Truck and trailer

[fissionspeed]

Believe it or not, things are getting to the point with my S10 that I'm going to need to start looking into transportation.

My current daily is a '22 "baby duramax" tahoe 1500. It's been great for comfort and seems to handle towing a u-haul car trailer well. My only gripe is putting heavy stuff into the cargo area, it bounces around and tears up the interior. This is the extent of my car hauling experience.

What I'm having trouble with is, this is fine for grabbing junk off craigslist, and should be ok to take a small trailer and my toolbox to elmo as a beginner. But the truck is low. Someday as the power level increases, it will become very heavy as well. Depending on how serious the operation gets, I might need to bring more tools, equipment, and people.

If I were rich I would get a new 3500 and big enclosed sleeper trailer and not worry about it, but that is not the case The used truck/trailer market hasn't calmed down much here in California either. I guess I'm just struggling with what type of trailer to buy first, whether my truck will be enough to pull it, and how to budget it all. Tradeoffs of cost vs convenience, spend it now vs spend it later, and what not.

Any advice for a new guy?

[Elmo Rodge]

I've been using an open flatbed trailer forever. 
Wayno

[kiwi belly tank]

Open trailers are what the low buck racers use. I haul my liner on a used & remodeled one with a 16yr old GMC 6.0 gas engine truck that has 290k miles on it. Everybody passes me on the road but it's good enough for me.
  Sid.

[desotoman]

I like open trailers for local or small trips like to El Mirage or you can get to your destination in the same day.

I like enclosed trailers when I am going somewhere that requires me to spend the night in a Motel for a night or?

Sorry, I don't trust the thieves to not steal anything off an open trailer. But I live in a place where they don't prosecute the thieves, so I guess that explains where I am coming from.

Tom G.

[pdaddyvr6]

My .02
I would not hesitate to pull 8-9k with the 1500.  Are you going to set the cruise at 85 while eating a donut and talking on the phone, probably not, but 60-65 gets you there too.  A open trailer works just fine, but, I have never heard anyone complain about having an enclosed trailer.  I went many years hauling everything around on open trailers, now that I have enclosed, I will never go back.  As stated, the security (possible false sense of) is nice.  Everything that goes to the races can be loaded in the trailer and protected from the weather, which is nice.  Also in the off season most of the race stuff, including the vehicle, can live in the trailer and be out of the way and/or out of the garage.  Plus if you leave the vehicle in the trailer, you have an excuse to not let you brother in law borrow it. I prefer one with 5k axles or greater, 3.5k axles/wheels/tires are pushed to the edge or beyond with a car/truck inside.  I also cannot do a trailer that is not tall enough for me to stand in, something to consider, especially if your tall as a lot are 6 ft ceilings .  The rear door is a consideration as well, some of them are not built heavy enough for a heavier vehicle, but it seems most trailers with 5k axles or better have a better rear door.  There are many manufacturers of enclosed trailers these days, they are all very similar in construction and quality, which is fair at best. Unless you spend twice the money for something high end, look for something that is well kept and has 4 matching decent tires.  I have found you can tell a lot about a trailer by looking at the tires........ lol.  If you have to pick between racing or buying an enclosed trailer, pick racing. But, if you can swing it, I don't think you will regret having an enclosed trailer.

[mc2032]

I drag around a Malibu Barbie 5x8 trailer for the bike.  Funny, friends teased me about the toy trailer, what's it gonna be when it grows up, etc., etc., oh, can i borrow it?  Any way 80 sq ft of shade, free beer and plenty of flat spots to set it can make you popular on the salt.  Just saying.  Open for local, enclosed if your stuff isn't an "every expense spared during the build" vehicle.

[jl222]

  We first started with an enclosed trailer, when we arrived at Bville, chips all over front of brand new candy apple paint job They're always repairing the HI ways. Other than that, it worked just fine.

  Installed barrier.

             JL222

[Dodge Brother]

Similar to Kiwi, we have a 6.0l gas pot, 2500hd for a tow rig that works just fine but we certainly won't win any towing races. We can maintain 60-65 most of the way from western Canada to Wendover other than the steeper hills. We also run a 20' enclosed 10,000lbs trailer and as it's a two day drive, I like that everything is lockable when we stop for the night. I'd love to have a heavier diesel puller but as we only tow for any distance once a year to Bonneville I just can't justify the purchase price or added cost of maintenance.

[Stainless1]

Bo Burkdoll is selling the Texas Limo and the 40ft enclosed... $30K for both....

[1leg]

A 3/4ton truck (big block or 6.0) and a open trailer. Get a longer trailer then you need, for your S10 a 22 or 24 foot would be good. An extra 3-4 feet will give you room to add a golf cart or scooters. Open trailers are easier on fuel mileage and are easier to load and unload. The big plus is all the honks and thumps up you get from race car fan when going down the high way. Good advertisement for the sport.


Enclosed trailers are nice if you plan to sleep inside at El mirage (can't at Bonneville). If you get an enclosed longer then 24 foot I would recommend a dually just makes towing nicer.

Whatever you do make sure you carry two spares for the trailer. 1 is none and when 1 blows the second is only couple miles away.