Enclosed car hauler

[Sparky714]

I've been thinking of upgrading from my open trailer to an enclosed trailer for my Foxbody. I currently have a '19 F150 with the 3.5 eco and 10 speed trans. It pulls my current trailer and car easily. I was thinking between a 20'-24' enclosed. 20' may be too small though. Anybody have a similar enclosed setup?

 

[LILCBRA]

I've never run an enclosed car trailer with my Hemi Ram 1500, but I did have a large bumper pull camper for a bit. Never dealt with the newer Fords, but I'm sure your truck would pull it. After having that large camper, I think if I were to do it again I'd go for a 3/4 ton. I think you'll at least want to invest in a good weight distribution hitch and sway control. I think you'll definitely notice the added weight plus the added wind resistance.

If your truck isn't equipped and you've not thought of it, a pair of bags wouldn't be a bad idea to help with your truck's load capacity. I added them to my truck as well as a cheap Harbor Freight weight distribution hitch for my open trailer and it's made a night and day difference pulling it while loaded. Just food for thought.

 

[LILCBRA]

For example: this was last year on my move from Georgia to Iowa. I aired the bags to about 35 psi and used the hitch. The first pic was setting it up, the second was obviously after breaking the trailer back down to haul a car (and more).

 

[Sparky714]

I've never run an enclosed car trailer with my Hemi Ram 1500, but I did have a large bumper pull camper for a bit. Never dealt with the newer Fords, but I'm sure your truck would pull it. After having that large camper, I think if I were to do it again I'd go for a 3/4 ton. I think you'll at least want to invest in a good weight distribution hitch and sway control. I think you'll definitely notice the added weight plus the added wind resistance.

If your truck isn't equipped and you've not thought of it, a pair of bags wouldn't be a bad idea to help with your truck's load capacity. I added them to my truck as well as a cheap Harbor Freight weight distribution hitch for my open trailer and it's made a night and day difference pulling it while loaded. Just food for thought.

I'd definitely do the weight distribution hitch. And probably airbags too

 

[Bullitt347]

I have a 24' enclosed. After dealing with my friends 20' enclosed with a 93 Foxbody, I decided I wanted a 24' when I bought my own trailer.
It was the best decision I ever made. That extra 4' make all the difference in the world. I special ordered mine so it had 3 axles. I wanted that extra set of trailer brakes. The trailer weighs right at 3,000 lbs empty. (Cargo Mate)
I also have a weight distribution hitch with sway control and it tows like a dream. The car pretty much sits centered over the 3 axles.

 

[Noobz347]

Get one with a personnel door that let's you open the driver door to get in and out.

 

[Bullitt347]

Or set the trailer up with a winch so you can pull the vehicle in without having to be in the car.
That's what I did. I jack the trailer up in the front so the car will roll out on it's own when I want to unload. Obviously still attached to the winch in reverse.
I thought about the personnel door, but the car sits low enough that the drivers door hits the inner fender wells. So it was either "Dukes of Hazard" to get in/out or use the winch.

 

[Sparky714]

Get one with a personnel door that let's you open the driver door to get in and out.

Or set the trailer up with a winch so you can pull the vehicle in without having to be in the car.
That's what I did. I jack the trailer up in the front so the car will roll out on it's own when I want to unload. Obviously still attached to the winch in reverse.
I thought about the personnel door, but the car sits low enough that the drivers door hits the inner fender wells. So it was either "Dukes of Hazard" to get in/out or use the winch.

That is definitely something I've thought about. My open trailer has a fold down fender which works great. But I did borrow an enclosed a few years ago, and it sucks getting in and out. I like both these as options.

 

[DadLife0724]

If your worried about the truck having power to pull, just check your towing capacity. I sold fords when the aluminum bodies came out and I remember the 3.5 with the max tow package was rated at 12k pounds. As for the trailer side, I don't even own a trailer so there's that.

 

[Sparky714]

If your worried about the truck having power to pull, just check your towing capacity. I sold fords when the aluminum bodies came out and I remember the 3.5 with the max tow package was rated at 12k pounds. As for the trailer side, I don't even own a trailer so there's that.

I'm pretty sure I read at least 10k at one time, maybe it is 12k. I'll have to check. Not sure I'd want to pull that heavy very far, but I figure what I'm thinking about getting should be in that 7k range fully loaded.

 

[DadLife0724]

Shoot, even if you are only 10k, pulling 7k should be a cakewalk.

 

[limp]

I pulled the mustang with a Toyota Tacoma crew cab 4.0 liter V6, automatic from Oregon to Florida.. I can't remember what the towing capacity was but I was below it using my featherlite trailer...... Don't let tow capacity ratings make you think certain vehicles are good towing vehicles
The reason I traded the Toyota in on a Chevy 1/2 ton diesel... Longest trip I ever made... It had a hard time making it over the overpasses on the freeway...

 

[bird_dog0347]

If your worried about the truck having power to pull, just check your towing capacity. I sold fords when the aluminum bodies came out and I remember the 3.5 with the max tow package was rated at 12k pounds. As for the trailer side, I don't even own a trailer so there's that.

I'm pretty sure I read at least 10k at one time, maybe it is 12k. I'll have to check. Not sure I'd want to pull that heavy very far, but I figure what I'm thinking about getting should be in that 7k range fully loaded.

