[89YT12]

I need something to take like a cooler, chairs, suitcase, and other such items with me going to car shows that the car is not being trailered to.

Car
1989 Camaro I have a hidden frame mounted 1 1/4 hitch on it

Now I have a 4 x 8 but is not one of the light weight store bought it weighs empty more than the weight I want to haul

I also own a 60" wide 20" long hitch rack like this one, only down side is the "hitch weight" it would add

I was thinking about buying a trailer like this one, they are about 100lbs and have the 40 x 48 bed. Would haul all my stuff and most of the weight would be on the trailer axle. Down side, is its another tag, tires, bearings to take care of, and I would feel the need to paint it to match and dress it up a little so it looks a little better behind the car. Here is a pic of how I would like to set it up

So recap

The rack I own, it has lights on it incase the load covers the cars lights and is ready to go, but can add alot of weight to the back of the car/hitch

40" x 48" trailer, Cost $230 normaly, always get the 20% off coupons and plus it goes on sale alot, tag $20 a year. Paint to match car and wood prob another $70-$100


thoughts, suggestions :trink39: :thanku:

 

[davidg]

is that trailer road legal? if so it would be better than the cargo rack out the hitch. it won't be pretty, but it will do the job.

 

[Oo-v-oO]

I'd go for the little 40x48 trailer, but look for one with 12" wheels.
Hitch racks are OK but as low as that one is going to be behind the Camaro I would imagine it would be rubbing on the ground going into and out of driveways, etc.

But - this stuff wouldn't just fit in the hatchback of the Camaro?

 

[Obscured_by_Clouds]

Trailer. They're more sturdy than they look.

Yes, they're DOT approved.

Painted to match, it'll look fine. Maybe consider making it enclosed somehow instead of open with side rails.

There isn't much room at all inside the car. I had trouble even carrying groceries in my '82.

 

[NEWT92]

Id pull one of those trailers way before mounting on the rear.. Even applying 100lbs on rear is gonna affect how the car handles. Pulling one of those trailers, you wont even know its back there.

 

[89YT12]

Yea my thoughts were that trailer too, I did build a rise for the rack so it sits 5 inchs higher than the hitch, but yea its a lot of weight back there

Idk about the 12" wheels makes the trailer taller and would prob nose dive hooked up to the car. I been pulling my 4 x 8 thousands of miles at 75 with 8" wheels never any problems, but it has the bigger 8" tires and they are a 8 ply .... That little one would be the small 8" with a 4 ply ...... So maybe the 12" would be better with light duty tires

No room in the back hatch, air tank, compressor, and a sub are back there. Plus even empty don't fit much

Keep Up the thoughts and ideas to make it better

 

[Oo-v-oO]

I've put a bunch of heavily loaded miles on a utility trailer with 5.70x8 tires, too, but given the choice I would have gone with 12" wheels. The bearings last longer and the tires will roll over bumps and holes in the road much better than the little 4.80x8 tires most of the mini trailers come with would.

As to the tongue height, just make sure your receiver ball hitch has enough rise to meet the tongue level or just slightly below level. They sell them with all different amounts of rise or drop - simply flip it upside down to raise the ball.

The trailer will track behind the car better with the tongue slightly low than it will with it high.

If you had the inclination to do some modification, you could extend the tongue which would also make it tow a little better. It would make backing up a lot easier, too.

 

[NEWT92]

you could extend the tongue which would also make it tow a little better. It would make backing up a lot easier, too.

^^ So very true!! :thThumbsU

 

[89YT12]

Ok I see your point there, altho I have never had a bearing failure but i do clean and repack mine once a year out of maintance.

I got the tallest rise you can get for a 1 1/4 right now and its still not real high but I do think it would work pretty well with the 12" wheels.

I like the idea of maing the tongue longer, that would help ALOT on that little trailer, maybe a small tool box on it too. :thanku:

Now I just need to catch one on sale

 

[Oo-v-oO]

Don't overlook a small boat trailer, if you find one. Some of them used coil springs and would probably ride better than one with leaves - but not as good as one with a rubber torsion axle.

Already has an extended tongue and it wouldn't be too hard to fabricate a squarish deck on the back.

 

[89YT12]

Don't overlook a small boat trailer, if you find one. Some of them used coil springs and would probably ride better than one with leaves - but not as good as one with a rubber torsion axle.

Already has an extended tongue and it wouldn't be too hard to fabricate a squarish deck on the back.

yeah i been keeping my eyes open on CL :thThumbsU :thanku: