to the gizmo aft of the ball. The slower the car goes during it's braking, the more force the trailer applies to the gizmo, the more the trailer applies its brakes. Simple, sweet?? NO An out of control trailer swerving decreases th brake pressure, goes to nothing when the trailer spins you around and passes you.... not good. Now you are trying to control the vehicle and a trailer attached with NO brakes...

 

I've towed with surge brakes mostly on boat trailers but also a couple cargo trailers. Boat trailers are generally very stable. Cargo trailers are usually stable but improper loading can make them a beast as can wind blasts from big trucks. You get used to the surge and can feel it and keep the trailer brakes applied with lighter tow vehicle braking. I much prefer the adjustable control that electric brakes provide. A BIG plus with electric is that if a trailer does start to sway simply manually apply the trailer brakes only and it will usually almost snap you straight. Some years back I was pulling a 30' travel trailer and a mechanical issue suddenly put it into beast mode at highway speeds. Not only did I manually apply the electrics I feathered the throttle. Basically I was giving all the opposite forces from the truck and trailer that I could. I didn't totally back off the throttle until we were nearly stopped. It wasn't funny at the time but later I got some laughs because my wife was screaming to get my foot off the gas. 

[Handy Don 13,340]

1 hour ago, lynnmor said:

The V nose theory is just that, a theory.

Totally correct.

Look at all the new small travel trailers for EVs. Wind tunnel tested to minimize drag and they all tuck in closely behind the tow vehicle and slope down dramatically at the rear.

On the V90 wagon that I just acquired, Volvo sacrificed interior cargo space to put a very shallow slope on the rear window to gain a couple of miles per gallon at speed.

 

One reason mid-sized boat trailers commonly use surge brakes is that electrics are much more vulnerable to problems after being submerged for launch/retrieval.

 

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

screaming to get my foot off the gas

Glad you had the presence of mind to avoid this AND the almost certain jackknife that would have ensued.

[JoeM 7,924]

2 hours ago, lynnmor said:

If you want a more aerodynamic shape you want the rear of the trailer to come to a point, just look at sub-sonic aircraft

Pretty good reading lynn. Explains the airplane shape. And I suppose I have a pickup truck breaking the wind in front.

Just ticking around I went to the couple local dealers web sites looking at flat front. The V is most popular, but they do have the others and they seem like better quality at the same prices. 

Might have take a ride next week and check that out.

 

[lynnmor 7,559]

1 minute ago, JoeM said:

Might have take a ride next week and check that out.

I wouldn’t let the shape be a factor in your decision, look at the quality.  One thing to consider is how water may penetrate at the bottom, many depend on a bit of caulk instead of designing for positive flow.

[JoeM 7,924]

4 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

I wouldn’t let the shape be a factor in your decision, look at the quality.

The one nice thing is the one place carries multi-able brands. And they have both in stock in both designs. 

The bottom is a concern. 

 

[ri702bill 8,967]

All good info - and yes, boat trailer brakes have a SHORT lifespan - around here, with the salt water - two seasons is all you can expect, even if you failthfully wash them out...  One season of "not so bad...", next season - "not so good", third season "where are the brakes" ??

Edited June 29, 2023 by ri702bill

[Racinbob 11,726]

They will go much longer than that. The 17 years we lived in Florida we had a boat we used in the intercostal as well as deeper waters. After every saltwater immersion on the way home I always backed in into a freshwater lake simply to give the brakes a good flush and hosed it when we got home. A hose alone just didn't do it properly. Never had an issue. You shouldn't either since I doubt you'll be backing into salt.

 

 

Edited June 30, 2023 by Racinbob

[Ed Kennell 40,468]

13 hours ago, ri702bill said:

with the salt water - two seasons is all you can expect,

If you 'r lucky.    When I had my tandem axle with 4 wheel brakes and was dunking it twice a day in the Delaware Bay, I was rebuilding the brakes every winter.

After several years, I replacer the drums with SST disc brakes.   That wasn't much better...The aluminum cylinders corroded and froze the pistons.

Finally took all the brakes off and scrapped them.    I just drove slow and never in the rain.       

 

BTW, I did hose them off every evening, but the empty trailer sat in the hot parking lot all day after the AM launch.       

I didn't have a fresh water lake to do the @Racinbob rinse.

[oldlineman 1,495]

Just an observation but wouldn't an 8' wide have internal wheel wells and that would make loading a little harder and less convenient. Bob 

[ebinmaine 70,719]

2 hours ago, oldlineman said:

Just an observation but wouldn't an 8' wide have internal wheel wells and that would make loading a little harder and less convenient. Bob 

Depends on the setup.

If the axles are 8 ft 6 across that frees up a little interior space. 

If the trailer is set a little higher It can do the same thing. 

[Handy Don 13,340]

On 6/29/2023 at 12:53 PM, JoeM said:

Pretty good reading lynn. Explains the airplane shape. And I suppose I have a pickup truck breaking the wind in front.

Just ticking around I went to the couple local dealers web sites looking at flat front. The V is most popular, but they do have the others and they seem like better quality at the same prices. 

Ask if they’ll take a pointy trailer and rotate the box so the pointy end is at the back? 

[Handy Don 13,340]

On 6/29/2023 at 9:20 PM, Racinbob said:

They will go much longer than that. The 17 years we lived in Florida we had a boat we used in the intercostal as well as deeper waters. After every saltwater immersion on the way home I always backed in into a freshwater lake simply to give the brakes a good flush and hosed it when we got home. A hose alone just didn't do it properly. Never had an issue. You shouldn't either since I doubt you'll be backing into salt.

 

 

Now if the NY DEP catches you dunking a trailer (or boat) that’s been in another body of water and not thoroughly washed since you’ll get a summons for possibly transferring invasive flora or fauna.

[ebinmaine 70,719]

20 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Now if the NY DEP catches you dunking a trailer (or boat) that’s been in another body of water and not thoroughly washed since you’ll get a summons for possibly transferring invasive flora or fauna.

True here in Maine too. 

They DO check and WILL ticket. 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 27,515]

25 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Now if the NY DEP catches you dunking a trailer (or boat) that’s been in another body of water and not thoroughly washed since you’ll get a summons for possibly transferring invasive flora or fauna.

 

4 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

True here in Maine too. 

They DO check and WILL ticket. 

 

 

Michigan has an advisory approach. Posters signs billboards... doesn't do the trick. See people with seaweed hanging off their trailers all the time...  Bilges, onboard fish tanks, ballast tanks all culprits.

 

Two words: Zebra Mussels...