Choosing a trailer
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==Wood, aluminum or steel decking?== | ==Wood, aluminum or steel decking?== | ||
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In addition, [http://www.rumber.com/ Rumber] has been recommended as an alternative trailer decking solution. Rumber is "lumber" made from recycled tire rubber and plastics. According to the manufacturer, it's durable, non-slip, easy to clean, impervious to water, UV-resistant, and it will not crack, rot, or split. | In addition, [http://www.rumber.com/ Rumber] has been recommended as an alternative trailer decking solution. Rumber is "lumber" made from recycled tire rubber and plastics. According to the manufacturer, it's durable, non-slip, easy to clean, impervious to water, UV-resistant, and it will not crack, rot, or split. | ||
| + | Unfortunately rumber shouldn't be used for car trailers. The material can't take the concentrated weight that a car can place in such a small area without additional crossmember support, the original use for rumber was for horse trailers. | ||
| − | == Advantages of | + | Therefore, steel decks or wood decks are the choice for car haulers. Steel decks are much easier to maintain and do not "rot". Wood decks are much easier to repair. |
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| + | == Advantages of all-aluminum trailers == | ||
*Light weight | *Light weight | ||
*More load capacity | *More load capacity | ||
*Less rolling resistance equals better gas mileage. | *Less rolling resistance equals better gas mileage. | ||
| − | *Non-skid tongue and groove aluminum extruded flooring | + | *Non-skid tongue and groove aluminum extruded flooring. |
| − | *Low | + | *Low maintenance surface. |
*Maintains its value. | *Maintains its value. | ||
===Advantages of wood decking=== | ===Advantages of wood decking=== | ||
| − | *Won't rust, can rot. Lighter than steel. | + | *Won't [[rust]], can rot. Lighter than steel. |
*Your load won't slide around as much, and the deck won't get oily and slippery when hauling cars leaking fluids. Although, diamond-plate decks help with slipping. | *Your load won't slide around as much, and the deck won't get oily and slippery when hauling cars leaking fluids. Although, diamond-plate decks help with slipping. | ||
*Wood can loosen, crack, and warp. Fluids soak in, leaving a mess. | *Wood can loosen, crack, and warp. Fluids soak in, leaving a mess. | ||
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*Pressure treated decking can last up to 25 years. | *Pressure treated decking can last up to 25 years. | ||
*Cracked or broken planks can easily be replaced. | *Cracked or broken planks can easily be replaced. | ||
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| + | [[Image:Rampssm.jpg]] | ||
===Advantages of steel decking=== | ===Advantages of steel decking=== | ||
| − | *Cheap to purchase | + | *Cheap to purchase. |
| − | *Won't rot. | + | *Won't rot, but will rust if not suitably painted. |
| − | *Provides a strong durable working surface with low | + | *Provides a strong durable working surface with low maintenance and upkeep. |
| − | *Comes in a variety of surfaces | + | *Comes in a variety of surfaces: smooth, checkplate, grate, etc. |
*Easy to modify, add accessories to, repair, change the appearance of. | *Easy to modify, add accessories to, repair, change the appearance of. | ||
*Stands up to the abuse of dragging wrecks or loads on to it. | *Stands up to the abuse of dragging wrecks or loads on to it. | ||
*Surface may become slippery in wet or snow conditions. | *Surface may become slippery in wet or snow conditions. | ||
*Subject to rusting, can be powder coated or epoxy painted to resist rusting at a premium. | *Subject to rusting, can be powder coated or epoxy painted to resist rusting at a premium. | ||
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| + | [[Image:Steel_deck.jpg ]] | ||
==Advantages of enclosed trailers== | ==Advantages of enclosed trailers== | ||
| − | *Safe and | + | *Safe and secure. Keep nosy people and thieves wondering. Makes for better piece of mind when you are stopped to eat or rest. |
*Useful as storage when parked. | *Useful as storage when parked. | ||
*Vehicle is clean when you get to the event. | *Vehicle is clean when you get to the event. | ||
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*Less weight. | *Less weight. | ||
*Oils and fluids leak onto the ground, rather than onto your trailer. | *Oils and fluids leak onto the ground, rather than onto your trailer. | ||
| − | *You can work under the car while | + | *You can work under the car while it's on the trailer. |
*Are much easier to see what is all around it when empty. | *Are much easier to see what is all around it when empty. | ||
==Coating a trailer deck== | ==Coating a trailer deck== | ||
Whether your deck is wood or metal, it will need to be coated. The coating provided by the manufacturer is often inadequate. Ideally, coat the decking top and bottom. Recommended coatings: powder coating, bedliner, [http://www.westsystem.com/ West System Epoxy], or this "farmer fix" method: | Whether your deck is wood or metal, it will need to be coated. The coating provided by the manufacturer is often inadequate. Ideally, coat the decking top and bottom. Recommended coatings: powder coating, bedliner, [http://www.westsystem.com/ West System Epoxy], or this "farmer fix" method: | ||