Shoot, even if you are only 10k, pulling 7k should be a cakewalk.

While I don't own a car hauler at the moment, I do have a boat and trailer. My old boat was likely around 5k pounds with fluids and gear and stuff, plus a tandem trailer, likely around 7-8k total and I pulled that with a Sierra 1500 (rated as configured for a max of 10.5k) and it was no problem at all. I then upgraded the boat in 2021 and the dry weight of the boat alone is listed at 7200 pounds, plus the triple axle trailer and gear, fuel, etc. we were well over 10k pounds. The 1500 would pull it, even with the 5.3 it had enough power, but the boat would push/pull/bounce the truck around a lot and I knew I was at or over the weight limit. I upgraded the truck to a 2500HD and it made all the difference in the world, my truck as configured is rated to roughly 19k pounds, and the TRUCK is in charge when towing, not the trailer.

Know your weights and stay within the limits. There are tons of guys who say they can tow it with less and yeah, you can get it moving, but how well can you stop it and control it? THAT is what you need to focus on.

 

[DadLife0724]

I pulled the mustang with a Toyota crew cab 4.0 liter V6, automatic from Oregon to Florida.. I can't remember what the towing capacity was but I was below it using my featherlite trailer......
The reason I traded the Toyota in on a Chevy 1/2 ton diesel... Longest trip I ever made... It had a hard time making it over the overpasses on the freeway...

That.... Is a sweet trailer!

 

[Sparky714]

While I don't own a car hauler at the moment, I do have a boat and trailer. My old boat was likely around 5k pounds with fluids and gear and stuff, plus a tandem trailer, likely around 7-8k total and I pulled that with a Sierra 1500 (rated as configured for a max of 10.5k) and it was no problem at all. I then upgraded the boat in 2021 and the dry weight of the boat alone is listed at 7200 pounds, plus the triple axle trailer and gear, fuel, etc. we were well over 10k pounds. The 1500 would pull it, even with the 5.3 it had enough power, but the boat would push/pull/bounce the truck around a lot and I knew I was at or over the weight limit. I upgraded the truck to a 2500HD and it made all the difference in the world, my truck as configured is rated to roughly 19k pounds, and the TRUCK is in charge when towing, not the trailer.

Know your weights and stay within the limits. There are tons of guys who say they can tow it with less and yeah, you can get it moving, but how well can you stop it and control it? THAT is what you need to focus on.

If I want to make a long trip, I have a brother close by with a '24 Duramx that could probably be persuaded into pulling it for me. My '19 F150 only has 40k miles on it, so I have no plans on getting rid of it. So whatever I decide will have to be well within what it is capable of. I love the 3.5 eco with the 10 speed. Plenty of torque and the transmission always keeps it in the power band.

 

[Noobz347]

https://www.trailersuperstore.com/shop/carmate-8-5-x-24-enclosed-car-hauler-get-out-door/

Yeah, I wouldn't even miss the 4 extra feet so long as I had a big ole side door. Then again, my truck is Suburban 3/4 ton so, I already get a little more room.

 

[limp]

That.... Is a sweet trailer!

Thanks..... Sad to say I sold it a few years ago.... I had no place to keep it inside out of the elements and all of my neighbors from a 10 mile radius seemed to think I wanted to let all of them use it..

 

[Noobz347]

This is what I was looking for and could not find (stupid ass google):

https://makemytrailer.com/8-5x20-enclosed-trailer-for-car-with-escape-door

 

[General karthief]

Know your weights and stay within the limits. There are tons of guys who say they can tow it with less and yeah, you can get it moving, but how well can you stop it and control it? THAT is what you need to focus on.

second this^^^^^
I spent my life tow'n crap around, done some sketchy sht, an open trailer will tow different than an enclosed one, really need to pay attention to the combined (gross) weight and trailer brakes, an out of shape vehicle/trailer setup is nearly impossible to control,

 

[OX1]

I just grabbed a 28 foot (30 foot with V-nose).

It was a cheaper brand, but built well enough for my needs.
Picked it up in Ga. for the best price. I plan on adding living 1/4's in the front (full bath/kitchen area/fold down bed).
I did buy an extra horizontal window to be installed after "kitchen" is built.
I also grabbed two 4' x 8' extra outside panels, in case I ever bang up the exterior.
Goal is to be able to do track or offroad weekends with no "camper" or hotel required.

I also plan on stuffing my 6K lb full size offroad Bronco in it, so I upgraded a lot (and it is really tall).
I do have a 23 F250 w/6.7 PS and plan to be about 12K total if/when Bronco is onboard.

I went with two large side doors, as I was not sure on placement of vehicles, and it could change with
different vehicles. This was my total build and prices for options, just to give you an idea.

One thing I was surprised at this price point, was axles and even wheels and tires were all
made by Dexter (one of the top supplier of trailer axles). BTW, everyone says they are
going to tow "slow", but I'm glad these stock tires are rated speed rated for 83 MPH
(obviously I am not doing that ).

They have a price "configurer" you can use to get an idea of what options cost, and
try to compare to any local dealer on price (maybe save a trip to Ga, which was a PIA,
I admit)