| − | *Change your tow car's oil, and save the oil. Add 1 quart of aluminum paint and one gallon of thinner, diesel, or any oil-based liquid. Brush it on with a shop broom, and let it sit in the sun for several days. As an alternative, half used motor oil and half diesel fuel has also been recommended. | + | *Change your tow car's oil, and save the oil. Add 1 quart of aluminum paint and one gallon of thinner, diesel, or any oil-based liquid. Brush it on with a shop broom, and let it sit in the sun for several days. As an alternative, half used motor oil and half diesel fuel has also been recommended. |
==Buying a trailer== | ==Buying a trailer== | ||
*Buy a trailer that will suit your needs and your pocketbook. | *Buy a trailer that will suit your needs and your pocketbook. | ||
*Look for trailers to buy at race tracks. There are people there with a trailer and no car. | *Look for trailers to buy at race tracks. There are people there with a trailer and no car. | ||
| − | *Torsion axle | + | *Torsion axle trailers pull better empty, and adjust their ride to the load they carry. |
*Buy a trailer with brakes on each axle, they are easier to stop and control in emergency situations. | *Buy a trailer with brakes on each axle, they are easier to stop and control in emergency situations. | ||
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*White enclosed trailers are cooler...temperature wise. | *White enclosed trailers are cooler...temperature wise. | ||
*Dual axle trailers pull better than single axle trailers. Triple axles will scuff tires on tight turning but will even out trailer loading and balancing. | *Dual axle trailers pull better than single axle trailers. Triple axles will scuff tires on tight turning but will even out trailer loading and balancing. | ||
| + | * A metal floor is easier to clean after a spill or leaks | ||
| + | * An electric winch is a good addition | ||
| + | * Some trailers have a spare tire option in the floor, which is a good addition. | ||
| + | * Most trailers come with a 3500 lbs axle or a 5200 lbs axle. The 5200 lbs option gives you bigger brakes and 6 lug heavy duty wheels. | ||
| + | * Crawl under trailer to confirm axle ratings before purchasing. Don't just rely on nameplate rating. | ||
===Wood trailer buying tips=== | ===Wood trailer buying tips=== | ||
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===Suppliers and manufacturers=== | ===Suppliers and manufacturers=== | ||
| + | *[http://www.abutrailers.com/ ABU Trailers] | ||
*Alum-Line ( http://www.alumline.com ) | *Alum-Line ( http://www.alumline.com ) | ||
*Dargo | *Dargo | ||
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*Fleet | *Fleet | ||
| + | *[http://www.thekingcompany.com The King Company] | ||
| + | *Long Haul | ||
*[http://www.paceamerican.com/ Pace American] | *[http://www.paceamerican.com/ Pace American] | ||
| − | * | + | *Sloan |
| − | *[http:// | + | *[http://trailtech.com Trailtech] |
==Trailer winches== | ==Trailer winches== | ||
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*Tie-down loops or rails can be used for extra support. Rebar makes a decent tie-down rail, and the ridges on it provide traction for tie-down straps and rope. | *Tie-down loops or rails can be used for extra support. Rebar makes a decent tie-down rail, and the ridges on it provide traction for tie-down straps and rope. | ||
*Use tire hold-down straps to contain the front wheels of the hauled vehicle. | *Use tire hold-down straps to contain the front wheels of the hauled vehicle. | ||
| + | *If at all possible, use "D" rings, floor mounted for extra security. Never "hook" to the deck's lower frame, or rails not intended for securing heavy loads. | ||
===Miscellaneous towing tips=== | ===Miscellaneous towing tips=== | ||
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==Miscellaneous trailer tips== | ==Miscellaneous trailer tips== | ||
*A box on the tongue is useful for holding jacks, chocks, tie-down straps, hand tools, etc. | *A box on the tongue is useful for holding jacks, chocks, tie-down straps, hand tools, etc. | ||
| − | *Some wood deck trailers are not pressure-treated wood, and won't last long at all. Replace cracked or rotted planks. Check trailer frame for cracks or separations. | + | *Some wood deck trailers are not pressure-treated wood, and won't last long at all. Replace cracked or rotted planks. Check trailer frame for cracks or separations, and repair immediately if any defects are found. |
| − | *Balance load on trailer to keep tongue weight within | + | *Balance load on trailer to keep tongue weight within manufacturer's specifications. |
| − | == | + | ==Resources== |
| − | [http://www.hotrodders.com/ | + | *[http://www.hotrodders.com/kb/trailers Trailers] |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/trailer-recommendations-wood-deck-115912.html Trailer recommendations], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', June 21, 2007. | + | *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/trailer-recommendations-wood-deck-115912.html Trailer recommendations], ''Hotrodders Bulletin Board'', June 21, 2007. |
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[[Category:Garage and shop]] | [[Category:Garage and shop]] | ||
| + | [[Category:General hotrodding]] | ||
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